Highland Heather - Highland Heather Part 30
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Highland Heather Part 30

Her lids snapped open. She found herself staring into his dark, laughing eyes.

"I fear there is nothing else you could teach me."

"Would you care to bet a gold sovereign on that?" She suddenly resented his mocking laughter.

"I no longer wish to dance with you, Morgan Grey." An aging earl stepped forward and tapped Morgan on the shoulder.

"It seems your every wish is my command, my lady." With a smile Morgan took a step back, breaking contact. Before she knew what was happening, Brenna was swept away in the old man's arms. When she glanced over his shoulder she saw Morgan dancing with the queen. Lord Windham was standing in the center of the floor looking over the dancing couples.

From her vantage point, Brenna watched as Morgan swept the queen around the dance floor. It was obvious, from the ease with which they moved, that they had danced together many times. Elizabeth looked up into Morgan's eyes and said something that made him laugh. He then lowered his head to whisper in her ear. Brenna stared in fascination, unable to turn away from such an intimate scene.

What was this strange emotion she felt? Jealousy? She instantly rejected such a notion. How could she feel any jealousy toward a man she cared nothing about?

Within minutes Brenna was dancing with another partner. She looked up to find herself in the arms of Charles Crowel, Duke of Eton.

"My wife, Madeline, is quite taken with you, my lady."

"And I with her. I shall never forget her kindness to me."

"Madeline is a tenderhearted woman. She has not forgotten what it feels like to be a stranger in a strange land. But my friends have gone to great lengths to make her feel welcome in England."

"Your wife is a truly good person. I feel that I have at least one friend in England."

"My dear, if you let us, we will all be your friends."

"Thank you, sir." She gave him a grateful smile.

"You are most kind."

"And you are most beautiful, my dear. I fear Her Majesty will have twenty and five suitors vying for your hand before this night is over."

Brenna was still laughing when she was suddenly turned into another pair of arms.

"Lord Windham." The smile vanished from her lips.

"I have been waiting for this opportunity," he said.

His hand at her waist drew her firmly against him. His eyes had none of the warmth or humor of Morgan's. Instead, they burned with an intensity that alarmed her.

"You have dazzled all of the gentlemen in the queen's company," he muttered.

"It seems you shall have your pick of titled Englishmen from which to choose."

"Perhaps," Brenna said, striving to keep the conversation light, "I shall be unable to choose just one."

"All the better. I like a woman who can please many lovers."

"I did not mean..." She bit her lip. There was no point in attempting to explain to this crude man.

He swept her gracefully through the crowd and continued dancing.

Brenna was unaware that they were heading toward a deserted balcony until they stopped dancing. She looked around in surprise.

"Why have you brought me here?"

"Why does a gentleman usually take a lady away from the crowd?" He smiled and she felt a tiny tremor of fear along her spine.

"I thought you might wish to escape from Morgan Grey."

"Escape? You offer me escape, my lord?"

He took a step closer and ran his finger suggestively along her arm.

She gave an involuntary shudder and took a step back. But as she took another -step, her back pressed against the cold stone of the balcony railing. At her look of fear Lord Windham's smile widened.

"Are you playing the part of the coquette, my lady?"

"I..." She licked her lips and fought back the rush of fear that caused her throat to go dry.

"I do not understand what you mean."

"Oh, I think you do." He stepped very close, until their bodies were touching. He felt the way she recoiled from him and gave a cold laugh as he brought his hand to her shoulder.

"You are teasing me, my lady.

Playing the part of the innocent. And it is most effective. "

"Please, my lord. I wish to go back to the others now."

"All in good time." He caught her by the upper arms and pressed his thumbs into the softness of her flesh.

"You are a beautiful, desirable woman, Brenna MacAlpin. It was most kind of Morgan Grey to fetch you here for my pleasure."

His breath reeked of ale. Brenna strained against the hands that clawed at her.

As he drew her close and lowered his head, he heard the sound of swords being drawn. Stunned, he turned to find two of Morgan Grey's soldiers facing him, their swords lifted in a threatening manner.

Behind them was Morgan Grey himself.

Brenna was so elated to see them, she nearly threw herself into Morgan's arms. She took a step toward him, but the look on his face stopped her.

"Did you not think it rude to leave the festivities before your queen, Windham?"

Lord Windham's face was a cold mask of fury.

"You have no right to intrude. Grey."

"I have every right. Have you forgotten that the lady is my prisoner?"