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Chapter 10

"Are we finished?"

Nora"s smile stretched longingly across her face. Inside, she had begun to ache. The evening clouds were thickening, long since having captured the sun. Now they turned their attention to the moon, standing alone in the sky.

Nora considered all this right away, the same time it took her to watch his smile. It was all she had been doing since the feast began. Their special feast for two.

Around them, the last vestiges of food were scattered; animal bones, half-consumed possets, cold pottages, and wilting jellies. Patting her midriff contentedly, Nora thought about loosening her bodice, but there was no opportunity. Instead, she satisfied herself with tracing the outline of his neck against the window light, pale, as it faded in the night.

William looked up. "Finished? I was just getting started."

They both laughed, but he gazed at her longingly until Nora had to turn her head away. She was so happy right now, but whenever she closed her eyes, she saw her father"s head.

Dinnae do anything wi" him until he brings the wedding forward! Then I dinnae care!

They had actually been his last words of imparting wisdom to her, that and the gory details of seduction laid out by a fifty-something man with a beard that resembled a badger. Just the thought of it made her shudder.

William followed her with his eyes. "I see I have exhausted ye," he said, jesting. Compliantly, Nora flumped onto the table before raising her head, smiling. They had had a good evening, and already she was relaxed in William"s company. Maybe a little too relaxed.

"Dinnae fash," she assured him, although it was mighty cozy cuddled up on the table.

Instinctively, William came over, his light touch upon her hair.

That was where she should have stopped him, she would later think, but at the time, all she could do was sit and stare.

Now William was caressing her hair, his hand rubbing up and down from the top of her head to her the tips of her shoulders. And she was loving it.

"Braw," murmured William, as Nora herself gave a little cough. She felt she had to register it somehow to make a small complaint. Not that she felt it.

She was mesmerized by the feel of his touch shimmering up and down her head. Normally, she hated anyone touching her head, and this was a revelation. Slowly, William"s fingers caressed, teasing her shoulders and rubbing her neck. Then, they stroked her up, down, back, forth, over and over again. The feeling was hypnotic; it drew her in.

Inside, a deep tiredness took her, but it was sweet and nice.

"Ye"ve got a bonnie neck an" arms," he told her, nuzzling his face up close.

Nora felt herself weaken. A tender ache took her, seeping through her limbs to a private place. Everything felt heated.

"Just neck an" arms?" she teased him, her voice purring languorously.

Had she had one too many wee drams? Everything felt soft and sweet. And by then, she did not care. Nora giggled, casting a comely glance at William.

"Nay, nae just that," he sighed. He was upon her. At least, that was what it felt like. Leaning over, he put his head near so that his breath was an inch from hers. He was close. Too close. She should have told him to stop it but felt too weak.

Och!Sinking back down into her chair, Nora let him tease her, his arms gradually coming all over, slowly stroking her hair, and by stealth, her shoulders and neck too.

It was unexpected and also deeply sensuous. Light in the head, Nora glanced quickly, making sure no one else was within sight before sinking deeply into his touch.

"I"ll tell ye a wee thing," said William, with mischief. Nora turned to look at him. In the candlelight, his blue eyes glinted impishly. "I"ve nae kissed a lass with red hair."

Nora let that wash over her, although somewhere in her head, she felt a drop of panic. He was talking of kissing her. Really, she should be steering the conversation to weddings and moving it forward. Her father had been adamant. No kissing until it was decided! She was only meant to seduce him once the end was in sight.

But her father was not there. Finishing another dram of wine, Nora looked at William and smiled.

"Well, I"ll tell ye something else; perhaps ye still wilnae!"

Her eyes flashed combative as she looked his way. His surprised look gave way to a smile. Nora could not help laughing. It would not hurt to keep him on his toes.

"Och, well, if it"s gonnae be like that, hen," muttered William. He donned an expression of fake outrage that was so sincere it made Nora squeal.

"Help ma boab," she spluttered. The look on William"s face had turned her into a giggling wreck. "My father does that face. Nay, stop it! Wheesht!"

William pouted, leaving Nora breathless with laughter. Softly, he stroked her hair. Then her chin, embracing her lightly. Taking his index finger, William ran it down her cheek, sending a shock of pleasure running through her.

It was a very sudden collision between their cheeks and their eyes. He was too close, almost upon her. Shaking herself quickly, Nora started.

"Och," she said, pulling away. Suddenly, the room was warm. Waving her hands, Nora attempted to make a draft. She felt drowsy and weak.

"What is it, hen?" asked William, noticing. Now he gave her room, moving backward and fanning her with his hand. Quickly, he snapped his fingers, and within moments a servant appeared with a fan. There, William began cooling her.

Watching him fanning so assiduously, Nora giggled. It was faintly ridiculous. She tried lifting her head up to tell him, but was immediately nauseous and weak.

"Dinnae move," said William softly, urging her back down. He helped her rest her head against the table. To Nora"s surprise, she was almost laid down there, flat, into her dinner.

Sheer embarrassment forced her up.

"Och, nay," she murmured, straightening herself. Looking around, she panicked. Her hair was free, falling around her shoulders. Frowning, Nora searched about. At some point, her headdress had fallen.

Watching her eyes, William handed her the remains of her caul. "Here," he said somberly. "Although, if ye permit me, I think ye look better wi"out it."

His eyes went to hers, but still, he handed her the rolled headdress. But the segments had become unfurled. Taking the unclipped headpiece, Nora placed it aside. It was a midden and in pieces rather like the rest of her.

"Please excuse me," she said formally. Maybe she could not dress her hair, but she needed to straighten herself. Pink-cheeked, Nora scolded herself. She was meant to seduce him. Not get blootered, almost pass out, and boke1. Chastened, she sat up rigidly.

"Dinnae fash," said William, eyeing her with concern. "Perhaps "tis a wee bit heated in here."

He cast an unsure head across the great hall. In fact, it was fairly cool. The fire in the grate had gone out some time ago, but he diplomatically avoided that. Instead, he smiled in concern.

Taking her hand, he urged her. "I tell ye what, let"s grab a wee breath o" air." He pulled her, bringing her up out of her chair. Standing dizzily, Nora took a breath of air. There was no back on the seat she was sitting in, which took her by surprise, and swiftly, she swayed, needing to be steadied by him.

"Alright?" he asked, catching her.

Nora reddened. She had forgotten the narrow bench she was sitting on had no backrest. No wonder, she had flumped forward onto the table.

Arranging herself carefully, she grinned. "Aye," she said slowly. "An" thanks."

She looked at him with what felt like new eyes. He was fresh and bright, the opposite of her jaded sheen. Then she looked about. The hall was empty and darkening about her. Night had fallen, and it seemed the candles had burned to the end. A bit like her.

Shakily, Nora walked, her arm supported by his, as gradually they made their way from the hall.

A few moments later, the cool night air rushed at her. Nora felt the glow in her cheeks and a fresh kiss on her brow.

"Better?" said William, looking right at her. A glint of moonlight crossed his cheek.

"Better," said Nora, holding him tight. His hand was wrapped around her and his other arm about her back. Nora liked the feel of him there, gentle and supportive. He had done it all without being asked. For not the first time, she thought of how agreeing he was.

"Braw," said William, leading her away. "I wanted to show ye this."

Taking her by the hand, William led her away. In the dark, it was not easy to say exactly where they went. She knew it was around the back of the castle and that they went past the window to the great hall. But after that, she was lost.

Glancing around, Nora noticed the nighttime. Somehow, it suddenly seemed a whole lot darker than before. Tightening her grip on William"s hand, she drew closer. A sensual chill ran through the air, making her shiver. When she looked around, she realized her cloak was still indoors.

"Here," said William, apparently hearing her thoughts. "Ye look cold."

He removed the cloak from his shoulders, covering it to rest on her own. The soft plaid wool fell on her arms, trapping the heat.

"Thank ye," she murmured, feeling warm. A freshness in the atmosphere reinvigorated her. Once again, she felt energized.

"Nearly there," said William mysteriously, leading her by the hand.

It was so dark that she could not see anything. The ground beneath her feet crackled and crunched. They appeared to have come off the loose pathway and were straddling a section of what felt like open grass.

Above her head, the full force of the night sky drew her breath.

"Wheesht," she hushed, looking up to the constellation above. For a moment, their talk was halted as they simply stared. The heavens had found them, twinkling in the night sky. Suddenly, it seemed as if every star in the universe was shining down on them, and Nora was genuinely breathless.

"Aye, it"s braw," said William, his grip on her increasing. Nora felt a sudden desire to take him, hold him near. She shivered again, but this time not because she was cold.

"Here…" He pressed his hands into hers, harder this time, giving them a squeeze. There was silence between them; then, with no words, he leaned over, kissing her lightly on the cheek.

As soon as he had, there was no holding her. She did not give him a chance to wait and immediately kissed him too—harder. The kiss was sensual, firm, and deep.

Looking at William"s face, Nora panicked. He just stared. William"s eyes blinked unsurely at the aftermath of their kiss. Fearing he had changed his mind, Nora waited.

"I didnae mean to… I"m sorry," she blurted.

William just gazed at her. "I"m nae," he said, finally, taking her chin in his hands and pulling her close, delivering a kiss to shock her senses.

William…

She felt it in her extremities, a deep current stirring all through her. He kissed her again. This time it was slow and sensuous. Nora moaned; she was not used to this level of passion. But he just smiled and held her tight.

The touch of his skin, the feel of him there beside her, it all too quickly overwhelmed her. But Nora did not move away. Inside, her senses soaked it all, his embrace giving her the rush she had been craving.

A sweet breeze came from somewhere, ruffling his hair up high. Quizzically, she caressed him, stroking his hair, enjoying the feel of it between her hands.

"Braw," she murmured, as her fingers ran along his head. William seemed to tremble, as if her touch had unsettled him. But from the wicked grin running along his face, it had done the opposite.

Emboldened, William took her, this time head back, kissing her sublimely on the neck. Nora almost squealed. A rush as hard as the tide took her, leaving her aching and weak. Every part of her wanted to lie with him, run her hands all over him, holding him tight.

His hands ran all over her, gliding up and down her back and thighs. As a warm glow enveloped her, parts of her tingled that she did not even know she had.

"Nora, I—" His voice tapered off.

Suddenly, William looked uncertain. Nora watched his face. The trace of his fingers still upon her, she longed once more to taste his kiss. Her heart flinched. Surely, he was full of regret? Concerned, she watched him.

William grinned. Whatever he had been about to say was jettisoned in favor of action. Once again, he brought her near, his rose-colored lips hovering right in front of hers. The teasing grin said it all. Nora would not resist. Stroking her hair, he looked at her fully.

"I-I want to do that again. What do ye say?"

1 ?vomit, retch

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