He followed as quietly as he could to avoid detection and continued along in this way for a while until he caught sight, not of Aileana, but a man. He was dark haired and tall wearing a black padded jerkin and common plaid. The man peeked around the tall hedge. James positioned himself to better glean what was in the man’s line of view and his hair prickled. There, sitting on a flat rock near a pond was Aileana. He stepped forward to get a better view of her and alerted the man to his presence. Their gazes locked.
The cousin.
The man scowled and dashed through the brush. When James turned back to Aileana, she was staring at him.
Her eyes were wide and her cheeks red as flame. “Did you follow me, my lord?”
Aye, and now I know your true purpose.
“I sought some fresh air and was curious about the famed Chattan gardens. I heard a noise and followed it here.” Would she admit to the tryst she had planned with her constable?
“Well you’ve located its source, although I did not know my step was so heavy.”
“I should think not. Though yours was not the step I heard, was it?” He held his breath while he waited for her response. Would she admit it? He did not relish the revelation of her relationship with another, but this was his best way out. Still, her deceit left a sour taste in his mouth.
“I beg your pardon, my lord. I do not know what you mean.”
So she would lie. How dare she deceive him. His jaw clenched. He would not indulge her. “How does your aunt fare?”
Her chin raised and her back straightened. “She is recovered and will be pleased by your inquiry.” Her demeanour was far too cool.
“I am pleased to hear it. Will you return to the castle with me? I believe our guests may form the wrong conclusion should we remain without a chaperone for much longer.” He was curious to learn what her reaction would be to that comment. Or perhaps she didn’t care about appearances.
“Aye, my lord I will accompany you. Thank you for your consideration for my reputation. Most of the guests have retired to their rooms for a light rest before the evening feast.”
He held out his arm to her and watched her cross the garden. When she reached him, her brow was furrowed, yet when their gazes met, he saw a flicker of a smile and found himself staring at her mouth again. Her lips parted and it was a great effort to tear his thoughts from the surge of desire shooting straight to his loins. He despised his body’s response to her.
What a fool she would make of him.
Well, two could play that game. He would show her that stoking his fire would burn, white hot. Did she think she could smile at him and he would become blinded to her loose ways? Perhaps that was why she kept a witch, to drug those who would stand between her and what she wanted. Oh, he’d teach her a lesson all right. She’d find out he was a master at this game. Now, at least, he could have her in whatever manner he chose and feel no guilt for seducing an innocent. In the end, she would beg him to take her but he could prolong her torture for as long as possible. Tonight, he’d have her admit her guilt. Then he would have her.
* * *
Aileana and James walked together toward their chambers. When she turned to pass a parting comment, he surprised her by taking her hand and pressed it to his lips. His mouth was soft and warm against her skin. Raw heat moved through her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come as he kissed her hand and stroked her palm with his fingers.
“Rest well, we have a long night ahead of us yet,” he said. She watched his lips curl around his words. Her heart fluttered wild.
Before she could gather her thoughts, he gave her a devastating smile and disappeared around the corner and into his own chamber. Aileana entered hers and closed the door before collapsing in her chair near the open window. She didn’t know what to make of him. He was as arrogant as the day was long and infuriating to boot. Who did the man think he was provoking poor Aunt Sheena like that? Did he think a kiss on her hand, albeit a nice one, forgave his behaviour?
Why Sheena had brushed off the incident once back in her room was a mystery. She dumped Aileana at her door and begged for Gwen’s assistance. Aileana’s respite in the garden was interrupted by the same man who’d frustrated her to begin with. Would she ever know peace again?
She was attracted to him, of that she had no doubt, but it did not help her cause. He had agreed to honour her uncle’s wishes and that would make him her husband. Were they to live together, she would expect fidelity, though his reputation concerned her for she had no reason to disbelieve the stories. What if he was the kind of man who could never be satisfied by one woman? What if any affair he was engaged in continued after the wedding? And should that matter to her if they were to live apart? She would have to see him on occasion, considering she would bear his children. An image of their wedding night set her stomach fluttering again and unwanted heat to her cheeks.