Nicolette laughed softly then reached out with both hands taking all three buds into her fingertips. She briefly brought them to her lips, drawing them sensually across.
"Mmm. Sir, you turn my head with such compliments," she put them in her lap then raised her hand to his cheek. "Jamie."
He took her hand and kissed it softly, then placed it back on the arm of the chair, "Hush my darling, simply listen." He pulled one more rose from behind his back. It was red, splashed with white across the sides and tips. A sweet heady fragrance filled the room from the full bloom. "This beautiful rose represents our future. Our life will be full and sweet, fire and ice, with nights of raging passion, and days filled with sweet, simple love."
He ran the rose across her lips then put it into her hand, then retrieved another.
"And this tiny, yellow bud, promises fulfillment. One day it will burst forth into full bloom, just as the happiness we will share with our children and our new home."
He stood and paced in front of the fireplace, "Nicolette, I know that you have reservations about marrying me, but they are foolish ones. We have been given a gift too precious to refuse. Nay, it is a blessing to embrace and cherish always, not one to throw away!"
Nicolette opened her mouth to speak, but Jamie silenced her with a simple glance.
"I have nothing to offer you but my protection and a promise of love. My clan is an ancient one, yet we have no riches. I have nothing to offer but a future filled with adventure. I care for you as no other. I will not let Philippe harm you. I will protect Laurent with my own life and the lives of my clan if need be, and we will guard the people here. I would do anything for you!"
He looked down into her beautiful face, then pulled her up, and his finger traced the hollow of her cheek. "I want to take you with me to America," he laughed when he saw her eyes grow large. "No, I do not wish a life here or in the Highlands, but a new beginning. We will take our family and friends, and make our own home in the young country. That’s right, we will take anyone here who wishes to go with us. I think you deserve no less."
He smiled as he watched the astonishment in her eyes. "Laurent and I have planned this for weeks. Life in France will alter drastically, just like it did in the Highlands. Times change, nothing will ever be the same, and life will grow difficult. Many of the people here realize that as well, and they will come with us. I ask for your trust. We will begin life with adventure, not only of two souls merging through love, but the quest of beginning completely anew."
Nicolette held the roses together and rubbed them softly across her cheek. Jamie could see the concern written on her features. He dropped to one knee in front of her, and gazed beseechingly into her eyes.
"I love you more than I can ever say. You are my Goddess of the dawn, who rose from the deep blue depths of the lake singing a siren song, enchanting me from the first moment I heard your voice. My Goddess of love and beauty, you have captivated me. I would slay dragons for you if need be."
Jamie took a deep breath, "I love you as no other man has loved a woman. I implore you, love me! Be my wife. Give yourself to me freely, as a woman to a man she loves, for I can accept no less. I want you to be completely mine. Marry me, Nicolette, out of love and love only. Marry me out of faith and trust in me and our future."
Jamie groaned when he heard no reply, "Marry me to save me from the depths of hell."
Tears streaked down her face and a small cry escaped. "How can I refuse?" she smiled. "I love you so much, I want you, but how can it be true. How can we have a life together? You do not know what we face. Philippe is evil and promises to do hateful things."
"Whatever the future holds we’ll face it together! Do you not see how right this is? Together we can conquer any foe. This kind of love can only come from providence. We were meant for each other! We are supposed to be together."
She cried out then went to him, caressing his cheek.
Jamie looked into her glistening, emerald gaze and knew himself lost. Everything he was now, everything he hoped for or ever desired for the future, depended on her answer. His breath caught in his throat as he waited.
Nicolette smiled, and Jamie thought her face as lovely as an angel.
"I love you, Mon Dieu, how I love you. I will marry you. How could any woman resist? I want to be with you every moment for the rest of my life. I never want to know what it means to be without you."
Jamie let out a deep, ragged sigh and pulled her roughly to him, "I know it is our destiny to be together. It has always been so. No other man could love you as I do."
Tears glistened on Nicolette’s cheek, "No other woman could love you as I do. I want you Jamie, every moment of every day, I want to be with you for the rest of my life."
He laughed, his joy overflowing. He stood, holding her close as he swung around. He kissed her gently, "It’s a good thing that you love me, woman."
"And why is that, Jamie?"
"Because we have been hand-fast, you are bound to me already." He laughed again as he watched shock cross her face, "Indeed it’s true. It is a Highland custom. In times of old it was oft difficult to find a priest so a couple became hand-fasted, meaning that before God and each other they married. Bonded with their hearts and souls, committing their lives together, until they could go before a priest. The other night when I wrapped the lace around us, we were hand-fasted. I have given you my heart. That is far more important than vows given in a church. If you refused me I would have had to carry you away!"
Nicolette’s voice shook, "Jamie!"
He laughed again as he saw the emerald fire, "Aye. I could hardly dishonor you by taking you without marriage. I could never do that to you, yet I could not control my passion. You cause fires to rage within me that I cannot restrain, sweet Goddess."
Nicolette laughed. "Indeed?" Her voice turned into a velvety caress, "So we are already married? You are the husband of my heart." Her hand moved slowly up his arm then behind his neck for the tiniest caress.
"Does my touch light fires within you tonight?"
Jamie smiled, "Aye, as always." His arm moved behind her and pulled her against him. Emotion causing his kiss to be rough at first, as molten hot touches rained over her face.
Her hand moved slowly from his neck, down his shoulder, to caress his chest through the open laces of his shirt.
His mouth moved down the smooth column of her velvet neck, and his hand moved to caress the heavy fullness of her breast, "I cannot resist you. Release me so I might leave."
"I trust you cannot resist me for I refuse to let you go."
Jamie laughed softly, "It will be true until the end of time, my lady. Your beauty would cause a saint to walk through the fires of hell for one night with you."
Nicolette smiled. "Just as I dreamed, just as I had always hoped for," she murmured. Her hand moved from his chest, over his firm abdomen, to rest on his swollen manhood.
"Goddess, I can stand no more, you must stop, otherwise I cannot be held responsible for my actions."
"Are we not hand-fasted? Am I not already your wife?"
Jamie laughed, "Yes siren. I am yours to command. Call to me and I come. Touch me and I quiver with desire."
"No, a moment longer, please. Remain a voyeur just a moment longer," she smiled, took his hand and led him to the bed.
The red-gold of her hair shining brightly around her in the moonlight when she stood. "Wait here, I have something for you as well," Nicolette smiled again then seductively walked to the window, pulling wide the drapes as the luminescent light filtered into the room in long shadows. The silky white nightrail floated about her body as she turned to face him, and a smile lit her face. She flipped her hair behind her shoulder with one hand.
Jamie smiled, "You think to drive me insane, siren."
Nicolette laughed, "I think to drive you to the brink at least, my darling."
Jamie took a deep breath, then leaned back against the soft pillows, and watched her perfect form disappear into the d
ressing room.
Nicolette returned and slid quietly into bed beside him. "You are beautiful, so very beautiful," she whispered. "Jamie." there was no reply. "Jamie," she smiled when she heard the snore. He was asleep. She brushed a lock from his forehead. In some ways, her brave warrior was like an impulsive child. He worried about very little.
Nicolette felt a deep contentment fill her at the sight of him sleeping next to her. The seed of love she felt only a short while ago had burst into full bloom, just as the roses he had given her earlier.
Tears filled her eyes. She loved him so very much, as much as she loved Laurent and her home. Would Jamie be able to keep them safe as he promised?
~ * ~
The following evening Nicolette dressed for the betrothal ball and thought of Jamie. She smiled again as she looked up into the mirror. She was delighted with the gown Laurent had brought her from Paris. It was a vision of loveliness, white and gold, and in the latest fashion. The gown was off the shoulder, with a daringly low decotage, in glimmering white voile, woven with golden threads that shimmered with each move. The skirt scalloped away from the center, tied with golden ribbons to show the tiers of white and gold lace flounces. Her unpowdered hair fell in a mass of curls down her back, with golden ribbons woven throughout.
Nicolette sat at her dressing table looking at her reflection, and wondered what Jamie would think of the beautiful gown. Her cheeks grew warm as she touched the pink rose on the table and thought of his words of love.
"Chere, why do you look so sad? This is a time for happiness, it is your betrothal ball."
Laurent stood behind her, and her gaze darted to his in the mirror. She had been so lost in thought she had not heard him enter. "Not unhappy, simply thoughtful," Nicolette patted his hand on her shoulder.
"I bring you a present," he pulled a midnight blue velvet box from behind his back and placed it in front of her on the table.
"Another one, Laurent?" Nicolette smiled.
"Indeed Chere, yet these are father’s gifts to you, not mine. He asked me to give them to you on your wedding day, but I think that your betrothal ball is close enough. Come, open them."
Nicolette’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she touched the velvet box, "Mother’s jewels?" The aroma of roses filled her senses, "It is Mama’s scent!"
Laurent nodded, "So you do remember a little."
Sparkling white flashed like crystal fire as she opened the box. It held the most magnificent diamond necklace and earrings that she had ever seen. The necklace was graduating round diamonds, each surrounded by a delicate gold filigree petals. Earrings of the exact style complimented the necklace.
"Allow me, Chere," Laurent reached down and began to fasten the necklace. "You see darling, Father wanted you to marry, why else would he have kept these especially for your special day? He did not mean for you to stay at the chateau all of your life. He wished for you to realize the same happiness he found with Mama."
Nicolette’s eyes darted from the necklace to his eyes, "Laurent the last thing he ever did was to ask me to stay here. How can I ignore that request?"
Laurent gazed into her eyes in the mirror, "His actual request was that you stay here and never go to Paris with John Pierre. Was it not?"
"Oui. How did you know?" Nicolette held her breath.
Laurent looked away then turned and walked to the window and looked across the estate, "He was terrified of our uncle, afraid of what he felt for you. John Pierre is a depraved and perverted man, Chere. I have often heard of his evil. That is why Father asked for that promise. He did not intend that you waste your entire life here."
"What do you mean, Laurent? I do not understand. What does our uncle feel for me?"
"Chere there are things one cannot discuss with a young woman. I cannot say, but I must ask that you never be alone with him. Can you understand?"
"I will do as you ask, I always do."
Laurent came and took her hand, "Chere, our parents would want you to be happy, to marry, and to have children. I want that for myself as well. Jamie is the man I have chosen for you to marry, because I know you both so well. You two will suit. Trust me."
Nicolette rose from the dressing table and took his hand, "I do and I know that you love me. You would never harm me."
She smiled. What would he say if he knew that now she would confront her most frightening demons to marry Jamie, because he had used a means of persuasion even a saint could not resist?
"We will suit," she smiled and accepted her brother’s arm.
"Shall we? I believe we have guests."
Twelve
Laurent kissed her forehead as they walked down the hallway, then whispered, "Remember Chere, he will protect you from all harm."
Jamie waited at the bottom of the staircase, tall and commanding. He wore a cropped black velvet jacket, which perfectly complimented the kilt of red and black and gold. A matching plaid lie across his chest, held in place by an elaborate broach. The blood red stones glistened from the eyes of the wolf’s head brooch, and lace fell from the neck and sleeves of the formal silk shirt.
She recalled the first day he had worn his formal attire, and her cheeks grew warm. She had called him a barbarian and tossed a china cup at him. Remembering his reaction and their kiss, she closed her eyes in embarrassment.
How different her opinion was now! She no longer thought of him as a savage but as her protector. Pride for the man she loved made her smile again. Happiness and peace finally claimed her as she realized she had made the right decision.
Strength emanated from Jamie and the impression of authority was unmistakable. His men surrounded him and when he spoke Alec turned as if at attention. She smiled again in fascination at another facet of his complex personality. His men obviously admired and trusted him, following his leadership out of respect. At a signal from Alec, pipers marched from the doorway to the staircase, leaving a passageway between them to the ballroom. They began to play and people streamed into the hallway at the strangely moving sound of the bagpipes.
Nicolette smiled graciously, nodding at their friends and neighbors. She loved the unusual ceremony.
Laurent stopped when they were nearly at the bottom of the staircase. Jamie raised his hand and the pipers ceased playing.
"My friends, I have invited you here today to celebrate the betrothal of my beloved sister Nicolette to my best friend. Let me introduce Laird Jamie MacQueen, the Earl of Skye. Jamie, Lafayette and I fought together in America."
An excited whisper rushed through the gathering. Laurent raised his hand. "Oui, he too was one of the heroes of the American Revolution," he paused. "Many of you here know how closely our family is aligned with Scotland. Our grandmother Fiona, came to the Court of France with James Stuart. Grandfather once told me that he decided to make her his wife when he saw her in the garden at Versailles. He was completely lost to her charm and beauty from the first moment to the last of their life together." Laurent patted her hand, "Much the same can be said of this alliance."
Laughter echoed across the room, and her gaze snapped to Jamie. He suggested a love match! It was true now, but in the beginning it had been far from accurate. Yet, she did love him with all her heart. All she had to do was look into Jamie’s deep blue eyes and she could refuse him nothing. He truly was her beloved.
Jamie smiled, almost as if he could read her thoughts. He took her hand, kissed her wrist, then placed her hand on his arm, firmly holding it there as if afraid she might take flight. Warmth flowed deep into her being, not from the touch, but from his nearness and kindred spirit of their souls.
Jamie addressed the crowd, "I vow to protect and honor Nicolette and count myself the most fortunate man in all the world. When you see her beauty and elegance, can you disagree?"
He kissed her lightly on the lips, and gazed into her eyes.
"For my future bride." He placed an ancient gold ring with a huge, deep green emerald on her finger then whispered, "Just like your eyes, Goddess
."
He looked at the crowd, turned and gazed into her eyes, "This circlet has been passed from father to son to be given to the Laird’s bride for many generations. I give it now with my pledge to honor you forever."
She gazed at the lovely jewel surprised at the joy it gave her. Smiling, she stood on tiptoes to kiss Jamie on the cheek then felt her face grow warm when the crowd clapped. She had never felt like this, excited, shy, embarrassed and expectant, all at the same time. She wanted to laugh, to throw her arms around his neck. Soon she would be his wife, and now it was proclaimed to the entire world. Her smile began to fade as darkness fell over her soul. All the world knew now, even Philippe! Her gaze swept the crowd as a shiver of fear raced down her arms. Yet, she found nothing but a sea of colorful gowns and delighted faces.
Calmness slowly wrapped around her like a warm, cozy, winter shawl. Perhaps he changed his mind. Her heart leapt with joy as she realized his threats were simply meant to frighten her! Philippe must have gone back to Paris. Nicolette sighed.
Laurent raised his voice, "Now, come join me in our celebration, and give them your wishes for future happiness."
Jamie’s pipers began to play a lively tune and he led her between the passage into the ballroom. Laurent and Alec followed at a discreet distance.
Nicolette stopped suddenly. Philippe leaned casually against the doorway, with a look of pure malice on his face. She gasped. Jamie pulled her near, then she heard Laurent’s strange words echo in her mind, Jamie would protect her. She suddenly smiled. I am cherished, loved, and no longer alone! She found herself surrounded by their friends as she graciously accepted their felicitations, then was whisked away for the first minuet.
Jamie laughed then brushed a light kiss against her wrist, "You thought me too barbaric to know how to dance, did you not?" He laughed again, "Don’t worry lass, Laurent has been a civilizing influence. I learned this years ago in America."
Her heart jumped at his touch, "Your pipers were wonderful Jamie. I have never heard anything like that before."
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