Alaric kissed her brow and gently rubbed his hand repeatedly down the side of her hair.
“I’ll not pretend I’ve not loved you, Keeley. In public, aye, I’d never do anything to bring you shame. In private, however, don’t expect me to pretend you didn’t give your innocence to me.”
Her smile was sad. “Nay, Alaric. I’ll not pretend either. But ’tis for the best not to dwell on impossible matters.”
“Let us cease this kind of talk. I find it makes my heart heavy.”
“Then wrap yourself around me and keep me warm until I must rise and return to my cold bedchamber.”
“Aye, lass. I can do just that.”
Chapter 20
Dawn was creeping across the sky, bringing with it ugly fingers of regret that the night was over. Keeley lay sleeping against him, her head nestled in the crook of his arm.
Her arm was thrown possessively over his midriff and her br**sts were flattened against his side.
Slowly he grazed his fingers up and down her bare arm as he inhaled the scent of her hair just an inch from his nose. He loved touching her. Loved her smell. Loved the feel of her next to him. It was a feeling he’d enjoy waking to for all his days.
Instead he had to look forward to another woman in his bed. Someone who didn’t have Keeley’s sweetness or her fire. Or her infuriating stubbornness that amused him to no end.
He turned into her, gathering her tight as he buried his face in her hair. She stirred quietly next to him and stretched, her body tightening against his as her back bowed.
As he drew away so he could look down at her, her lips split into a wide yawn and then her eyelashes fluttered as the lids opened. At first her eyes were cast in cloudy sleepiness, but then they warmed as she smiled up at him.
Unable to resist, he stroked the line of her cheek with his fingertip. At her lips, he paused and she kissed the tip before returning her gaze to his eyes.
“Good morn,” he murmured.
She snuggled closer to him. “I hate ’tis morning already.”
Dread pulsed in his throat. “Aye, I hate it, too. But we must hasten you back to your chamber before ’tis discovered you’re here.”
She sighed and rose up on her elbow, her hair spilling over her shoulder, covering her plump br**sts. When she would have pushed herself even farther away from him, he caught her by the waist and rolled her until she was atop him.
Raising his head, he caught her lips, so full and sweet. Soft like the finest silk. He kissed her as he’d never kissed a woman, allowing the full force of his desire and his regret to spill over.
As she pulled away, her eyes dark with all the things he felt most, he smoothed a hand over her cheek, then thrusting his fingers into the thick pelt of her hair. “You have no equal, Keeley. I want you to know that.”
She smiled and lowered down to kiss him one last time. “You have no equal either, warrior.”
He sighed. The time had come. She must return now before the keep came alive with activity and the halls were filled with those attending the needs of the laird and his lady.
“Dress quickly, lass,” he urged. “I’ll give Gannon his instructions.”
As she hurried over to slip her dress back on, Alaric went to the door and cracked it open. Only Gannon was outside in the darkened hallway. Nary a window or a torch illuminated the path.
“Gannon,” Alaric whispered.
Trained to be alerted by the slightest of noises, Gannon roused himself and was on his feet in a mere moment.
“Is something amiss?” Gannon demanded.
“Nay, I have need of something.”
Gannon waited.
“Take the tub from this room into Keeley’s. Have water brought up for a hot bath. Make sure no one knows where she spent her night. While you are belowstairs, I’ll return her to her room.”
Gannon nodded, and Alaric looked back to make sure Keeley was fully dressed. He didn’t want her embarrassed by Gannon’s appearance so he strode across the room, shielding her from view with his large body while Gannon set about dragging the tub from the chamber.
Keeley lay her cheek against his chest and he rested his chin atop her head. When the chamber door closed behind Gannon, Alaric drew away and clasped her shoulders.
“Come. I’ll see you to your chambers. You should be abed when the water is brought up so it appears you have just awoken.”
She bit her bottom lip and then nodded. Before he gave in to the temptation to hold her a moment longer, he guided her toward the door and into the darkened hallway.
They ducked quickly into the chamber just as Gannon was exiting. Alaric held up a finger for him to await him before urging Keeley toward the bed.
She climbed beneath the covers and Alaric sat on the edge, simply watching her for a long moment. Then he bent and pressed his lips to her forehead.
“I’ll treasure last night forever.”
“As will I,” she whispered. “Go now, Alaric. Parting is all the more difficult for the hesitation.”
He swallowed and stood abruptly. She was right in that regard. The longer he tarried, the more tempted he was to say to hell with everyone.
Without a backward glance he left the chamber. Gannon awaited him, and Alaric gave his instructions in a terse voice.
“See to her bath. Make sure she is undisturbed. Pass the word that she is tired and feeling unwell and will remain in her chamber for the day. There is no work for her to be done this day.”
“Aye,” Gannon said with a nod.
Alaric watched him go and then stepped back into his chamber. He closed the door behind him and leaned heavily against it, his heart thudding like an ax to wood.
Being with Keeley had been the sweetest of pleasures, but having her and knowing he was forbidden her was an agony that surpassed any wound of the flesh.
Keeley hunkered lower in the now cooling water and drew her knees to her chin. The heat had soothed the aches in her body, but naught could be done about the ache that still resided in her heart.
She shook her head and turned to lay her cheek on her knees. Last night had been the single most wonderful night of her life. It was a moment to cherish. She’d spend a lifetime reliving every touch. Every touch.
There was no place for sadness now.
And yet she couldn’t shake the heavy feeling in her chest.
A knock sounded at the door, and Keeley closed her eyes, hugging her legs a little closer. If she ignored the summons, they’d go away surely.