Such a production would be sure to draw attention, wouldn’t it? Although, he had a valid point about her blending into the chaos. Or mayhap, he wanted all of those people around because he wanted to make sure they were never alone together.
That hurt. Far more than she could admit to herself.
Rife with reluctance, she bit her lower lip. “I’m loath to ask yer family and friends to inconvenience themselves in such a manner.” She was also horridly conflicted about him. As much as she wanted to spend time in his company—wanted so very much more—his presence was sweet torture.
In this vast house and even vaster rolling lawns and zealously attended gardens, she might admire him from afar. However, in a smaller house, keeping her powerful feelings masked would prove substantially more problematic.
At the moment, the modest, uncomplicated life of a humble seamstress held great appeal.
Liam released a sound, half-snort and half-laugh drawing her from her reveries. As always, her heart kicked up a notch when he laughed. He should do so more often.
She’d love to be the one who caused his happiness and make him enjoy life again. But how did one win the heart of a man determined to rebuff love? A man so wounded, he rejected and scoffed at the very principle of love?
“Kendra will be thrilled,” he said. “And I think Skye could use the distraction. Her father is gravely ill. Mother, on the other hand, hasna been to Edinburgh in years, so she may initially be a mite reluctant.”
“But yer friends? They dinna ken me. Why would they help?” Emeline asked.
“Quinn lives for intrigue, and he has connections that can be verra valuable for things like this. Broden is like a brother to me, and I trust him with my life. He kens I’d do the same for him if he asked. They’ve stayed on here at my behest, to help guard ye.”
Well, that answered that question.
“If ye’ve nae objection, I like to send word to Graeme and Camden Kennedy as well as Logan Rutherford and Coburn Wallace apprisin’ them of what’s occurred. I believe they could be of tremendous help as well.”
So many? Was that really necessary?
She searched his beloved face, reading the concern and determination there. She must trust him in this. If only he would trust her with his heart. “I’ve been meanin’ to write Berget and Arieen as well. I just wasna sure what exactly I should say since we dinna want them to ken about my aunt’s murder.”
He rubbed his nose, looking slightly abashed. “I already told my mother, Quinn, and Broden the truth about the murder and our stay at the cottage. I felt they needed to ken given we might have a need to protect ye. I didna think Kendra and Skye needed to ken. It would only upset them. Mother told me she made it clear they are no’ to discuss the flash flood with ye.”
A sparrow swooped in to perch on a stone bench situated against a dry rock wall outside the study. Nervous and curious, it peered through the window panes, cocking its tiny head.
Emeline envied the small creature its freedom and lack of worries.
“I’ll ask the others to meet us here the day after tomorrow. In the meanwhile, we need to formulate a plan.” He flicked the edge of the folded paper. “I believe this is significant. Emeline, and I suspect ye may verra well have a relative who dinna want ye to inherit.”
“I canna believe it. Why wouldna my aunt have said somethin’? Surely she must’ve kent.” Tears blurred her vision, and familiar grief crushed her chest.
It was an awful thing to be alone the world; not knowing who to trust and not having anyone to rely upon. Except for this man, out of the goodness of this nature, had stepped in to help her. And now on her behalf, he’d impose upon his family and friends as well.
She searched his impenetrable eyes, seeking any hint of the passionate man who’d held her in his arms and kissed her so ravenously in the cottage. The man she would have willingly given herself to had she not been certain remorse and regret would’ve assailed him afterward.
Once more, Liam had barricaded himself behind those walls of indifference, and though he was kind and well-meaning, she hadn’t caught a glimpse of that tender man again.
Deep in the most secret places of her heart, the tiniest spark glowed that, perhaps, she meant something to him. Because he’d been hurt and scared, he mightn’t recognize it himself, but what if she could fan the ember into flame?
What if she were daring enough to woo this Highland warrior and help him heal? To put the past behind him and look to the future? To learn to trust and love again?
Did she have the gumption? Could she take the chance, even if she failed?
Emeline inhaled on a silent sob. Scalding tears tracked down her cheeks for what he’d suffered, the loss of her aunt, and the base fear for her life that hadn’t subsided, leaving her tense and vulnerable.
He caressed her cheek with his thumbs and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Dinna cry, jo. I canna bear to see ye so wretched.”
“I regret inconveniencin’ ye again, Liam.” She quirked her mouth into a sad, wry smile. “I have nothin’ to offer in return.”
He lifted her hand and, after turning it over, kissed her wrist. A thrill jolted to her elbow and skated up to her shoulder. How she craved his touch.
Bending near, he skimmed his firm mouth across hers. He tasted of whisky and raspberries. “I dinna expect anythin’ in return. Let me do this for ye.”
“Why?” She detected a glimpse of warmth in his quicksilver eyes that he tried so hard to hide.
“Because, I quite like rescuin’ ye.” He gave her a boyish grin and dropped a kiss onto her nose.
The smile bending her mouth held hope. “And I quite like bein’ rescued by ye.”
She’d like much more, too. Much more. But she needed to proceed cautiously, else chance losing him forever.
His attention gravitated to her mouth, and he leaned close once more. The heat of his body beckoned, a powerful, irresistible summons.
Trembling with need, she closed her eyes, tilting her chin up in silent invitation. Just as he settled his wonderful mouth upon hers, and she twined her arms around his neck spreading her fingers through his pitch-black hair, a single sharp rap echoed at the door.
As if branded by a fire-heated sword, Liam jerked upright. His breathing rasped harsh and loud as he stood and swiftly went around to the other side of the desk.
Disoriented, Emeline struggled to bring her own arousal under control and don an appearance of equanimity.
“Emeline?” He observed her, waiting for her to compose herself.
Head tilted, she schooled her features into blandness. “I’m fine. Answer the knock.”
His mouth pressed into a thin line, he called, “Aye?”
The door opened and Simmons stepped inside. “Sir, Graeme Kennedy is here to see ye. He says ’tis most urgent, otherwise I wouldna have interrupted ye.”
His gaze slid to Emeline, and to her credit, she managed to return his curious regard with a benign expression. At least, she prayed to all the saints, that she looked unaffected and he wouldn’t notice her high color.
“He says it pertains to Miss LeClaire.”
Chapter Ten
Edinburgh
Five days later
Pulling the shade aside an inch, Liam leaned forward and examined the bustling shopping district from the carriage window. The tasteful businesses lining the crowded, cobbled wynd invited wealthy patrons to step within and explore.