by K. E. Saxon
“Good.” Good? She sounded like an idiot. But, ‘twas truth, she was still in a fog from the unexpected caress he’d given to her mouth. And disappointed, as well, that he’d not kissed her again. Hmm. Was it proper for a wife to give a husband a kiss? She shrugged. Ah, well, it mattered not, for in any case, she was not ready to be so bold.
*
After entering the great hall and settling on the stools by the fire, Daniel told her, “We will need to leave for the Maclean holding no later than day after next, but I would prefer to leave as early as the morrow, if you are rested enough to travel so soon.”
“Be at ease,” she replied, “I am quite fit to begin the return journey on the morrow, if you so wish.” Her brows drew together as she made a study of her hands. Worry was a heavy weight in her chest. “I must tell you, however, I do not think it right to leave this holding without first being properly introduced to your clan. I fear that they think you are ashamed of me, of this union. It surely cannot help my future relations with them if they believe they have been abandoned by you due to a duty you abhor.”
Leaning forward, he took hold of her hands, soothing them with his thumbs. “I confess, I had not thought of that possibility before now, but I see the truth in your words.” He took in a deep breath and released it on a sigh. “I had wanted to toast you last eve,” he explained, “but I worried that I would only increase your unease.”
Seeing the tender regard in her husband’s eyes, Maryn gave him a soft smile. “You are right, it no doubt would have. Tho’ I am sure some of my unease was due to my weariness. Now, I assure you, I am quite prepared to meet your clan.”
Daniel beamed at her. “I shall gather them together for an introduction, then. Be ready in an hour’s time.” With that said he quickly departed, leaving Maryn to wonder what he had in mind. Her spirits lifted as she thought of leaving this holding behind, for her husband would have no contact with the lady Jesslyn during the time they were away from here. And though he’d assured her that he was not enamored of the alluring, fair-haired widow, ‘twould ease Maryn’s mind to be far from that woman’s company, far from the worry of her continued enticement. And then, mayhap, Daniel might just fall in love with her, his wife. Would that not be wonderful?
*
Maryn spent the time after her ablutions pacing her bedchamber tormented by thoughts of the type of reception she would receive from the MacLaurins. What if they resented her for being the reason that Daniel broke his betrothal to Jesslyn?
Startled by the sound of the door flying open, she spun around. “Godamercy, you surprised me with that entrance.”
He leaned against the doorframe with a smile that held heat and her knees turned to liquid. His eyes did a slow, admiring scan of her frame sending an answering fire, like molten silver, through her veins. “Pardon, ‘twas not my intent to frighten you,” he said at last. Straightening, he held out his hand to her. “Are you ready to meet your clanspeople, then, Lady MacLaurin?”
Maryn gave him a shaky nod and moved towards him. My, but he was a handsome devil. How was she ever to resist the temptation? Nay, she would not give in to her growing desire until she was sure of his feelings for her, sure that he was not deceiving her about his commitment to this marriage while he continued to pine for his lost lady love.
With her hand tucked snugly in the crook of his arm, she was escorted down to the steps of the keep.
As the heavy, arched door shut behind her, Maryn stared out at the crowd gathered in the courtyard and her heart leapt into her throat. Godamercy! There were so many of them! Much more than had been at the feast the eve before. She scooted closer to her husband.
Her husband released the death grip she had on his sleeve and cradled her hand in his own, giving her a reassuring smile. Then he began to speak. He informed his clan that his lieutenant would be in charge of defending the MacLaurin holding and that his steward would be in charge of all other matters until the contract had been fulfilled.
“Although you may have heard that my marriage was part of the agreement I made with the Macleans, I wish for you all to be aware that Maryn Donald was my choice as well. I am pleased with this union and desire that all of you join together to welcome my bride, the new Lady MacLaurin, to our clan.”
A cacophonous cheer filled the air.
Maryn dipped her head in courtesy, filled with sublime happiness at her husband’s words and that she’d so roundly been accepted by his clan. Much of the nagging anxiety she’d been feeling regarding the widow fell away, as her love for him gained more depth. Twining her fingers through his, she lifted her gaze to his and gave him a smile. Oh, you’ve got me now, husband, and I shall not rest until I have your heart as well.
She’d clearly piqued her husband’s curiosity with her show of affection, but she’d pleased him as well she could tell, for he reacted by returning the smile and giving her hand a light squeeze.
She blushed with pleasure.
He grinned, dropping his gaze to her lips, which made her think he wanted to kiss her.
They both waved farewell to the people in the courtyard and then re-entered the keep.
CHAPTER 6
The party left early the next morn for the Maclean holding. Much to Maryn’s surprise and dismay, Jesslyn MacCreary and her son journeyed with them as well, deepening Maryn’s doubts regarding her husband’s feelings for the widow.
An hour into the journey, Alleck asked to ride with the soldiers that traveled a bit behind them and Daniel approved the request, leaving Jesslyn to ride with Daniel and Maryn in front, behind the scouts. ‘Twas not long before the two friends began speaking of past events and other things that Maryn knew naught about. After a time, she slowed her pace and allowed Daniel and Jesslyn to drift ahead of her as she brooded further on the nature of the bond the two shared.
Was it love or only friendship he felt for the widow? By his behavior, she knew not. For, if ‘twas not love he harbored for the lady, why, then, now was he paying no heed to his wife?
Maryn’s brow furrowed as she worried her lip with her teeth. But if ‘twas love he harbored for the lady Jesslyn, why, then, upon waking, would he have kissed her own mouth for such long minutes? Her breath hitched. What if Daniel wanted both of them? Expected to initiate his bride in the ways of the marriage bed and continue his dalliance with the widow?
On the heels of that dreadful thought came an even more terrible one: He needed an heir. He was young, strong, and clearly had a hearty appetite for female flesh. Mayhap, he held no affection for her at all. Mayhap he only intended to get his heir from her. She stared hard at the two up ahead and died a little inside when Daniel chuckled at something the widow said and sent a warm grin her direction. Aye, he had disengaged from their embrace rather quickly this morn. More quickly than she had desired, in fact. And then he’d cheerfully told her they must rise and be on their way, with not an ounce of seeming regret and with not a word to her that his former betrothed would be journeying with them as well. Oh, Papa! What have you done? What have I done?
Swiveling around, Daniel said to her, “We will be stopping just ahead to rest awhile and have our nooning meal.” He slowed his horse and waited for her to ride up beside him. “Are you well, sweetheart? You’ve grown a bit pale.”
Maryn gave a mental growl. Now he is solicitous again. Did he care for her or was it pretense? And why must his warm eyes and deep, velvet voice make her limbs quiver? “Aye, I’m fine. Tho’ I will be glad for the rest.”
Once the others had settled on blankets under a tree several yards away from where she and Daniel stood by the horses, Maryn asked in low tones, “Why are the lady Jesslyn and her son traveling with us, Daniel? And why did you not tell me they would be doing so?”
Daniel lifted his hand to her cheek. “Her—”
She jerked away.
He heaved a sigh. “Her son needs a father and she needs the security a husband affords. I’ve brought her with us so that she might meet men from both th
e Maclean and the Donald clans worthy of her troth.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. “I thought of the plan just before the assembly last eve,” he continued, “and immediately acted upon it. And with the hastily prepared farewell feast that followed, there was simply no time for me to speak with you about it last night.” His eyes warmed, softened and his lips turned up in a smile. His voice was like a caress when he said, “Nor this morn, if you recall.”
The heat of her instant blush burned her cheeks in the same time her knees went wobbly. Is this attraction or merely seduction?
“Jesslyn and Alleck are my responsibility,” he said, “and I must do what is best for them.”
The mention of the widow’s name brought the strength back to her knees and the ire back to her heart. Maryn narrowed her eyes at him. “The woman has been at your side the entire morn, in the place reserved for your wife. Do you not ken how that might trouble me?”
A light of understanding came into his green eyes. “‘Twas never my intent to exclude you, nor to hurt you. I swear it.”
Mayhap, she thought, he is only dull-witted in regard to women, as men so often were, and not devious. She relaxed her stance and lifted one shoulder in a small shrug.
He brought his hand to her cheek and caressed her still-heated flesh with the pads of his fingers, and this time, she allowed it. “I simply thought you were a bit tired. We started out so early this morn and you were not given much time to rest after your last journey before we departed on this one.”
Aye, dull-witted, not devious. She gave him a slow nod and placed her hand over his, pressing her cheek into his palm. After a moment, she turned and took an apple out of the pouch hanging from her saddle. “I wish to give my mare a treat. I shall…I shall meet you under the tree in a few moments.”
She felt him hesitate behind her, as if he wanted to decline her request, but finally he said, “All right.” She heard him turn, heard the soft tread of his footfalls as he strode over to where the others were sitting, already having their meal.
She took a few bites of the fruit and handed the remainder to Fia as she pressed her forehead against her mare’s side for a brief moment. Then, straightening, she heaved in a deep breath. No matter Daniel’s reasons, she still was not pleased that the lady Jesslyn would be so close at hand, for she continued to be plagued by the suspicion that her husband and the widow were, or at least had been lovers.
The lad Alleck ran up just then, scattering her thoughts as he skidded to a halt beside her. “What’s your mare’s name? Can I stroke her?”
Maryn regarded the bright-eyed lad with some amusement and could not resist the urge to brush her fingers over his cheek. “Her name is Fia. She can be very fussy about whom she allows to touch her, but if you are careful, you may certainly try to do so.”
This was all the encouragement the lad needed, for he swiftly maneuvered himself between her and Fia. Maryn chuckled. The lively bairn reminded her so much of herself at the same age.
He was too small to reach Fia’s nose and neck, so Maryn aided his cause by lifting him in her arms, while giving her mare a word of encouragement. She was pleased when Fia allowed the lad’s attentions.
Maryn had been surprised to learn that Alleck was the lady Jesslyn’s bairn. She remembered that Daniel had mentioned the existence of a son during their discussion this day past, but she’d been so intent on the subject of their conversation that she had not registered that bit of information until she’d seen Alleck and Jesslyn this morn preparing to leave with them.
Now that Maryn had the chance to study Alleck, she could see the strong resemblance between him and his mother. She wondered what Alleck’s father’s looks had been like, but let go of that thought when she turned her gaze toward the tree her husband sat under. Jesslyn was leaning over his lap, and Daniel was feeding her! Fury bubbled up like so much stew on a fire. One hand shot to her hip. ‘Twas time and past she began to hinder any further displays of affection between the two.
After setting Alleck back on his feet, she walked over to the blanket where the two of them sat and nudged her way between.
*
Daniel’s smile turned to a frown of confusion when he saw the annoyed glare she’d settled on the bannock cake in his hand—the one he’d shared with Jesslyn. He gave himself a mental kick. ‘Twas becoming increasingly clear that his bond to his old friend must lessen. But he would not give up his friendship to her completely—as he was beginning to believe Maryn wanted him to do. Nay, he and Jesslyn had been friends for too many years.
When his bride reached over his lap to grab one of the cakes from the basket, a whiff of honeysuckle filled his head and a sexual reflex made him ensnare the thick bronze curl pooled on his thigh. Against tradition, she’d left her hair unbound again, reminding him of how luxuriant it felt—she felt—against his chest during the night. His sex stirred and he tugged the curl to get her attention.
She swung her gaze to his and gave him a shy smile before settling beside him once more and offering him a portion of the bannock cake.
Daniel shook his head, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “My hunger is for something much more rare and exotic and ‘tis driving me mad with impatience for its receipt.”
Maryn’s heart leapt in her chest as she gaped at him. The tips of her breasts tightened against her chemise and she blushed from head to toe when his eyes dipped and scanned them hungrily. Horrified, she turned away, unable to meet his gaze again as she ate her meal. When she heard him chuckle at her reaction, her cheeks flamed even hotter. But it wasn’t long before she realized he’d lifted her spirits as well.
*
Once everyone had eaten, the party gathered their supplies and continued the journey. This time, Daniel noticed with amusement, his bride made certain she kept her mount between him and Jesslyn.
He shot a glance in his friend’s direction. She’d been awfully restrained and quiet since their nooning meal. Mayhap her thoughts were on Graeme, as they so often were. With a mental shrug and a quick look at his bride, he decided it best to leave Jesslyn to her ruminations.
They made camp late that evening near a loch. As his bride dismounted, the wind blew the hood of her cloak off her head and sent the heavy hem of the garment high in the air. “Oh!” she exclaimed, grappling madly with the wayward material. “I pray it does not rain this eve,” she said, turning a worried look on him.
He shook his head and gazed about. “Nay, ‘twill not.”
She shrugged, still trying to straighten her clothing.
He grinned. Adorable. Stepping forward, he took the opportunity to touch her, making a show of aiding her to smooth and align the garment once more. In seconds, her breath increased and her skin flushed. Daniel bit back a another grin. His ploy at slow seduction was working well.
“I…I believe the thing is well-placed once more,” she said finally. “My thanks.”
With effort, he dropped his hands to his sides and took a step back. ‘Twould not do for her to ken his purpose so soon in this game.
*
Later, as Maryn strolled along the edge of the loch looking for a bit of privacy to cleanse herself, she began to seriously question her decision to travel so soon. She had believed herself prepared for the arduous journey, but her thighs, buttocks, and back were aching so badly now and her gait so stiff that she decided she’d been a bit too certain of her own strength when she’d agreed to such a hasty return home. And oh, how she avidly longed for a hot bath to soak in just now, but she’d not see that luxury again until they’d arrived at the Maclean holding.
Finding a private inlet with juniper bushes lining the area, Maryn decided this was as private a place as she was likely to find and quickly discarded her gown. She kept her linen chemise on and knelt down at the edge of the water to begin washing her face and limbs.
“I see you’ve found the best place to bathe as well.”
Maryn started, whipping her head around. A tight knot formed in her ne
ck as her heart plummeted into her stomach. The lady Jesslyn “Aye, so it seems.”
“Do you mind if I bathe here also?”
“Nay. As you said, ‘tis the best place.”
The widow kneeled down beside her and washed the road dust off and then waited as Maryn pulled her gown back on. “You and Daniel seem to be compatible,” she said after a moment. ‘Tis lucky, that.”
That gave her pause. “Aye,” Maryn replied. What was this about?
“I remember, when I was first wed to Graeme, how frightened I was of the marriage bed. I was sure I would not please him; that he would find me lacking in some way. Clearly, you have had no such qualms.”
Maryn shot a glance at her, noticed the probing gaze she gave her. Her heart leapt and began to thud against her breastbone. Had Daniel confided in the lovely widow about their arrangement? Nay, surely not, else she’d not need to probe. “Hmm,” she replied at last with a nod.
“Of course, once I’d shared myself with my husband, ‘twas apparent that I had pleased him and all my worries on that score fled for good.”
Aye, that was what troubled Maryn. Who would not be pleased with the lovely widow? And if Daniel had, in fact, bedded her? Well, Maryn had little doubt that she herself would pale in comparison. “I’m sure your husband was glad you overcame your fears, then.”
With a smile, the lady replied, “Aye—aye, he was.”
They walked the rest of the way to camp in an awkward silence.
*
An hour later, Maryn sat on her blanket by the fire combing her hair. The soldiers were camped a bit further away and Jesslyn had taken a protesting Alleck to bathe at the loch a few minutes past, giving Daniel and Maryn some much-needed privacy.
Daniel handed Maryn an apple and some cheese. “After this, ‘twill be oat cakes, I fear, so enjoy this while it lasts.”
Maryn took the proffered meal and happily chewed. That would be the worst part of the journey. Even worse than the sore muscles and the dusty film that covered her. Oat cakes were fine to fill a void, but they never were enough to actually satisfy her hunger, so she stayed in a constant state of famishment.
