To her great surprise his lips were soft. She hadn’t expected that
in a man. Then he was drawing her even closer, and the mouth on
hers became demanding. Instinctively she answered that demand,
freeing her arms and sliding them around his neck so that their bodies
touched. For a brief moment she was floating. Then suddenly,
abruptly, he released her mouth. His eyes were dark with passion.
Looking down on her, he muttered huskily, “I knew it! I knew it
would be this way with you!”

For the briefest moment reason returned, and she began to trem-
ble. Concern filled his eyes and, catching her face between his thumb
and forefinger, he whispered, “No, sweetheart! Don’t regret, or be
afraid of me. God, not that! I could not bear it!”

“I… I don’t understand,” she whispered. “I don’t understand 
what is happening to me.”

‘To us, sweetheart! It’s happening to me too, Skye! I barely know
you, but I’m in love with you. I have never been in love before,
Skye, but I know that I am in love with you.”

“No!” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “You must not say these
things to me, my lord. In a few days’ time I am to wed with Dom
O’Flaherty.”

“But you don’t love him, Skye!”

“My lord Burke! You know the way of these things. I have been
betrothed since the cradle.”

“I will speak to your father at once, sweetheart. You must not
marry young O’Flaherty!”

She looked at him wonderingly. “Are you not contracted, my
lord?’

“She died before we could be wed. I did not even know her.
Come, sweetheart, I would kiss you again.” His mouth swooped
down, and Skye gave a small cry of joy as she yielded herself wholly
to him.

It was utter madness, yet he loved her! This great and famous man loved her! And dear God! she loved him. She, the level-headed
Skye, had fallen in love at first sight. She could feel his powerful
body restraining itself in its desire, and she loved him the more, for
if he tried to take her now she would give herself gladly, and he
must surely know it.