again.
“We continue to perfect it, just because he ordered us to learn courtly conduct.” Tavia moved across the chamber on light steps that resembled dancing more than walking. “The smoother we walk, the more it annoys Pherson.”
“Which he deserves for ordering us to learn to walk as if the only value we have is our appearance.” Daracha pressed her lips into a tight line of disapproval. “That brother of ours never wonders what we have been doing to expand our minds. Instead he orders us to learn to glide when we walk.”
“Men are so shortsighted. Concerned with things that mean nothing at all in a wife.”
Hayden liked her courage.
Her simple and practical wool dress met with his approval also. Elspeth looked at the pile of her clothing now that she was pulling it off her body. There was nothing refined about it, but that had not kept Hayden from pulling her against him for a kiss.
Pherson Dalry watched Elspeth at her bath and raised a finger to his lips while staring at the girl sitting in the tub with her breasts exposed. Young, firm breasts that made his mouth water to taste them. The last bride prospect he’d welcomed had sniffled as she drew her inner robe off to show her body to him. Elspeth’s eyes were not glassy with unshed tears but her cheeks were bright and her nipples hard with anticipation. Something stirred in him he’d not felt in a long time. It was warm and sliced through the years of duty his life had become. A laird had to keep his mind on so many things that he had lost track of the simple joy of affection. Elspeth Leask was thinking of the man she cared for and no mistake. He could see it in her eyes and it had the power to make him turn his back on her. He’d taken what he wanted when it came to goods and gold, but never when it came to a woman’s embrace. But he’d negotiated it too many times to suit him. He was envious of Hayden Monroe, almost bitterly so.
For love was the only thing in life that no man could steal, even a pirate like himself.
“There now, sit by the fire and brush out yer hair. We’ll have to find something pretty for ye to wear.”
“Something sturdy will do just fine. I’ve no desire to impress yer brother.” Elspeth made sure her tone was tart enough to cut through the way both sisters had of just doing what they pleased without waiting to see if she wanted it.
“Ah, but ye should be interested in blinding him. There lies the secret to dealing with men.” Tavia offered her a knowing look. It was far different from the amused one the girl had worn until now. The façade was suddenly gone and Elspeth discovered that behind the pretty girl was a very confident woman.
“Be pleasing in all ways and men will never suspect that ye are also thinking.”
Daracha brought her a chemise that was almost transparent. “This is silk and hemp from Egypt. I hear Cleopatra wore the same cloth. It does make one feel like a queen.”
“She killed herself.”
“But she loved and was loved in return.” Daracha sighed. “I believe that once ye have loved, ye cannot live without it. That’s why she killed herself.”
The garment slithered down her body once Daracha released it. The fabric was a whisper against her skin. It was like the oldest chemise she had, translucent, and the candles flickers turned it into liquid gold.
Hayden would like it …
“Who are you thinking of?” Tavia was watching her from the other side of the room. A shiver crossed her neck when she realized that these sisters worked as a team. Tavia tapped her lips with one fingertip, drawing attention to them with the tiniest of motions.
“Ye’re blushing and yer eyes are shimmering. Are ye in love with him?”
“Love?” Elspeth shut her mouth too quickly and her teeth clicked against each other, but her tone had been too high, exposing her true feelings.
Daracha made a soft sound beneath her breath and carried over two stockings. She knelt in front of Elspeth, looking too
“We continue to perfect it, just because he ordered us to learn courtly conduct.” Tavia moved across the chamber on light steps that resembled dancing more than walking. “The smoother we walk, the more it annoys Pherson.”
“Which he deserves for ordering us to learn to walk as if the only value we have is our appearance.” Daracha pressed her lips into a tight line of disapproval. “That brother of ours never wonders what we have been doing to expand our minds. Instead he orders us to learn to glide when we walk.”
“Men are so shortsighted. Concerned with things that mean nothing at all in a wife.”
Hayden liked her courage.
Her simple and practical wool dress met with his approval also. Elspeth looked at the pile of her clothing now that she was pulling it off her body. There was nothing refined about it, but that had not kept Hayden from pulling her against him for a kiss.
Pherson Dalry watched Elspeth at her bath and raised a finger to his lips while staring at the girl sitting in the tub with her breasts exposed. Young, firm breasts that made his mouth water to taste them. The last bride prospect he’d welcomed had sniffled as she drew her inner robe off to show her body to him. Elspeth’s eyes were not glassy with unshed tears but her cheeks were bright and her nipples hard with anticipation. Something stirred in him he’d not felt in a long time. It was warm and sliced through the years of duty his life had become. A laird had to keep his mind on so many things that he had lost track of the simple joy of affection. Elspeth Leask was thinking of the man she cared for and no mistake. He could see it in her eyes and it had the power to make him turn his back on her. He’d taken what he wanted when it came to goods and gold, but never when it came to a woman’s embrace. But he’d negotiated it too many times to suit him. He was envious of Hayden Monroe, almost bitterly so.
For love was the only thing in life that no man could steal, even a pirate like himself.
“There now, sit by the fire and brush out yer hair. We’ll have to find something pretty for ye to wear.”
“Something sturdy will do just fine. I’ve no desire to impress yer brother.” Elspeth made sure her tone was tart enough to cut through the way both sisters had of just doing what they pleased without waiting to see if she wanted it.
“Ah, but ye should be interested in blinding him. There lies the secret to dealing with men.” Tavia offered her a knowing look. It was far different from the amused one the girl had worn until now. The façade was suddenly gone and Elspeth discovered that behind the pretty girl was a very confident woman.
“Be pleasing in all ways and men will never suspect that ye are also thinking.”
Daracha brought her a chemise that was almost transparent. “This is silk and hemp from Egypt. I hear Cleopatra wore the same cloth. It does make one feel like a queen.”
“She killed herself.”
“But she loved and was loved in return.” Daracha sighed. “I believe that once ye have loved, ye cannot live without it. That’s why she killed herself.”
The garment slithered down her body once Daracha released it. The fabric was a whisper against her skin. It was like the oldest chemise she had, translucent, and the candles flickers turned it into liquid gold.
Hayden would like it …
“Who are you thinking of?” Tavia was watching her from the other side of the room. A shiver crossed her neck when she realized that these sisters worked as a team. Tavia tapped her lips with one fingertip, drawing attention to them with the tiniest of motions.
“Ye’re blushing and yer eyes are shimmering. Are ye in love with him?”
“Love?” Elspeth shut her mouth too quickly and her teeth clicked against each other, but her tone had been too high, exposing her true feelings.
Daracha made a soft sound beneath her breath and carried over two stockings. She knelt in front of Elspeth, looking too
Similar Books
