Where To Find It
// The Burning Lake ~ Todd and Téa Online
Excerpts courtesy of The Burning Lake ~ Todd and Téa Online
Excerpt from Chapter 3
Téa stood frozen, unable to move a single muscle. She was totally captivated by the very large man that had now placed his hands on her shoulders in order to steady her.
“Are you all right, lass? I didn’t see you coming. I hope I didn’t hurt you.” Todd then noticed that she had been crying.
Téa knew immediately who the man was…he was the Scotsman that her father had warned her about. Prudence’s description of him did not begin to prepare her for the man’s beauty. And when he spoke…my lord, it was difficult to understand his thick brogue, but how marvelous it sounded. “Sir, I beg your pardon. I wasn’t watching where I was going, and it is I who ran into you.”
“Ahhh, there’s no harm done.” For some reason Todd continued to hold onto her shoulders. She spoke English, but it was not the Queen’s English. It was very appealing…he wanted to hear more. “Are you sure you’re all right? I couldn’t help noticing that you’ve been crying. Has someone done something to you?”
Slightly embarrassed, Téa quickly wiped her cheeks. “I assure you no one has hurt me. I am a victim of my own stupidity, but I shall recover.”
Todd cupped her chin and lifted her face a bit higher toward the intensity of his gaze. “A lass as lovely as you could not possibly be stupid. It is my guess that the stupid one is the bloke who let you get away.”
Heat rose in Téa’s cheeks as she blushed profusely. Everything her father had warned her of rang loudly in her ears, but for the life of her, she could not break free of the incredible spell this man had cast on her. Then she almost fainted when he smiled at her. Her heart was beating wildly and she knew she had to move away from him before he caused her to swoon! “If you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way. I apologize for my clumsiness.” She walked around him and glanced down for the first time. Another rush of heat to her face resulted at the sight of his bare legs, golden brown from exposure to the sun. It was too much for her to take and she bounded up the stairs to her room.
Excerpt from Chapter 7
Slowly they walked together. Todd made sure that he did not move too fast, giving Téa ample time to come along at her own pace. He was fully cognizant of her arm around his waist and her hand planted snuggly at his side. The slight pressure from her fingers was more than enough to conjure up visions of her touching him various other places on his chiseled frame. His body reacted to those thoughts quicker than he had anticipated and he was grateful that they were alone together and not in the presence of others.
As they strolled around the garden, Todd could think of nothing but Téa’s lips and the fact that he had not sampled them yet. His uncle was right…it was time. “Miss Delgado, when you’ve finished admiring all of the roses, how would you like to go for a ride with me? Maybe my sister will even loan me one of her carriages. Perhaps we could take some wine and cheese along and have a nice friendly chat and enjoy the rest of this beautiful day.” He waited anxiously for her reply.
“Mr. Manning, I’d enjoy that very much.”
Todd smiled. He was going to see to it that they both enjoyed it…to the utmost.
Excerpt from Chapter 25
“I’ll have plenty to keep me busy chasing all your little ones around the keep. From the way you’re constantly after the lass, she’ll be plump with your bairns more oftentimes than not!” Angus snorted at his nephew then he bowed toward Téa, his demeanor reflecting the admiration that he had for her. “Lady Manning, how lovely you look. The McDonald colors suit you.”
“Why, thank you uncle.” Téa walked over and hugged him. “Do you know if my friends Prudence and Johnathan Bennington have arrived?”
“Aye, lass. Just a little while ago.”
“Oh, wonderful. Todd, let’s go welcome them.”
Todd, still somewhat stunned by Angus’ unexpected reference to children, suggested that Téa go on ahead of him. “Go on and greet your friends. I’ll join you in a moment. There is something I should speak with uncle about.”
Téa entered Todd’s personal space and placed her palms flat on his chest. “You’re not avoiding them, are you?” The twinkle in her eyes let him know she was teasing. “Don’t be long, Laird Manning.” She leaned up and kissed him gently.
Todd watched as she walked away from him with a newfound sense of reality. “Uncle, what you just said about bairns…do you think the lass could indeed be carrying?”
“Hell, I’m quite sure you’re aware of where bairns come from, aren’t you? With the way you’ve been keeping her behind locked doors every waking moment, why shouldn’t she be?”
Todd’s face lit up at the thought of becoming a father. He had always looked forward to raising children, knowing that he would love them and care for them with everything in him. “I just hadn’t stopped to think about the possibility until you mentioned it.”
“Nay, you’ve just been thinking with another part of your anatomy. Actually, it will be nice to have wee ones around getting into mischief. We’ll see how your lass handles it when they let the hounds run loose in the house with their muddy feet.” Angus laughed heartily.
Todd smiled, remembering how Téa had reprimanded his uncle for doing the exact same thing. “She really let you have it that day, didn’t she?”
“Aye, and I’ve never made that mistake again. That one is a force to be reckoned with, I’ve learned.”
“She’ll make a wonderful mother. Our children will be very lucky, as am I.”