Kill or Be Kilt Read Online Free PDF Page B

downed the contents in one swig, her mouth dropped opened.
    â€œNow that is how ye’re supposed to drink, lass.”
    â€œThat’s not wine. What is that?”
    â€œ Uisge beatha. ”
    â€œAnd that’s Gaelic for…?”
    â€œWater of life.” He pulled out his flask and filled her goblet again. “Would ye like to try again? But I have to warn ye, ye’ll need to drink like a Scot this time. Good uisge beatha is nae to be wasted on the bloody English . ” When he said the words in his best English accent, Elizabeth’s mouth trembled with the need to smile.
    â€œBut you do remember that I am English, Laird Munro.”
    â€œAye, how could I forget?”
    To his amazement, Elizabeth lifted the drink to her lips and tossed back the contents in a single swig. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and for an instant she was frozen. She placed her fingers to her mouth, facing him with a pained expression.
    â€œI’m afraid that’s simply dreadful.”
    â€œâ€™Tis an acquired taste.”
    â€œWhy, pray tell, did you want me to drink that?”
    He softened his voice. “If ye donna release the pain ye suffer for the loss of your uncle—well, let me just say nay good will come of it. I’ve lost some of my closest friends and kin in battle and had more than enough experience with death. If ye donna want to talk, then let uisge beatha ease your pain.”
    â€œAnd how is that supposed to help, exactly?”
    â€œThe drink will dull the pain ye feel, and if it does nae, ye can always count on it to put hair on your chest.” He smiled when she glanced down at her bosom.
    Elizabeth pushed the goblet in front of him. “I’m afraid you don’t have nearly enough ‘water of life’ in your flask to ease my pain, Laird Munro, but you may pour me another if you’re so inclined.”
    Ian had no intention of encouraging or rekindling the ridiculous fancy that Elizabeth had held for him in the past, but he couldn’t sit and watch her suffer from the affliction of losing her uncle any longer. As he poured the fiery liquid, he noticed Ruairi watching him from the other end of the table.
    â€œ Mòran taing .” Thank you very much. Ruairi mouthed the words without actually speaking, and Ian returned a quick nod.
    Elizabeth grabbed the goblet and swallowed the contents, tapping her fingers on the table. “I thought it would be better going down the second time, but I assure you that it wasn’t.”
    â€œUsually after the fourth, ye donna notice the burn anymore.”
    He was about to pour her another when she placed her hand over the top of the rim. “Oh, I’m afraid there will not be a fourth time.”
    Ian chuckled. “Aye, but ye did nae say anything about a third.”
    Her gentle laugh tinkled through the air as she studied her hands. “I truly must thank you for a much needed distraction. And I never thanked you for offering me comfort when the messenger came about Uncle Walter’s passing.”
    â€œâ€™Twas my pleasure, lass.” Ian meant his words.
    She reached out and touched his arm and then pulled back as if her hand was aflame. “Laird Munro, I don’t want there to be awkwardness between us. Please accept my apologies for the past. I was only fifteen. I—”
    â€œLady Elizabeth, all is forgotten. There is nay need for apologies. Now that ye’re older, wiser, I’m certain your opinion has changed. Now ye can take your place among the other lasses and run at the sight of me.”
    * * *
    And therein lay the problem. Elizabeth wasn’t certain her feelings toward the man had changed at all, especially because she felt a warm tingling all over her body. Ian drove her completely mad when he said words like that. Granted, he was a brawny man, but he was always kind. Any woman who ran away from him because of his daunting appearance was a fool. Laird Ian