He bent to kiss her, but she dodged his mouth. He lifted a questioning brow and she met his gaze.
"You won't sit with me yet have no qualms about accosting me? Are you not tired?' she asked abruptly.
"Nay."
"Good. Then we shall talk."
Extricating herself from his hold, she wrapped a hand around his forearm and led him to the couch. Elise directed him down onto a cushion, then knelt on the cushion beside him.
"You are much too tense." She turned his back toward her.
With great care, she massaged the hard muscle of his shoulder. Marcus felt himself relax. He closed his eyes, contemplating ways to entice her hands lower. He became aware of her breath on his neck. He throbbed, anticipating her quick intake of breath when her gaze fell upon the noticeable lift of his kilt. She shifted and her breath came hot in his ear. Marcus shuddered as her lips brushed his ear.
"It wasn't your fault, you know."
His eyes flashed open and he twisted to face her. "I will not discuss this with you."
She shrugged, then nearly bounced into a sitting position beside him. "That doesn't change the fact I'm right."
"You know nothing of it," he snapped.
"I know enough."
Marcus faced her. Words poured from his mouth even as he blushed at defending his actions to a woman—especially this woman. "It is my responsibility to see that no harm comes to any here. I nearly failed."
"But you didn't."
The flat response brought him up short.
She shook her head as if speaking to a child. "You found a flaw in your defenses. Do you think it's the only one?"
Fear rushed through him. He hadn't considered there could be a single flaw, much less two, three or…
Elise took his hand in hers. "You aren't God. Close, perhaps," she gave a faint smile, "but still human. I understand how difficult this is, but you must accept the fact that, like most mortals, you are flawed." She paused. "Those attackers will never harm another person, and you learned a valuable lesson. Most would count themselves fortunate. Don't look so sullen. I am sure you will find a way to assuage your anger."
Marcus blinked, then grasped her shoulders and tugged her across his thighs. He pressed his lips to her ear and murmured, "What am I to do with you?"
Elise lifted a brow, saying, "Certainly not what you think," and gingerly shifted in his lap.
Marcus looked past his father and the other people crowding the courtyard until his gaze fixed upon Elise. She stood with a group of women, rifling through a basket of provisions they were distributing to the men who were to accompany him to London.
Cameron clasped his shoulder. "All will be well." He glanced meaningfully at Elise, his hand dropping back to his side.
Marcus focused on his father. "She isn't to leave Brahan Seer while I am away."
"Aye."
"If Loudoun doesn't agree to intervene with his clansmen, I will seek an audience with King George."
Cameron nodded. "The earl willna' relish the possibility of losing his property to one of our attacks. Castle Kalchurn is his pride and joy."
"I plan on using that fact," Marcus replied. He nodded toward Elise. "I had better say my good-byes."
Marcus strode to Elise. The warrior she handed a small cloth package to grasped it and murmured thanks before joining his nearby comrades. She turned, taking a surprised step back when she nearly collided with Marcus.
"You will honor your promise?" he asked.
"I won't leave Brahan Seer."
She couldn't leave. He had seen to that. The passageway had been boarded shut and the guards had orders not to let her pass. Marcus drew her to him. His heart pounded with every halting step closer she allowed until he could wrap his arm around her. Marcus cupped her neck in his free hand. Her gaze flitted to the side, but he cared nothing for the crowd. He kissed her. The familiar hunger lashed out. Had she any understanding of his need for her? She had called it lust. By God, he did lust after her.
Marcus took a long draught of her. When he returned, he would have set in motion what he should have done a month ago: discover her identity. He released her and motioned to the man who stood near the gate holding his horse's reins. The man pushed through the crowd and stopped beside him, reins extended. Marcus mounted, then paused, locking gazes with Elise.
"Elise."
She waited.
"I will return."
It seemed she didn't breathe.
"Be ready when I do."