Taming a Laird's Wild Lady: Taming the Heart Series Page 5

  “Where did ye find it?” Angus asked looking up with admiration.

  “Isla finds them. She’s got an eye for wood with a smooth grain. Don’t know how she does it,” her father replied.

  “How do you do it?” Gavin whispered directly behind her left ear. She hadn’t been aware he’d followed her.

  “I don’t know. I just do. There is something about the bark. I can tell.” She shrugged her shoulders.

  “No wonder you want her to marry the provider of the lumber. Is she to be out in the woods with us too? Checking our work?” Angus’ voice dripped with derision.

  Her father gave him a long and steady stare. Lord Maddox was a fair and loving man, but he had a will like iron and he was not a man to be crossed. “You’ll watch your tongue, young man, or you’ll be asked to leave.”

  Angus gritted his teeth but remained quiet.

  The tour continued and Isla drifted to the back of the group. Keenly aware of Gavin, he stayed behind her for a while until her father called him, and the other men, down into the hull. She sighed with relief when they disappeared. Collin and Angus were irritating her beyond belief while Gavin was wreaking havoc on her senses.

  Fergal paused up in the front of the group and allowed everyone to pass him so he could join her at the back. “How are you holding up?” Fergal asked.

  “Dreadfully,” she replied, making a face, glad for his presence.

  He laughed and patted her shoulder. “Once upon a time, I thought you and I would marry.”

  “As did I. Perhaps we should. It would be simpler.”

  “If your feelings for me are simple, then we definitely should not.” He winked at her. “Besides, I’m sure it would drive my brother mad.” Interest prickled along her skin and she straightened up.

  “Your brother has been very clear about the fact he is not interested in marrying. Least of all, me.”

  Fergal shook his head. “The responsibility of the estate, and his first marriage, has always weighed heavily on him. He fears he will not be able to care for it, or a wife, as he should. Give him time.”

  “I don’t believe I have time.” She bit her lip, turning this information over in her mind. It hadn’t occurred to her that Gavin may have reservations because his first marriage was not a happy one.

  “I don’t believe your father would really commit you to a marriage that would make you unhappy.”

  “I hope you’re right, Fergal Campbell.”

  “It’s going to work out, Isla. I know it is.” He gave her chin a chuck before heading to the hull to join the other men.

  As the vessel set sail, the wind ruffled her hair and she lifted her head high in the air while arching her back to catch the salty breeze.

  “You look beautiful in the wind.” Gavin’s voice slid over her skin and she looked back to see his gaze intent upon her.

  Isla turned to look at him, her hair blowing into her face. “Doona say things like that.”

  “Sometimes when you speak, I hear a brogue.” His gaze sat intently upon her.

  “And sometimes, when you speak, I hear one too.” She looked away, back over the water. “We are both at home in two countries, I suppose.”

  “Before I met you, I thought you would be a proper English miss, like Emily.” He had stepped closer.

  “Emily, was that your first wife?”

  “Yes,” he hesitated. “She was from a very respectable family. I thought it would help with…” He paused, staring out at the water.

  “That is what I keep trying to tell my father. Just because it makes business sense, does not mean it will be a happy union.” Realizing the assumption she made, she quickly added. “Though it may not have been the case for you.”

  “Worry not, Isla. It was precisely the case.” He gave her a long look. So long, she wondered what he was thinking, but finally he spoke, “The keep is failing. I don’t know how I’ll feed the people I’ve got. I neglected it for too long while I attempted to keep Emily entertained in London. I didna realize my father was so ill until it was too late. I can’t afford any more mistakes, Isla. People are depending on me.”

  Looking into his eyes, she could see the truth of his statement. He was struggling to provide for the people on his property and he had to do what was best for them. She reached out her hand to his, meaning to give him comfort. After yesterday, it didn’t seem strange to touch him, yet when their fingers brushed, a jolt of awareness shot through her. “A wife could lesson your burden,” she said despite her breathing coming in shorter gasps.

  “I mean no offense to you, Isla. It’s just difficult…”

  Isla wanted to tell him that her mother had never been anything but an asset to her father. That she made him stronger, but something strange caught her eye. There was a movement in the rigging; a flash of white that she was sure must be a sailor’s shirt. But at full speed with the sails open, it was odd he would be there now? Had something gone wrong?

  Suddenly a beam was falling directly at Gavin’s head. Gasping, Isla tugged him as hard as she could with the second she had before the beam fell on him.

  He moved a half-step toward her and the giant hunk of wood missed his head by an inch and glanced off his back.

  Letting out a cry of pain, Gavin fell on her, trapping her between his large body and the rail. She wrapped her arms around him, using every muscle she had, to keep them both from falling. “I’ve got you,” she whispered, glancing into the rigging to discern what happened. No one was there.

  6

  TAMING A LAIRD’S WILD LADY

  Pain radiated from his shoulders down his back, but Gavin remained conscious. Isla had her arms locked around him; otherwise, he might have fallen over the rail from the blow of the rigging. “You saved me,” he gasped.

  She leaned back, grinning into his face. “It was my turn.”

  He would have laughed if it wouldn’t have hurt so badly. A dull ache was replacing the sharp pain, but he ignored it and instead wrapped his arms around her waist too, inhaling the scent of her hair. “It is not usually a woman’s job to go around saving men.”

  “I already attempted to warn you: I am not your usual woman.” Her grin spread wider.

  This time, he was going to kiss her. He didn’t care who was watching or what the consequences were. It was so unlike him to feel that way. Normally, he carefully weighed every situation and their outcomes. But where had that gotten him really? Today, he would not think about the consequences. She had saved his life.

  He dipped his head toward her, and her grin was replaced with a look that could only be described as desire. Her eyes were hooded, cheeks flushed, and her lips puckered and parted in anticipation of his.

  All of the perfectly reasonable reasons he was going to give her for not marrying flew from his mind. Was this madness? It didn’t matter. He was going to do it anyway.

  “Dear Lord, are you all right?” Someone called from behind him and Gavin wanted to bark at whoever it was to go away. He turned slightly to see Tom standing behind him.

  Frustration coursed through him. It was the second time he had been thwarted the opportunity to taste Isla’s sweet looking lips. “Aye,” he shouted tersely.

  “You mustn’t be. Let me take you below deck. I’ll check for injuries.” Isla’s voice was right next to his ear. He squeezed his arms tighter around her. Below deck was absolutely perfect.

  “Is that a good idea, Isla?” Tom’s brow knitted with concern.

  “He’s hurt. He needs to lie down,” Isla called over her shoulder as they walked away.

  “I’ll get father,” Tom returned and then disappeared.

  Shifting her weight, she moved so she was tucked into his side with his arm around her shoulders, her arms wrapped around his waist. He leaned into her, not because he needed to but because the softness of her body fit perfectly against his.

  As they reached the hatch, she whispered, “I’ll go first.”

  “Nay, I’ll make it. I’ll go first and
hold the ladder ’til you can support me.” She nodded and he swung himself down into the darkness.

  “You’re doing better than I thought. Perhaps―” she started, but Gavin cut her off.

  “Nay, come down here.” He was being rash. For the first time in his life, he didn’t care. He only had a minute, maybe two before her father arrived. He needed to make the most of it.

  He watched Isla negotiate her skirts through the hatch and then her ankles and muscular calves appeared. He had an urge to run his hands along them and up under her skirts. Descending the ladder quickly, she tucked herself back into his side. For a moment, he thought to steal his kiss right there, but he resisted. It would be better if they sought privacy.

  She maneuvered him toward the nearest door, and he had to admire her strength. Reaching out, she twisted the knob and the door gave. Leading him in, Gavin forgot all about the pain in his back as he softly closed the door behind him. “Take off your jacket and your shirt. I want to have a look at your back.”

  Everything in Gavin tensed, becoming rock hard as he shrugged off his waistcoat, and began undoing the buttons of his shirt.

  “Your movements don’t seem hindered at all.” She observed, frowning slightly.

  He let the shirt fall to the floor, and stood before her in nothing but his kilt. Turning, he presented his back to her. “I am feeling better already.”

  He closed his eyes as her hand danced patterns on the skin of his back while she searched for injuries. Delicious sensations tingled across his skin, pooling in his nether regions.

  “There’s a little swelling. Does it hurt when I push here?” It did, but not badly enough to cause concern. He turned around so her hands were now on his chest.

  “It’s fine.” His voice was husky even to his own ears.

  “Oh,” she said with parted lips. Her blue eyes were luminous as they looked up at him, with her hands resting on the muscles of his chest.

  “I appreciate what you did for me. If you hadn’t pulled me, it would have hit my head. I may have perished.” Gavin took a breath, emotion rising in his chest. She may be the most miraculous woman he’d ever known. To have her in his arms now was amazing. He didn’t wait for her to answer as he dipped his lips down to hers.

  They tasted even better than he thought they would. Like clover, warmed in the sun, or honey straight from the hive. Soft and sweet they met his stroke for stroke as he pulled her body tight against his own.

  He had kissed his fair share of women. Always, it had been a calculated move. He rarely let passion dictate his actions, but this was different. There had been no consideration of consequence. He wanted Isla with every fiber in his body. She raked her hands up his chest and then down his back. Their touch only fueled his desire.

  Parting her lips, he darted his tongue into her mouth, tasting the sweetness within and groaned aloud at the feel.

  * * *

  ***

  HIS TONGUE TOUCHING hers brought Isla to her senses. He had just told her why he wouldn’t marry and now he kissed her in a way she only ever expected to kiss her husband. How dare he?

  Pulling away from him she threw her hand back and slapped him with every ounce of energy she possessed. The sound of the slap filled the room and his head reared back at the blow.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “You tricked me!” she accused. “I thought you were injured, but you wanted to get me alone. And after telling me you weren’t interested in courting me. I should do worse.” Isla’s hands fisted on her hips. “Those are liberties, which are not for you to take.”

  Gavin grimaced. “Isla, I’m sorry. I didna mean to take liberties.” His brogue was thicker than normal. “It’s just that after what had happened this past year, I can’t afford to allow that―”

  “Give whatever reason you would like, but the result is the same. If you do not want to marry me, then you need to keep your lips to yourself.” Isla didn’t want to hear his response. Her pride was perhaps even more wounded that he wanted to kiss her but didn’t want to marry her. Either men wanted her to be something she wasn’t or they only wanted her physically. Was she unlovable? Fearing the answer, she turned toward the door.

  “Isla, wait,” he called, but she didn’t stop. Opening the door, she stepped back out into the hall. Her father came rushing over to her and Isla nearly cringed at the sight of him. “Is Gavin all right? I heard what happened.”

  “He seems to be fine, and he’s right in there. You can check him yourself.”

  Her father gave a nod. “You’ll give me a full accounting later.” He opened the door and stepped inside.

  Isla caught a glimpse of Gavin pulling his shirt on over his broad shoulders before the door closed.

  Her insides were frantic with an emotion she could not name. Hurrying up the ladder as quickly as her skirts would allow, she then paced the deck.

  Tom approached her. “Did father check on Gavin? Is he all right?” His eyes grew large when they met hers. “Isla. What’s wrong?”

  “I need to go for a ride, Tom. Not a lady’s ride. A real one.”

  “Papa won’t―”

  “Arrange it. You owe this to me.” She turned back into the wind. There had to be some outlet for the restlessness growing inside her. Riding was the one thing she could think of.

  * * *

  ONCE THEY ARRIVED BACK at the docks, the party assembled into the waiting carriages. Gavin sat next to her and Angus stared at them both, saying little. There was an added intensity to his gaze, which Isla ignored. Apparently, one day of Angus was all she could stand.

  She also did her best to ignore her growing awareness of each tiny movement that Gavin made. She trained her gaze out the window. He was so serious. Not fun like Tom or Fergal. He scowled all the time and was convinced that marriage was a curse of some sort. He only wanted to kiss her, not commit to her. She would not make a fool of herself over him.

  Back home, her family and suitors arrived for refreshments. Isla thought to excuse herself. She needed time alone, but her father called her over, “Come into my study.”

  Isla followed him, a knot twisting her stomach at the sudden interview. When they were seated, he turned to her. “What happened today?”

  All the color drained from her skin. Somehow, he knew about the kiss. “What do you mean?” she whispered, trying to avoid the conversation.

  “With Gavin and the beam. I checked every inch of that ship. I can’t believe there was a lose beam. It calls into question my integrity as a builder and―” Her father was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Yes,” he barked.

  “Forgive me, Lord Maddox. If you were questioning Isla about the beam, I was hoping to listen as well.” Gavin answered in a deep voice. Her breath caught in anticipation.

  “It’s Miss Isabelle yet, son.” Her father’s voice was sharp.

  “Fool,” she hissed to herself. Gavin was focused on the accident while she could only think about the kiss.

  “Of course. May I join you and Miss Isabelle?”

  “Come in,” her father waved his hand. “Isabelle was just about to tell me what happened.”

  Isla took a deep breath. “Laird Campbell and I were discussing the ship when I noticed someone in the rigging.”

  Her father let out a growl and Gavin’s face hardened. “You saw someone?”

  “Yes, and I thought it strange, at full sail like that, to see someone moving. But I barely had time to look before the beam was falling. I pulled Gavin toward me, there was no time to do anything else and the beam glanced off his back.”

  “Lady Isabelle,” Gavin cleared his throat. “If I did not properly thank you earlier, I’d like to do so now. Without your quick actions, I’d most likely be dead.”

  “You did thank me, and I already told you, it was my turn. Without your actions yesterday, I’d most likely be dead. We are even.” Despite her anger over the kiss, she gave him a smile. She was glad to have saved him.

  “What was a man do
ing in the rigging?” Her father’s voice was thoughtful. “You’re sure it was a man?”

  “I think so. I saw a white shirt, crisp white, not like the gray white of the sails, moving through the ropes.”

  Gavin and her father both grimaced as she looked from one to the other.

  “I’ll question the crew.” Her father sat back in his chair, a deep frown marking his face. “The single other man not present at the tour, besides yourself, was… Angus.”

  Gavin ran his fingers through his hair. “Angus,” he paused. “I provoked him as we were getting on the boat.”

  “What did you say?” her father asked. Isla leaned forward. She had been wondering herself.

  Gavin pursed his lips and looked over at her and then back at her father. An unspoken message being conveyed. Gavin didn’t want her here. But what would he have said to Angus she couldn’t hear?

  “Thank you, Isla.” Her father nodded to her, clearly dismissing her from the conversation.

  Irritation rippled through her, but she swallowed it down. Trying to convince her father to let her stay would only increase his irritation and make it less likely he would share the conversation later. “You’re welcome, Papa.” She replied, standing to leave.

  “Gavin is right. He was very fortunate to have you there today.”

  So many words crowded to the tip of her tongue, she wasn’t sure which to let pass. For so many reasons, she was pleased to have saved him. But had anyone thanked Gavin like this yesterday? Was it so strange that she had returned the favor? Why did everyone seem to have so little faith in her or in women in general? “Of course,” she mumbled, standing. “Is that all?”

  Her father gave her a nod and she turned toward the door. “Can you stay for a few more minutes, Gavin?”

  “Of course. Though I need to leave shortly. Will and I have promised Willy and John that we would take them fishing.”

  “A brilliant idea,” her father beamed. “Those boys could be great friends. It’s good for both of them to spend time with a boy their age.”