by Merry Farmer
“Sleep now. I shall be here when you awaken. I love you, Callum,” she whispered, closing her eyes.
“I love ye too, my fierce pirate wench.” He smiled before his face relaxed and his eyes fluttered shut, his soft breaths fanning her face with a peaceful rhythm.
A wee bit of sun filtered through his eyelids and, after days of nothing but darkness, it was enough to remind him that he was still alive, as was the soft woman still wrapped in his arms.
Cracking one eyelid open, Callum observed Ruby up close and wondered how he, a bloody arse of a Scottish pirate, had gotten so damned fortunate to have this wee exquisite English rose in his bed. And, she loved him. How or why was a mystery to him and always would be. As would be the immediate connection they had formed. His father had always said he loved his mother upon first sight, but Callum had balked at that, believing such ideals to be for fools. Mayhap they were. He was the greatest fool he had ever known for reasons too numerous to count, and yet, he had the love of the most incredible woman.
Up close, he saw a small dusting of freckles dotting her nose. They were so faint that he would never know they existed if not for the honor of holding her so close and watching her while she slept. Her long black lashes swept against the curve of her high cheekbones and he admired the small pout of her pink lips. He would pinch himself if both hands were not better occupied, wrapped around her small waist.
When her eyes began to flutter open, he smiled and felt that familiar tug in his heart that he had only ever felt for this one woman. He had been asleep for so many days, with his mind thinking she was lost to him, torturing him with a pain beyond comprehension, he had believed himself dead, and better off so. Now, feeling her warmth, seeing her blue eyes scan his features, he wondered how he had ever lived his life believing he was incapable of loving a woman or wishing for a wife.
“Good morning, my handsome, healthy Scottish heathen,” she chimed, stretching in his arms and giving him a smile. Her arms rested against his bare chest, just above his wound site, and he was pleased not to feel anymore searing pain when he tested it with a slight twist of his torso.
“Good morn to ye, my bonnie brave English lass. How do ye feel?”
“Me? You are asking me how I feel, when you were shot through the chest and slept for eleven days. I am in your arms and you are alive. I have never been better. I care more about how you are doing, Callum.”
“Well, let me see…” Callum reached under the covers and touched his wound, feeling no pain. Then, he touched her bared leg and grinned. “I feel no pain and I have the leg of a goddess wrapped around me. I believe I am quite well, love. And I still have all my limbs,” he said, waggling his brows.
Her face turned red when she felt his cock against her stomach, and she giggled. “You sure do. But you had better control that before you injure yourself again.”
“Lass…” Callum flipped over, propping himself up on his elbows as he hovered above her. “There is no amount of pain I would not endure to be close to ye, but I assure ye the only part of me that aches is my back from lying on it so long and well…” he winked at her and she laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Well I most certainly am pleased to hear that you are hale. And I certainly wish to do all that I can to alleviate any of your discomforts,” she said with a sly grin and slowly lowered her hand between their bodies, placing it on the evidence of his arousal beneath his breeches. He closed his eyes and groaned. After having felt so much pain, not only from the bullet wound but from believing Ruby dead, feeling just the barest touch from her felt like the world’s greatest gift. He did not want to press her for anything she did not wish to give, but he wanted to connect with her, be the man who made love to her first and forever.
“Ruby,” Callum murmured and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her. “I want to make love to ye right now.” Running a hand up her bare thigh, he guided his fingers to her core and groaned again when he felt her wet heat.
“I want to Callum, but are you well enough? We have time. Do not injure yourself again.”
“I am more than well enough, love. And one thing I have learned is that we never ken just how much time we have. Let me show ye now, here, today, how much I love ye, how much I need ye.”
Looking him in the eye, Ruby smiled and nodded. “I need you too, Callum. I want this with you.”
“Ye are the most beautiful woman in the world, Ruby Berry.” Getting on his knees, Callum pushed his breeches down his hips, then slipped her shift up her body and over her breasts, needing to see more of her. When those perfect luscious mounds were freed and her nipples puckered from the morning chill of the room, Callum bent over to tenderly kiss each one, pleased when she tilted her head back and sighed.
“I love ye and always want to be the man to make ye sigh with pleasure.” Callum shifted between her legs and pressed his erection to her entrance, feeling her softness and wishing to bury himself completely. But before he would allow himself to take her maidenhead, he needed to make certain she was truly his. “But, ye never answered my question.”
Her eyes opened and the flush of her cheeks warmed his heart. So much innocence, yet she was the greatest seductress he had ever known. “What question?” She wrinkled her brow and chewed her bottom lip, making him want to devour her mouth.
“Ruby Berry, will ye become Ruby Campbell, Countess of Argyll and make Scotland yer home? Will ye marry me? I vow to always give ye adventure upon the high seas when we can break away from our responsibilities here. I vow to always give ye freedom to make yer own decisions… except dancing around my men in breeches. I shall not allow that.” He smirked and her tinkling laughter made his heart soar. “Will ye marry me and make me whole for the first time in my life?”
“Yes!” Ruby threw her hands around his neck and kissed him all over his face. “Yes, I shall marry you, Callum Campbell! I never wished for a title, but my mother shall be pleased by it,” she chuckled. “We will make our life one grand adventure, both on land and at sea.”
“I love ye, Ruby. And I always will.” Callum kissed her softly, slowly, lingeringly, allowing his tongue to meld with hers until the ache to be one with her was more than he could bear. She was his future wife now. It felt like a dream to know the woman who stole his breath away only days ago was now going to be his wife. Slowly sheathing himself inside her warmth, Callum groaned, feeling her surround him as her legs wrapped around his hips, and she arched her back with a sigh.
He felt her barrier and knew it would sting. He had never bedded a maiden and wasn’t sure if he should be quick or slow. “This is said to hurt a wee bit, love.”
“I do not care, just do it,” she whispered. “I am ready.” Nodding, Callum drove himself into her and she hissed and flinched, but within seconds she relaxed and began to move with him. The pleasure was so intense he had to grit his teeth to prevent losing himself too soon. She was so soft and her sweet floral scent floated around her. The room was cold but their bodies were on fire, moving in tandem as they experienced their first taste of real love together.
Ruby groaned and opened her eyes, looking down to watch as he moved inside her. The woman would be his undoing, he vowed. His pace quickened and his arms shook, the weakness of days of healing starting to take their toll. But nothing was going to ruin this moment for him. He may ache a wee bit more than he let on, but it had been worth it to finally be with her, to feel himself inside her for the first time.
Reaching between their connected bodies, Callum placed his finger on the same spot that had driven her mad once before, and her gasp as she inhaled and the moan of pleasure she released, told him she was close to her climax. “Let it go, love,” he murmured, moving with her, feeling his own pleasure ready to explode any second.
Together, their bodies shuddered as waves of unfettered pleasure released and they shook in one another’s arms before both going limp. By all that was holy, Ruby would be the death of him, but he would gladly die in her arms
if it meant they could share this connection for the rest of their lives.
Panting, Ruby pushed her blonde tendrils away from her face as Callum rolled over and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “That was…”
“Unbelievable,” Callum whispered, nibbling on her ear. “Unlike anything I have ever experienced,” he added.
“Is that what I have been missing out on?” she giggled and rolled toward him, her breasts close enough to his mouth that he could not resist the need to devour them.
“Nay,” he mumbled as he sucked her nipple into his mouth, enjoying how it hardened in response and the way her hips arched into his. “I believe what we experienced is the unique reunion of souls, love.” He sounded like a bloody lovesick fool, even to his own ears, but nothing about this connection was usual and he could describe it in no other way. They were soul bound and he may not consider himself a religious man, but he was certain there was a higher power drawing them together.
“I agree. I may not know what it is like to be with another man, but I cannot deny the instant pull toward you, my immediate trust in you. I think I just knew I was meant to be yours.”
“Well then,” Callum said slowly, flicking his tongue over her breasts before moving up the slim column of her neck. “How long must I wait to officially make ye mine, love? I wish to marry ye as soon as possible.”
“I am already yours. But if you can let me out of bed at any time today, I shall speak with my father and make arrangements.” Kissing him on the cheek, Ruby hopped out of bed, but he pulled her back down, making her squeal with laughter.
“Verra well. I shall rest a wee bit while ye are gone, but I warn ye, I am not done with ye for the day.” He waggled his brows and she smiled, pulling her dress on and tightening the laces.
“I look forward to it,” she winked and left the room with a flourish. Callum sighed and stared at the ceiling, wondering how he had become so fortunate a man and such a besotted fool. Grinning like an arse for the dozenth time that morning, Callum carefully climbed out of bed and decided to do some planning of his own. He may be weak, but he needed to be out of this bed. Besides, he had a bride to marry, a wedding to plan, and a future father by marriage to speak with. Ruby would become part of the Campbell clan as soon as possible, and he planned on making it a day she would never forget.
Chapter 9
The seat of the Campbell clan was a massive castle unlike anything Ruby had ever seen, and by the end of the day, she would be the Countess of Argyll and the lady of the castle. Though trepidation flooded her insides, Ruby was ready for the next big adventure.
Callum had refused to lay abed and rest since the day she agreed to marry him. A sennight had passed with him showing Ruby the lands, introducing her to the lovely tenants and staff of the house, as well as meeting his strange yet kind first cousin, Charles Campbell, who was a knight for the Stewarts and very popular with the lassies of the keep. Charles had just returned to the castle to discover his cousin had been wounded, but the two men seemed rather close, and Ruby was pleased Callum had a companion here to care for him when she was busy around the keep.
Callum’s mother had passed when he was born and an ache had settled in her belly for him having grown up without a mother. How she wished her own mother could have been here to see them get married. She was opinionated and full of pride, but she was a loving woman who would wish to be here. Her father had recovered entirely from his ordeal with William, having only sustained mild bruising in the process, and had been given the ship he had been captured on. Callum had many ships and few men he could trust. Ruby enjoyed watching her father and Callum discuss their travels, making plans for more.
As Ruby was surrounded by some of the young serving lassies who prepared her for her wedding day, they all laughed and gossiped while one of them named Isabella twisted Ruby’s curls up and tucked fresh flowers into some of her braids.
“Ye ken, none of us thought our laird would ever get married,” one of the lassies who was close to Ruby’s age said definitively. “He was here, and then he was gone. He took care of us, he did. But at times, we didnae ken if our laird and earl would ever return.”
“Aye, and he almost didnae,” another lass added, pulling the laces tight on the bodice of Ruby’s flowing blue damask dress with long sleeves that fell below her wrists and a modestly cut neckline. The color matched her eyes and she felt beautiful and truly loved. Unlike her wedding to William, Ruby absolutely could not wait to meet Callum in front of the kirk doors. It felt as if this day could not get any better.
A knock on the door made Ruby’s head turn just as Isabella placed the last flower in her hair and stepped away. “Come in, as long as ye arenae the groom! ‘Tis bad luck for him to see the bride!” Marla, one of the older women in the chamber shouted.
“No, no. ‘Tis only me.”
“Papa!” Ruby stood up from her seat and walked over to her father, who wore an approving, proud smile that made Ruby flutter all over. It all felt like a dream. Just over a fortnight ago she had met Callum and now he meant everything to her and even her father was smiling.
“You look wonderful, my darling.” Thomas looked her up and down and smiled widely. “I did not mean to interrupt, but I have a little surprise for you.”
“You do?” she asked, wondering what he could possibly mean. Her father stepped aside and Ruby covered her mouth with her hands, gasping as tears threatened to spill when she saw who stepped through the door. “Mama?” Running to her mother, Ruby threw her arms around her and cried, a feeling of completeness filling her. “How?”
“Do you think I would miss my daughter’s wedding, Ruby? To an earl, no less!”
“Well… I… did not think you would entirely approve.”
Penelope waved away her concerns. “I only wish for your happiness. It was wrong of us to choose William on your behalf. I see that now. When your father went missing, a man from the dock said he saw him being taken away by the Vice Admiral, charged with treason for doing business with a Scottish pirate and for having Stewart sympathies. Did you believe I would not follow? Nobody takes off with my husband, Ruby. I have not survived being the wife of a pirate—”
“Privateer,” her father interrupted with a wink, and Penelope laughed and rolled her eyes.
“Call it what you will. I have learned a thing or two in my time. I caught a smaller boat and paid my way to London. When I was informed that William’s ship was lost at sea, taken by Callum, I changed my destination and came to Scotland. I knew Callum would not risk harm to you or your father. And here you all are. I owe everything to Lord Argyll. I am very proud of you… lass.”
Ruby laughed, wiping away her tears when her mother attempted to speak like a Scot. “You are so brave, Mama. I had no idea…”
“I know you did not. Because I have always tried to protect you from this life, Ruby. It is not for the faint of heart. One day you are in your home sharing a meal with your family, and the next day, your daughter is aboard a pirate ship, and your husband is captured by a snake in the grass. Yet, I see now that you have found your place and your partner in life. You are no longer my little girl.”
Words escaped Ruby as she embraced her mother, her throat stinging as she choked back more tears. She did not wish to arrive to her wedding with red, swollen eyes. Never had she felt such a great sense of belonging and excitement for her future.
“My Lady. ‘Tis time,” one of the maids said, and Ruby’s heart skipped a beat. She nodded and took her father’s arm in one hand and her mother’s in the other as they walked out of the chamber and down the tower stairs, toward the keep. The entire place was empty and Ruby grew nervous, knowing every resident of the castle and all of the tenants would be awaiting her arrival, but she just focused on seeing Callum, who she had not been allowed to see all cursed day thanks to the serving lassies who did all they could to keep him away, despite his best attempts. When she awoke that morning, a single rose and a letter expressing his lov
e had been awaiting her on her bed, and Ruby glowed with adoration for the man she would soon marry.
When they walked out of the hall and into the inner bailey, Ruby attempted to turn left toward the kirk, but her parents insisted they continue straight outside the gates. “The kirk is not that way, Papa. That is the waterfront.”
“I know, Ruby,” he said with a grin, giving her a wink.
“I do not understand… my wedding is over there…”
“But your groom is over there,” her mother said wryly, pointing toward her father’s newly acquired ship in the distance.
“He is on Papa’s ship? But…” Squinting as they grew closer, she saw the name “Penelope” freshly painted on the side of his ship and smiled, happy that her parents were so in love after all these years and yet confused about what was happening.
The ship appeared to be filled to the brim with people, and the closer Ruby came the more she could make out. Ribbons and fine cloths of gold were draped over the sides of the ship, sparkling in the light of the afternoon sun. “What is happening?”
Nobody seemed to wish to tell her, and when she looked back at the maids following behind, they all just smirked and shrugged, clearly in on the whatever was going on.
Even the gangway leading to the ship had gold cloth draped over its rails and when Ruby looked up as she slowly stepped, she saw Callum looking more handsome than ever, awaiting her at the top with a proud grin that made her melt all over and feel so weightless, she thought she might fly away.
“What is happening?” she asked as he took her hand and guided her onto the main deck, where floral arrangements decorated every corner and mast.
