The Beautiful Stranger (16 page)

Thomas grunted; Arthur could not help the grin that slowly spread across his lips.

I found a few of the late McKinnons things you might wear, she said, ignoring Thomas.

I am much obliged.

Big Angus will draw a hot bath for youshe glanced over her shoulderwill you not, Big Angus? Satisfied with his nod, she looked at Arthur again. We take our evening meal at nine oclock if that suits you.

He rather imagined anything would suit him as long as she continued to smile at him like that. I thank you for your generous hospitality. I look forward with great anticipation to an actual meal, he quipped, and pushing off the wall, strolled across the room. He paused in front of her and smiled warmly. A rather dramatic improvement, he said, winking, and chuckled at Thomass venomous look as he followed Big Angus out.

Kerry tried very hard to explain everything to Thomas, how he had saved her life despite her having shot him. Nonetheless, he remained stubbornly suspicious of Arthur. Big Angus didnt say much, but nodded in solemn agreement to everything Thomas said. Only May seemed unconcerned, muttering several times as she prepared the evening meal that Arthur Christian presented a fine figure of a man.

But there was nothing anyone could say or do to dampen Kerrys spirits. Freshly bathed and dressed in clean clothes, she felt like a new woman. Actually, she was ecstatic. First, because she had survived the adventure of her life and had proven to herself that she could persevere, in spite of almost having died, for heavens sake. And second, well second, because he was here.

He was here. In her house, just down the corridor, no doubt relaxing in a steaming tub of water naked.

A delicious little flame shot up her spine so quickly that Kerry abruptly made a show of cutting the potatoes. Every time she thought of that charming smile and that wicked, wicked glimmer in his hazel eyes, her heart seemed to skip around her chest, she couldnt stop smiling, and she had to consciously remind herself not to hum. Not only was he so very handsome, he was courageous, entirely unflappable and, she was quite convinced, invincible. After weeks of despair, he had appeared from nowhere to make her feel lighthearted, as if she had been freed from some terrible burden.

Safe.

That silly sentiment almost caused her to laugh out loud, because nothing could be further from the truth.

Her situation was far worse than she could have imaginedthere was hardly any money left in the

household fund and she had a mere three weeks remaining to come up with a bloody miracle.

Thomas was, as she knew he would be, furious with Mr. Abernathy and the Bank of Scotland. He expressed his frustration in some rather lengthy railings against banks and governments and sheepherdersthe latter simply for good measure. He was so caught up in his speech that he had thankfully forgotten Arthur for the time being. Even when Kerry thrust a pile of plates in his hands with instructions to place them around the long wooden table that dominated the kitchen, Thomas would not stop. It wasnt until Arthur appeared in the kitchen doorway, bathed and dressed in a pair of heavy buckskin trousers and a crisp linen shirt that Thomas stopped.

They all stopped.

Kerrys heart stopped.

If she had thought him handsome before, he was positively virile now. His wavy hair was brushed back, still wet at the ends. The clothes were a tight fitso tight that she could see the breadth of muscle in his shoulders and legs. The rough beard was gone, scraped clean by Frasers old razor.

Arthur looked at them looking at him. Is something amiss? he asked after a moment and glanced down. I suppose its not the best fit.

Mm-mmm, May muttered with a shake of her head, and turned back to the food preparations.

Oh no! You look You look majestic refreshed, Kerry sputtered, and abruptly busied herself with the contents of a pot hanging above the hearth. Except that the pot was empty. Would you like a pint of ale, then? Supper willna be long now, she said, motioning awkwardly to the kitchen table where Thomas and Big Angus sat.

Ale, Arthur repeated, as if testing the word, then beamed a bright smile at her. A pint of ale would be just the thing, thank you. He took a seat at the table next to Thomas, gave Kerry a sly wink when she placed a pint of ale in front of him. Something smells wonderful, he remarked, and turned his warm smile to May.

Thomas muttered something that sounded more like a growl and placed his pint down with a thud as May fairly burst with pride. I hope youve a hearty appetite, laddie. Big Angus has brought us a fine piece of trout.

I am ravenous, Mrs. Grant, and quite eager to try your trout. I had the pleasure of sampling your culinary skills when Mrs. McKinnon shared a biscuit. I think it was the most delicious bread I ever had the good fortune to taste.

May beamed with the pleasure of that compliment. Big Angus, however, exchanged a frown with Thomas, then turned that frown to Arthur, who blithely sipped his ale as if it had been served in a fancy crystal glass.

What is it ye said brings ye to these parts? Thomas asked.

I said it was personal business, Arthur responded politely as Kerry slapped a plate of freshly baked bread in front of Thomas as a warning. More than once.

Thomas ignored Kerry. Strange, is it not, that an Englishman would have personal business all the way

up here.

Arthur shrugged, calmly regarded Thomas. I dont think it terribly strange atall.

Its not as if he has business in Glenbaden, Thomas, Kerry interjected, piercing him with a sharp look.

Surely you havna forgotten the gentleman very kindly escorted me home.

Thomas scowled and looked intently at his ale.

Actually, my business is in Dundee, Arthur informed them. I am to meet a solicitor by the name of Regis.

Kerrys breath caught in her throat. Regis? she blurted, wincing when Thomas, Big Angus, and May simultaneously cast questioning looks in her direction.

Oh, so you know him, do you? Arthur asked pleasantly. A rather industrious chap, I think.

Kerry carefully avoided the gazes of her family and smiled thinly at Arthur. I doona know him. I overheard the name in Dundee, she lied.

Yes, well, I was to have met him in Dundee this very week, but he has sent word he has been unavoidably detained in Fort Williams.

For a fortnight, Kerry offered unthinkingly, and instantly bit her tongue for voicing her thoughts aloud.

Arthur glanced up at her. Yes, for a fortnight, he said, his expression curious.

Kerry felt a rush of blood to her neck, tried to put down the ridiculous idea that popped into her head.

She abruptly turned away, fetched a platter of steamed cabbage that she placed on the table. She was a foola fool!to be thinking what she was thinking! But really, what was the harm? Inviting him to stay in Glenbaden until his appointment with Mr. Regis seemed the least she could do in return for her life. The very least.

With a surreptitious look at Thomas, who was regarding her closely, Kerry walked stiffly to where May was putting the finishing touches on the platter of trout.

It was her home, after all. And if there was one thing for which Scots were known, it was their hospitality, were they not? It would be the worst offense to send him off with nothing to occupy his time for an entire fortnight. We would be honored to have you stay here until Mr. Regis returns, she said quickly.

The invitation was immediately met with a sputtering of ale from Thomas. Beside her, May smiled quietly as she arranged the trout on the platter.

I shouldnt think of imposing, Mrs. McKinnon, Arthur responded.

Kerry turned, very nearly sighed aloud when she saw the smile glimmering in Arthurs hazel eyes. It wouldna be an imposition, it would be our pleasure.

Och, Thomas muttered, but he thankfully said no more than that as he frowned deeply at the trout May set on the table.

Well I should make myself very useful, then. I would very much like to help if I can.

Thomas looked up, smiling thinly. Would ye, now? he asked, and chuckled.

The meal passed in light conversation, which suited Arthur perfectly, as he was far too intent on the excellent food to be bothered with talk of cattle and barley. The trout was prepared to perfection, the Yorkshire pudding delicately flavored, even the cabbagea dish Arthur typically avoided as being far too pedestrian for his palatewas seasoned so deliciously that he could not resist a second helping.

When the plates had been cleared, and Thomas and Big Angus were deeply engrossed in a conversation having to do with sheep, Arthur leaned back in his chair and surreptitiously watched Kerry as she moved about the kitchenrather, he watched her hips move beneath skirts free of petticoats, the long black braid swinging above them. He was filled with a lazy but potent desire to touch her, feel the softness of her skin beneath his fingers, his lips. Grateful when Thomas and Big Angus finally rose from the table, he flashed an indolent smile at Thomas when he told him that the day started early in Glenbaden.

Indeed? And how early would that be, sir?

We rise with the sun here, Thomas stiffly informed him, then glanced at Kerrys back. If ye think to be about, we could use the hand ye offered.

I would be delighted, Arthur drawled, and dipped his head in mock salute to the crusty Scot. Thomas muttered something unintelligible beneath his breath as he followed Big Angus out of the kitchen. The lovely little May smiled dreamily as she floated past him after the two men.

With the Grants and Thomas McKinnon off to God knew where, Arthur watched Kerry in silence as she dried the last dish and placed it on a shelf. It occurred to him that he had never seen a woman in a kitchen other than Cook, and even that infrequently. Actually, he had rarely been in kitchens, was unaccustomed to the warmth. It was fascinating, reallyKerry moved fluidly among the pots and sacks and dried herbs. He felt an odd sense of calm watching her, as if in this one room, in this corner of the world, all was right.

When Kerry finished, she stood with her back to him, gazing out of the lone, unadorned window. Arthur stood and strolled around the table to stand beside her. It was exceedingly kind of you to invite me to stay.

We are honored.

I think, he said, taking her hand in his, not as honored as I. She glanced at her hand in his, and with a small sigh, surprised him by leaning against him. But she suddenly straightened and reached for the bucket of water she had used to clean the dishes. With a shy smile, she said, I think there is naught lovelier than the moon over Glenbaden. Will you walk with me, then?

Oh yes, hed walk with her right over the edge of a cliff if she asked.

Fortunately, he had to merely follow her outside, where she absently poured the water from the bucket onto what looked to be a garden patch, then set it aside and carefully wiped her palms on her apron.

With a smile, Arthur held his hand out to her. Kerry looked at it so suspiciously that he could not help but chuckle. She smiled sheepishly at his laugh, slipped her hand into his, and the two of them strolled in comfortable silence into the heath beyond the house. The night air was thick with the scent of boxwood and heather; the small loch below them shimmered in the moonlight. Arthur glanced up at the sky, to the

thin trails of mist streaking across the moon. Kerry was right; he had never seen anything quite as stunning as the light of a full moon spilling around them. It is beautiful here, he murmured appreciatively.

Aye, she softly agreed, and with a wistful sigh, tilted her head back to gaze at the stars. Ive not been far beyond this glen, but I canna imagine a lovelier place in all the world.

Arthur was hard pressed to disagree with her and joined her in gazing up at the stars. There were millions of them, seemingly so close that it felt as if they almost touched his face.

He lowered his gaze and looked at Kerry. Her skin, bared to the moon above, had the rich luster of pearls. Her lips were starkly dark against her face, and Arthur was assaulted with the memory of those lips, the satin feel of her cheeks. He let go her hand and reached out to touch the column of her neck.

Kerry did not move; she held very still as he caressed the hollow of her throat, the long sleek line to her jaw. When he slipped his hand around to the side of her neck, she lowered her head and looked at him with luminous blue eyes that seemed to reflect his own growing desire. Desire he had no right to feel.

He had no intention of staying in Glenbaden. He had had his little adventure; he would go in a matter of days. He had no right to kiss those lips, to perhaps relay a promise he would not keep. Yet he could not seem to tear his gaze away from those eyes, or the desire they reflected up to him. Wholly mesmerized, he gazed into the pale blue irises, his heart and mind seized by the moment, by the Scottish moon over Glenbaden.

Kerry leaned into him, rising slowly on her toes; he was confused in a vague way as to what she was about, until her lips brushed against his, settling lightly on his bottom lip, scarcely touching, but clinging to him all at once. Whether it was her boldness or the erotic simplicity of that kiss, it stunned him. He stood frozen in the moonlight, helpless against the heat that rapidly spread though his veins. But when he felt her falter, all his male instincts rapidly took holdhe quickly moved to anchor her, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her into his chest and returning the simple kiss with one that surprised him with its intensity.

He swept boldly into her mouth, drinking her in. Kerry responded with the fever she had shown him beforeher hands swept up around his neck, her tongue darted out to tangle with his. When he dragged his mouth to her ear, she kissed his eye, his temple, her hands running down his arms, across his chest, bending her neck so that he might caress the slope of it into her shoulder with his mouth. Arthur heard her sigh, felt her mouth on his chest through the rough linen shirt, the grip of her fingers in his arm. He could feel her body against his, every quivering inch of it, but as his hand drifted up her ribcage, brushing against the side of her breast, she caught a ragged breath in her throat, shifted away from his caress.