Always - Iris Johansen [45]
“Why unfortunately?”
“Because combining a lawless gypsy philosophy like Marna’s with Kira’s temperament was like adding oil to fire.” He picked up his glass of wine. “Explosive.”
“Fascinating,” Lisa murmured.
“If you like to play with dynamite.” He smiled. “Personally I like my entertainment a little less volatile. Have I told you how lovely you look tonight? I like that caftan.”
“So do I.” She touched the peach-colored brocade of the bodice. She knew the color was good with her hair and eyes, and the richness of the material always made her feel festive. “Though the style is more fitting to one of your Middle Eastern palaces than this castle.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I imagine quite a few knights brought their ladies gorgeous garb like that from their crusades.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” She wasn’t thinking very coherently of anything, she thought ruefully. Her palms were actually damp with nervousness. Good Lord, she was acting with all the sophistication of a teenage virgin. She should have seduced Clancy this afternoon on the plane. Then she had responded with complete naturalness and passion. Now that she’d had time to think how important tonight might be to her, she had developed a case of nerves.
“You’re not eating again.” Clancy’s eyes were twinkling. “You mustn’t disappoint Marna. She might put the evil eye on you.”
“Is that why you brought me here? So that Marna could accomplish what you and Galbraith couldn’t?”
He went still. “You know why I brought you here,” he said quietly. “And it has nothing to do with that particular appetite.”
Her chest was suddenly so tight she was finding it hard to breathe. She could see the reflection of the candle flames in his eyes, but she doubted if that was what made them blaze. The room was charged with an electricity and naked desire that was unmistakable. Why were they sitting here indulging in this charade of social amenities when neither of them wanted to be anywhere but in each other’s arms? She swallowed. “You don’t seem to be eating very well yourself. Shall we give it up and take the risk of incurring Marna’s wrath?”
He threw the napkin on the table and stood up. “If we can manage to escape before she comes back from the kitchen.” He was around the table, pulling her to her feet. “Let’s go!”
They ran from the room like naughty children, only to be confronted by Marna in the hall. Braking, they skidded to a stop.
“You do not wish dessert?” the housekeeper asked, raising a brow.
Clancy shook his head. “Miss Landon needs some fresh air. We thought we’d take a walk on the battlements.”
The faintest smile touched Marna’s lips. “It is always wise to satisfy one’s needs when they occur. It is unhealthy to do otherwise. Good night, Mr. Donahue.”
Lisa stared after her retreating figure. “Maybe she is a witch. That had to be a double entendre.”
“She wouldn’t have to be psychic to read our minds at the moment. There’s a certain look.…” He grinned. “Though I wouldn’t swear that she didn’t.” He took her hand and pulled her up the stairs. When they reached the landing he suddenly turned to her with a frown. “Would you like to?”
She blinked. “What?”
“See the battlements. I don’t want you to think I’m rushing you off to the sack. And I suppose a stroll in the moonlight would be romantic.”
She gazed at him with exasperation and enormous tenderness. “Clancy, you’ve done your duty. You’ve provided me with all the romance a woman could possibly want. Now for God’s sake, will you take me to bed?”
A slow smile lit his face. “Did I ever tell you how much I admire an aggressive woman? You’re damn right I will.”
He rushed her up the second flight of stairs with a speed that had her choking with laughter. Then he swung her up in his arms and strode down the hall. “One last romantic gesture. I was tempted to carry you up the stairs like Rhett Butler did Scarlett, but I