Strictly Taboo(182)

“I’ll bring up your trunk now, Miss Lauren.” She said before disappearing.



The soap that she had left smelled like lavender, and she couldn’t help but to smile as she slipped under the hot water. Her mind went back to Lord Ansley. Dugal. She thought, but she shook it away. She didn’t want to think about anything except for how good the water felt on her skin. Washing through her hair was difficult without a brush, but she managed.



She wanted to look like a proper lady again, hoping that it’d bring some clarity in the strange world she seemed to have stumbled into. Where an Englishwoman served under a Highlander. She never thought she’d see the day. Back home, she was taught that the Scottish were a backwards people, but she didn’t know how she felt now. Everything after her kidnapping had seemed so much more civilized, and yet the kidnapping threw her off. He threw her off.



The water started to get cold, and so she hurried, picking up the towel that was laid out for her as she looked at the bed. She didn’t know when Martha had brought back her trunk, but there it was. When she opened it up, much to her surprise, it was untouched. She had expected them to loot everything, but as Martha came in again, she wasn’t able to think much about it.



“Will you help me with my corset?” She asked, and Martha nodded, smiling when she was asked the question.



It only took a few minutes for her to be dressed and putting on a thin layer of makeup while Martha finished off her hair. It made her feel better to be in clean clothing. Looking at herself in the vanity mirror, she smiled for the first time. There was something about looking put together that gave her confidence, and yet when a knock came at the door it was like that confidence just slipped away. Martha went to answer it before curtsying. Nodding his head, Dugal pushed past her to see Lauren sitting there.



“I see you look stunning. I’m glad I told them not to touch your trunk. You look lovely. Will you take a walk with me?” He asked, and she was taken back by the request but nodded despite it.



She got up as if on instinct, walking with him. Dugal offered her his arm. When they got to the gardens, it was beautiful, but she walked stiffly beside him. It wasn’t until he smiled at her, shaking his head that they stopped under a large tree. She didn’t bother to look around. Everything on her mind was about him. About what to expect. She never expected what came next.



“I think you need to relax. You’re my guest here.” He said, and Lauren looked at him, completely baffled.



“I’m you’re what?” She asked.



“My guest. No, you can’t leave, but I plan to treat you like my guest. It’s not even safe out there for you, but you’re safe here.” He said, and Lauren nodded a little as she thought it over. It did make sense. She could feel something changing between them, but she didn’t want to think about it too long. She didn’t feel like there should be a reason that she wasn’t feeling as hostile towards him.



“I’ve sent out the letter, but I’d rather this be the end of it between you and me. I would like us to talk about other things. The English seem to have a very bad impression of us.” Lord Ansley said.



“Yes, but it doesn’t seem like kidnapping would give us a better impression.” She retorted, trying to keep her hand off her hip. She didn’t want to anger him, but she couldn’t stand that he had said such a thing.



“Perhaps the English should not invade our land, but I wouldn’t really expect you to understand any of that.” He said.



“Because I’m a woman?” She retorted, but she kept her voice cool. There was that voice inside of her head that really did want to know the answer above all else. He just chuckled.



“No, because you’re quite a young woman. You don’t know much about the world yet, lass, but you can learn a little about this one if you like.” He said, and he seemed to stare at her with tender eyes. She looked away as she felt a blush creep up her cheeks.



“Now, I will have a few articles of clothing delivered to you, but I trust that you have enough for now.” He said, and she just nodded in agreement.



“Thank you.” She said, barely above a whisper.



She didn’t know when they had started moving again, but somehow they did. They were already walking, and she was once again caught up in the beauty of everything that was around her. They were cresting a hill on a small beaten path. When she stood on top of it, Lauren couldn’t catch her breath. It had nothing to do with fatigue, as she looked over the landscape it was simply taken away.