The Highlander's Bride

by Donna Fletcher

  He shook his finger at her. “You know, just when I think—”

  “I’m the best thing that ever happened to you, I surprise you with even more reasons to think good of me,” she finished with a smile.

  A smug smile at that, and one he would love to wipe off her face with a kiss. He wasn’t wrong about how he affected her sexually, whether she’d admit it or not. She was inexperienced and eager to sample sex, and pragmatic, wanting the vows sealed firm so her father couldn’t have them annulled.

  She figured she’d have it her way, but she was in for a surprise, and he knew just what he was going to do to have it his way. Sara was right that what was done was done, and it would be done in his good time. And all he had to do was nothing.

  He’d sit back and wait and have it his way.

  He smiled.

  “Methinks you’re up to something,” she said with a laugh.

  His grin spread as they turned off the path and adjusted their pace to keep up with Jeremy, who was now running and waving frantically at the slim woman and small lass who themselves rushed to greet him home.

  Chapter 11

  Sara was amazed at how neat and clean Jeremy’s wife, Ginny, kept the two room cottage, and that both parents limited their food intake to provide sufficient sustenance for their daughter Gwen, a vibrant little three-year-old with curious, bright green eyes and soft honey brown hair that her mother kept neatly braided.

  Like Jeremy, Ginny’s garments hung on her dwindling frame, only her voluntary loss of weight left her looking ill. However, it didn’t stop Ginny from being hospitable and offering the only thing available—a hot brew of herbs.

  The short, thin woman almost wept when Cullen dropped the remainder of their food on the table.

  “You are overgenerous,” Ginny said, grabbing her daughter’s arm as she reached for a hunk of bread near the edge of the table.

  Sara snatched the bread and tucked it in the little girl’s hand. “Nonsense. It is our way of thanking you for allowing us to remain the night.”

  Gwen grinned from ear to ear, her full cheeks turning rosy as she munched on the bread.

  Ginny didn’t argue. She repeatedly thanked them as she dressed the table with dishes and bowls, making a grand affair of the meal.

  The two couples ate and drank and laughed and talked, Gwen taking turns sitting on everyone’s lap and nibbling off their plates. No mention was made of Jeremy’s confrontation with the soldiers. It would have only worried Ginny, and Sara could see that the woman was already fatigued with worry. It showed in her less than sparkling eyes and her forced smile.

  Ginny eyed the dwindling food regrettably, and Sara knew that she was thinking if only some were left, it would sustain them for a while at least. It was a short-term fix to their problem, and for a brief moment Sara felt a twinge of guilt for not marrying Harken. At least their joining would have served a purpose, feeding his starving clan, though she wondered if Harken cared that his clan suffered.

  “I wish to pay for the shelter you offer us tonight,” Cullen said, drawing coins from the purse tucked at his waist.

  Jeremy’s eyes rounded at the mound Cullen stacked on the table and seemed to struggle with his response. “Sharing of your food is payment enough.”

  “Nonsense,” Cullen said, pushing the coins in front of the man. “You provide us with a roof over our heads and a bed. You deserve compensation, and don’t bother to argue. I’ll have it no other way.”

  The color drained from Jeremy’s face as he scooped up the coins and his wife hugged tightly to his arm, tears shining in her dark eyes.

  “Put that way, how can I refuse?” Jeremy said.

  Ginny bounced off her chair. “I will dress the bed with fresh bedding for you.”

  Before Sara could protest, the woman hurried out of the room with Gwen close on her heels. If it made her feel better to supply them with clean bedding in exchange for the coins, then so be it. Besides, she was feeling mighty tired from their arduous journey thus far and a clean bed would be most welcome.

  With Cullen and Jeremy deep in conversation, Sara rested her head back against the rung of the high-back chair, closed her eyes and allowed the warmth of the hearth directly behind her to loll her senses.

  She was proud of her new husband. His offer to them was more than generous and was made in such a way that it didn’t appear a handout. Besides, she couldn’t believe how patient and tender he was with Gwen. No matter how many times the little girl got on and off his lap, he never once grew annoyed with her. He’d smile and scoop her up, and when she wiggled off his lap, he’d assist her to stand, only to have her hold her thin little arms out to him again.

  He’d scoop her up, give her a hug, and off she would go again, and through it all, Cullen maintained his calm and his conversation at the table. Why hadn’t she been able to find a man with his fine qualities when searching for a husband?

  She could understand why Alaina had fallen in love with the man. He had a caring heart while retaining his strength and courage. She hadn’t failed to notice how he had positioned his horse between her and Jeremy when the man appeared out of nowhere on the road. And he had tucked the blanket around her when leaving her to sleep, not to mention how he respected her intelligence by not treating her like a woman incapable of taking care of herself.

  Then there was his generosity with the less fortunate. She truly admired his unselfishness, of which she was hearing once again, as he spoke with Jeremy.

  “You had mentioned your wish to go to America,” Cullen said.

  “A mere dream,” Jeremy said sadly.

  “I know of a ship that could get you to America.”

  Jeremy shook his head. “I haven’t the coins.”

  “That can be worked out.”

  Sara smiled softly. Her husband was a wise man. He was allowing Jeremy to keep his pride while offering him a way out of his suffering.

  Jeremy leaned forward, his arms resting on the table. “I would work for passage for me and my family.” He shook his head vehemently. “I will not leave them behind and send for them later. I know of too many families who never reunite because of such a poor choice.”

  Cullen nodded slowly, and Sara knew he was thinking of his own father and the years they had lost.

  “I agree, and I don’t think there’ll be a problem. I’ll write a note to the captain and explain where you and your family are to go. The ship should be reaching port soon, so I will give you enough money for lodgings until then.”

  Jeremy was shaking his head before Cullen finished. “I can’t take any more. I will be forever indebted to you.”

  “I have a farm over in America in the Dakota Territory. I could use help with it. Of course, it comes with a cottage I’m sure will be sufficient for your family, and with wages for the work.”

  Jeremy scratched his head. “How can you pay me wages when I owe you for passage on the ship for my family and me?”

  Cullen smiled, though it faded as he spoke. “A very special person once told me that no good deed goes undone. I hope when my times comes that someone does a good deed for me.”

  Jeremy held out his hand. “I have no doubt it will.”

  They shook, and Sara tucked Cullen’s words away for safekeeping. If the time came when she could do Cullen a good deed, she would, and with gratitude for what he’d done for her.

  A yawn hurried out of Sara before she could get her hand to her mouth.

  “My wife is fatigued,” Cullen said, standing. “I think it is time for us to retire.”

  Jeremy stood. “I don’t know what to say. Your generosity astounds me and I am forever grateful.”

  “Are you a hard worker?” Cullen asked with a smile.

  Ginny stepped next to her husband, their daughter in her arms. “We both are.”

  “Then we will all work hard together so that we all may have a better life,” Cullen said.

  After Cullen closed the door to the small room that housed a bed with a
chest at the foot and a small hearth that kept a chill from the room, Sara said, “That was more than generous of you.”

  “I could not leave them to starve,” he answered, slipping his shirt off. “Not when I have it in my power to help them.”

  He yawned and stretched his arms up and then out to his sides, every muscle and fiber growing taut while his flesh glistened from the flames’ flickering light.

  Sara’s mind turned to instant mush. She couldn’t think straight, couldn’t remember what they had been discussing, and didn’t care. Her only thought was how deliciously appealing he looked.

  Her own nipples grew taut and a rush of heat permeated her body, settling smack dab between her legs until she thought the moisture would run right out of her. She plopped her bottom on the bed and took a breath.

  He hurried over to her, taking her hand. “Are you all right? You look flushed.”

  Sara snatched her hand out of his. “Just fine.”

  He brushed a stubborn red ringlet off her forehead and battled its refusal to stay put.

  She didn’t give a hoot about the stray hair, but the havoc his gentle touch caused was another matter. And one she knew she’d better address soon or else surrender—and wouldn’t he like that?

  She gasped when his fingers rushed across her lips only to return in a whisper when his lips stole the faintest of kisses, almost as if she wasn’t sure he had kissed her and yet at the same time could not doubt that he had.

  Then just as suddenly he was gone.

  She opened her squinted eyes and didn’t see him anywhere.

  “Get in bed.”

  His abrupt order startled her right off the bed, and she swerved around to find him stretched out beneath the covers, his kilt sprawled across the end of the bed. He was naked beneath the blanket.

  She stood there a moment, not certain of her next move, then quickly shed her boots and made ready to climb into bed.

  “Take off your clothes.”

  She thought to speak but couldn’t. Her voice froze, along with her movements. Maybe it was the bold, I’m-in-command look in his dark brown eyes that had turned her throat dry. Or her thudding heart, which beat so loudly she couldn’t hear herself think. Or maybe it was the way her body was responding so eagerly to his demands.

  She managed to gather her strength, then said, “I’m not in the mood to consummate our vows tonight.”

  “Who said we would?” he asked, yanking the blanket back just far enough for her to spy part of the thatch of dark hair that nestled his manhood. “You’ll be too warm beneath the covers fully clothed.”

  Sara shrugged. “Then I’ll sleep atop the blanket.”

  He laughed. “Coward.”

  “Pragmatist,” she argued.

  “Then shed your garments and join me beneath the blanket.”

  She shook her finger at him. “There’ll be no joining tonight.”

  “I agree. Not tonight.”

  Why didn’t she believe him?

  She decided she couldn’t be a coward, and besides, she didn’t want him thinking he was in command, so she shed her skirt and blouse, glad she had donned a shift before leaving the abbey.

  It was plain white linen and hung like a sack on her.

  Cullen shook his head. “That is an ugly shift, take it off.”

  “I will not.”

  “Afraid to stand naked in front of your husband?”

  Again a challenge, but one she wasn’t certain she could match.

  He threw the blankets off him. “I have no trouble baring all in front of you.”

  She almost choked on the lump that rushed to her throat. The man was built large and firm, oh so firm, and she couldn’t take her eyes off it—him—his body.

  Damned if he hadn’t confused her. Who was she kidding? He got her hot and bothered with one naked look.

  If she were truly courageous, she would have met his challenge and thrown her shift off, but unfortunately she wasn’t that brave, or secure that she wouldn’t surrender to him.

  He obviously planned this seductive scene figuring she couldn’t resist a challenge and she’d surrender to him in no time. Well, he was in for a big surprise.

  “The shift stays on,” she said, and climbed into bed.

  “Have it your way,” he said and smiled, pulling the covers over them.

  “I intend to.”

  He chuckled as he snuggled around her, pulling her to him so they rested against each other as they had done the night before.

  “What are you doing?” she barked accusingly as she struggled against him.

  He threw his leg over hers, stilling her struggles. “Snuggling with my wife.”

  She spun around to face him, her finger poking his naked chest. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. We’ll mate when I say we’ll mate.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so!” she said in a harsh whisper.

  “The way you’re caressing my chest tells me you’re ready.”

  Sara yanked her hand away, not having realized her poking had turned to stroking.

  “Those flushed cheeks also caution me that you’re ready to do the deed.”

  Sara groaned and turned to lie flat on her back. “I don’t want to do the deed.”

  He leaned on his side and poked at her hard nipples. “There’s another sure sign of a woman’s readiness.”

  “Ready or not, we’re not doing the deed,” she said with a firm whisper, though she’d rather have screamed it at him, and would have if not for the family in the other room.

  “So then you are ready, you just refuse to give in to your needs?”

  “I have no needs.”

  He grinned and tweaked her hard nipple.

  She swatted his hand away. “Stop that.”

  “The evidence speaks for itself. You’re ready.”

  She crossed her arms over her breasts, concealing her erect nipples. “Though not willing.”

  “What you mean is you’re not willing to surrender. If you had started this, you would be willing.”

  “When I’m ready—”

  “You are ready.”

  “Not that way,” she said.

  “Then what way?” he asked.

  Sara gave it thought. What did stop her? What foolish game did she play? All she needed to do was be done with it, as he had reminded her more than once. What did she truly want from him? Expect from him? Or from herself?

  She turned and stared at him. “I’m not sure in what way.”

  “Then don’t question, simply surrender,” he whispered softly.

  She shook her head. “I prefer to have my wits about me.”

  He gave her ear a playful nibble before whispering, “You’ll lose your wits in the throes of lovemaking.”

  Sara swatted at his face, just missing his retreating mouth. “I doubt that very much, since we won’t be ‘making love.’ We’ll merely be sealing our vows and making our marriage official.”

  Chapter 12

  They left early the next morning, and Cullen was glad to see that Ginny was already eagerly packing their meager belongings, ready to embark on a new life. Gwen had given him a big hug and a sloppy kiss on the cheek, and he couldn’t help but think that she and his son, two years younger, would grow up together in America free from starvation and hopelessness.

  Jeremy reminded him to be careful when arriving at market. It was a place heavily frequented by thieves and soldiers alike, a place to be cautious. He had been cautious since leaving his brother’s ship, taking no chances and guarding his identity. He’d been watchful of whom he approached and questioned, and left no trail that could be followed.

  That precaution had come to a screeching halt when he wed Sara, since he had no choice but to sign his name to the marriage papers. He thought to give a glance back at his wife to see how she fared, but instead kept his eyes on the road ahead of him. It was an uneven terrain with unexpected obstacles in their path, a fallen branch, rocks, and ove
rgrown foliage. He felt as if he was being warned to travel a different road, this one too littered with obstacles.

  A wife being one of them.

  Sara was not the type of woman he would have chosen as a wife, and yet he found she had many fine qualities, honesty one of them. He knew where he stood with her. She didn’t play him for a fool. She was outright in her intentions and challenges, and confident with herself.

  She had reminded him last night there would be no lovemaking between them. They would simply seal their vows and make their marriage official, no more, no less. That suited him fine, though strangely, it also annoyed him, when he should have felt relieved.

  It had been almost five months since Alaina’s death, her passing still fresh in his mind and heart. He hadn’t given thought to finding love, which was why it had been so easy to wed Sara. Love had nothing to do with their union. It had been a practical decision.

  So why be annoyed over the fact that it was simply sex they would share? He just needed to be done with it, and what did it matter how, when, where, or who decided what?

  A crack of thunder startled his horse, and Cullen’s troubled thoughts were diverted to dealing with the skittish stallion. After he resumed control, he realized how dark the sky had grown and knew it would be only minutes before the sky opened up and drenched them.

  “We should find shelter,” Sara called out to him.

  He nodded. “Jeremy mentioned that there were many abandoned cottages not far off the path.”

  “Which way?” Sara asked.

  Cullen felt the first drop of rain splat on his head. “You choose.”

  Sara smiled and turned her mare toward a path that could barely be spied through the overgrown debris.

  Cullen followed and, surprisingly, they emerged into a clearing where a tiny cottage sat snuggled by two large trees. They quickly secured the horses under the canopy of thick branches and made a dash for shelter.

  The place was cold and empty, not a stick of furniture in the one room, and the hearth so small it could barely hold one log.

  “I’ll gather what firewood I can,” Cullen said after dumping his rolled pack on the earthen floor. “Leave the window shutter open until I get back or it will be pitch-black in here.”