Waking to the sound of soft humming, Laurie discovered Aine moving about the bedchamber, readying a bath. The steaming tub sat before a welcoming fire.
Laurie sighed at the thought of soaking sore muscles in luxurious warmth.
The older woman curtsied. “Good day, Lady MacLachlan.”
Laurie stretched and smiled at hearing her new name. “None of that. I’m still only me.”
“Nae, lass, you are now the lady of the castle.” Aine hustled her into the tub.
“You don’t need to stay. I’d like to be alone for a bit.”
“I will tend to the bed then—” The woman gasped. “So much blood. What did the brute do to you? Are you in pain, m’lady?”
Laurie’s cheeks flamed. Would she ever get used to so many people knowing the intimate details of her life?
“I’m fine,” she managed to get out through her embarrassment.
“Beast!” Aine dropped the bloody sheet and hustled from the room.
* * *
Patrick searched the castle, but couldn’t find Munn. He asked Elspeth. Questioned Duncan and Jamie. They hadn’t seen the wee man since the banquet the previous night. Giving up, Patrick headed for his private chamber.
Archibald and Stephen waited for him.
“Now what!” Their unexpected appearance set him on edge.
Stephen leaned nonchalantly against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
Archibald stared over Patrick’s shoulder. “This message arrived from our Cousin Allain. The gillie who brought the missive was anxious to return. Before he left, he indicated the contents were of the greatest import.”
He stepped forward to hand the document over.
Putting aside his quest to find Munn and his resolve to solve the mystery of his wedding night, Patrick gave his full attention to his brother. He placed his hand on Archibald’s shoulder. “I was mistaken this past night. I accused you falsely.”
His twin hesitated a moment then nodded.
Clearing his throat, Patrick accepted the note. “Let us see what Allain reports.”
He broke the seal. Both of the other men watched him. While reading the contents, he kept his features bland.
He held the missive tight in his hand. Heat rushed up his neck and into his face. Crinkling the message into a ball, he thrust the offensive missive into the fire.
Stephen straightened away from the wall. “What did he say?”
“Allain reminds me that Uncle Donald has taken refuge at my keep in Glasrie. It seems our uncle is spreading rumors of my troubles with Lamont, claiming I am unfit to lead. Allain fears Donald attempts to rally support against me.”
“He goes too far,” Archibald said.
“Aye, he does.” Patrick bit back an angry curse.
“We can send someone to watch Donald, to follow him should he leave Glasrie,” Stephen suggested.
Patrick needed to deal with his uncle himself, but he didn’t want to leave Castle Lachlan. Not now that he finally had Laurie as his wife.
“You shall go.” He directed his stare at Stephen.
“I did not intend for it to be me. Who will guard you?” His cousin sounded concerned.
“Archie is here, as are Duncan and Jamie. I will be safe enough. Besides, you are well suited to stalk our dear uncle. In addition, I need to ken if Maclay contacts him. The men I sent to search for the cur have found naught.”
“What of Lamont?” Archibald straightened at Stephen’s question.
“He claims to have washed his hands of the man,” Patrick said.
“More the reason for me to remain and guard your back.”
Patrick wrapped an arm around his cousin’s shoulder. “I trust only you to watch our uncle and uncover any other treachery at my keep in Glasrie. Allain maintains good order there, but he is not accustomed to Donald’s schemes.”
“Aye.” Stephen sighed. “I will keep Donald out of trouble and watch for Maclay.”
They exchanged glances, a silent message shared. After some vigorous backslapping, Stephen left the chamber to prepare for his journey. Archibald made to follow him, but Patrick stopped him.
“Stay. I wish to have words with you.”
“As you like.”
“I recognize the fact it is past time for Uncle Donald to be dealt with. And I should be the one going to Glasrie to handle him. Yet I dinnae wish to leave my lady-wife alone. And I cannae take her with me. The trip is arduous and she would slow me down. I told Stephen you are here. Will you stay?”
“For a wee bit. I plan to take some lads and go to Lamont and attempt to garner his agreement for my marriage to Isobell. We wish to wed soon. I would have his blessing. However, Alexander will remain here for several months. He plans to stay with Elspeth before he returns to Carrick Castle.”
“Good. I trust you to handle Lamont. When I go to Glasrie, I can leave Laurie in Alexander’s care.”
Patrick embraced his twin and managed a smile of relief. He hated when he and his brother were at odds.
Shortly after his brother left, a gentle tap sounded at the door. He called out and Aine answered. He bid her enter. She stood in the threshold, hands on hips, glaring at him.
What had he done to deserve her irritation?
“Chief, ’tis not my place, yet I must bring this matter to you.” She coughed. “You have been overly rough with your lady-wife. She bleeds much. You must be gentle with a new bride.”
Heat rose up his neck and into his cheeks for the second time this morning. This was too much. He stared at a stone above her head. “Dammit, woman. It was not all my lady-wife’s blood. I cut myself while slicing a piece of cheese and used the sheet to staunch the flow. My lady-wife bled as expected of a virgin. Nae more.” Saint Columba save him from the meddling woman.
Aine grinned before she left.
The old woman dared laugh at him. He’d actually blushed under her scrutiny. He growled as he sorted the papers on his worktable. He must be going soft.
Shortly before noon, Patrick ascended the stairs to the upper passageway.
He should stay away from Laurie’s bed and give her time for the tenderness from his abrupt possession to fade. Though he could hardly wait to bed her again, to be alone with her, somewhere away from the castle and its over-inquisitive people. He yearned to go somewhere away from the numerous demands on his time, far away from the multitude of people vying for his attention.
Ahh! He changed direction mid-stride, headed for the kitchen and then collected his tail and his lady.
“Where are we going?” Laurie asked an hour later when they stopped on the ridge above the moor to take in the view.
“’Tis a surprise.”
She rolled her eyes the way Elspeth often did. “Haven’t we had enough surprises to last awhile?”
“This one you will like.” He was determined to make up for his callous treatment of her on the eve of their wedding.
The sun slid toward the western horizon. They would need to quicken the pace to reach their destination before gloaming. They traversed a trail through the Fir-wood, riding deep into the forest to a place far from the interruptions of his station, and more importantly, far from the Sithichean Sluaigh, the mysterious faerie knoll where Laurie first appeared.
Breaking through the trees, they scattered a small gathering of deer and walked the horses toward the hunting lodge nestled there.
He signaled his guards, who discreetly spread out to keep watch.
With a glance at Laurie, his heartbeat quickened. Aye, the hut would do nicely for a tryst.
Laurie leaned forward in her saddle and eyed the thatched roofed stone hut. “What is this place?”
“We often use it when we hunt in the area.” Patrick leapt to the ground.
He grasped her by the waist, lifted her from the horse and slid her down the front of his body, over the hard ridge of his sex. Hers clenched in response.
“Mmm,” she purred.
“You are killing me.” He set her away. “Let us get settled first.”
He held the door and she entered the one-room hut. Well tended, though sparsely furnished, the bed in the corner drew her attention. The mattress had been dressed with the finest of silks and velvets and furs. Someone created a love nest for them.
“’Tis small, I ken, but away from curious eyes. I will start a fire in the center pit, which will warm us nicely. We can easily tolerate the small amount of smoke. Dinnae you think?”
“It’s perfect.”
Laurie sat on a rough-hewn bench and admired her new husband while he moved around the quaint room. He secured his sword near the bed and placed their saddlebags on the floor in a corner. When he finished setting the room to rights, he stood before her.
From the pouch at his waist appeared a cloth wrapped bundle tied with leather strips. He offered it to her. As she reached for it, he gazed into her eyes with a tenderness seldom seen by others. “I am verra sorry.” He caressed her cheek with gentle fingers. “Can you find it within your heart to forgive me?”
She placed the package on the well-worn table and returned her gaze to Patrick. Regret clouded his eyes. “There isn’t anything to forgive.”
“Aye, there is.”
His eyes widened when she placed her index finger to his lips. “Hush, now. Let us enjoy this time together without the shadows of the past.”
He kissed her finger. His eyes twinkled and a smile reshaped his soft lips, making him appear more handsome and less forbidding.
On tiptoes, she took his cheeks between her hands and kissed his splendid lips. He groaned against her mouth, adjusted his position and enfolded her in his arms. He held her tight against his chest, strong emotions shimmering in the air around them.
Patrick patted her backside and ended the kiss, releasing her from his embrace. He tugged on his shirt. “Warm in here.”
She suppressed a smile and reached for the package on the table. After removing the tie, she opened the cloth wrapping. A shiver of delight teased her. He’d given her a present, a beautiful circular brooch of gold with intricate filigree and three lovely, sparkling sapphire stones. The gems were the same color and clarity as the large sapphire set in the hilt of his sword and the one in her betrothal ring.
“The gemstones are the color of your eyes, sweetling. One stone for each of our bairns.” He winked.
“We don’t have any...” She hesitated, clearing her throat. “Bairns?”
“Elspeth foresees three. Two boys and a wee blue-eyed girl, sweet like you.” He gently wiped a teardrop from her cheek.
“The brooch is beautiful. I’ll cherish it always.” She clutched the pin to her chest and smiled, though more tears threatened. “Thank you.”
Patrick took the brooch from her and placed it on the table. “Come here.” He wrapped her in a tender embrace.
The meeting of their lips began with a gentle exploration, tongues seeking and then dueling. The kisses heated to an intensity that burned. They fell onto the bed curled around each other like wrestling lion cubs unable to discern where one began and the other ended. They franticly worked to remove the other’s clothing. Fabric ripped here and tore there. Soon they were naked, skin-to-skin, feeling, touching, and discovering each other’s bodies, mindless of their surroundings.
All their past petting made Patrick an expert at pleasuring her. He easily brought her to a fevered pitch, her body trembling beneath him with the intensity of her need. When he entered her, she was more than ready to receive him into her slick body. Their lovemaking, wild and frenzied, brought them to an explosive release.
Sated, they cuddled in each other’s arms, enjoying the satisfying afterglow.
“Three babies? Really?”
“Aye.” Patrick grinned smugly.
Laurie shivered.
“You’re cold.” He rose from the bed and strode to the fire to add more peat, presenting his naked back to her.
His body glistened in the firelight. Magnificent. His broad muscular back slimmed to a trim waist and a great butt. A firm, nicely rounded backside. The kind she wanted to reach out and squeeze. Her palms itched to touch him again.
He swung around and caught her staring.
Laurie drew in a deep breath. A smile that was purely male gave him a devilish appearance. He flexed his shoulders. Tightened his abs. Her stomach fluttered. A tingly sensation radiated throughout her whole body.
She loved this man. She’d never wanted anything more than what she had now—Patrick. They belonged to one another, completely and without reserve. She wanted to make love to him, again and again.
She curved her lips into what she hoped was a captivating smile, a come-hither look. He shot her a wicked grin before joining her in the bed. This time their loving was slow and sensual. He used all his knowledge and experience to pleasure her.
His lips teasingly skimmed, first one, and then the other of her sensitized, swollen nipples. The gentle caresses sent a tantalizing wave of heat through her, making her tremble. Raising his head slightly, he blew softly. The cool air tickled, the tender skin puckering in response. Taking one pink bud into his mouth, he suckled it into a taut, aching peak.
Laurie squirmed beneath him, craving more of his sweet, seductive kisses. He accommodated. He slowly moved down her body, his lips searing a path along her belly, across a sensitive thigh to tease between her legs. He laved her flesh with his tongue. She savored every kiss, every touch.
Her eyelids fluttered shut. He wrapped her in a sensual web he wove with artful skill.
The final caress of his skillful tongue sent her over the edge. Purple lights flashed before her eyes as she shattered into a million pleasant pieces.
When she came back to herself, she reached out to him. She was never going back to the twenty-first century. She was where she belonged—here, with this man.
She knew in her heart, she’d love him forever. Forever and an eternity.
Her home was with Patrick.
Laurie’s taste was sweet on Patrick’s tongue. She guided him atop her.
Her feathery touch thrilled him. The lightest pressure of her fingertips grazed the muscles on his back. Slowly she drew circles. Gooseflesh bubbled across his skin, sending throbbing sensations to his groin.
He moaned. No longer capable of restraint, he positioned himself and slowly entered her, giving her muscles time to adjust and wrap tightly around his thick shaft. Milking him. His thrusts were slow and erotic. She undulated beneath him, nearing the precipice. With a bellow, he sent them both over the top. Together they journeyed to an extraordinary place of overwhelming fulfillment.
It was much later before they had the energy to enjoy a repast of the fine food Cookie sent. Even the sharing of food hinted at sensual play.
He’d never been this happy.
With the bliss, a niggling worry tickled the back of his mind. He buried the feeling.
But after spending several idyllic days in each other’s arms, the time came to return to the castle and to the realities of their new life as husband and wife, as laird and lady of the castle, and as Chief of Clan MacLachlan and his Lady-wife.
As they negotiated the narrow trail through the Fir-wood, Patrick kept an alert eye to their surroundings. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He had an uncomfortable feeling, a distinct sensation someone watched. He hoped it was his imagination, but he doubted it. Even when they reached the relative security of the castle, he couldn’t shake the uneasy suspicion.