Heart of Stone
Page 23
She felt Nicholas growing harder beneath her and she relished in the power she had over so much man. For truly, he was a man above the rest. But she’d always had power over him, hadn’t she? He’d been quiet when the other boys picked on him, for her. He’d become a groom so he could be near her more often. He’d always done what she’d asked, and not because he was a servant, but because he’d always loved her. He had never stopped and, for her, that meant so much more than any title or any amount of land.
She promised to stay with him always and he lifted her up by the waist and set her back down on his stiff lance.
At first, she wasn’t sure he would fit this way, but he did. He didn’t enter forcibly, but with slow, sensual strokes that wet and opened her more fully until she could take him to the hilt.
With both has hands around her hips, he moved and guided her over him, grinding, undulating against her. He moved her up and down until she took over the dance and moved them toward the edge.
It began as a sensation at her crux. A tightening, convulsing spasm below her navel. It was quite pleasant—wonderful, really. It grew, wracking her muscles, her head, her heart, melting her, tempting her to jump…jump over the edge with him.
She let herself go and soared. She shook with scintillating pleasure such as she had never known before. He held her and let her go when she needed to arch her back.
As she broke free of her restraints, waves of pleasure carried her out to sea. She wasn’t alone. Nicholas was with her on the cliff, over the edge, whispering her name in ecstasy.
They slept soon after then awoke again and made love three more times until morning.
Astonishingly, they weren’t too weary to ride to Carlisle to get Elias when the sun came up. They packed up Berengaria, Margaret, and Rauf. Farewells were long, mostly due to everyone coming out to bid them farewell…well, to bid Julianna farewell. The viscount, Lawson, and the rest of the men all took their turns bidding her farewell, not to mention Lizbeth crying for a good hour and Cicily taking up after her.
Nicholas didn’t mind. People loved Julianna. He didn’t blame them.
Torin, on the other hand, he minded. “Can we move our bloody arses before next winter rolls around?”
Everyone picked up the pace after that. All save Julianna, who gave him a sharp glare.
Lawson vowed to go to Lismoor and take it back in Nicholas’ name. Nicholas agreed. He trusted Lawson, and besides, if Lawson tried to take it, he’d have a horde of warrior MacPhersons on his back.
“He cares for you.” Nicholas looked back at the castle and shook his head.
“Who? The viscount?” Julianna asked him then answered before he did. “We owe him much because of it.”
“I meant Lawson.” Nicholas gaped at her, and then laughed. She knew the power she possessed over men. That was why she wore her hair braided and covered when she’d first arrived at Lismoor. It drew too much attention. Lately, she wore it loose—intent on captivating him. It had worked. He was fully captivated. “You are quite charming, Miss Feathers,” he remarked and then laughed when she pinched him in the side and almost slipped off her trotting mount.
His arms were there instantly but as she caught her grip and held, his mouth fell to her ear. “I knew your thighs could hold on, love.”
She blushed to her roots thinking about last night—this morn. She and Nicholas had done things that most other people would need rest from for the next few days. But they did not rest. They had a child to see to.
“I wish to raise Elias as my own son.”
His smile was wide in the frosty morning light. “Of course. I think Mattie would approve.”
“I like to think so,” she told him, smiling.
When they made it back to Carlisle, Julianna worried that she had let too much time pass without her and that Elias had forgotten her and Nicholas. They would have to start all over.
She met Braya Hetherington or MacPherson, Torin’s wife, and they got along nicely right away. Braya was aware of her husband’s service to the Scots’ throne and seemed in full support of it.
She greeted them both with an extra-long hug for Nicholas. “How was your adventure?” she asked.
He laughed. “Useless. I found what I was looking for right here in Northumberland.”
Braya offered them both a surprised smile. “That is wonderful news!”
Elias spotted them and proved that he would remember her and his father no matter how much time passed.
Julianna wept as she took him in her arms and kissed him until he squirmed to be free.
She passed him on to his father and watched with a thankful heart while Nicholas kissed his head and thanked Agnes.
“You must be tired from your journey,” Braya told them both. “Let me have someone show you to your rooms. We will get to know each other better after you have rested. Aye?” She waited for Julianna’s reply with a smile on her angelic face. Julianna, like everyone else, gave in.
“Aye, my lady.”
“And who is this dear lady?” Braya asked, looking at Berengaria when the older woman stepped closer to see Elias with tears in her eyes.
Berengaria took the babe in her arms and pressed her lips against his temple then looked at Nicholas and Julianna lovingly. “I am Elias’ grandmother, Berengaria, and this is my family.”
The End
About the Author
Paula Quinn is a New York Times bestselling author and a sappy romantic moved by music, beautiful words, and the sight of a really nice pen. She lives in New York with her three beautiful children, six over-protective chihuahuas, and three adorable parrots. She loves to read romance and science fiction and has been writing since she was eleven. She’s a faithful believer in God and thanks Him daily for all the blessings in her life. She loves all things medieval, but it is her love for Scotland that pulls at her heartstrings.
To date, four of her books have garnered Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. She has been nominated as Historical Storyteller of the Year by RT Book Reviews, and all the books in her MacGregor and Children of the Mist series have received Top Picks from RT Book Reviews. Her work has also been honored as Amazons Best of the Year in Romance, and in 2008 she won the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for Historical Romance.
Website:
pa0854.wixsite.com/paulaquinn