The Highlander's Outlaw Bride

by MacRae, Cathy

  With that, he took himself off to bed. Brianna turned to Conn, a look of bemusement on her face. “What did ye tell the lad?”

  “Seems Jamie has a new appreciation for marriage.” Conn grinned. “He will learn the truth in a few years.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “That husbands get a bedtime story every night.”

  * * *

  Brianna had almost finished brushing her hair when she saw the opening of the door reflected in her mirror. Laying her brush carefully on the table, she waited as Conn walked through the door, closing it securely behind him. He crossed the room and stood behind her, filling his hands with the mass of her hair.

  He leaned close, his lips teasing the edge of her ear. “I love yer hair, the way it glows like moonlight.” He pulled her against him, running his hands up and down her arms. Invisible sparks arced between them where their bodies touched.

  “I love the way it spills across my hands, the way it smells.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, nuzzling the side of her neck. “And I love the way ye feel in my arms.”

  His hand drifted to the ribbon at her neck. Grasping it, he slowly slid the pendant up her skin, eliciting goose bumps along its trail. “How did ye get this?”

  “I had given it to Gavin to be sold, but there is no place in Wyndham’s village to sell such a piece and he held it until he would make a trip elsewhere for grain.”

  “I suppose it should bother me ye gave my gift to another man, and in some small way it does. But I understand the why of it, and I am particularly pleased he saw fit to give it back to ye. I promise ye, Wyndham willnae go hungry this winter.”

  Brianna slipped the pendant from her neck and laid it on the table before her. She closed her eyes and sighed, tilting her head back against his shoulder, giving in to the sensations of pleasure shooting through her. She looked into the mirror, to his storm-dark eyes, and smiled at him. “I think I may like ye,” she murmured, arching an eyebrow.

  He laid his lips against her cheek. “Want to find out for sure?” he challenged in a husky whisper that made her knees quiver, and made her glad she was seated.

  His warm breath fanned across her skin and sent ripples of delight down her spine. She shuddered as she sucked in her breath.

  “Aye.”

  Conn pulled her from her seat and into his arms. She wound her arms around his neck, melting into his kiss. Scooping her into his arms, he carried her to the bed and laid her on the soft coverlet. Her hands flew to unfasten his leine and he pulled back only for the instant it took him to fling the garment to the floor. He stretched out on the bed, pulling her down beside him, running his hands over the nearly transparent muslin of Brianna’s under gown, past the delicate embroidery, to the hem caught beneath her legs.

  Brianna wriggled until he tugged it free, leaving it loosened about her, then lay back to catch her breath. Running her hands over his shoulders and across his chest, she thrilled to the feel of his skin pulled across taut muscles. She followed his gaze as his eyes roamed over her body, knowing she was subtly different, aware he noticed the changes. He explored the roundness of her breasts and the slight mound of her stomach with his hands, sending new tremors through her. Splaying a hand across her belly, he caressed it gently.

  “Have ye felt the bairn move yet?”

  Brianna shook her head. “I thought I did once, but I am certain it is still too early.”

  He kissed where his hand had lain, and Brianna laughed as his chin tickled her through the sheer fabric. He grinned at her. “My loving ye is funny?”

  “Yer whiskers!” she replied, squealing as he rubbed his cheek vigorously across her belly. But her laughter changed with a sudden intake of breath as he ceased his play and trailed his kisses lower and lower as she arched against his touch. She reached for him to bring him closer, but he resisted.

  “I am afraid of hurting the bairn. Not for all the pleasure in the world would I risk harming him.”

  “Ye cannae hurt the bairn,” she assured him, stroking his arm. “Dinnae stop.”

  Conn chuckled. “Then I willnae let ye hold back, either. I promise ye will have yer pleasure. I am not so muddle-headed this time.”

  “Show me what I have been missing, Conn. I would be yer wife in full.”

  His gaze locked with hers. “Ye shall be.”

  He knelt beside her and gathered her hands in his. He kissed each finger, opening her hands slowly to kiss her palms. She shuddered as the tip of his tongue slid across her skin, and he looked up, a wicked smile on his face.

  Sliding off the bed, he unwound his plaide, leaving his clothing in a heap on the floor. Brianna couldn’t help the lift of her brow as she beheld his form.

  “Ye dinnae appear so in the moonlight.”

  “’Twas over much too soon, dearling. This night, we have as much time as we wish.”

  Her insides tightened at his bold promise and she pushed to a sitting position, motioning for him to turn. She lost sight of his cocky smile as he faced away, but she was content to admire the strong line of his back and buttocks. For a moment.

  With a laugh, Conn faced her again, arms folded across his chest, feet planted a foot or so apart. “Yer turn.”

  Nerves fluttered down her arms as Brianna accepted his challenge. Running her fingertips across the tops of her breasts, she fingered the tie at her neck for a moment before grasping the loose end. She pulled it slowly downward, exposing her breasts inch by tantalizing inch. His eyes flashed and Brianna reached for the hem of her shift, pooled about her on the bed.

  With a twist, she yanked the fabric over her head and it floated to floor without so much as a whisper of sound. Her skin prickled and she shivered.

  “Cold?” His voice rasped.

  “Titillated.” She smiled.

  Conn groaned. “I have married an educated woman.”

  “Ye know I am not a simpering virgin.”

  He sank onto the bed beside her, running his eyes hungrily over her before meeting her gaze. “Ye are a bold young woman who is not afraid to state her mind, and who is used to giving orders.” One side of his mouth quirked upward. “I will do whatever ye bid me this night.”

  “I dinnae have enough experience to command yer performance.”

  His grin widened. “By the end of the night, ye will.”

  * * *

  Brianna felt Conn’s breath stir the hair at her neck. “Wake up, dearling,” he whispered in her ear. She sighed and snuggled her backside closer against him, feeling her heart rate jolt at the memory of her pleasure at his hands. She moaned softly. He jostled her and she opened her eyes. Pale light streaked through the window, and the manor house was silent.

  “Shh. Dinnae move.”

  “I dinnae think I can.” She pulled a leg free from beneath his and stretched slowly, feeling her muscles’ light protest.

  Conn chuckled in her ear. “We have company, my love.”

  Startled, she glanced quickly about the room and spied a small bundle in the chair beside the fireplace across from their bed. She started to sit up, but Conn’s hand stopped her even as she remembered she was naked beneath the bedding.

  “’Tis Jamie, and he is asleep,” he murmured. “Tam is curled beneath the chair.”

  “How long do ye think he has been there?” she whispered back, a bit shocked to think Jamie had wandered in sometime during the night. Her cheeks warmed.

  Conn’s soft laugh rumbled in his chest. “Not long, I dinnae think. He wasnae there when I got up an hour or so ago, and ye have been sleeping since.” He pulled the edge of the bed clothes closer around her neck. He slipped from far side of the bed and wrapped his kilt about his waist. Crossing to the chair, he hunkered down beside it.

  “Jamie?”

  Tam crept from beneath the chair and licked Conn’s arm. He ruffled the dog’s ears.

  The lad stirred and rubbed his eyes sleepily. “Conn?”

  “Wheesht, lad, dinnae wake yer sister.”
r />   Jamie nodded solemnly.

  “What are ye doing in here?”

  Jamie glanced over the arm of the chair, and Brianna saw the bundle lying on the floor. “I packed so I can go with ye and Anna.”

  Conn smiled. “That is a good idea. When it is morning, I bet she will make sure ye have everything ye need. Right now, ye need to hie yerself back to yer own bed and get all the sleep ye can. Ye need to be ready for our trip in a couple of days. Can ye do that?”

  Jamie’s brow furrowed. “Are ye sure I have to go back to bed?”

  Conn merely tilted his head at Jamie. Brianna smothered a laugh. She knew Jamie needed to be reassured, but the sooner Jamie learned to trust Conn, the quicker they would become friends, and a dose of authority now would certainly help, too.

  “Ye willnae leave me, will ye?” Jamie asked.

  “Nae, lad. I dinnae lie to ye. Ye are welcome to come with us for a visit in a couple of days.”

  Jamie sighed his reluctant acceptance and wriggled out of the chair, stopping to pick up his bag. With a heavy yawn, he wandered from the room, dragging his belongings behind him as Tam dogged his heels.

  “Thank ye,” Brianna whispered.

  “Hmm?” Conn rose and shut the door firmly, testing the latch.

  “He is so happy to be going with me. I know he can be a handful.”

  Conn returned to the bed. “We will let Gillis take care of him from time to time. Dinnae fash yerself.”

  “Still, I wanted to let ye know how much I appreciate ye letting him come with us for a bit.”

  The kilt slipped to the floor around Conn’s feet. “How much?” He grinned.

  Heat skittered through her as she whisked the bedding back in invitation. “Let me show ye.”

  Chapter 29

  The hall, lit only by candles and a fire in the hearth, was a cozy haven against the rain dimming the late afternoon sky. Brianna and Conn lingered over a late meal amid a handful of guests who had apparently imbibed more than they should have the night before.

  “I imagine the rain drumming on the roof is giving that one a pounding headache,” Brianna murmured with a brief nod to a man several seats away, head in his hands.

  “Aye. But that willnae stop him from licking the bottom of his glass the next time.”

  Brianna stroked the back of Conn’s hand. “Do ye think we should leave tomorrow or the day after?”

  He covered her hand with his. “It may take longer to pack than ye think.”

  “Why?”

  Rising to his feet, he pulled her against him, and her heart quickened to feel his response to her. “Because I believe I am about to hinder the process.”

  Passion flooded her, and she cast a quick glance around the room from the corner of her eyes. “Indeed? Mayhap we could discuss this a bit more privately?”

  Keeping one hand laced with hers, he led her up the stairs. Inside the bed-chamber, Brianna backed him against the door, smothering his laughter with a heated kiss, her hands tugging his leine from his belt.

  She ran her palms up the length of his torso, fingers sliding through the hair on his chest and flicking across his tight nipples. With a sound that was half-groan, half-snarl, he snatched at her skirts, pulling them around her waist. Twisting about, he lifted her in his arms and pinned her against the wall. He quickly rucked his kilt upward and pressed against her.

  “Shall I ask yer advice on this?” he teased. “I believe I like my opinionated wife.”

  Brianna grabbed his ears and gave them a mock twist. “Shut up, Conn.” She wrapped her legs about his waist and pulled him to her with a quick jerk. He pounded into her, passion surging beyond her control. Within moments, she gasped, her head hard against the wall as she arched against him. Conn buried his head between her breasts, his breath coming hard and fast. Waves of pleasure spiraled through her, and Conn leaned gently into her, pinning her in place.

  She ran a languid hand through his hair. “Ye can put me down now.”

  Conn laughed. “Aye, but I like this too much to move.” With a groan, he let her slide to the floor, then rested against her once again. “Shall we move to the bed, milady, for a wee snooze? Ye drained me of all my manly intentions before we scarce crossed the threshold.”

  “A nap sounds good, as long as I am with ye.”

  Conn glanced down. “It seems we are still in disarray.”

  For the first time, the cool air against her bare legs, tangled with his, registered, and heat stole up her neck, shocked at what he provoked in her.

  A frantic pounding at the door interrupted them, and she hastily shoved her skirts down.

  “Who could possibly think to intrude?” Conn muttered as he straightened his kilt. With a quick glance at her, he opened the door. Una burst in, her hands fluttering high in the air.

  “Brianna, come quickly!”

  “What is wrong, Una?”

  The woman gave her an agonized look. “’Tis Jamie. He has—”

  Flinging a brief glance of apology at Conn, Brianna spun the other woman around, shoving her out the door. They flew down the hallway to Jamie’s room, and Brianna came to a startled halt just inside his door. Cook’s daughter knelt beside the lad, who was almost completely covered in mud. His teeth chattered and he twitched violently as the lass wiped the mud off him with a piece of rough cloth.

  “Get him into a warm bath, Kirsten.” Brianna stepped quickly to Jamie’s side, grabbed a towel, and used it to rub some warmth into his thin arms.

  “I am waiting for hot water, milady.” Kirsten pulled Jamie’s breeches off and helped wrap him in a blanket warm from the hearth.

  Brianna cast a worried look at Una. “See where the water is.”

  With a nod, Una hurried from the room. Brianna turned back to Jamie, who snuffled and rubbed his eyes. “How did ye get so muddy, hmm?” She pulled the corner of the blanket over the top of his head for added warmth.

  “I had to say good-bye to my friends,” Jamie sobbed, clearly upset.

  “What happened, dearling?”

  Jamie kicked at the pile of clothing at his feet. “It wasnae raining when I left. And when I ran home—like the wind,” he assured her, “I took the short cut and tripped and fell down the bank to the burn and landed in the marsh.” His voice ended on a mournful note.

  With gritted teeth, Brianna decided to address his adventure alone—to the burn, nonetheless—at another time. “How long were ye outside?”

  Jamie snuffled and dragged a filthy hand across his face. Kirstin glanced up.

  “He took the dog and left just after the morning meal. The dog came back all in a fit, covered in mud himself.” Kirsten nodded toward the corner of the room. “He must have pulled Jamie out, then raced to the hall for help getting him home, poor lad.”

  Wrapped in a tight ball, mud caked in his long coat, Tam shivered against the hearth. Brianna’s heart plummeted to think of Jamie’s fate had the dog not been with him.

  Una bustled through the door, carrying a bucket of hot water. Two servants followed, each carrying two buckets, which they poured into the tub already wrestled into the center of the room. Brianna tested the water and nodded approvingly. She stripped the blanket from Jamie’s shaking body and reached to lift him into the wooden tub. Conn’s hands took the burden from her and she gave him a grateful nod. She rose and gathered Tam in her arms and dumped him into the tub as well.

  Jamie gasped in surprise then giggled as Tam floundered in the water. Apparently deciding he appreciated the warmth, the dog found his footing and stood patiently as Brianna and Kirsten rinsed the mud away.

  Soon, the pair was scrubbed clean, and Jamie’s shrieks of delight as Tam pranced about in the water filled the air. Fresh water replaced the muddy, and both Jamie and Tam were given a final rinse. Tam was sent to his blanket by the hearth, Jamie directly to his bed.

  “I dinnae want to go to bed,” he wailed tiredly. His protest ended in a hiccup as he grudgingly followed Brianna. Conn tossed him onto th
e bed and Brianna piled the blankets atop his small body. Sitting beside him, she ran her fingers through his red-gold hair.

  “Tell me a story,” Jamie whispered, his eyes drooping.

  “Do ye remember the story about the selkies who danced in the moonlight?”

  “Uh huh,” Jamie replied, the sound scarcely louder than a sigh.

  Brianna smiled fondly, blinking back tears as she tried not to think of how easily he could become ill. “Well,” she said, her voice calm and soothing, “the selkies came out of the sea and shed their seal skins, dancing on the land in the moonlight…”

  Before she finished the tale, Jamie was asleep. Conn pulled her from the bed where she huddled, spoon-like, with Jamie tucked close against her.

  “Let Una stay with him while he sleeps.” He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head against his shoulder.

  “He gets ill so easily.” She fought back tears. “We should know how bad this is by morning.”

  * * *

  Jamie fretted at being restricted to his bed, though Brianna found no signs of fever. He ate a few bites mid-morning, but refused more, demanding to be let out. She finally let him go, wringing a firm promise from him to stay at the hall unless he was with Rabbie or Duncan.

  “Do ye think he will be strong enough to travel tomorrow?” Conn asked her as they strolled across the grounds.

  Brianna leaned against a tree with a shrug. “I believe another day or two will see him completely recovered. He will do better to get a bit of rest before all the excitement of travel and a new place.” She gave Conn a wry smile. “Ye know we dinnae dare leave him here.”

  Conn laughed. “The lad would follow us on foot. I believe stubbornness runs in this family.”

  Brianna pushed away from the tree, pinching back an answering grin. “Do ye say I am stubborn?”

  “Dearling, ye are willful, confident, determined,” he avowed. “I am astounded every day by yer resolve.”

  She tossed her head. “Would ye like me if I were weak-minded?”

  “Are ye fishing for compliments?” His eyebrows lifted in query.

  “Do I have to?” she challenged.