Have Yourself a Merry Little Secret : a Christmas collection of historical romance (Have Yourself a Merry Little... Book 2)

by Collette Cameron

Niall pushed her hand away. “Ye are too good, Catrina.” Leaning forward he sought her left nipple and ran his tongue over the tip.

  She sucked in a deep breath. She’d never been so glad for winter and for being trapped in a barn. She also had never imagined her coming to Dundaire would have led to this moment. Scotland was never supposed to be about her. It was all about Moira and then all about Fergus. Finding her own personal happiness was not something she’d thought about in a long time.

  Niall locked his lips over her nipple.

  She gasped. An exhilarating strum teased her senses, sent her nerves into a delightful spin.

  The heady aroma of sandalwood danced between them.

  Catrina took in a deep breath, savored the exquisite fragrance as its woodsy and sweet notes mixed with the scent of their lovemaking.

  She ran her fingers through Niall’s hair, the silk-like caress of the brown strands greeting her hands.

  He latched tighter to the peak of her breast and sucked, hard.

  She bucked against him.

  In response to her move, Niall skimmed her waist with his right hand, then glided it over her hips and down the outer side of her thigh until he gently caressed her leg, moved his hand closer to that wicked area that now begged for his touch. He slid his hand through her curls. And then delved between her lips, parting her so that his fingers had easy access to both her nub and slit.

  He drew one long stroke over her clit.

  Cat lifted, slightly, her nub craving more.

  Niall was quick to oblige, though this time he did so with more pressure and a faster stroke, repeating his actions until she dropped her hands to his shoulders and dug her fingers into his flesh.

  She licked her lips.

  Niall slid one finger into Cat’s slit, then pulled out only to return to fill her with two fingers.

  A small, but glorious spasm rocked Cat’s core. “I want more, Niall. I want…you…inside me.”

  “I am inside ye.”

  She rolled her head against the straw. “No. I want more than merely your fingers in me.”

  “Say precisely what ye want, Catrina. I need to hear ye say what part of me ye want inside ye.”

  Cat dropped one hand from Niall’s shoulder and went straight for his jutting rod. Wrapping her fingers around his thick girth, she stared him square in the eyes. “I want your cock in me, Niall.” She guided him to her entrance.

  “God, lass, ye are as wanton a creature now as ye were two years past.”

  She was. But only because of Niall. Because of what they had back then between them. His sinful words woke a deep part of her, and she’d forced that side of herself away since she’d left London.

  Without another word said between them, Niall gently pushed Catrina’s hand off his cock and then slid his tip inside her but refrained from fully entering her.

  “Oh, do not tease, now, you rogue.”

  A grin crossed Niall’s lips. “So I am a rogue as well as wicked.”

  “Yes. Very much so.”

  “Well, I dunnae reckon rogues behave verra properly.”

  She slapped him softly on the arm. “If ye dunnae take me now, yer lairdship, ye will end up a verra lonely man.”

  “Ye ken I cannae deny ye when ye speak like a Scot.”

  She smirked. “I ken the fact verra well.”

  “And ye say I am the wicked one.” Niall did not wait for Cat to respond. He slid into her, first with a slow move, then withdrew and came back with at a far rougher thrust.

  “Oh, yes, Niall. That is exactly what ye should keep doing.”

  And he did.

  With each of Niall’s thrusts, the bits of straw under Cat’s back, poked at her spine, but with the pressure mounting between her legs, she barely felt the abrasive bedding.

  The slap of skin against skin echoed across the barn as Niall picked up his pace.

  Cat met each of his thrusts with eagerness until warmth spread through her body. She clutched his cock with her feminine walls, a wonderful spasm rocking her insides.

  Niall continued with his fast rhythm. Sweat glistened on his muscled body. “Catrina.” He cried out, gave one last thrust, his seed spewing into her. With his breath coming in short pants, Niall collapsed on top of Cat.

  She ran her fingers over the back of his shoulders and then down his spine.

  Niall turned his face toward her neck. “Please tell me ye will never leave me, Cat. Not now. Not after this.”

  “I have no intention of ever walking out on you again, Niall.”

  “Good. Because I love ye, Catrina Lennox. I love ye with all my heart.”

  “I love you, too, Niall MacHendrie. With all my heart.” And she did. Always had. “But I think we need to dress because if Mrs. Ramsay finds us like this, she’ll take that damn pitchfork of hers and poke us both.”

  A soft laugh fell from Niall’s lips.

  In haste, they dressed, her body still tingling from their love making.

  Chapter 9

  Mrs. Ramsay tugged open the barn door within minutes of Catrina and Niall dressing. Cat was never so glad to be wearing her stays, though the garment was a bit uncomfortable since Niall did not lace it up properly. The man needed serious lessons in more than just a managing bairn’s clouts. But at least she was fully dress.

  Mrs. Ramsay quirked one, copper-colored eyebrow. “Ye been stuck in her all this time?”

  “Yes,” Cat said without further explanation.

  “And ye didnae shout for me once?”

  “Of course we shouted for you.” Cat fidgeted with her fichu, the lace ends sticking out half-hazard from her shawl. She did not care to think what impression she was making on Mrs. Ramsay at the moment.

  “I didnae hear ye calling for me,” the cook said, a look of bewilderment veiling her round face.

  “Don’t worry about it, Mrs. Ramsay. I know you tend to fall into a deep sleep when you nap.”

  The cook shook her head. “No, Miss. I wasnae sleeping. I couldnae get comfortable so after I checked on Fergus, I returned to the kitchen. I would have heard ye if ye called for me.”

  Of all the times for Mrs. Ramsay to skip her nap, it had to be today. “Well…”

  “The wind was quite strong,” Niall interjected. “Ye probably didnae hear us because of it.”

  “I suppose.” Mrs. Ramsay pursed her lips.

  “Well, I think we should go back to the house, now.” Cat headed for the door, not trusting herself to keep what she and Niall had done in the barn, strictly between them. Her trusted cook had a way with getting details out of her.

  Mrs. Ramsay caught up with her while Niall returned to working on the barn door. “I reckon he was worth it, eh?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I kent ye kissed him last night. Do ye reckon I wouldnae be able to tell if he tupped ye?”

  “Mrs. Ramsay!”

  “Aw, lass, dunnae play the innocent with me. I ken what ye two were doing in the barn. Why do ye think I stayed away as long as I did?”

  Cat stopped mid-stride; her feet suddenly planted firmly in the snow. “We could have died of the cold. I cannot believe you left us out here.”

  “Ha! As if a man like Niall MacHendrie cannae keep a woman warm.” Mrs. Ramsey chuckled as she reached for Catrina’s arm and gently patted her. “Thank ye for that laugh, Miss. Ye made my day.” She continued to the house, a chuckle still falling from her lips.

  Niall appeared at Cat’s side. “The door needs more wood than I thought. At first, I reckoned ye had enough with what was in the barn, but ye dunnae have it all. I’ll have to get more wood from the Abbey’s supply and come back to repair it.”

  The door was the least of her concern at the moment.

  “Cat?”

  “What?”

  “I was speaking to ye about the door.”

  “Oh. Yes. It can wait. I truly appreciate you taking the time to fix it for me.”

  He gave her a puzzled look. “Is something wrong?”
<
br />   “No.”

  “Then why are ye nae listening to me?”

  Because it was Christmas Day and everything in her world was going right for a change. And right never seemed to fit in her life before. “It’s Christmas. We’re about to have a lovely dinner of goose and pudding. And I have the best company in you and Mrs. Ramsay and Little Fergus. I do not care to think of anything else today.”

  “I am glad ye feel that way, lass. As I am looking forward to spending the rest of the day with ye. But I must head back to the Abbey after supper, now that the storm has ended.”

  She did not want to let him go. “I thought you’d stay until at least tomorrow.”

  “I wish I could. But alas, I have to set some things right back at the house. However, I will return as I would truly love for ye and Mrs. Ramsay, and Fergus, to come live at Dundaire Abbey.”

  “Before we are to marry?”

  “I see no reason why ye should remain here. The Abbey will give Fergus plenty of room to crawl.”

  She could only imagine the trouble her nephew could get into once he started to walk. “I would love to stay at the Abbey. But I will need a few days to take care of a few things, myself.”

  Niall dropped his gaze to the ground. “I hope ye dunnae think this hasty of me or improper. But I also see no reason for us to wait to marry. I have some business to tend to first, but after that, I would be a verra happy man if we married without delay.”

  Cat loved that Niall wanted her in his life so dearly. “Of course.”

  He reached for her hand and led her back to the cottage.

  The aroma of cooked goose and plum pudding filled the hallway.

  Mrs. Ramsay emerged from the kitchen, her fingers fidgeting with the ties of a new, clean apron. “Supper is served, Miss. I’ll go fetch Little Fergus.”

  “Allow me, Mrs. Ramsay,” Niall said. “Ye go set yourself in a seat at the table.”

  “Why, Mr. MacHendrie, ye are more than a gentleman than I originally reckoned.” She turned back toward the kitchen.

  Niall glanced at Cat. “Ye dunnae mind, do ye?”

  “Fergus slept the quietest last night. I think he likes you. So, no I do not mind you bringing him down for supper. But please, if he needs a new clout and pilcher, just bring a set down with you and I’ll change him.”

  Niall smirked. “So ye dunnae fancy how I change the bairn, do ye?”

  “You tried.” She rested her hand on his arm. “And that is all that matters. You gave it your best.”

  He leaned close to her. “And did I give it my best in the barn?” Niall whispered.

  Cat felt her cheeks flush as they heated almost instantly. “Nae. You gave it more than your best. Though I should warn you, I am going to demand nothing less from here out.”

  “Och, woman. Ye will have me in my grave before we marry if I am to keep up with that performance.”

  She gently pushed him away. “I highly doubt that, my laird.”

  Niall turned and took the stairs two at a time.

  She watched him until he vanished from her sight as he turned the upper hall’s corner.

  Life had never been so good to her.

  Chapter 10

  With Fergus in his arms, Niall stepped lightly as he made his way down the hall to Catrina’s bedroom. “Is this your Aunt Cat’s room?” he asked the gurgling bairn.

  He popped his head inside the open doorway. “It looks as if it is, lad.” Venturing to the bed, a whiff of rose scent floated his way. To think soon he’d have that exquisite scent marking his library, his dining room, the Abbey’s parlor and every other inch of his house. Especially his bedroom.

  After today, he was going to do everything in his power to be the best person in Catrina’s life. The best husband, the best lover, the best friend. She deserved that and so much more. And he had every intention of giving her everything that was his. As soon as he set things straight with that bloody beast, Murray. He didnae want to have the man hold a single thing over his head. He may have been able to force his father to give up most of what he had, but never was Niall going to put Cat through what his own mother suffered.

  He leaned over the bed and dropped the small pouch he’d been carrying in his free hand, on the pillow.

  Fergus squealed.

  “Ah, ye like that do ye?” He picked up the pouch and dropped it once again. “I reckon ye think it’s as nifty as that bear ye love to toss around.”

  Fergus gurgled.

  “Well, this is nae a bear, lad, But a verra expensive and exquisite necklace for yer aunt. It belonged to yer grandmother, though she never had the chance to wear it. It will look beautiful around Cat’s neck. But ye mustn’t say a word about it, as I want Cat to find it before she goes to sleep tonight.”

  Fergus mumbled several sounds Niall had no clue how to decipher. But he smiled at the bairn just the same, delighted to be spending Christmas with the boy. “Yer da would have loved ye greatly. I can assure of that.”

  Niall walked out of the bedroom and back down the hall to the stairs. “Ye have his hair and his eyes. One day soon, I’ll show ye a portrait of him.”

  He entered the kitchen and handed Fergus to Catrina.

  “You two were quite engrossed in talk, I see,” Cat said with a smile.

  “Man talk, that is. So dunnae question the lad as we have agreed to keep it strictly between us.”

  Mrs. Ramsay harrumphed. “Already causing trouble for the wee bairn and ye have only been here one day.”

  “Mrs. Ramsay,” Cat said, “It’s Christmas.”

  “Och, lass. I’ll let it go.” The cook eyed Niall. “But dunnae be getting it into yer thick skull that ye can make a rogue out of our Little Fergus. The bairn will be a gentleman when he grows up.”

  He loved how Mrs. Ramsay was so protective of Cat and Fergus. Even without needing another cook, he knew the three of them would fit in just fine at Dundaire Abbey.

  Dinner was a delightful event with many laughs and an abundance of good cheer. Niall even spent time playing with Fergus, keeping the bairn occupied while Cat cleaned up the kitchen and Mrs. Ramsay read by the hearth. Though it was not easy convincing Mrs. Ramsay to take a few hours to herself. But she’d insisted on giving the cook the rest of the night off as Mrs. Ramsay never failed to do all she could for her and Little Fergus.

  And now Rose Cottage was quiet.

  Niall was in bed.

  Fergus was in his crib with a properly fastened clout and pilcher.

  And Mrs. Ramsay remained downstairs in the kitchen, rereading the newsheet from last week.

  Cat approached the bed and immediately went for the small velvet pouch on her pillow. She hadn’t a clue what could be inside, but the faint trace of sandalwood that lifted from the fabric assuredly belonged to Niall.

  He’d given her a gift.

  And he’d done so in secret.

  A flurry of excitement had Cat’s nerves on end. But in a good way.

  She sat down on the bed and quickly untied the bag’s silk cord and rolled the edge of the pouch down.

  Inside the bag, the fine cut of an emerald-shaped ruby sparkling in the room’s flickering candlelight, caught her eye.

  Cat withdrew the jewels.

  And gasped, the sight of Mrs. Murray’s ruby and pearl necklace shocking her to the core.

  She dropped the jewels back into the bag and bolted from the bed.

  How could Niall have done this to her? He knew how she felt about The Christmas Rebel, about how the man was the cause of Moira’s death. And now he gives her a necklace The Rebel stole himself? Her initial instinct that Niall was the infamous highwayman’s accomplice was right.

  Damn me.

  Cat dashed from the room, her heart racing like that of a wild, charging beast’s. She fled down the stairs and into the kitchen, tears falling from her eyes.

  “What is it, lass?” Mrs. Ramsay asked from her seat by the hearth. She rose from the chair.

  “It’s him.” It was a
ll Cat managed to say in between sobs.

  “It is who, Miss?”

  She tossed the pouch of pearls on the table and shook the gems free. “The Christmas Rebel.”

  Mrs. Ramsay glanced at the necklace. “Forgive me, Miss, but I am nae following yer meaning.”

  Cat pointed to the pearls. “That is Mrs. Murray’s ruby and pearl necklace. The one The Christmas Rebel stole from her last year. Niall left it on my pillow tonight. As a gift.”

  Mrs. Ramsay leaned in and plucked the necklace from the table. “Och, lass. Are ye certain about this?”

  Cat nodded. “Yes. Mrs. Murray showed it to me one day when I went to pick up the shawl that I mended for her. There is no mistaking it. That necklace is the one The Rebel stole.”

  “But, Miss. I cannae believe that his lairdship is the same soul as The Christmas Rebel. Why would a man of his wealth and prominence, take to being a highwayman? It makes no sense. Even to my nae-so-sensible head.”

  “I know it doesn’t. But it is the truth.”

  Wind blew against the window.

  Cat jumped.

  Mrs. Ramsay returned the necklace to the table, and then softly rubbed her hand over Catrina’s arm. “Dunnae fash about it, Miss. We will get to the bottom of this first thing in the morning.” She stepped away and fetched the tea kettle. “Now have yerself a seat and I’ll put on some tea for ye.”

  “No. I have to take care of this now.”

  “But ye will wake the bairn.”

  She was not going to fetch Niall. “I’m going to the Murray house.”

  “At this late hour?”

  “I must.”

  Mrs. Ramsay followed Cat into the hall. “But how will ye see in the dark? Surely the roads are like ice now, with the sun gone down.”

  “I have ridden Sprite several times at night. Even in winter. Besides, the Murrays do not live far off.” She grabbed her coat and the breeches she hung next to it. “Help me out of my skirts, please.”

  Mrs. Ramsay did as she was asked. “I wish ye would wait ‘til morning, lass. What if there is a good reason for Mr. MacHendrie having the pearls?”

  She couldn’t take the chance that Niall would attempt to cover up his sinful deeds. He was either The Rebel himself, or the bastard’s accomplice. There was no other answer. “For Moira’s sake, I can’t take the chance of losing this one opportunity to get justice for her. Mr. Murray is a powerful man. And despite Niall being the laird, it does not excuse him of committing a crime.”