Desire in Tartan: 2 (Highland Vampires) by Suz deMello Page A

about Malcolm—had feared him, actually, after seeing him with the whore—but she wouldn’t wish a fate like his on anyone. “B-but how will we get away?” she asked.
    She could see his smile gleaming through the darkness. Dugald had unusually white, strong teeth, she noticed.
    “Och, lassie, that’s nae the question.”
    “Umm…what is?”
    “The question is, how might they get away?”
    * * * * *
     
    Dugald was pleased to find that Mistress Alice hadnae been reduced to a pool of feminine tears. She had backbone, he thought, proud of the governess he’d picked. She hadnae panicked, though she showed a deal of fear. And with good reason, as far as she knew.
    But she didnae ken what he was, and in this situation, he probably couldnae keep the information from her.
    While he’d been ruminating she’d cuddled closer, and he put his arm around her waist without thinking about it. “Lass, you’re half-naked and cold. They took your warm clothes, the blackguards.”
    That drew a little chuckle. “Yes, they are.”
    “Ye’ll pardon the liberty, I hope.” He drew her shivering form in tight even though he knew that he had no warmth to give.
    He heard her pulse quicken, felt her body heat increase. Mistress Alice was aroused.
    His heart, ordinarily slow and sedate, jumped. His tool hardened, a condition that no longer surprised him when around her. It seemed that the auld fellow, after having slept for a year, had awakened and wouldnae return to his mild, peaceful doze.
    He sighed. Did he wish to play the game of love once more? Alice was a temptation, to be sure, with her wildly feminine scent, shy smile and hesitant allure. And her mysteries. He shouldnae forget the many mysteries that the lady hid behind her quiet façade.
    Her aroma intensified and his cock strained against his trews. He reminded himself that although he was convinced he could rescue them both, no certainty existed. The Beans had butchered many an unwary traveler. They’d even killed a Kilburn, so Dugald’s special abilities were not a perfect protection.
    Alice hesitantly stroked his chest, and his heart turned over. He was lost. He knew it as surely as he knew that the sky was blue-gray and the sun rose in the east.
    “Dugald…” Her voice was so soft that, even with his unusually good hearing, he wasn’t at all confident that she’d spoken.
    Her hand wandered over his chest in a timid caress. Her inexperience was endearing and he longed to teach her everything about love between a man and a woman. But she was a virgin, and ’twouldn’t be right.
    “We’re going to die, aren’t we? The Beans are cannibals. They will kill us and eat our flesh.” Her body trembled.
    He stirred. “Nay, lass. I’m waiting until they sleep or leave, for they must do one or the other.”
    “What do you mean?”
    He shrugged. “They must sleep, ye ken? Here, or outside. Just before dawn will be the best time to strike.”
    “They could kill either of us at any time.”
    “But they willnae. Have ye nae been listening? They plan to keep us here until we’re…needed. They have a larder filled with others.” His voice was bitter. “Including our Malcolm. Outside. He’s…he’s spitted over a bonfire.”
    Horror suffused her face. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Thank ye. Ye didnae ken him well. He’d been a good boy and was growing into a fine man now he’d reached his majority.”
    A sob shook her slender frame. “I’m so afraid.”
    He tightened his embrace. “Doonae be affrighted. I’m here and I’m your man, remember? I will protect ye with my life.”
    “That’s what I’m afraid of,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to be hurt.”
    He couldn’t help chuckling. “Worry not, mistress.”
    “Dugald, I…I don’t want to die without knowing the love of a man. Without…your love.”
    He was struck dumb, then gathered his wits and said, “Och, so that’s the way of it, aye? Lass, doonae be making a quick decision.”
    “It’s