Her father leaned back in his chair, a wide grin splitting his handsome face. "At a loss fer words, lad? 'Tis a wel come change." Alasdair chortled.
Ali was tempted to smack him.
Rory took a deep swal ow from the goblet of whiskey her aunt had pressed into his hands midway through Ali's halting explanation. He lifted his gaze to hers. "So, yer Brianna's twin, then?"
Ali nodded. She looked down at her hands, the crimson velvet twisted through her fingers. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, too afraid of what she'd see there.
"Aye, and now yer free of any guilt ye may have had fer takin' Aileanna from her time. In truth, ye brought her back to us, and we must thank ye fer that," her aunt said in an obvious attempt to relieve the tension in the room. Ali held her breath when her father began to mutter about it being because of the MacLeods she'd been stolen away in the first place. But it didn't appear as if Rory even heard him. He sat, deep in thought. As the silence dragged on, the knots in Ali's stomach twisted.
"Alasdair," Fiona said, jerking her chin at Rory, a determined look in her eyes.
Her father left his seat to pace in front of the hearth. Coming to an abrupt halt near Rory's chair, he shot Fiona a disgruntled look. "It appears, MacLeod, that I have no choice but to give ye my daughter's hand in marriage. If no' fer the bairn she carries, I can tel ye I'd no' let ye near her. I've arranged fer the priest to be here on the morrow."
Rory scrubbed his hands over his face, shaking his head. "Ye ken as wel as I do, Alasdair, I canna' marry Bri anna's sister."
Ali's heart squeezed. She couldn't breathe, her worst fears confirmed. Now that he knew who she was, Rory didn't want her. She choked back a sob. Tears streamed unchecked down her face.
"Aileanna, what is it?" Rory came to her side and gently wiped the moisture from her cheeks.
"You don . . . don't want to mar . . . marry me anymore,"
she sobbed.
With a tender smile, he took her hands in his. "You doona' understand, mo chridhe. 'Tis no'--"
"It's because I'm Brianna's sister." She hiccupped. "You can't love me because . . . because I'm her sister." Heart broken, Ali cried al the harder.
"Shh, yer goin' to make yerself sick, love. Look at me."
He cupped her face between his roughened palms. "There is nothin' in this world that would make me stop lovin'you, mo chridhe. You misunderstood me. 'Twas marryin'you before a priest that I was speakin' aboot."
Ali swiped at her tears. He loved her. The knots in her stomach loosened ever so slightly. "You don't want a priest to marry us?"
He arched a brow. His deep chuckle rumbled over her.
"As I remember it, you were no' plannin' on marryin' me in the first place." He tilted his head to look at her. "Are you tel in' me you've changed yer mind?"
She sniffed, then nodded. The thought of losing Rory overrode any of her sil y sensibilities, and they were sil y when she considered how much she loved this man. He stood and pul ed her up along with him. Wrapping her in his arms, he held her close. "Then we're as good as wed," he proclaimed with a grin.
"What?" she squeaked, easing out of his arms.
"Aileanna, because yer Brianna's sister, a priest wil na'marry us until I get dispensation from the pope. If 'tis important to you, I wil , but 'twil take some time. I ken this may sound odd to you, but al it takes for us to be legal y wed is fer us to agree that we are. We have witnesses." He nodded toward her father and her aunt. "Although even that is no' necessary. This one, here"--he flattened his palm to her stomach, a heated look in his eyes--"is the only one we truly need."
Ali drew her gaze to Alasdair and Fiona, who stood together a few feet away. "Is this true?"
Her aunt gave her a watery smile. "Aye, 'tis how many are wed in the highlands, poppet. 'Tis legal."
Her father's mouth opened as though he planned to argue the point, grunting when Fiona elbowed him. He turned on her aunt. "Woman, what has gotten into ye?" He rubbed hisstomach then looked at Ali, his expression softening. "Aye, my pet, yer now wed to . . . to him."
"Oh." She looked up at Rory. "We're married?"
Rory laughed. "Aye." He turned to her father and aunt.
"And if ye doona' mind, I'm takin' my wife to her chambers. She needs her rest." With that said, he swung Ali into his arms and strode from the salon, leaving her aunt chuckling and her father sputtering behind them.
"I have a feelin' I'l pay fer that on the morrow," Rory said wryly. "Where's yer chambers, love?"
"In the East Wing, fourth door on the left." Ali waved her hand in the direction of her room. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she snuggled closer.
Rory groaned.
She lifted her head. "Am I too heavy?"
He snorted. "Nay, yer room is too far." He quieted her response with a hard kiss that had her squirming in his arms. Breaking their kiss at the sound of feminine giggles, Rory growled at the two young maids. The girls squealed and ran in the opposite direction. Ali laughed. "You're fierce, Lord MacLeod."
"Aye, and you best remember it. Now, please, tel me this is yer room."
She looked up. "It is."
"Thank God. You'l have to open the door. My hands are ful at the moment."
Ali rol ed her eyes and lifted the latch. Once they were inside, Rory kicked the door closed. He laid her on the bed, stretching out beside her. His eyes drifted shut, and he released a contented sigh. Ali raised herself up on her elbow and pressed her palm to the dark shadow that lined his jaw. "You're exhausted."
He brought her hand to his lips. "Aye." Rol ing onto his side, he nudged her onto her back. "But I'd have to be dead no' to be able to show you how much I missed you."
She trailed the tips of her fingers along his cheek. "I think you should let me take care of you, Lord MacLeod. After al , I am the doctor in the family, and I know just what you need."
Rory grinned. "You do, do you?" His expression turned serious. "Aileanna, yer al I'l ever need. I love you." He slid his lips back and forth over hers, then kissed her thoroughly, deeply, in a slow and possessive kiss. He cradled her head with one hand while the other traced along the edge of her necklace.
Ali sucked in a ragged breath when feather-light fingers dipped beneath the neckline of her gown, stroking her breasts. He lifted his mouth from hers. "I think 'tis time to rid you of some clothes." His voice was deep and husky. Placing a palm on his chest, Ali pushed him onto his back. Coming up on her knees, she knelt beside him.
"Funny, that's exactly what I was thinking."
Ali leaned over and tugged the soft leather boots from his feet, tossing them beside the bed. She ran her hand up his leg, over his hip, stroking him beneath the waistband of his pants. The hard muscles of his stomach rippled. Ali pushed his shirt aside, dipping her head to trail her tongue over his lightly bronzed skin. Rory sucked in a harsh breath. "Doona' tease me, love. I've been too long without you."
He didn't look amused when Ali chuckled. "Patience, my lord," she said as she tugged his pants over his hips, raising a brow at his lack of underwear. Seeing her expression, Rory shrugged. "'Twas bad enough I had to borrow his trews and tunic. I bloody wel wasna' goin' to borrow the old goat's braies."
Ali fought back a smile. "Rory, that's my father you're referring to."
"Aye, doona' remind me," he grumbled, raising his hips so Ali could relieve him of his pants while he shrugged out of his shirt. His powerful, naked body, golden skin stretched tight over rippling muscles, was a feast for the eyes. A feast she was only too happy to partake of. Ali ran the tip of her finger along his jutting erection. His long, thick shaft twitched, and he groaned. "The priest was right--yer a witch," he growled.
"Hey." She twined her fingers in his chest hair and tugged lightly.
"Rough, too, but I like it." Rory grinned. Reaching for her, he hauled her within easy reach of his nimble fingers and unclasped her necklace, tossing it on the bedside table. He worked at the hooks of her gown. Seconds later, he had her bared t
o the waist. "You must have had a lot of practice to be able to get me out . . . ah." She moaned when he reached up to cup her breasts, sucking one nipple and then the other into his hot, wet mouth.
She let out a startled cry when he tossed her onto her back. He lifted his head and winced. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you, love?"
Ali slowly shook her head from side to side, as anxious for him to be rid of her clothes as he was. Rory tugged her gown over her hips, then froze. Searching her face, he shoved his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry, Aileanna--the bairn, I forgot."
He caressed her bel y, then dipped his head to drop a soft kiss there. The muscles in her stomach contracted. Her core grew slick and hot with need. With one last gentle pat to her bel y, he dropped onto his back, an arm over his eyes, his breathing ragged.
Ali struggled out of the rest of her clothes and came onto her knees beside him. She lifted his arm from his eyes. He cracked one eye open. "You can't be serious?"
she muttered.
"I doona' want to hurt you or the bairn. We can't . . ." He waved his hand at their naked bodies.
His eyes widened when Ali straddled him. She brought her face within inches of his. "Rory MacLeod, I am strong and healthy. So is our baby. Trust me--not making love to me at this moment is much more harmful to my health, and that is definitely not good for the baby."
His eyes searched hers. A slow smile curved his ful lips. "We canna' have that, now can we?" He threaded his fingers through her hair and brought her mouth to his. "Yer certain?"
"Positive," she murmured before she nibbled the corner of his mouth, sweeping the tip of her tongue over his lips, tasting the smooth, rich flavor of whiskey. She delved inside the moist heat to thrust and parry with his tongue. With her kiss, she showed him how much she loved him, how much she needed him. Rory groaned and wrapped her in his arms. "You canna'ken how much I've missed you, missed this."
Ali blinked back tears. She didn't want to cry, not now. Raw emotions simmered too close to the surface, and she could only nod her agreement.
She eased out of his arms. "Now it's my turn to take care of you." Her voice deepened with desire. Rory's eyes darkened. "Whatever you say, my love."
His long, hard erection jerked against her. Ali leaned forward with her hands pressed to his broad chest and slid up and down his shaft.
"Ride me." His thick brogue grew more pronounced. Ali wrapped her hand around his pulsating shaft and guided it to where she was throbbing and needy. She lowered herself slowly. Taking him inside her, her sheath embraced him. He arched his hips, fil ing her to the hilt. She rode him, panting, groaning when he kneaded her breasts with his big, rough hands. He pul ed her down to him, drawing her nipple into his mouth. He suckled hard.
She opened her eyes. He devoured her with his, her love and passion reflected back at her.
"Come fer me, Aileanna." His voice was thick with desire. She leaned back, her fingers digging into his strong, muscular thighs. He plunged in and out of her, stroking her nub with his talented fingers. He seared her with his touch, branding her as his. Ali felt the intensity building at the center of her core and shuddered as the sensations washed over her. She shattered at the same time as Rory let out a low, guttural groan and came inside her. Later, lying spent in Rory's arms, she brushed the pad of her thumb across the ful bottom lip of a mouth that had brought her to unbelievable heights only moments before. He smiled and dropped a kiss on her forehead. He tugged a silver band from his baby finger and brought her left hand to his mouth. Rory kissed the tip of each of her fingers before sliding the ring onto her fourth one.
"It's beautiful," she said, admiring the intricate markings on the thick silver band. "Was . . . was it Brianna's?"
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She wished it didn't matter to her, but it did. "What are you doing?" she protested when he slipped the ring from her finger.
"I had the ring made before I went to Lewis, Aileanna. Can you see the etchin' on the inside of the band?" His voice was gruff. He held the ring so it gleamed in the moonlight, tilting the band so she could see the engraving. She squinted. "I can't read it."
"It says, 'you and no other'." He slid the ring back on her finger. "There is no other fer me, Aileanna, but you. Yer sister and I married, as most do in my time, fer the betterment of the clan. I did love her. But no' like I love you. At one time it scared me how strong my love fer you was, but no longer. I ken I'm no' my father."
"I'm sorry, Rory. I don't mean to be jealous." She brushed her lips along the underside of his jaw. "Maybe it's time to let go of our ghosts and concentrate on our life to gether, our love for one another."
He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Aye, on us and the little one."
She entwined her fingers with his. "Are you happy about the baby?"
He smiled. Leaning over her, he nuzzled her stomach before he lifted his eyes back to hers. "In truth, I've never been happier than I am now. You and the bairn wil want fer nothin'."
"If we have you, we won't need anything else."
"You have me, Aileanna, al of me--heart, body, and soul."
EpilogueAli eased her son's flailing arm through the sleeve of the long, white, lacy gown and kissed his little rosebud mouth before he let out a lusty wail.
She glanced over to Rory as he closed the door to their room. He released a long-suffering sigh, a tortured look on his gorgeous face. She bit back a grin.
"Doona' you laugh, yer no' the one who has to put up with him. Please tel me he's leavin' after the bairns'christenin'."
Ali heard the rustling in the cradle and said, "Bring me Jamie, Rory. Alex is ready." She held the baby up for his father's inspection.
"Aye, he looks charmin' in his wee gown." Rory shook his head while he fingered the lace. He pressed his lips to Alex's inky black curls, then gave Ali a mind-numbing kiss until the baby squawked in protest. Rory grinned. "Ye have the look of me, laddie, but ye have the temper of the old goat down below, and yer mother."
He gave Ali a playful slap on the behind as he walked over to the cradle and lifted Jamie into his arms. "And yer as bonny as yer mother with yer father's easygoing temperament." He kissed his son's cheek and laid him on the bed beside his brother.
Ali rol ed her eyes, then began to dress Jamie.
"Hurry up now. If we're quick with the celebratin' we'l have them on their way while it's stil light," Rory urged impatiently.
"That's not very nice. He's my father."
"Aileanna, I'm no' jokin'. The man wil make me daft if he's here much longer. And you ken I love yer aunt, but she's always flittin' aboot and I'm no' gettin' enough time alone with you."
Ali arched a brow. "I seem to recal last night we had quite a bit of time alone."
He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Aye." His voice was deep and husky. "But I'm a verra greedy mon, with an insatiable appetite fer my bonny wife."
"Just like your sons." She hummed in pleasure when he nuzzled her neck.
"Please, mo chridhe, promise me you'l send them home." His heated breath caressed her ear.
"I'l --" Ali didn't get a chance to finish what she was about to say. Her father barged into the room fol owed by her aunt, Mrs. Mac, Fergus, and Iain.
"Can ye no' leave my daughter alone long enough to get the bairns ready?"
"Aileanna," Rory growled in her ear.
"The boys are ready. Look at them--aren't they adorable?" Mrs. Mac and her aunt al but shoved her aside to get to the babies, oohing and aahing over them. Before Ali could get out another word, the two women made off with Alex and Jamie. The three men fol owed close behind and ordered the women to have a care, instructing them on how they should be holding the babies. Ali turned in her husband's arms. Threading her fingers through his thick, black hair, she tugged his mouth down to hers. "See, there are some benefits to keeping them around," she said against his lips.
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