“That I did,” Cleo said as she inched out from between the desk and Jude. Sighing heavily, Jude stepped aside, feeling the fire of passion scorch every inch of him. “And what shall we read today? Do you want to read of pirates? Or perhaps the Piper of Kilbarchan?”
Jude watched as Cleo moved to Hugh’s side and lured the boy to the settee near the fire. She sat down beside Hugh as he walked to the bookshelf to scan the titles.
“Can we do somethin’ else?” Hugh asked glancing over his shoulder to Cleo. With wide eyes, Cleo looked to Jude. He could see the same fire consuming her as she stared at him.
“What did ye have in mind?” Jude asked.
“Would you like to play a game of chess?” Cleo asked arching an eyebrow. Hugh’s face dropped and scrunched with disapproval.
“I take it you don’t like to play chess?” Cleo said laughing.
“It’s borin’,” Hugh said. “There must be somethin’ to do.”
“What were you thinking of?” Cleo said as Jude moved around the couch and sat down beside her. Feeling her leg pressing against his sent a rush of new pleasures coursing through him. It was as if she could sense his want for her and teased him every chance she got.
Jude shifted his weight trying to get closer to her. He needed to feel the warmth of her body against his once again. As Cleo rose to move to Hugh, a loud ripping sound filled the room. Instantly, Cleo’s eyes shifted to her dress.
“Oh my,” she said as Jude quickly lifted his foot. A tinge of glee pricked him as he noticed he must have stepped on her dress when he scooted closer causing it to rip when she stood.
“I’m terribly sorry,” Jude said seeing Cleo’s horrified expression. “It was me fault.”
Jude tried to contain his smile. There was no denying the fact that he had thought of undressing her in such a manner just moments before. And now that he saw the embarrassment on Cleo’s face, the glee was quickly replaced by remorse.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Cleo said reaching down to hold her skirt together. Jude’s eyes lingered on her leg as the fabric was not enough to keep all of her leg concealed from his prying eyes.
“Aye,” Jude said, “I’ll fetch ye a seamstress. Cannae have ye walkin’ about in ruins,” Jude said as Hugh covered his hand to his mouth trying not to laugh.
“Thank you,” Cleo said as her brow dropped as the white of her eyes turned red.
“Daenae worry,” Hugh said. “It’s nay so bad.”
“Aye, a problem easily remedied,” Jude said. Rising to his feet, Jude walked to the door. Although a part of him wasn’t concerned with what Cleo wore, he knew that fashioning her another to replace the one he ripped was the proper thing to do.
“Aidan,” Jude said, calling for his guard. “Fetch the seamstress and have her meet Cleo in her room.”
Aidan popped his head into the door and scanned the room a moment before nodding. Despite the pleasure of getting a flash of Cleo’s leg, he could only imagine her embarrassment.
“Go,” Jude said, “and get yerself ready. Dinner will be ready soon enough and I’m sure the seamstress will be able to mend what I have broken.”
“Thank you, my Laird,” Cleo said as she curtsied to him. Her cheeks were red as she moved swiftly past him. Jude reached out for her and grabbed her by the wrist stopping her.
“I am sorry,” he whispered, “it was careless of me. But I will see ye for dinner will I nae?”
“I will see you then,” Cleo said as her eyes shifted to Hugh and she brandished a weak smile before exiting the room.
“And I’ll be waitin’.”
13
Breathing in deeply, Cleopatra glanced at the mirror to admire the dress the seamstress had fitted for her.
“This is beautiful,” Cleopatra said running her fingers over the soft, smooth fabric.
“Aye, it was me daughter’s,” the seamstress said. Cleopatra couldn’t help but admire how the dress flowed off her shoulders like the clouds that she had seen drifting down from the mountain pass they trekked through from her father’s lands. The skirt swayed around her ankles like the brook she had stepped in to collect the water. A smile played on her lips as she let the candlelight catch the fabric making it shimmer.
“This is lovely,” Cleopatra gasped as her eyes shifted to the seamstress.
“That’s how the Laird wished for ye to look,” the woman said. “If ye’re pleased, then I shall take me leave.”
“Yes, of course, and thank you.”
Cleopatra’s heart swelled as she spun around admiring the dress made for her.
I wonder what Jude will say when he sees me. I hope he does not step on this one. It is far too pretty to damage. Yet, if he rips it to shreds, would that be so bad?
Cleo felt her face flush as her mind drifted back to the library. She had never been kissed in such a way, yet, every part of her being yearned for it. She found her heart beating faster as she closed her eyes thinking of Jude’s hands on her.
“M’Lady?” The sound of the seamstress’s voice pulled her out of her day dream and she opened her eyes realizing she was not alone. “Are ye all right? Ye’re lookin’ a bit flushed? Is the dress too tight?”
Not nearly as tight as Jude’s hands on me.
“It’s fine,” Cleopatra said smiling.
“Are ye sure? I can loosen it up a bit in the front if ye need me to.”
“No,” Cleo said as she looked in the mirror and noticed how perfectly round the dress made her breasts. She didn’t look like a girl anymore, wearing a corset that flattened her chest, but a woman with plump breasts that she hoped Jude would be pleased to see.
“Then I shall take me leave,” the seamstress said with a grin.
“Thank
