Highlander’s Unexpected Love: A Medieval Scottish Historical Highland Romance Book

by Adams, Alisa

  They looked lovingly at each other for a moment.

  "I never thought that efter Bridie there wid be onybody else for me," he said dreamily, "I cannae quite take a' this in."

  "You'd better take in quickly!" Heather said excitedly, "there is a church over there."

  Marriage in Aberdeen at that time was a slightly less formal affair than in the village. Heather and Bruce walked into the kirk and asked for the minister, who came out to meet them. He was a rotund, jovial man who seemed delighted that they were going to wed and pronounced himself ready to do it right there on the spot.

  "But',' he warned, holding a finger up. "Ye must be aware that this is an 'irregular' marriage because nae banns have been called, so ye must go tae the sheriff's office an' pay him £1 or yer marriage is not legal, ye understand?"

  "We do," they chorused.

  The minister called his wife, his adult son, and the church cleaner to be witnesses. Then he intoned the word, "I now pronounce you man and wife."

  Heather's eyes filled with tears. She had waited so long, and now at last Bruce was going to be hers. Bruce looked down into the deep brown eyes and smiled, remembering his first wedding, which seemed so long ago now. He put one soft kiss on her lips and his gaze was infinitely loving.

  They thanked the minister and paid him a few shillings for the service, then walked their horses the short distance to the sheriff's office and paid the £1. The sheriff told them it was the fine for an irregular marriage, which made them both laugh.

  "So, we're criminals now?" Heather asked.

  "I dinnae think so, but I dinnae care either." Bruce laughed. He stuck out his hand. "Nice tae meet ye, Mistress Ferguson."

  "And you, husband," Heather replied playfully, giving it a firm shake.

  "It's gaun' tae be cauld," Bruce observed, "so we had best find somewhere tae stay wi' a warm breakfast, an' a warm fire." Then he looked at her mischievously. "An' a warm bed!"

  Heather laid her head on his shoulder for a moment then they went to find an inn. They did not have to go far before they found The Lucky Horseshoe Inn.

  "Very appropriate for a wedding day and a blacksmith." Heather laughed. "It's a good sign!"

  They were shown to a small room just underneath the eaves, but just before they went inside, Heather stopped Bruce from going any further. He looked at her quizzically.

  "You have to carry me in," she answered.

  "Why, Mistress Ferguson?" he asked.

  "Tradition," she replied, "it's bad luck not to."

  "Mair bad luck?" he muttered, but he was smiling. He shrugged, picked her up effortlessly and went inside, kicking the door shut, before laying her tenderly on the bed. He stood for a moment with his hands by his sides, grinning at her mischievously. "Whit dae I dae?" he asked.

  Heather threw back her head and laughed. "You know very well what to do!"

  His playful look disappeared, to be replaced by one of deep tenderness. "Aye, lass," he whispered, "I knaw."

  Then she welcomed him into her arms, and he took her to heaven on earth.

  26

  A Discovery

  Heather normally woke around six-thirty in the morning to wash, have breakfast, take Tommy out for a ride if it was dry, and go to the schoolroom to prepare for lessons. The housemaid usually woke her with tea at that time, but this morning when she knocked on the door, expecting to be summoned to come in, all was silent.

  Puzzled, she waited, knocked again and called out, "Mistress! Mistress Heather! I have yer tea!"

  When there was still no response she waited a while longer then went back down to the kitchen. She found Agnes, Heather's maid, sitting with the housekeeper. It was Agnes's custom to go up and help Heather to wash and dress, so she had expected to go up to her room a few moments later.

  "Miss!" The housemaid, Ella, was flustered by now. "The Mistress' door is locked. I ca'ed her but there's nae answer."

  "She might hae gone oot wi' Tommy," Agnes said briskly. "She takes these daft notions sometimes. Let us see."

  When they arrived, upstairs Agnes knocked again.

  "Mistress!" she called loudly, "are ye awake?"

  Not a sound came from inside, and Agnes pulled out the bunch of keys she kept in her pocket, selecting the one for Heather's room. She opened it and stepped inside, followed by Ella. The room was dark, but that was normal since the dawn would not arrive for a few hours yet. Ella lit a candle, and by its fitful light, they could see that the bed had not been slept in. Agnes pulled the curtains open forcefully and looked around the bedroom. Everything was as normal except for the tidy bed, but when she went to open the wardrobe her heart sank.

  Oh, Mistress Heather, she thought, whit have ye done?

  Heather's cupboards were full of ball gowns and evening wear, dainty high-heeled slippers and fine leather boots. However, the heavy furs, woolen cloaks, and practical day dresses were gone, as well as her heavy shoes and riding boots. Agnes looked in her chest of drawers and found that all the delicate, lacy underwear and silk stockings had been left behind, but her warm woolen stockings and undergarments had disappeared. Her lace and feather trimmed bonnets and hats were still there, as well as her fur muffs, but her warm woolen gloves and scarves had been taken away.

  Lastly, she went to examine Heather's jewelry box, which was always kept in a locked drawer in a locked box in her bureau. Agnes found the drawer standing open about two inches and was not surprised upon opening it to find that the jewelry box was wide open and every last ring, bracelet, and necklace had gone. She pulled the box out and looked underneath it as if she would bring it all back if she looked hard enough. Ella was behind her looking over her shoulder, stealing with her eyes the gossip she would store up for later consumption in the kitchen.

  At last, Agnes sighed and stood up. There was going to be a storm of biblical proportions in a moment and she took a deep breath, trying to prepare for it.

  "Ella," she said to the maid, "please fetch Mrs. McBride and ask her tae come at once."

  Ella scampered off to find the housekeeper, who came five minutes later. As the two most senior female staff, the ladies maid and the housekeeper wanted to see if they could prevent what they both knew would happen once the Laird found out what Heather had done. Perhaps they could find a clue to her whereabouts, or something else to help them, although Agnes could not think what that could be.

  Helen McBride and Agnes McDougall had been friends since childhood. Both of them were shrewd, level-headed ladies with an almost military eye for detail. If something was amiss, they would see it, smell it, or both. When Helen strode into the room she had a thunderous frown on her face.

  "What's amiss?" she demanded, "I wis jist daein' the orders for the week."

  Agnes sighed. "Heather's amiss," Agnes replied, "I mean quite literally. I think she's run away."

  "She cannae have run awa'!" Helen said incredulously, "I knaw she's a bit o' a madam but I dinnae think she'd dae that!"

  Agnes stepped back and extended her arm, inviting Helen to look for herself. Helen looked at the empty cupboards and drawers. She even looked under the bed but found nothing—but then she had no idea what she was looking for. She scratched her head.

  "Whit dae we dae?" she asked of Agnes.

  Agnes shrugged. "Tell the Laird," she replied, "cannae dae onythin' else.”

  "May the Good Lord have mercy on us!" Helen's voice was full of fear. "He'll be beelin'!" She gazed at her friend without seeing her.

  Agnes sighed again. She had a feeling today was going to be full of sighs.

  "D'ye no' think we should tell milady first?" Helen asked.

  "Aye," Agnes agreed, "we'll dae that. Maybe she can soften him up a bit."

  Katrine was still in bed, but fortunately, the Laird had already gone out with James.

  "Should we wake her up?" Agnes asked anxiously.

  "Aye, we should," Helen nodded.

  They tapped tentatively at Katrine's door once. Nothing happened so Agnes t
ried again.

  "Milady!" she cried, "wake up, please! We need a word wi' ye!"

  A sleepy voice answered, "Who is it?" Katrine yawned.

  "It's Mrs. McBride and Agnes, the mistress' maid," Agnes replied, crossing her fingers.

  "Come in," Katrine replied groggily, stretching. She put on a robe and stood up. "What are you bothering me about so early in the morning?"

  "I wish we didnae' have tae, milady," she answered, "but it's Mistress Heather." She took a deep breath. "She's gone."

  Katrine stared at her, frowning. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?" she demanded, frowning.

  "Ella went tae take her tea as usual and she wisnae there, milady," Helen answered, "a' her fine clothes are still there but her warm claes is missin'. I think she has left home, milady."

  The two women stood, silent and tense, while Katrine stared at them. Then she seemed to recover her wits.

  "Show me," she said urgently, "I know she is highly strung, but I cannot believe she has done anything so stupid!"

  Katrine proceeded swiftly along the corridors till she got to Heather's room. She looked around it, then opened every cupboard and every drawer, noting the one thing the servants had missed. Heather's diary was missing.

  "Did you not find a letter?" Katrine asked.

  Helen and Agnes shook their heads mutely. Katrine sat down on the bed, then put her head in her hands. Agnes disappeared to get some tea and to find Katrine's own maid, Eliza, who was not normally awake at that hour. Suddenly, Katrine seemed to snap into action.

  "I am sure she's left a letter somewhere," she said, beginning to peel sheets and blankets off the bed. "Helen, go to the parlor and dining room," she began, then turned over one of the pillows. "No, wait. There is a letter here. Can you go and wake Jessica please?"

  Katrine peeled the seal off carefully and looked at Heather's slightly tilted handwriting. She had obviously written it in a hurry because there were many blots and crossings-out. It read:

  Dear Mother and Father,

  By the time you read this, I will be married.

  Katrine gave a quick gasp and put her hand on her chest, then read on.

  I can no longer deny my feelings for the man I love, or live without him any longer. I know that neither of you will approve of him, so I have left with him to go somewhere we will be unknown, and I hope, accepted. I leave with a heavy heart, since I love you and James very much, but I love my sweetheart more than life itself. This has not been an easy decision for either of us, but I think it is the best one since I am sure neither of you wants to force me into an unhappy marriage.

  I will be back in a few months' time to introduce you to my Love. He is the best man I have ever known and I will be proud to be his wife.

  Please do not look for us, for you will not find us. Just know that I am safe, happy, and very much in love,

  Your devoted daughter,

  Heather

  P.S. Please do not question Jessica. She knows nothing of this. I have kept her deliberately ignorant. H.

  Jessica came in a moment later then Helen behind her with tea for both of them. Jessica sat down on the bed beside Katrine while Helen backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  "Good Morning, milady." Jessica smiled. "Is all well?"

  Katrine sighed and handed her the letter. "I'm afraid not," she said sadly, "she says you knew nothing of her plans. Is she telling the truth?"

  Jessica read the letter then looked at Katrine, shocked. "Yes, milady," she replied, bewildered. “I knew nothing of it."

  Her face was so full of transparent emotion that Katrine believed her at once.

  "I knew there was someone…" She shrugged, not wanting to betray Jessica or herself. She had her own welfare to think of now.

  "Do you know who it is?"

  Jessica shook her head. She was still feeling stunned. Heather and Bruce had planned all this without telling her so that she could not let anything slip. She wondered where they had gone. Aberdeen, probably, at least to get married. Then, somewhere else. Somewhere where nobody would find them. I suppose I would have done the same thing, she thought, trying not to feel hurt that she had not been let in on the secret. But if she had, she would not be able to stand up to any rigorous questioning from the Laird who was bound to fly into a fearful rage.

  It was only when she got back to her own room that she saw the letter by the side of her bed. Swiftly, she opened it.

  My Dearest Jessica,

  By now you will know that I am gone and why. I beg you to say nothing to anyone about what you know, including who my husband is. My father would probably take the position at the school away from you, so please keep quiet. You have been a good friend to me in the last few months and I love you dearly. Take care of yourself until we meet again and please destroy this as soon as you read it.

  Your dearest friend,

  Heather

  Jessica read the letter one more time then threw it into the fire where it curled, caught light, and burned to ashes in less than a minute.

  27

  Wedding Night

  Bruce was not a novice, but he felt like one as he held his second wife for the first time. Her body was soft, warm, and supple and as he buried his face in her scented hair he groaned with pleasure. She smelled so good. She slowly peeled off his shirt, breeches, and underclothes, then he took off her dress and petticoat, molding her breasts with his hands as he did so.

  "Ye're so lovely, Heather," he whispered as his lips traced a path down her earlobe to the hollow of her throat, to her collarbone.

  "So are you, sweetheart," she murmured, her hands savoring the silky texture of his skin and the hard-rubbery muscles underneath. The sheer power of him scared her a little and her eyes widened as his hand traced a path from her breasts, over her belly to the inside of her thighs.

  She gasped with pleasure at his touch and he smiled. Now it was his turn to feel the heavenly touch of Heather's hands as they moved softly against his hard chest with its light sprinkling of dark hair. He wanted her - his need was almost too much for him to bear - but he held back, wanting her to enjoy and savor every bit of her first experience of lovemaking.

  Her hands wandered down to his navel and beyond, then she pressed herself against him and felt the rasp of his body hair and the shaft of his manhood pressed between them. She cried out and he froze.

  "Am I hurting you, pet?" he asked anxiously.

  "No," she replied, smiling. "Not at all."

  And when he kissed again she could have screamed for joy at the hard, passionate pressure of his mouth against hers. She arched her body against him, demanding what she needed, and a moment later she felt an insistent pressure inside her which became a lightning bolt of pain then disappeared as soon as it began. She looked up into his eyes helplessly.

  He was gazing back at her with a slight smile on his face and she knew then a moment of the purest love she had ever experienced in her life. Then they were moving together and something wonderful and strange was taking over her body.

  "Bruce…" She shook her head slightly. "What—"

  "Shush, sweetheart," he whispered, "jist let it happen."

  She felt something beginning that was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was building, becoming stronger and stronger, feeling more and more pleasurable until it crested and wave after wave of the most delicious sensation washed over her and overwhelmed her with almost unbearable delight. She clung to Bruce as she rode the waves, not even noticing his climax until she was exhausted and lay spent beside him. He pulled her close, both of them slick with sweat.

  "I love you, Bruce," she whispered.

  "I love you too, darlin'," he said softly, stroking her silken hair and gazing at the ceiling over their heads. He thought he could see Bridie in the dim light of the winter morning. She was looking at him happily and smiling, then she blew him a kiss and disappeared into the shadows. He had never felt so elated.

  "Thank you," Heather said.
<
br />   "For what?" Bruce asked.

  "For making me feel like that."

  "I felt the same." He laughed softly. "So, thank you too."

  They lay for a while dozing and talking in whispers till they fell asleep. When Heather woke it was mid-afternoon and the fire in their room had burned down to a glowing pile of embers. She got up to put some more coal on it then came, shivering, back to bed, where she snuggled in beside her husband's warm body.

  My husband, she thought, I am Mrs. Ferguson now. I am married, and I belong to this man who has just made me his. Then another thought occurred to her, and he belongs to me. My husband! For the rest of my life! She looked at Bruce, to find that he was awake and smiling at her.

  "Afternoon, Mistress Ferguson." His voice was deep and husky from sleep as he reached over to kiss her softly. "And how are you feeling?"

  Heather shook her head, grinning from ear to ear. "I feel-I feel as if the whole world is laughing!" she cried, then hugged herself with happiness. "And how do you feel, husband?"

  "Satisfied, hen," he answered, with a twinkle in his eye. "But I willnae be for long. An' hungry!"

  "Satisfied?" Heather asked cheekily. "Well, I'm not!"

  He laughed as she pinned him to the bed, although they both knew that he could have escaped in a heartbeat. "I give in," he said, looking at her tenderly, "dae what ye like wi' me, wanton woman!"

  They stayed overnight in the Horseshoe intending to make an early start in the morning. They set out before dawn since neither of them wanted to stay in Aberdeen a moment longer than they had to, reasoning that it would be the first place the Laird would look for them. They planned to travel down the coast to Dundee and stop for a few days to decide on their future plans.

  Heather was worried. "Do you think they are following us?" she asked anxiously, as they set out again. "My father will be absolutely furious."

  "We are legally married," Bruce said calmly, "an' we can prove it. They cannae dae much aboot that, lass," he smiled at her reassuringly, "naethin' is gaunnae part us fae now on."