by Mina Carter
“Not unless you’re a man. But you will have to curtsy.”
“Shut up! I will not… ” Her mouth dropped open. “Will I?”
He grinned. “No. To humans, I’m the Marquis of Cavell… you’ll be my marchioness.”
“So fancy.” Pepper groaned as she covered her face with her hands. “Con. This is too much.”
“You’re doing fine, sweetheart. I know it’s a lot to take in, but you’re not alone.”
She peeked at him through her fingers. “Right.”
He pulled her hands away and kissed her cheek.
“How am I supposed to address Kade now? Is he a royal highness or something? And Sam?” she asked in desperation. “What about you? What am I supposed to call you in public?”
“You’ll call him Kade because he will be your brother-in-law, same with Sam. And you’ll always call me Connall or Con because you’re my mate and humans will recognize you as my wife. You’ll often hear people address Kade as ‘Lord’ or ‘my lord,’ because humans recognize him as Duke of Avoch. For the most part, that won’t change unless we are with a group of only our people. Then you might hear people refer to him and Sam as ‘his or her majesty.’ Although, we’ve all been so used to referring to Kade as his human title, it would be a rare occurrence to hear him referred to as ‘majesty.’ The Cauld Ane may refer to me as ‘Your Highness,’ but again, only when no humans are around. Humans address me as ‘Lord Cavell’ and when we are bound, you’ll be referred to as ‘Lady Cavell.’”
“Not Mrs. Gunnach?”
He shook his head.
“I’m going to screw this up, Con. Royally. You can count on it.”
“Pepper,” he admonished. “Why would you say that?”
She tried to sit up again, but he tugged on her sweater and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
She ran her finger down his arm. “I’ve never understood this hierarchy thing. I also don’t believe in kneeling before anyone except God.”
“You won’t be kneeling before Kade, love.”
“Good. But I also hate chauvinism, and I’m not good at staying quiet if something bugs me.”
“And?”
“And, I watch television, Con. I saw the wedding of the century, I watched the interviews. There is no way I can come close to emulating Kate Middleton.”
He let out a derisive snort. “And thank the Lord for that.”
“Con. Come on, be serious. There’s nothing regal about me.”
“I love that the most about you,” he said. “I’m not interested in someone like Kate Middleton. Even if she’s much funnier in person, which you don’t get to see in the media. She’s not perfect by any means.”
“You’ve met her?” she squeaked.
“At a few functions, yes. You’ll more than likely meet her as well. She’ll put you at ease immediately.”
“So she’s beautiful and has a great personality? Perfect.”
Connall chuckled. “She’s got nothing on you. You are stunning with your luscious curves.” He ran his hand across her bottom. “I’m not a fan of rail thin. I like a real woman. I also love that you’re a champion of the underdog, whether that falls under hating chauvinism or something else altogether.”
She sighed. “I’m going to embarrass you.”
“No you won’t. I won’t let you.”
She scowled. “I thought you said you loved me just the way I am.”
“Put away your sword, my love. Let me explain,” he said. “Are you sure you’re not Scottish?”
“You’re hilarious today.”
“I’m hilarious every day.” Connall grinned. “But, I digress. The beauty of our private communication, sweetheart, is that if we’re ever anywhere official, you’ll say all the right things because I can help you with the correct way to address people. You won’t have to try to learn and retain it all.”
“There is that.” She relaxed. “What about me in general, though?”
“What about you?”
“I have a mouth on me, as my mother always says.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I happen to love your mouth.”
She pushed on his chest. “But what happens when I say something that someone doesn’t like? What if you lose friends? Or business?”
Connall frowned. “Wow. I didn’t realize you had the power to change the world, love. Maybe we need to revisit this relationship.”
“Con.”
“First of all, my wee control-freak whom I love to distraction, if I lost friends or business over something you said, they wouldn’t be true friends and I wouldn’t want their business.”
“But—”
He laid his fingers on her lips. “No. I know you, Pepper. You speak the truth, even when someone doesn’t want to hear it, and your motives are pure. You don’t set out to offend, but you also won’t blow smoke up someone’s kilt. If someone doesn’t like that, too bloody bad.” She kissed his hand and he smiled and stroked her cheek. “Whether you choose to believe it or not, you’re perfect just the way you are.”
“And you… are too good to be true.”
He laughed. “Maybe you’re right.”
She pulled his head down for a kiss and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her on top of his chest. When he finally managed to gather his wits, he broke the kiss with a groan. “You really are going to kill me.”
She giggled. “Sorry.”
He smiled. “I see you’re not running for the door.”
“Nope. I’ve decided I’m keeping you. Warts and all.”
“Warts, eh?”
“Yes.”
“It must be difficult to be seen with me.”
“It is.” She grinned and ran her finger over his heart. “But I love what’s on the inside. So, in answer to your earlier question… ”
“Yes?” he whispered.
“I will marry you… bind with you… let you tie me up or whatever.”
“I was going to plan something romantic to sweep you off your feet, you know.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t bother. Honestly, romance is lost on me. I don’t get it.”
“In that case.” He reached over her and pulled open the drawer in one of the nightstands.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He chuckled. “Good.”
“What?”
“Well, if you haven’t figured it out, then I have effectively hidden something from you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What did you do?”
“We’ve done this a little backwards, but still… ” He opened his hand and a red leather box sat in his palm. “Persephone Ester Brooks, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
She pursed her lips in thought. “Hmm, I don’t know. I’ve only known you for a few days. You’re a bit forward, don’t you think?”
He flexed his hand and gave her an evil grin. “I’m sorry? What was that?”
“Okay, okay. No tickling. Of course I’ll marry you.”
He pried the box open with one hand and Pepper gasped. A large princess-cut diamond, surrounded by smaller diamonds in white gold, was nestled in red satin. She shook her head. It was like he’d taken the ring she’d always dreamed of and put it into gold. “Connall. It’s beautiful.”
He grinned and slipped it on her finger. It was a perfect fit. She kissed him, but was interrupted by the dinner announcement.
“Ladies and gentleman, dinner will be served in the main cabin in five minutes,” Margaret, the main flight attendant, announced over the speaker.
“Thank God,” Connall said.
“All my questions have been annoying, huh?”
“Not at all. I’m hungry.” He climbed off the bed. “Another thing about us is that our metabolism is three times faster than humans. We try to eat every hour or two.” He pulled her off the mattress.
“So, you really are Sir Loin of Beef?” She grinned. “Are you going to try and overthrow the Burger King… and will
you address your subjects in the Royal Food Court?”
Connall laughed. “Will that make you Lady Loin of Beef?”
“Heck no, I’ll stage a coup and kick Sam of the throne. I will be referred to as the Dairy Queen and rule the world.”
“The world? Really?”
“Definitely.” She tapped her lips with a finger. “I wonder if I could get a hold of Lady Gaga’s meat dress for our first official royal gala.”
He led her out of the bedroom. “I’d imagine it’s past its expiration date.”
“Yeah, I’m sure at this point, it looks more like a beef jerky swimsuit.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CONNALL CHUCKLED AND led Pepper into the main cabin. She hummed in appreciation. A table had been placed in between their seats and covered with cream linen. The setting was more akin to a fancy restaurant than an airplane.
“Where’s Max?” Pepper asked. “And Kade and Sam, for that matter?”
“I’ll find Max. We’ll wait for Kade and Sam. I would imagine they’re resting,” Connall said. “You take your seat.”
“Okay.”
Pepper sat down and buckled up, smiling at Margaret as she offered Pepper a glass of wine. A door down the hall opened and Sam walked out, followed by Kade. Sam was securing her hair into a scrunchy and Kade wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back against him and whispering something in her ear. Sam laughed and patted his face. Kade slipped through the door to the back of the plane and Pepper sipped her wine, thinking how un-kingly Kade seemed.
Sam’s grin widened when she caught Pepper’s eye. “Hi!”
“Hi,” Pepper said.
“You don’t look like you’re ready to kill someone.” Sam took her seat across from Pepper. “I take it you’re good with everything he told you.”
“Yes. Everything’s good.” She held up her left hand.
Sam squealed and clapped her hands. “Yay, it’s official!”
Pepper laughed and nodded. “You’re happy, it would seem.”
“I’m thrilled. Let me see.” Sam pulled Pepper’s hand closer. “Did he know?”
Pepper shook her head. “I thought you told him.”
She’d humored Sam when they were young by drawing her dream wedding ring, although she’d drawn the line at designing a dress.
Sam raised her hands in surrender. “Not a word.” She studied the ring again. “Wow, he even added a pomegranate on each side.”
“I know,” Pepper said. “It’s like he took my dream ring and made it even better.”
Sam grinned. “It’s perfect.”
“He’s perfect.”
“Told you,” Sam quipped.
“Yes you did, oh wise and noble one.”
Margaret offered Sam wine, giving Pepper a moment to herself.
How’s Jonesy? she asked Connall.
He’s asleep.
Pepper smiled. Is Max going to join us?
Connall didn’t answer, but the door opened and he and Kade came back into the cabin.
“Max is also asleep,” Connall said with a grin as he took his seat.
Kade took his seat next to Sam and kissed her quickly.
Connall wrapped his hand around Pepper’s and she shivered, pulling away. “Why are your hands so cold?”
He rubbed his palms over his jeans. “Sorry, I just washed them. Plus it’s cold in the back. I put another blanket on Jonesy.”
“Thank you.”
Once he’d warmed up, he linked his fingers with hers. “Better?”
“Much.”
“May I see the ring?” Kade asked.
Pepper grinned and slid her hand over the table. You told him?
How do you think I got your ring done so quickly? Connall admitted.
“Seriously?” she asked.
“What?” Sam asked.
“Kade used his influence with Mr. Ferguson to get the ring done quickly,” Connall said.
“Oh, that,” Sam said with a grin.
“You knew as well?”
“Not really.” Sam smiled. “Just that Kade called Mr. Ferguson.”
Did he pull the king card on the poor man?
Connall shook his head. Mr. Ferguson’s human, love. Our family shops exclusively at his store and the storeowner is simply grateful.
“Wow,” Pepper said. “Thank you, Kade. It’s stunning.”
Kade shook his head. “I can’t take any credit. All I did was make a phone call. Con sent the design and the jeweler did the rest.” He smiled at Pepper. “And I for one am delighted to welcome you to the family.”
Pepper blushed. “Thank you.”
Just as dinner concluded, Max joined the group and Pepper took a few minutes to check on Jonesy before spending the rest of the evening in a game of Pictionary. Due to their abilities to speak telepathically, the couples were separated and Pepper, Sam, and Max were on one team, while Connall and Kade were on the other.
Pepper honestly couldn’t think of a time she’d laughed harder, watching Sam’s pathetic attempts to draw a thermometer that looked strangely like a volcano. Lucky for them, Max was somewhat of an artist, so they managed to win by two points.
Dessert and drinks were served and the game safely stowed away as the evening wound down. Pepper was having a difficult time keeping her eyes open and a quick check of her watch indicated it was well past her bedtime in Savannah, which explained why she was so tired.
“I’m starting to fade,” Sam said.
“Me too,” Pepper admitted.
Connall smiled. “You should go to bed, sweetheart. Your overnight bag’s in the closet.”
She nodded and stood. Am I sleeping alone?
Not if you don’t want to.
I don’t want to. Give me ten minutes.
He grinned and nodded. “I’ll check on Jonesy again.”
* * *
Pepper headed to the bedroom and Connall turned to Sam, hesitating to ask the question he knew he didn’t really want an answer to.
“Just ask me, Con,” Sam said.
“How painful was the change?”
Kade stiffened and Sam laid her hand on his leg. “Kade, stop.”
Connall dropped his face in his hands. “Shite.”
“What you both seem to forget is that it’s worth it,” Sam pointed out.
“How bad, Sam?” Connall asked again. “Be honest.”
“It wasn’t pleasant. But it didn’t last forever. I guess it would be like childbirth without an epidural.”
“Oh, that makes me feel so much better,” he grumbled.
Sam patted his knee. “It doesn’t last long, Connall. Honestly, she can handle it.”
“Thanks.” Connall stood. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
He joined Pepper, who was already asleep. Pulling her close, he closed his eyes and tried not to dream of her in pain.
* * *
Connall woke Pepper in time to freshen up before the plane landed. Once the plane was on the ground, she followed Connall down the stairs, joining Max where Jonesy’s drop point was. Two cars waited on the tarmac and the plan was for Connall, Pepper, and Max to follow the trailer to the Gunnach Stables, while Kade took Sam home. Everyone would meet the next night for dinner at the family home.
Max offered to go with Jonesy, so Connall opened the door to the awaiting car and waited for Pepper to climb inside. She pulled her coat closer to her body as she took her seat. She honestly wasn’t prepared for the cold of Scotland. She was sure her lips must be varying shades of blue. When Connall sat beside her and closed the door, she sighed in relief as he wrapped his coat around her.
“Thank you,” she said.
He buckled up but still managed to pull her close to his body heat, and she snuggled against him. He rubbed her arm and kissed her temple. “I should have warned you about the cold.”
“I guess it’s not something you’d notice, is it?”
“Not really.” He turned the heat on and sat back.
�
��Won’t that hurt you?” Pepper asked in concern.
“I set it to sixty-seven.”
“Oh.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “Thank you.”
He lowered the privacy glass. “Tavish, we’ll go straight back to the stables first and then on to the house.”
“Aye sir,” the driver said and Connall raised the glass again.
They didn’t have to wait long before the small convoy drove out of the airport and through the glorious scenery that was Inverness, Scotland. Despite the jetlag, Pepper was energized as the drive revealed more and more green pasture.
“It’s stunning,” she said.
White fencing came into view and Connall leaned over her to point out the window. “This is where our property starts. Kade and Sam will continue straight, you and I will take a left. If we wanted to visit Brodie, we’d make a right just up here.”
“So you all live close?”
“Sort of.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kade lives in town most of the year,” he said. “I live here and go into town once or twice a year. Brodie tends to travel back and forth. When there’s a council meeting or a family gathering, it’s usually at the castle.”
“Castle?” Pepper swallowed. “Like a real castle?”
“Yes.” He tweaked her nose. “A real castle.”
“You don’t live in a castle too, do you?”
He chuckled. “No. I live in a much smaller house.”
She relaxed until the so-called “smaller house” came into view. A large white mansion appeared on their right and Pepper felt like she’d been transported back in time to some English manor house. She groaned and flopped back against the seat. “That is not a small house, Con.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t say it was a small house, love. Just that it’s smaller than the castle.”
The car continued past the house, following the truck and trailer hauling Jonesy, and veered to the left. Pepper caught sight of a smaller building and pointed. “Ooh, what’s that?”
“The main guest house,” he said.
“The main guest house? There are others?”
“A few,” he said evasively.
Pepper chose not to press. She’d find out in time anyway. “It looks like a miniature of the big house. It’s gorgeous.”
Connall smiled. “Thank you.”
