The Faithful Heart

by MacMurrough, Sorcha

  Had he found her repellent? Or had he taken his aunt's vogorous scolding to heart?

  The clean crisp summer breeze had filled her mind and body with a wonderful feeling of wellness for the first time since she had learned of her father's illness. At the top of the stairs, she paused, and turned right instead of left. She climbed up onto one of the parapets, and tapped Ruairc on the shoulder.

  “Ruairc, about your suggestion, to spend the day together I mean.”

  “Yes?” Ruairc prompted gently, when Morgana broke off to look at the ground and blushed crimson.

  “Would tomorrow be convenient?” she asked quietly.

  Ruairc smiled. “Most certainly. I shall see you at dawn.”

  Morgana turned to flee, but Ruairc held her fast by the arm, and pulled her to face him. He cupped her chin with the long, strong fingers of one hand and said, “You have nothing to fear, you know that. Trust me?”

  Morgana gazed up into his emerald eyes and nodded as she finally let out her breath with a gasp. “I do trust you, I just don’t want to disappoint you,” Morgana admitted.

  “You could never do that, a stor,” Ruairc declared, before kissing her passionately.

  At length he lifted his lips. “I can’t wait until tomorrow!”

  She put her hands up to her throbbing lips. He had never kissed her like that before. “Nor can I, Ruaric," she said truthfully.

  With a final caressing pat on her shoulder, he went to supervise the changing of the guard.

  Well, at least she had her answer. He desired her more than ever, it was plain to see from his response to her suggestion. He had loved her enough not to put any pressure on her, to allow her to come to him in her own time.

  Except now that she had, she had no idea what to do next.

  Morgana spent the rest of the day and night nervously wondering what she should do, what she should wear.

  But in the end, all her fears proved groundless, for as Ruairc had reminded her over and over again, they had always had a great deal in common from the time they were young.

  From dawn until dusk the following day, Morgana and Ruairc worked side by side tending the animals, getting the meals, and seeing to the crewmen, who were now able to come up and down the stairs for their meals and helped around the village. Some were even well enough to work in the fields and go out to hunt. Morgana was optimistic that despite all the setbacks, in time her clan would be even stronger than it had been in the past.

  Ruairc had set the men able to return to service some drilling and target practice with the guns and pikes they were producing continuously in the blacksmith’s forge. Many also helped with salting and curing meat and fish for the castle in preparation for a siege.

  Morgana went though her usual chores throughout the day, but always Ruairc was by her side. He did everything she did willingly, without complaint. She noticed with relief that with the exception of Mary, most seemed to accept Ruairc’s presence in the castle as completely natural.

  In the evening she sat in her study going over the books for Lisleavan.

  “I can’t believe this is the same impoverished estate I arrived at two months ago. The animals, the lambs, wool, stores, you’ve prospered in everything you’ve done. I'm very proud of you, a stor.”

  “I did have money and help from the O’Donnells,” Morgana pointed out, though she was inwardly delighted with Ruairc’s praise.

  “And you’ve kept us out of the usual hostilities the summer campaign season brings by trading with the other neighbouring families, and coming to an agreement with the O’Neills about tanning their hides and shipping them. Very impressive.”

  “We will need as many allies as we can if your brothers or the O’Reillys decide to attack. It was a small price to pay, and Con Bacagh O’Neill isn’t as much of a monster as everyone says.”

  “I think it was your womanly charm that won him over, my love, but you could tell he was impressed with your abilities,” Ruairc said proudly.

  “Now, it’s time for supper, and I have taken the liberty of organising a special treat, so if you will go to your room, Madame, dinner will be served shortly.”

  “But, Ruairc, I never....”

  “For tonight you shall have the luxury of a repast in the privacy of your own chamber, with me right by your side to wait on you hand and foot. No arguments. I wish to do this to show you how much I treasure you.”

  “All right, if you’re sure,” Morgana agreed at length. She strolled down the corridor to her own room, where she set up a table and two chairs, and then moved to find her chess set.

  Ruairc reappeared about ten minutes later with a huge tray bearing a succulent stew of venison and vegetables, with plenty of good wine and new bread. He served Morgana first, and then put the tray aside as he sat across from her and tasted the food.

  “Delicious, if I do say so myself,” he remarked as he chewed his forkful.

  Their conversation never halted until near the end of the meal, when there was a knock at the door. A huge tub was brought in by several of the men, and gallons of hot water were poured into it by the kitchen servers.

  “But Ruairc, the men having to go to all that trouble!” Morgana scolded, though she could see he was only trying to give her a special treat.

  “You shouldn’t have to take your bath with all the other women in the kitchen, Morgana. You are chief, after all, and with that title come certain privileges. Now, I shall turn my back and set up this chess game, and read to you if you like, while you soak in the tub.”

  “Really, Ruairc, it isn’t proper,” Morgana protested.

  Ruairc shook his head.

  “The servants won’t gossip. They like you too well for that. And if we are to be married, my treasure, you are just going to have to get used to this sort of pampered treatment, for I will not allow any wife of mine to permit anyone to see her naked except me,” Ruairc threatened playfully. “Now get into that tub, and I shall help you wash your hair and scrub your back.”

  Morgana hesitated a moment longer, but since all the hot water was already there, she decided she might as well get the benefit of the bath after all.

  She stripped off her doublet and hose, and then made sure Ruairc’s back was turned before taking off her shirt and plunging into the scalding tub.

  She lay against the back of it, and safely hidden under the soap and a clean cloth draped over the tub to keep in the steam, she began to unplait her hair.

  “Here, let me,” Ruairc offered, as he pulled the long braid of hair free of the tub, and began to loosen it. Then he took a ewer of warm water, and poured it over her auburn tresses, before picking up a thick cake of lavender-scented soap he had brought her in order to lather her hair.

  Morgana sighed contentedly as his fingers worked their magic, and she scrubbed herself idly with a sponge as she began to feel drowsy.

  Ruairc carefully poured another ewer over her hair to rinse it, carefully wiping away any suds which threatened to get in Morgana’s eyes. Then he washed and rinsed her hair all over again, before commanding, “Sit up!”

  Morgana did as she was told, and Ruairc wrapped her long hair in a towel.

  Then Ruairc scrubbed her back in long sweeping caresses with the sponge, and Morgana sighed contentedly.

  “This is wonderful,” she breathed.

  “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to wash your hair, and soap you all over. I think it’s marvellous myself,” he admitted, as he dropped the sponge and began to stroke her bare skin with his hands.His hands slipped around to the curves of her breasts, and Morgana sat up straight in the tub.

  “I’m sorry, I’m going too fast for you,” Ruairc said regretfully, as he saw her startled response and moved away from the tub.

  “Yes, no, I mean, it’s just so surprising,” Morgana sought to reassure him, when he saw the disappointment on his face.

  “No, you’re right, finish your bath in peace, but can I help you brush your hair?”

  M
organa nodded, and lay back down in the tub for a while longer, trying to quell the trembling in her limbs. The surprise had not just been his touch, but the way her body had responded to it so eagerly. She wondered if she was wanton in nature to want him so, but what woman could fail to be impressed with his handsome face, wonderful disposition, and manly attributes.

  She watched his muscles ripple with his every move as Ruairc brought her towels and her bedgown, and then turned his back as she rose from the tub. She dried herself quickly, and secured the fastenings at the front of the garment securely.

  Then she sat by the roaring fire Ruairc had built up for her, and began to comb out the tangles in her hair. Ruairc was a great help, and in the end she gave him the comb. He was able to eventually run it down the full length of her hair without tugging or pulling. Then he brought the chess set over to her, and with her hair spread out to dry they played a game by the fire.

  Morgana noticed that the easy flow of conversation between them had suddenly dried up, but oddly she did not feel nervous. Somehow, Ruairc being with her seemed completely natural, and when he moved to touch her or looked at her, she did not draw away.

  At length, Ruairc emerged victorious, and asked teasingly, “What do I get for my prize?”

  “Can we start with a kiss and see where it takes us?” Morgana suggested softly.

  Ruairc stood abruptly and pulled Morgana straight up into his arms. His mouth swooped down over hers as he kissed her deeply, until her lips parted and their tongues mingled. Morgana clung to his shoulders for support as the now familiar sensations in the pit of her stomach began to burn.

  His mouth slanted across hers, giving him fuller access to her mouth, while his hands slid down over the silky fabric of her gown until he cupped her buttocks with both hands and pressed her hard against his maleness.

  Morgana’s eyes flew wide, but she could feel herself burning with an inner fire which brooked no denial.

  “Ruairc!” Morgana gasped against his questing mouth.

  He pulled away to showered her face and throat with tender kisses.

  “I’m sorry, Morgana, if I shocked you. I can’t help it, and I won’t lie to you. I yearn for you so badly, I feel like I’m going to explode,” Ruairc confessed, as his fingers ran through her auburn locks lovingly, his cheek nuzzling hers.

  “Then love me, now, Ruairc, please?” Morgana asked, despite her fears.

  Ruairc paused for a moment, and then looked down into her violet eyes to see if she were completely sincere. The last thing he wanted was Morgana to offer herself up to him out of gratitude or pity.

  But the light that shone within her violet orbs mirrored his desire and longing too, and Ruairc sighed in relief. But he wanted to hear her tell him of her need with her own lips, so that there would be no regrets on the morrow.

  “You can still change your mind, Morgana, my love. I will understand,” Ruairc whispered, running his thumb along the curve of her lower lip, now swollen with his kisses.

  “No, I can’t,” Morgana sighed, as she caressed his face. “Not unless I wish to regret not loving you for the rest of my life. I need to know what I’ve been missing all these years I’ve denied myself, pretended I didn’t want you, when all the while my desire for you has sung in my veins.”

  Overjoyed, Ruairc swung Morgana up in his arms, and laid her down on the bed. He began to undress her slowly, lovingly, like a delicate flower coming out if its bud. As the front of her gown parted, Morgana boldly reached up to tug at his belt, and then began to undo the fastenings on his doublet. In the candlelight, they watched each other longingly, as gradually their bodies became fully revealed.

  Morgana answered the unspoken question with another assent, as Ruairc stripped away the last of his own clothes, and lay down beside her, and soon he felt her silken limbs entwine around him, sending his senses reeling.

  “Morgana, I would be gentle and patient with you,” Ruairc groaned as she kissed him back with a passionate abandon he had only dared suspect might lurk under her calm surface, “but you are making it difficult for me to hold back.”

  “I have promised all of myself to you, without fear or restraint,” Morgana sighed, planting kisses up and down his neck and chest.

  He nearly fainted as her hand moved up to cover him, and for the first time she pulled away and blushed, though eventually she glanced downwards shyly.

  “It’s impossible,” she breathed, wide-eyed.

  “It will be impossible for me to control myself if you do that again, but no, it is fully possible, with patience, and some coaxing. Do you trust me?” Ruairc asked earnestly.

  Morgana nodded and answered with complete honesty, “I do trust you. You have never willingly hurt me, Ruairc. I know you will be gentle.”

  “You’re not afraid?’ Ruairc murmured against her rosebud lips.

  “Nay, though I’m convinced I’m on fire.” She smiled pertly, and Ruairc’s heart turned over.

  “I love you, Morgana, always.”

  “And I you, Ruairc. God help me, but I’ve never stopped loving you, even when I tried to tell myself I hated you,” Morgana confessed candidly.

  “Hate is very close to love, my dearest girl. I’ve hated you for all the nights you’ve made me sleep alone without you by my side, convulsed in an agony of unsatisfied desire. But all you have to do is smile at me or say my name, and I fall in love with you all over again,” Ruairc said, his longing shimmering in his emerald green eyes.

  “Oh, Ruairc, I’m so sorry,” Morgana whispered tearfully. “I had no idea.”

  “It doesn’t matter, my love. The past is over. Tonight is the first night of our new life together.”

  Ruairc cupped her chin in his hand, and teased her mouth open until his tongue entwined with hers. Ruairc’s other hand moved between her thighs, and soon her legs parted fully, as she gave herself up completely to the incredible sensations his feathery touches could bring.

  Soon Morgana was writhing on the bed panting in a frenzy of ecstasy, and Ruairc feasted on the creamy peaks of her breasts as she arched against him and breathed his name.

  “Ruairc, please,” she begged, as her nails bit into his shoulders.

  “Not yet, my love,” Ruairc rasped, revelling in her need for him.

  Ruairc smiled as he looked down at her parted lips and flushed features, and felt a triumphant surge of joy. Never could he have believed how much she wanted him, or how much he could satisfy her. Boldly, he moved his kisses down to the soft auburn curls, and renewed the assault his fingers had started.

  Morgana made a token resistance, but lay back on the pillows against as his hand swept upwards over her body and fastened on one rosy nipple. Morgana’s shimmering auburn hair spread out over the pillow in a lustrous cascade as she rolled her head from side to side in utter abandon.

  Soon Ruairc knew he could not hold out any longer. He waited until her ragged breathing grew calmer, and moved upwards again to take her mouth in a stirring kiss.

  “Now please, Ruairc,” Morgana beseeched urgently.

  With one sure thrust he was inside her. His iron control nearly slipped as he pressed deeper into her tightness. She arched her hips to meet his with an instinct which caused him to lunge even deeper.

  “God, Morgana!” he shouted, as he cupped her buttocks and pounded into her, his climax ripping through him.

  He trembled from head to toe, and began to grow almost frightened as his pangs seemed to go on forever. He felt her tighten around him, and if anything his pleasure increased as she cried out his name and her fingernails dug into his buttocks.

  Finally they quietened, though Ruairc felt so drained he lay on top of her for several moments.

  “Lord, I’m sorry, I must be crushing you,” he murmured.

  Morgana pleaded, “No, ‘tis nothing. Please stay.”

  “Did I hurt you?” he whispered, as he brushed her tumbled tresses back from her face, and saw the tears glittering on her cheeks.

  “No
, my love, never.”

  “But you’re crying,” Ruairc insisted, kissing the tears away gently.

  “Oh, Ruairc, it was so wonderful, it was like coming home. I’ve missed you so much. Only now it’s going to make it worse. How can I ever bear for you to leave me, after knowing such joy?”