Excerpt

Coming next month

FORBIDDEN TO THE HIGHLAND LAIRD

Sarah Mallory

Soon the notes of a familiar tune floated down from the window.

‘Perhaps you would like to return to the hall and dance,’ Logan said.

‘I was never taught the steps.’

‘I thought all young ladies learned to dance.’

Ailsa’s hand fluttered. ‘I spent all my time with the harp.’

‘That surprises me.’

‘It was not considered necessary for me to dance, only to play.’

He heard the wistful note in her voice and said upon an impulse, ‘Then dance with me now. I think I can remember the steps.’ She looked up, startled, and he held out his hand. ‘You must have seen it performed often enough and will soon pick it up.’

Cautiously she took his fingers and he helped her through the moves. She was light on her feet and quick to learn. Logan guided her around, giving the occasional word of instruction. As her confidence grew, so did her smile and with the music drifting down from the open window, they danced on in the moonlight, laughing when they made a mistake.

All too soon for Logan, the dance ended. When they stopped, he bowed low over her hand.

‘Excellently done,’ he praised her. ‘You learn very quickly.’

‘Thank you, Laird.’ She dropped him an equally low curtsy. ‘I should hesitate to try it in company, but I did enjoy it.’

When she raised her head, he could see she was laughing. The moonlight sparkled in her eyes and he felt suddenly winded. By heaven, she was beautiful!

His hand tightened on her fingers as he felt a sudden desire to kiss her, but when he would have pulled her closer, she resisted him, the laughter dying from her face.

‘Sir—’

‘My name is Logan,’ he interrupted her softly. ‘I would be honoured if you would call me by my name.’

‘I cannot,’ she cried. ‘I should not be here. Oh, pray you, let me go. I should never have come outside!’

She was genuinely distressed and he released her immediately.

‘You have done nothing wrong, mistress. I assure you.’

She shook her head.

‘Ailsa, believe me—!’

But she was already hurrying away.

Logan watched her disappear. What was there in that to distress her so? He remembered his sudden flare of desire. Perhaps she had seen that in his eyes, perhaps she had guessed how much he wanted to kiss her. He meant her no insult and he would tell her so. He must do so, if he had the opportunity, before the evening was out.

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FORBIDDEN TO THE HIGHLAND LAIRD

Sarah Mallory

Available next month