"Nay, no family left in the Highlands," he was silent for a moment. "I learned my father died shortly after I left for America. I do have an uncle in the Colonies, but no one else except the clan."
Nicolette found herself lost in the deep blue depths of his gaze, "Why did you leave?"
Jamie looked away.
"You haven’t told me about America. You must have been just a boy!"
His voice, deceptively quiet, almost monotone, as he replied, and she turned his head and gazed into vacant eyes. He seemed to be lost in the past.
"The battle."
Startled, she replied, "What battle?"
"It was my fault," He was strangely quiet, gazing into the fire. His mind drifted back to the memory and his hand moved from hers, across his chest to rub the scar on his shoulder.
She drew his face toward hers again, "What was your fault?" He did not respond, and she could see the pain in his eyes.
"We will not discuss it, someday perhaps, but not now. Tonight I have something much more interesting in mind."
Dazzling blue eyes gazed down into hers, at once both fire and ice, telling her of his desire, begging her not to speak of the past.
"Jamie," she stroked his cheek. "God does help us when we cannot help ourselves. When I was a child, he sent me a protector when I was alone and afraid. He soothed my tears, let me ease yours."
Her hand was on his chest, just over his heart. He moved his hand back to hold hers in place. The warmth of his fingers and the searing gaze from his fascinating eyes was suddenly frightening, and she snatched her hand back.
His moved to her waist, then slowly over her hip, down her thigh, and up again. He gazed into her eyes, and she could feel his yearning. He turned her toward him and kissed her. The touch was searing, long, and hard. Breath left her body in a deep contented sigh.
His lips seemed molded against hers, taking everything from her, and she returned his passion. Her mouth trembled, and his assault continued until her lips parted slightly. His tongue slipped within. Teasing her, until the fires of desire began to build into white, hot embers of passion, deep in her being.
Jamie twisted his fingers through her hair, gently pulling her head back, as he deepened the kiss. He pulled her near, until Nicolette could feel the hardness of his chest, and then the spiral of desire became a raging storm. She groaned and opened her mouth for the sweetness of his ravishing touch.
He pulled her away. His hand moved leisurely over her hips, upward again to her bodice to once more tantalize her as his fingers moved back and forth across the exposed flesh.
His head tilted back, the blue searing flames of his gaze searching hers, and his question seemed to burn into her heart.
"Did the man who helped you those many years ago hold you like this?"
Nicolette sighed, allowing his touch, "No, I was a child."
"Aye, but no longer. Now you are a woman, full grown, and I see desire in your eyes."
He threaded his fingers through her hair, tilting her head back, then kissed her neck, "No other woman possesses so lovely a throat or such velvety skin."
His mouth found a spot just below her ear, and Nicolette writhed in his lap as shivers moved over her body. His fingers dipped below the top of her bodice, caressing until he reached the taunt bud. His thumb teased slowly, moving back and forth, tantalizing her. She gasped then whimpered and moved in his arms. Her passion at his touch caused an ardent desire for more, as the uncontrollable heat rose within her.
He took a deep, ragged breath, "No Goddess, there has never been anything this sweet outside of heaven."
His head lowered again to the base of her throat, and kissed the spot where her pulse raced. His lips slid upward slowly to her mouth, kissing her with a mastery and power that she found irresistible. In truth she lingered somewhere between heaven and earth, as his mouth crushed hers with a melting sweetness that began to dissolve her bones and turn her blood to liquid fire, unleashing desires never felt before.
His lips again moved over hers, and a new burst of sensation began. He kissed her with such ardent longing that she realized she could deny him nothing. Her lips parted, his tongue once more thrust into her mouth, mating with her own, drawing her further into the web of desire.
His mouth left hers, to taste the lobe of her ear, and the tender ivory column of her neck. His hand moved to her hair and pulled away the ribbon, then ran his fingers though the long tresses floating around them. "How I love these silky, fiery curls, Goddess," he murmured. His lips moved again to the base of her neck then further, as his hand caressed her shoulder. Then once more he kissed her lips, and when the sensuous touch of his tongue touched hers, riotous feelings burst within her.
His fingers brushed sensually down her sensitive throat, and a shudder coursed through her, continuing further until he touched the top of her bodice again.
Nicolette gasped, as the surprise of the intimacy shook her. Suddenly shy, she squirmed, but his lips were quickly moving lower, and his hand pulled at her bodice.
He murmured, "Beautiful, perfect, Goddess."
Her emotions were a riotous frenzy of wanting and confusion. She longed for more, but how could there be anything more wonderful than this?
"You are like white velvet, so soft. God help me, how I want you."
Jamie’s voice was raw, low, and she could feel his fire, "I want you as no other woman, sweet siren. By all that is holy, you will be my wife." He leaned his head against the chair. His hand stayed at her breast, gently teasing, "You tempt me beyond all reason, beyond my ability to resist," Jamie closed his eyes, took a deep breath then withdrew his hand.
Nicolette closed her eyes and tried to regain control. She did not wish to stop, but somehow she knew they must. She pulled away, gazing deeply into Jamie’s fascinating, deep blue eyes. Then she leaned her head against his chest.
Strangely, she was not embarrassed. He would never harm her. In many ways he reminded her of her childhood dream.
"Never harm me..."
She looked back up to his gaze, the deep blue fire yet molten in their depths. His eyes were beautiful, eyes that could fill your dreams. Familiar eyes, that reminded her of her imaginary knight, and his hair color was so similar to the dream warrior. She felt safe, here in his arms. Safe. Something tugged at her memory. She took a deep breath. Familiar eyes. Her hand stopped stroking, and Nicolette’s eyes widened as comprehension dawned. Memories began to surface, as a vision of a man holding her during her father’s funeral rose in her mind, and the feelings of warmth and safety swirled at the edges of reality. Someone who had been kind then, and a vague memory began to crystallize. Her warrior had never been a dream, but a flesh and blood man! She sat up and struggled to restore her bodice.
"Heaven. You used to tell me stories of heaven," Suddenly Nicolette pulled away. "Is it you?" her eyes searched his face, then his muscular body. "Zut!" Nicolette pulled away abruptly, the confusion she felt evident in her shimmering, emerald eyes. "You were here! You are real, not a dream!" she jumped up suddenly, then stepped away. "Why didn’t you tell me who you were?"
"Lass, I don’t understand what you mean. You said you didn’t remember me, there was nothing to tell."
She could hear the confusion in Jamie’s voice, and saw it in his eyes as she jumped up and ran to the door.
"Nicolette!"
She stopped and turned.
"Look in your locket, Lass! One day look in your locket, the answer lies there."
"You sir, are a liar! You should have told me!"
"Liar? I have never lied to you! What should I have told you? I believe that it has been mentioned that I was here before." He bellowed.
"You should have told me it was you!" she opened the door, and gazed back at him. She could see the astonishment written on his face.
"Who? Told you what, lass?" Jamie’s voice became low and angry, "You Goddess are the liar. You deny what you feel, you fight your desire to yield to what your body begs for, and s
o you run."
"Voyeur!" tears began to flow, "I deny nothing!"
She picked up a priceless figurine and threw it at him. He ducked as it shattered against the marble fireplace.
"You are the liar!" she slammed the door.
His last word echoed through the massive doors, "Me?"
~ * ~
Later, tucked safely away in bed, she looked inside the locket that had remained unopened for so many years. On one side was a miniature of her parents. She instinctively touched the picture in a loving caress. Laurent’s likeness as a young man, wearing a blue uniform graced the other side. A dark burgundy curl lay in the middle, tied with a frayed pink ribbon. "Unmistakable," she whispered. "He is the man I have dreamed of all my life."
Jamie was one of the most intriguing men she had ever met, a barbarian one minute and a gentle, sweet man who cared about the desperate sadness of a child the next. He was not the savage she had first imagined. No, he was very complex and unusual.
She laughed. She had called him a barbarian for his behavior at the lake, and he had called her one when she had slapped him. Often she felt savage, uncontrollable emotions when she was with him, but tonight she had only felt tenderness.
Then she felt her face flame. "You are the liar!" she whispered as she thought of his perfect body and full, sensual lips. She secretly longed for the touch of his lips, and desire flickered deep within her.
When she was a child she needed his kindness desperately and she had turned that childish memory into her dream of the man that would someday love her forever. He had finally arrived, but she could not love him. A lone tear streaked down her cheek. It was time to put those thoughts to rest, for it would have to remain a lost dream. She had to stay here, to take care of her people and the chateau as she had promised her father.
She snuggled into the covers and closed her eyes as the warmth caused her to become drowsy. Nearly asleep she started, and her eyes snapped open. Jamie’s tall form leaning lazily against the tree at the lake rose in her mind. She rolled over and tried to think of something else, but the image of them sitting together in the chair tonight claimed her thoughts. She remembered the feel of his strength surrounding her, and she wrapped her arms around her waist.
Her feelings for him had become uncontrollable. His touch thrilled her, and now, she could barely remember Philippe. It was one thing to put away childish dreams, but how was she to ever quell her raging desire.
"Now what am I to do?" The desperate whisper echoed into the darkness.
~ * ~
Jamie was at a complete loss as he walked slowly around the library, muttering to himself, "A liar? First a voyeur and now a liar! What is wrong with the lass? She knows I visited here years ago!" He walked back to his room feeling completely baffled. Then he threw back his head and laughed, "At least I will never be bored!"
The following morning was glorious. The spring weather was perfect, not too warm, simply an ideal day for a ride, and Jamie woke early. He had hardly slept. Nicolette had been in his dreams. He had thought of her at the lake, yesterday during their ride, and last evening in his arms.
The torture he felt from wanting her caused him to pace until the early hours of dawn, and finally he made a decision. He would ask for a formal announcement immediately and would marry her as soon as the banns would allow. Until then, he would be with her every moment, and use whatever persuasion necessary to make Nicolette his own. Persuasion! Thoughts of exactly how he might coax her were driving him to distraction. He would think clearly once she was his, body and soul. Then logic shattered, as the vision of Nicolette in the deep blue loch near his home, crept into his mind. He could see her red-gold curls, as she rose from the water, with her perfect breasts and rounded hips. She would beckon him to come near, and he would join her with a swiftness that would surprise even Hermes.
"Auch!" his cry sounded tortured. "I must have her! She brings me to the brink of madness, but I want her like no other woman," he admitted his obsession. His desire was becoming uncontrollable. How he hated giving anyone that much power over him. "Aye, I am a madman!"
Frustrated, Jamie went in search of Alec at the earliest rays of dawn. He burst into his room without knocking and found him in bed still asleep, then smiled when he realized Alec wasn’t alone. A lovely young lady was next to him, lying on her stomach with her head resting on Alec’s arm and shoulder. Long dark tresses covered most of her upper body and curled about Alec’s chest. His eyes slowly traveled over the woman’s body, admiring her lovely derriere.
Jamie laughed, the sight of his very staid cousin in such a compromising position seemed vastly amusing, and Alec woke.
"Well, I leave you alone a few days, and look where I find you. It looks as though you have been busy."
His cousin pulled the cover to his waist, then sat up, "Aye, and tell me, could there be a better place to spend my time?" Alec smiled then gazed at the woman next to him. "I could nay fight the attraction. She is vera’ beautiful and she has made my days in France truly agreeable. Besides, you too have been busy, cousin."
Jamie stood at the door, his hand resting on the handle, and suddenly realized the girl’s embarrassment, "Why not introduce me to the lass."
"Jamie this is Marie Charot. Marie, darlin’, this is my cousin, Jamie MacQueen, Laird of our Clan."
The young lady had covered herself to the chin, and was as red as the coverlet. Jamie was instantly ashamed of his amusement as her eyes flashed.
"In the Highlands do you burst into a room so rudely?"
"Please forgive me, Marie. I didn’t expect to find Alec with anyone," he cleared his voice. "Indeed, it is a pleasure to meet you." Jamie turned to leave, "Alec, you need to send home for the pipers, I would like them here soon. We will discuss it at lunch, and we will make plans then."
"Well, there is no time like the present, Jamie boy. Why not now?" Alec laughed when he noted how anxious his cousin was to leave.
"Because the early bird gets the worm, and I have much to do." As he walked to the stables Jamie wondered if Alec’s laughter would wake the dead. He realized that Nicolette would not give him the opportunity to ride with her again today, so he decided a different plan of attack.
Six
"This is not funny! How could you allow him to see me this way?"
Alec laughed at the fury he heard in Marie’s voice then pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her ear, "Forgive him, lass. I’ve never seen him this way. He is nay so much of a bore."
"I will not forgive him!" she spat out, then grinned and caressed his chest. "Yet, Monsieur is quite handsome, no?"
"Auch! Are ye teasing me or have ye fallen in love with the big lout yerself?"
"Jealous?" Marie giggled and nipped his neck.
"Aye, ye might as well know I willna’ take kindly to competition," he laughed. "Besides, Jamie is besotted."
"I hope so. Nicolette needs someone to love her. She is so alone, and perhaps your cousin can keep her from marrying the Marquis."
Suddenly serious, Alec lay flat, then put his hand behind his head, "What do ye mean?"
Marie rolled to her side, and drew circles across his chest with her fingertip. "They say he is evil," she whispered.
"Evil?" Alec kissed her on the forehead.
"I have read a letter she left lying on her desk. The Marquis has made an offer for her and she has accepted. She tells me everything but she did not tell me of this, and she has not told her brother."
"What is this man like? Does Jamie know of him?"
"So many questions," Marie laughed. "I doubt if she has told Laird Jamie, but I can find out," she paused a moment. "The Marquis is handsome but in a much different way than Laird Jamie. He has light hair and eyes, and is ghastly pale. He is elegant, tall and slender, and they say he is one of the Queen’s favorites," she sighed. "He is a wicked man who hates Monsieur Laurent. I have heard gossip. He blames him for his sister’s death."
Marie’s gaze dropped away, "I once saw his
cook’s daughter downstairs. She had been beaten within an inch of her life for accidentally bumping into a table and breaking a decanter." Tears welled in her eyes, "I will not stay with Mademoiselle if she marries him. I pray she will fall in love with your cousin."
Alec smiled, "Sweet little waif, ye willna’ stay either way. I want ye to be my wife."
"Oh Alec! I love you. You know that, but I cannot leave Mademoiselle," she laid her head on his shoulder.
"Not even for me?"
Marie gazed into his pale blue-gray eyes and smiled. Her resolve melted away, "Well, for you perhaps!"
"Ye saucy wench. Come here."
Her deep, throaty laughter filled the room, "Monsieur, would you have me lose my job?"
Alec smiled, "Nay, but ye need to be taking care of the guests. The truth is Jamie will keep your mistress occupied for some time." He grabbed her, rolled over, and pinned her to the bed. "I love the feel of ye beneath me, lass. When I go home I will take ye, and I will hear of nothing else. Nicolette is a woman grown. It is time that she lived as one. I’m thinkin’ that if she has a brain in her pretty head, it’s Jamie she’ll choose over the fop."
Marie giggled and kissed him, "I am glad you said that, because I do not wish to live another day without you."
"Aye, I have that effect on most women." When Marie tried to slap him, he laughed. "Come now lass, I was jesting! We have much more serious things to worry about right now," he leaned down and kissed her.
~ * ~
Marie hummed softly as she opened the heavy rose and green floral silk draperies. Light streamed into the room, illuminating the cream watered silk walls.
"You seem like you are still dreaming, did you sleep late?"
"Mademoiselle!" Marie jumped. "You should be out riding, are you ill?" concern filled her voice.
Nicolette laughed, "No. I just..."
Marie sat on the edge of the bed, "Just what, Chere?"
What could she say, that she feared facing Jamie, or that his overpowering touch weakened her resolve?
"Chere, we have been friends since we were children. I know you far to well. Tell me, is it the Highland Laird?"
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