by Alisa Adams
Bettina spoke up. "I begged Allana not to accept him..." Her voice was grim and angry. "But she would not listen.”
Allana had the grace to look shamefaced. "I am truly sorry, Bettie." She took her sister's hands across the table. "Please forgive me."
"Of course, I do," Bettina replied, but she smiled sadly. "I wish you had not had to go through this. You too, Leann. Neither of you deserves it."
"Thank you," Leann said, smiling. "I appreciate that very much."
"Leann is staying with us for a while, as my guest," Allana informed her parents. "It is comfortable here and I can show her the countryside and introduce her to some of my friends."
Leann thought about that for a moment and then nodded. "I will enjoy it very much," she remarked, "I am starved for the company of other women, and Mull is so isolated that I sometimes become very lonely."
“I wonder... Have you learned to knit?” Alana asked.
“I have heard of it,” she replied, “and someone showed me the needles one day, but I do not yet know how to do it.”
Edme groaned. “Leann, you have just opened up a world of pain for yourself!” she said, wincing at the thought. “She will talk about it for hours until your ears bleed!”
But Leann was fascinated. "Then I must have bleeding ears!" she stated firmly. She looked at the young woman who had opened up a new world to her overnight. Perhaps out of evil, good has come, she thought. I have made a wonderful new friend. "Show me."
Bettina was crushed. One moment it had seemed as though her dream of marrying Nevin was just within her grasp and the next it had been cruelly snatched away. Now that Allana was back in the picture again, he would surely ask for her hand in marriage, and all her own hopes would be as dust in the wind, blown away by the tides of circumstance.
Bettina sighed. She would have married Nevin the next day if he had asked her. She visualized little boys and girls with Nevin's fine features and her green eyes. Damn Allana! She loved her sister, but now her life had been ruined because of her.
She went out riding that day which reflected her gloomy mood. It was going to rain again and the wind was already gathering its strength in preparation for another huge storm. She had no idea why she had chosen to be out on a day like this - perhaps to get away from the castle - but now she was surely going to be soaked. Then she saw the cottage, and made straight for it, arriving moments before the worst of the rain began. She tethered the mare in a lean-to behind the house then went inside.
To her surprise, there was furniture there, a serviceable table and chairs, a few cupboards, a washstand, and even a bed. It was not a luxurious one with a feather mattress to be sure, but it was fine for a night's sleep or... She blushed at the thought of whatever else had gone on in here. The bed was big enough for two after all. She lay down on it and closed her eyes, finding comfort from hearing the wind blowing outside and knowing that she was safe and snug in the cottage. Presently, she fell asleep.
Unbeknownst to Bettina, however, someone else was looking for shelter. Nevin had been out gathering rent from some of his tenants, but he had been caught in the storm. He had forgotten about the cottage, but when he saw it, he spurred his horse on so that he could seek shelter there. When he saw the horse tethered at the back, he hesitated. He had no idea who was in there, but he tied his beast up there anyway since he had a dagger and a short sword if trouble ensued. Nevertheless, he opened the door very cautiously and then gasped in delight and amazement to see Bettina there.
The youngest Dundas daughter was busy dreaming that someone was stroking her cheek with a gentle touch. It felt so good that she began to giggle softly. The touch moved to her chin, then to her lips, then it was replaced by an even softer touch, and she realized that she was not being caressed any more, but that a gentle pair of lips was kissing her.
For a moment, suspended between sleep and wakefulness, she was utterly confused and then she opened her eyes and pushed the owner of the lips away. Nevin and Bettina gazed at each other for a moment and then he smiled.
"Oh, God, Bettie," he said breathily. "You have no idea how adorable you look when you are asleep. Forgive me for kissing you, but I truly could not help myself."
She reached up and caressed the strong line of his jaw, rubbing his cheek with her thumb. "I thought you would go back to Allana," she murmured.
Nevin shook his head and laughed softly, then, without asking permission, he lay down with her on the bed and put his arm over her waist. "Allana and I do not feel that way about one another. Whereas you, Bettie... Well, I could look into your eyes all day," he whispered then kissed her again. It was still a gentle kiss since he did not want to frighten her, but it took all his willpower to keep it that way since his man's body was responding to her in the usual way. "Allana means nothing to me now, at least, not like that." He let his fingers drift down her body to her waist. “Not like this, Bettie. This is the way a man touches the woman he loves, the way I love you."
Her eyes widened incredulously. "Of course - you do not know - Allana is not going to marry Kendrick. He has a wife already!"
Nevin was stunned. He disliked Kendrick intensely but he had never in his wildest dreams thought he would sink so low. “I cannot believe that anyone would do such a thing! Is Allana all right?”
“You know Allana! She is absolutely furious!”
Nevin’s face betrayed his anger and Bettina sighed. She was sure now that her one chance of happiness with Nevin had gone.
“Now, you can marry her,” she said, her voice heavy and flat. She felt utterly miserable. Nevin’s eyes traced every feature of her face for a moment and then he put out a hand and stroked her cheek. Bettina could not believe the next words he said.
"Do you really think so little of me?" he asked. "I have loved you for a long time, Bettie, ever since the accident at the dinner table, although I did not realize it then. I admit that when Allana came back I was confused for a while, but it was almost a relief when she announced she was marrying Kendrick. I am concerned about her as I am concerned about all my friends. Even when I fought Gavin that night it was not because I loved Allie but because of Gavin’s rudeness and discourtesy. Now, everything has suddenly fallen into place for me. I love you, Bettie. Say you will marry me."
Bettina felt a flood of joy wash over her, but the temptress in her wanted to tease him a little more. "I will have to think on it," she said in a doubtful tone. "After all, it is a big decision and there are many things to consider."
Nevin decided to play along. "Such as what, milady?" he asked. She paused and then laughed.
"Oh, how many guests there will be at the wedding," she mused, "and what shall we feed them? Who will make my dress? What color should it be? All these things need much planning, Nevin. I am not sure you are worth it!" However, there was a twinkle in her eyes as she said it, and presently, she rolled over and pressed her body against his. "Oh, Nevin, how could you doubt that I would marry you? Of course, I will, sweetheart! I would marry you if I had to walk through fire to the altar. I just like teasing you!"
Nevin could not speak. He was weak with relief, desire, and love. Oh, God, thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me this wonderful woman, he thought, and forgive me for what I am about to do, for I cannot resist her a moment longer. You gave us these desires, Lord and I am not ashamed for I love my Bettie with all my heart.
21
Becoming Lovers
"Let me make you mine," Nevin whispered. "Let us become part of each other and seal our bargain. I will not insist, my love, and I would never force myself on you. If you would like to wait for marriage, I will do so with you."
Bettina strained against him, feeling his manhood pressing against her stomach. "If you had not suggested it, Nevin," she said, laughing softly, "I would have done so myself, but you will have to teach me for I am a virgin. But I promise to be a willing pupil!"
"I have lain with a few women," he confessed, "but I am by no means an experienced lover. Do
you mind?"
"I would be very surprised if I was your first!" Bettina said, laughing. "Now stop talking, Nevin, or I will seal your mouth with a kiss!"
"Oh, Bettie..." His voice was hoarse with desire. “I wish you would."
Then Bettina pulled his head down to hers, but when their lips met it was not the gentle, sweet touch of before, but a furious, hungry one, as if they intended to eat each other. Their tongues tangled together and Bettina wondered from what place inside her the knowledge of how to do this had come from.
She had never heard of kissing this way, but oh! It was wonderful! She found herself breathless, pushing herself closer to him as if wanting to be part of him and he was doing the same to her. At last Nevin paused, breathing heavily and looked down at her. In his eyes was an expression she had never seen before: a wild, almost angry look. For a moment, it frightened her and then it disappeared to be replaced by one of infinite love. He began to undress her, undoing her buttons in such haste that he fumbled over them and she had to help him, laughing at his clumsiness.
When he bared the white soft globes of her breasts, crested with crimson nipples now hard with desire, he gazed in wonder at their beauty. He peeled off her petticoat, then her dress, and at last she was lying naked before him, spread out like a feast for his eyes and his hands.
"Bettie," he whispered, "in the most heavenly dreams I have ever had, I never imagined you would look like this."
She smiled wickedly and stretched out like a cat. "Undress for me, Nevin. I want to watch you." Her voice was husky with longing and as soon as he moved away, her hands itched to touch him again.
Then there he was in the full glory of the splendid masculinity he had kept hidden for her for so long. If Nevin had been astonished at the sight of her naked body, she was doubly so at his.
She had never realized that his shoulders were so broad or that a man's chest was not flat. It had breasts, but not like hers since they were made of pure hard muscle and dusted with fine fair hair. The bones of his rib cage were prominent and between them were six little muscles arranged in two rows of three running down to his navel. And his hips were so narrow! But his thighs were not. They were thick with powerful muscle like the ones on his arms. There was a triangle of hair above them, and she felt a little flutter of excitement and fear as she looked at something else she had never seen before. So, this was what all the fuss was about!
"Nevin," she said, shaking her head in wonder. "You are so different from me!"
He laughed. "Of course, I am, Bettie. The Lord made us this way so that we could fit together. The first time may hurt a little, but do not be afraid for after that I hope it will be wonderful for you. Do you trust me, Bettie?"
"With my life," she answered at once.
"And are you sure you want this?" His voice was uncertain.
"More than I have ever wanted anything!" she cried. "Nevin, do not keep me waiting any longer. My body aches for you."
He granted her wish, and then there was no more talking. He cupped her breasts in his strong hands and gently squeezed her nipples, then kissed and finally licked them. He looked up to see if she was enjoying his caresses, but her head was arched back in passionate delight and he smiled to himself. This was his love, the woman with whom he was going to spend the rest of his life, and he was proud that he was giving her so much pleasure.
Then she began to moan, her head thrashing about on the pillow, her hips raised off the mattress. For a moment, he started to panic and then he realized with utter astonishment what was happening. Bettina loved the feeling of his mouth on her breasts and his hands caressing her skin, but it was the feeling beginning inside her that was making her gasp and moan with pleasure.
It began as something akin to a tickling sensation and it subsided and then returned, every time stronger and more pleasurable than before. However, she knew somehow that it could be even stronger. Bettina clenched her fists in the sheets and thrust her hips upward as an ecstasy she could never have imagined washed over her. For a moment, her body was out of her control as it bucked and shuddered against his then she grew still. She stared at Nevin in disbelief.
"Nevin - is that supposed to happen?" she asked breathlessly.
He ceased caressing her for a moment. "Yes, sweetheart," he replied, amazed by her innocence. "Though usually not yet. Maybe you are a very passionate lady or I am a very good lover!"
"Or both," she murmured. "Will it happen to you?"
"Yes." He kissed her softly. "But in a different way."
"Then show me," she murmured, "teach me, for I need to learn how to do the same to you."
Bettina felt a second of sharp pain as Nevin eased into her body, but it was over almost before she realized it and the wondrous experience that followed was well worth it. He began to advance and retreat harder and faster until they both reached ecstasy together.
Bettina had never felt such closeness and such pure love for anyone before. So, this is it, she thought. I feel as if he has cast a love spell on me. I never believed it could be this way.
It is unbelievable, Nevin thought. He had never been with a woman who could reach a climax so quickly and follow it a moment later with another one. "You astonish me," he murmured as he held her in his arms a moment later.
"Why?"
"You are so... sensitive, so responsive." He laughed softly. "And you make me feel like a real man!"
"It is because you are such a good lover, no doubt!" she answered, smiling fondly at him. "Nevin, at this moment there is no-one in the world I would rather be with than you."
"I feel the same about you," he murmured, "and we will have the rest of our lives to be together."
They lay in silence for a long time listening to the rain and wind outside until it calmed down and finally stopped.
Nevin sighed. "I have to go back," he said with great reluctance. "This has been a heavenly day, my love. The best of my life, I think!"
"Mine too," Bettina answered. "Can we come back tomorrow?"
"I have too much work, darling," he replied. "But I will send a message for you and until we are married, we can meet here."
Bettina buried her face in his shoulder. "It is becoming colder," she stated, "so next time I will bring wine, cake, and firewood. We can eat, drink, and make love to our hearts’ content. But Nevin, when can we be wed?"
"We are already wed." He smiled, pushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "But if you want a priest we can do so as soon as you like."
"I think," she mused, "that I would like it to be our secret for a month or so. Just a month, Nevin. I do not want the servants sniggering and gossiping and Allana constantly pressing me for information about what it is like to make love. I want none of that. We can meet here and be as cozy as two love birds in a nest and lie in each other’s arms for hours. Would you like that?"
"I love every second I spend with you, Bettie," he replied, kissing her forehead. "My estate manager will just have to work harder so that I can steal the time!"
"I love you, Nevin Kirk." She sat up in bed so that her breasts spilled on to the coverlet. Nevin groaned as he looked at them.
"Bettie, do not do this to me!" he begged. Then, with a threatening growl, he said, "Or I may have to take you again."
Bettina flopped back down onto the pillows again but held the covers down at her waistline. "Then do so," she invited, her green eyes twinkling wickedly.
Nevin needed no second bidding. The first time had been painful but gentle for Bettina. However, there was no gentleness this time. Bettina was like a wild animal. She dug her fingertips into the hard muscles of his shoulders, sucked his skin until there were red welts on it, then wound her legs around his waist squeezing her knees together with such force that he groaned in pain even while he loved the sensation. He laced his fingers in hers tightly, and then bit her shoulder the way a cat does, not closing his teeth but inflicting a little pain that was also pleasurable to her. It was over very quickly since they were b
oth inflamed with passion and then they lay, spent, for a while, until Nevin sighed.
"This time I must go, my little tigress," he said ruefully, "or you may kill me. Of course, I can think of many worse ways to die!"
She laughed, embraced him, and stood up. He watched her naked body with greedy pleasure until she covered it with clothing.
The afternoon had been a revelation. Bettina only presented one face to the world, that of the sweet, naïve young woman, but she was more than that—much, much more. He did not know how he could keep their passionate relationship a secret since he wanted to tell the whole world about it. That was her wish, however, and he would keep his promise. He had a feeling that he would be obeying Bettina's wishes a lot from now on. Outwardly, he was big, muscular, and very, very manly, but inside…
I must take care not to become a slave, he thought, laughing inwardly.
22
Many Discussions
It took only a few days for the news of Kendrick's reprehensible conduct to reach Gavin Ingram and when it did, he was furious but relieved that the Dundas family had been spared his treachery. He was given the news from Laird McColl who was paying him a flying overnight visit on his way to Glasgow.
"He was followed all the way from Mull by his wife!" the Laird exclaimed, his voice furious. "A woman nobody even knew about. She must be quite a determined lady if she put as much effort as that into finding that wastrel."
Gavin poured each of them a tankard of ale. "I knew he was married," he said heavily, "but he never spoke of it, so neither did I. I met her by accident, otherwise she would still be unknown to me too."
"My God!" Liam McColl nearly spat out his beer in indignation. "How bloody low can that - I cannot call him a man - how low can that creature stoop?"
Gavin shook his head. "He is a loathsome specimen of humanity, Liam, but I firmly believe that he will get his comeuppance. People like him always do and it is not usually too pleasant."
