Highland Jewel (The House of Pendray Book 3)

by Anna Markland

  Nibbling his earlobe, she tucked his words into her heart where she would treasure them for the rest of her life.

  Jewel's Diamond

  Garnet and his bride spent many hours over the next three days getting to know each other’s bodies. On the fourth morning, he fished the pouch of emeralds out of his satchel and placed the stones in a row across her breasts. “Stop giggling,” he admonished. “Ye’ll have them all over the bed.”

  “They’re cold,” she complained with a naughty smile. “Even if they are beautiful.”

  The sight of rigid nipples surrounded by costly gems inevitably led to carnal thoughts. “Ye have yer own hidden gem,” he teased, delighting in her puzzled frown. “More precious than any of these. Shall I show ye where it is?”

  “Aye.”

  “Open yer legs.”

  She narrowed her eyes, smiling when it clearly dawned on her what he intended. “Like this?” she asked, barely parting her legs.

  He shook his head and spread her to his gaze. “Ye must keep still.”

  She pressed her heels into the bed. “’Twill be impossible.”

  He opened her nether lips and pressed his thumb to the tantalizing pink nub. “This is the diamond of yer desire, Jewel.”

  Gripping the linens, she arched her back and moaned. Several emeralds rolled off her breasts.

  “Naughty lass,” he scolded, as the nub swelled ’neath his gentle massage. Wanting to prolong her pleasure, and his own, he stilled his thumb when he judged she was nearing release. He resumed his torture each time her breathing steadied and she begged him not to stop. “Little by little,” he crooned.

  Soon the mewling cries became one long wail. She clenched on his fingers when he inserted one, then two, then three, all the while arching her hips off the bed.

  When he could wait no longer he gave in to her insistent pleas and sank his shaft to the hilt in her sweet sheath.

  Jewel kept her gaze fixed on Garnet’s face. In the throes of passion, his features lost all trace of worry. He became her wild Highlander, and the raw power and beauty of his masculinity heightened her own excitement. There was no nervousness or apprehension now in their lovemaking, only the anticipation of rapture.

  She screamed out her joy when her husband’s warm seed flooded her womb. They were one body, and she prayed they’d perhaps made a bairn.

  He collapsed on top of her, a precious moment she looked forward to, insisting when he apologized that she relished bearing his weight. It was intensely satisfying to lie beneath the man she loved. He was exhausted but fulfilled, content to be vulnerable.

  “I suppose we’ll have to get dressed soon and go down to the dining room,” he whispered, his breath warm on her neck. “Folk will start to talk.”

  “I dinna care about folk—they’ve likely already formed an opinion from all the screaming and carrying on.”

  He rolled onto his side, his broad grin shooing away all thoughts of quitting the chamber. “They ken we’re newlyweds. There’s supposed to be screaming.”

  “However, we should walk to the camp to discuss future plans with Gray and Murtagh.”

  He kissed a nipple before rising from the bed. “Thomas will be here soon with our oatmeal. I’ll order up a bath.”

  Wrapped in linens, Garnet and Jewel perched on the edge of the bed like respected Roman senators, enjoying their oatmeal while scullery lads labored to pour hot water into the cast iron tub Thomas had produced.

  Jewel seemed intent on her food, but he sensed she was avoiding looking at him, lest she lapse into a fit of giggles.

  The harried boys kept their eyes averted from the toga-clad figures on the bed.

  Jewel suddenly straightened her back. “Sadly, this reminds me of a story Munro told—about an orphaned lad he met in an inn while on his travels.”

  Garnet remained silent, confident she would tell him the story.

  “Besides returning to Kilmer with a wife, my brother came back with a burning desire to help bairns who have no one to speak for them. They often end up working long hours in intolerable conditions.”

  “That’s admirable,” he replied. “But how does he plan to do that?”

  She smiled. “Weel, he began by bringing two foster sons back with him. One was his wife’s new apprentice, the other the lad he encountered working at the inn.”

  “Apprentice?”

  “Aye, Sarah was an apothecary and Giles an orphan. Munro couldn’t tolerate the prospect of leaving him behind in Birmingham when he and Sarah married.”

  “I have a lot to learn about yer family.”

  Scooping out the last of his oatmeal, he watched the scullery lads. It was still early morning yet they looked worn out. “’Tis a noble endeavor, but how will yer brother achieve his goals?”

  “He’s talked about going to Parliament to fight for the implementation of rules about working conditions for bairns.”

  “That will mean being away from Kilmer for long stretches—difficult when he inherits the earldom.”

  Thomas took their empty bowls and shooed the scullery lads out. “Sorry I couldna find any soap for ye,” he lamented as he left.

  Laughing, they threw off their togas. He scooped up his wife and stepped into the tub, sitting down with a splash.

  Giggling, she turned to sit in his lap, her back against his chest. He folded his arms around her and they let the warm water work its magic. He kissed her nape. “’Tis a pity we’ll be living far from Kilmer. I’d like to meet this ambitious brother of yers.”

  He too had seen bairns maltreated in Amsterdam. He admired Munro for actually doing something about the injustices he saw in the world. It seemed a nobler endeavor than banking.

  Travel Plans

  Suitably attired once again in their travel outfits—cleaned and refurbished by the ever-willing Thomas—Jewel and Garnet enjoyed a light lunch of pickled eggs, fried fish and watered ale before setting out for the camp.

  She linked arms with him as they walked along the seafront. “One of my father’s abiding memories of his billet here was the inevitability of fish at every meal.”

  “Stonehyve’s a port. ’Tis probably the easiest food to obtain.”

  She inhaled deeply, wrinkling her nose. “Even the air reeks of fish.”

  He squeezed her hand. “So I suppose this means ye dinna want to live anywhere near Leith.”

  “Nay,” she agreed, wondering if she ought to mention the possibility of going home to Kilmer. It proved not to be the right time. Her brother and Murtagh were walking toward them.

  “I’m a wee bit nervous,” she confessed. “Gray and I have always been best friends.”

  “And now, I’m yer best friend,” Garnet replied.

  She leaned into his bicep, grateful that he acknowledged they were more than lovers. “Aye.”

  Gray opened his arms and hugged her. “I would ask how ye’re liking married life, but I can see it agrees with ye.” He shook hands with Garnet. The two men she loved most in the world embraced, slapping each other on the back. “Ye’ve obviously taken good care of my sister.”

  Her face heated, then warmth spread through her body when Murtagh eyed her up and down and said, “Aye. Gray’s right. Well bedded.”

  She suddenly felt very much the lone female surrounded by a group of winking men. “Come to the inn,” she said with more rancor than she intended. “We must discuss travel plans.”

  On occasion, Garnet had indulged in male bonding conversations about women, but Jewel being the topic of the teasing didn’t sit well. The tone of her voice indicated she too felt uncomfortable, though he was glad her fears about Gray resenting his sister’s new husband seemed to be unfounded. “Aye,” he confirmed, putting a protective arm around his wife’s shoulders. “There are empty tables in the dining room.”

  They trooped through the foyer under Mitchell’s watchful eye and located a table in a quiet corner.

  “Our plan is to return to Edinburgh,” Garnet began as Thomas br
ought tumblers of watered ale. “I’ll seek a position there. I realize we need to think about the logistics of getting Gray back to Kilmer.”

  “Ye needna worry about that,” Murtagh interrupted. “Some of my men have decided not to return to Kilmer. Most have already left for various villages in the Highlands. The rest of us will escort Gray to Ayrshire.”

  Disappointment for his mother chilled Garnet; the Highlander had evidently not been serious about returning to Blairgowrie.

  Jewel put her hand atop Murtagh’s. “Papa will be relieved. He depends on ye.”

  The blacksmith covered her hand with his beefy paw. “I ken, but he’ll understand when I tell him I intend to come back to the Highlands.”

  Frowning, Jewel glanced nervously at Garnet. “I dinna…”

  “He has Blairgowrie in mind as the place he’d like to settle,” he explained with a smile.

  It took only a moment for the light of understanding to flicker in his wife’s green eyes. “Oh,” she said. “Wonderful. I’m happy for ye.”

  “Aye,” Gray added. “I told him he doesna need to accompany us to Kilmer, but he insists.”

  Murtagh swigged down the last of his ale. “I made a promise to yer father, and I intend to keep it.”

  “So, ye’ll be going by way of Edinburgh?” Jewel asked.

  “We could go south to Arbroath and take the galley to Leith,” Garnet suggested.

  “Aye on both counts,” the Highlander replied, getting to his feet. “We leave on the morrow.”

  Jewel was not surprised Murtagh had taken charge in his usual way, and Garnet didn’t seem upset. “Ye’re in agreement?” she asked.

  “Of course,” he replied. “He’s right, and hopefully the galley is still operating.”

  “Why wouldn’t it be?” she asked, even more curious when her husband and brother exchanged a furtive glance.

  “’Tis a long story. I’ll tell ye later. Much as I’d love to spend more time here, we should get underway.”

  She was relieved to see Gray’s smile. “At least we’ll travel together as far as Edinburgh.”

  Her brother reached across the table and took both hands. “Listen. We’ll always be friends, but ’twas inevitable ye’d marry one day. I’m glad ye picked the right mon. Our parents will understand why ye must live in Edinburgh, although…”

  His gaze darted to Garnet and back to her. For a moment, she hoped he might make mention of the possibility of working for Munro, but he came to his feet.

  “I must be off. Start packing. See ye on the morrow.”

  Garnet braced his hands on his hips as they watched Gray walk away. “Although what?”

  She hesitated to explain. Such an offer would have to come from Munro. However, they might return to Ayrshire and discover there was no future there for her husband. It would be awkward for all concerned. “Who kens what he meant to say? Let’s go for a walk and at least see something of Stonehyve before we leave. I’ve never been on a galley.”

  Almshouse

  Sitting in the shelter of a canvas, Garnet wrapped his plaid tightly around his shivering wife, alarmed by her pallor. “Once we round Wormiston Point the seas should be calmer,” he assured her. Aristotle lay with his chin on her leg, whimpering, apparently as concerned as he was.

  She moaned, retching for the umpteenth time into the small bowl he held for her. “How can ye still love me after this?” she asked. “I’m never setting foot on a boat again.”

  His chuckle earned him a stony glare, so he sought to make amends. “Most people are seasick, especially in choppy waters.”

  “Ye should be helping the other men with the horses,” she whined.

  “My place is here with ye,” he replied. “They can manage without me. Ye need me more.”

  “I do,” she rasped. “How much further?”

  Throughout the three-hour ride from Stonehyve to Arbroath, she’d chattered about the prospect of the voyage; he hadn’t had the heart to caution her about seasickness. Now, he was simply relieved he’d been able to control his own queasiness.

  “I dinna ken,” he lied. “Try to sleep.”

  She snuggled into him as he crooned the lullaby he’d sung to her at Blairgowrie.

  Dreams to sell, fine dreams to sell,

  Garnet is here with dreams to sell.

  Hush now wee bairn and sleep without fear,

  For Garnet will bring you a dream, my dear.

  The unmistakable odors of a fishing port did little to settle Jewel’s stomach when they docked in Leith, but she began to feel better as they rode away from the sea. Garnet warned her Richard Cameron’s head might still be affixed to the Netherbow Port, so she kept her gaze on Scepter’s ears as they passed through into Edinburgh proper.

  Murtagh called a halt once the portal was well behind them. “Do ye think we should go on to Hiram Donaldson’s?” he asked Garnet. “I doot the repairs will be finished on the fire damage and I dinna ken where the ambassador’s house is.”

  Her husband had told her about his promise to return Maggie’s emerald, so she understood his reply. “Nay, let’s go to Quinn’s first to check on the progress.”

  It wasn’t surprising to hear men’s voices and hammering noises when they arrived a short time later. However, they hadn’t expected the squeals of girlish laughter coming from the back yard. Barking loudly, Aristotle ran off to investigate.

  “Canna be the Cameron lasses,” Garnet said dryly. “They’re nay allowed to have fun.”

  They dismounted and walked to the back of the house. “No wonder Aristotle was so excited,” Jewel said. “He recognized familiar voices.”

  “Miss Pendray,” Meaghan exclaimed when she saw them. “They rescued ye.”

  The three Guthrie girls were soon clustered around her, all talking at once.

  Beatris appeared from the Cameron side of the dwelling. “Ye’re safe,” she sobbed, throwing her arms around Jewel. “I kent these braw Highlanders would find ye. Quinn learned some of the story from Captain Andrews when he brought back Axton and Balford.”

  “Captured in Banchory,” Jane explained.

  The mention of her captors’ names elicited mixed feelings in Jewel’s heart. They deserved to be punished for their crimes, particularly Balford. She had no doubt he’d intended to rape and kill her. But she’d seen redeeming features in Axton.

  “’Tis only right they face justice,” Garnet said, apparently sensing her confusion. “If we hadna found ye…”

  “Aye,” she agreed with a smile. “Thanks to Aristotle.”

  The puppy wagged his tail, whiskered chin in the air when she told of his role in her rescue. He rolled onto his back to accept the adulation of his mistresses as they scratched his belly.

  “What about Michael and Donald?” Garnet asked.

  “Still in prison. They’ll be tried for aiding the escape.”

  “Poor Mrs. Cameron,” Jewel lamented. “Left alone with all those wee lasses.”

  Beatris grimaced. “Aye, and ye havna heard the whole sorry tale. Come into the house while I tell ye.”

  Jewel looked up at laborers atop the scaffolding as she followed her cousin into the Cameron house. “I dinna understand.”

  “We’re living in this side now,” Beatris explained. “The whole property actually belongs to my father. The Camerons were his tenants.”

  “They’re gone?” Garnet asked.

  “Aye. To Trinity Kirk Hospital.”

  “The bairns as well?”

  Beatris nodded. “To the almshouse next to the kirk. I offered to take them in but the constables wouldna allow it.”

  Garnet fisted his hands, seething with anger. He and Murtagh stood in the doorway of the parlor, having declined Beatris’ invitation to join his wife on the sofa. “I canna credit they’ve carted those lasses off to the almshouse.”

  Beatris sat beside Jewel. “Mrs. Cameron went a wee bit berserk. She left her bairns alone every day to march up to the castle and protest her husband’s
incarceration. We were still at Vermeer’s house, so I didna hear until later that she was finally arrested.”

  “Just for protesting?”

  Beatris looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “She started tearing off her clothes and shrieking loudly, consigning the king and every Catholic, Episcopalian or non-believer to eternal damnation. The dragoons couldna reason with her. They didna ken what else to do. She was covered in filth, her hair matted. They took her off to the asylum in the Trinity Kirk hospital.”

  Garnet raked his fingers through his hair. “But Faith is old enough to take care of the others.”

  “The Beadle doesna care about that,” Murtagh said gruffly. “The trustees want fresh grist for the mill.”

  Jewel frowned.

  “This is exactly the kind of thing yer brother is trying to combat,” Garnet said. “Many employers buy bairns from the almshouses, often to consign them to the most dangerous jobs. They dinna have to pay full wages.”

  “Or anything at all,” Murtagh added.

  Jewel nodded. “Luke, one of the boys Munro fostered, slept in the stable of the inn where he was employed and seemed to work every hour God sent.”

  The knot in Garnet’s gut tightened. He couldn’t bear the thought of wee Maggie and her sisters being used as slave labor. “We’ll have to do something about this.”

  “’Tis getting late,” Beatris said. “Quinn will be home soon. We’ll dine, then have a discussion. Er…I suppose yer men will set up camp in the meadows. I’m afraid we dinna have as much room in this part of the house.”

  Jewel clasped her cousin’s hand. “In all the excitement, I forgot to tell ye. Garnet and I got married. I can sleep with him in the camp.”

  A Good Deal

  Jewel snuggled into her husband’s warm body. She’d removed all her clothing, confident his heat and the furs would keep her cozy in the tent she’d formerly shared with her brother.