And then he was kissing her, and then he was standing, lifting them both out of the bath, and carrying her to an old, squeaky bed. He did not want to think now. He did not want to know what would happen tomorrow when they stepped into Norwood Park, into all that glistening opulence.

But he was also aware, as he covered her damp body with his mouth and his hands, his tongue tracing a long, tantalizing line down her belly and between her legs, that no matter what happened between them, there would never be another for him.

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

MARGOT AWOKE BEFORE Arran the next morning, when it was still quite dark. She sat on the edge of the bed, drew her legs to her chest. She hadn’t slept well at all, her thoughts tossing wildly about in and out of her dreams. In one dream, her father raged at her for bringing Arran to Norwood. In another, she and Arran, her father and brothers, all ran from some unseen and menacingly dark force.

The dreams were unsettling and had left her feeling a bit queasy. But as the fog cleared from her mind, Margot had no doubt her father would help them. He had given her life and brought her into this world, had provided a life of privilege, and he would not forsake her.

Margot began to rummage through her portmanteau, into which she’d put a proper gown.

“What are you about?” Arran asked sleepily, awakened by her movements.

She smiled at him over her shoulder. “Today we reach Norwood Park, and I must dress properly for it.”

When she was dressed and had pinned up her hair as best she could without help, she turned to him. “Well, then, do I look convincing as a laird’s wife?”

Arran—dressed now, too, in pantaloons and an inky black coat—allowed his gaze to travel slowly over her. As if he was memorizing her. “Aye, quite convincing.”

She pressed her hand to his chest and rose up to kiss him. She could see etches of concern around his eyes. “You mustn’t fear, Arran. I know my father.”

Arran turned away. “It’s no’ your father who concerns me at the moment.”

Margot didn’t know what he meant by that. And she didn’t ask.

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