“It benefits those who line their pockets collecting bribe money making lords of common men. It benefits those who take advantage of the king’s poor health to improve their own status—”
“And my father cares only for garnering favor with such men.”
They continued to walk, moving through the gates and down the hill. When she heard no sounds of clanging metal, Clarissa assumed the men trained within the walls today.
“What will happen now?” she asked.
They arrived at the very same river Clarissa had bathed in seemingly so long ago. Now she was a married woman, one who somehow felt protected despite the chaos that erupted around them.
“The clans will officially renounce the Day of Truce. Reivers will continue to take advantage, and this—” he swept his arms up toward Highgate End, “—will become our refuge. Travel may no longer be safe,” he added, the regret in his voice surprising.
“You sound sad about that,” she said.
Aidan pulled her into his arms and held her close. “You have been sheltered for too long. I had hoped to take you on grand adventures . . .”
She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. Clarissa wanted to be sure he understood her. “Aidan, being with you has been the grandest adventure of all. I would happily accept being locked away in Prison Tower forever if you were by my side. I love you.”
“You gave me your favor once . . .”
“And I would do so again.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “You already have, and I shall treasure the gift of your love, today and always.”
Epilogue
“Lewis, your wife is in the courtyard asking for you.”
Which was partly true. The alewife was indeed directing the unloading of her precious cargo. However, she had been on her way to the bakehouse when Aidan had stopped her. He’d offered to send Lewis her way, suggesting her husband could use a break.
“Go,” he said, “I can help Clarissa in here.”
Lewis looked at him skeptically.
“Your wife,” he reminded Lewis, who winked at Clarissa. If they shared a private secret, certainly they’d not let him in on it. Her bond with the baker was one of many she’d developed with the people of Clan Scott, though Aidan was not surprised.
“And what do you know of baking bread?” Clarissa asked when he joined her. He waited a moment longer, until Lewis had indeed left, then pulled his wife’s hands from the dough she’d been shaping.
“Less than I know about pleasing my wife,” he said, leaning toward her. The smell of freshly baked bread mixed with the scent of Clarissa’s hair was a heady combination that made him wish Lewis would not be returning.
When his lips touched hers, the already hot room grew even warmer. Or perhaps he just imagined it to be so. Either way, it did not take long for the quick kiss to turn into something much, much deeper.
Grabbing her none too gently, Aidan pressed Clarissa to him.
“Aidan, we cannot—”
She gasped as he showed her how quickly he’d become aroused. Celebrating his victory, Aidan tilted his head to deepen the previously chaste kiss. This one was anything but.
Hot, demanding . . . it promised to put a mutually pleasurable end to what he’d started. Her breasts both soft and firm against him, Aidan tried hard not to imagine what they’d looked like that morn, unbound and beautiful, but he failed miserably. Groaning, he began to move toward the door.
“What are you . . . how is this helping Lewis?”
Aidan had forgotten all about the baker and his bread.
“I do not believe it will. But”—he moved toward the door—“it will help me very much.”
With a roll of her eyes, Clarissa said, “I do not doubt it, but there are many loaves yet to—”
He silenced her with another kiss.
Perhaps Aidan should feel poorly for not allowing her to finish. But he did not. The men’s training had concluded for the day, as had his meeting with Graeme and the elders. Nothing prevented him from scooping her up and carrying her to their bedchamber . . . nay, they would go to her former room in the tower. It was much closer.
Nothing, that is, save for his wife.
“If you wish to stay,” he cupped her bottom in both hands, “then you shall, of course, stay.”
Circling his hips, he watched her expressive eyes, waiting for . . . that.
And then, he struck. “But if you will allow me instead to take you just over there—” he nodded toward the tower, “—I can assure you it will be worth it.”
He didn’t break eye contact.
He didn’t move his hands except to give her bottom a slight caress.
She sighed, and Aidan knew he’d won.
But just as he was about to rejoice in his victory, the door opened and he let go of Clarissa instinctively.
Lewis looked back and forth between the two of them.
“I apologize,” Aidan said, “for stealing your most loyal servant. I promise to return Clarissa shortly.”
His poor wife’s cheeks had turned pink, but he wasn’t sorry. Grabbing her hand, he took two steps toward the door before Lewis’s voice stopped him.
“When you return her,” he said. “You may want to visit the laundress next.”
He followed Lewis’s gaze to his black tunic, now covered in bread dough. His laughter followed them out into the sunlight.
#
“I should go.”
Though she was the one who’d said the words, Clarissa didn’t move. As much as she loved working alongside Lewis, being tucked in the arms of her husband was even more enjoyable.
“Aye, lass, you should.”
She allowed her fingers a bit of exploring, watching as little bumps formed on his chest wherever she trailed her touch.
“I forgot to ask about the meeting.”
His hand stopped hers as it moved lower.
“If you truly do wish to assist Lewis this afternoon, then you ought to stop there.”
Chuckling, she wound her fingers into his.
“It went . . . as expected.”
Though the past weeks had been kind to them, nearly every day some reminder of the events that had taken place just beyond their land gave her pause.
“Another great council has been called, but this time at Brockburg.”
“So close to the border?”
“Aye, it will be a meeting of borderers from both sides.”
That surprised her. “From England?”
“Aye, and the border clans here. A meeting of all those loyal to peace.”
“What outcome do they hope for?”
When Aidan didn’t answer, she looked up.
“A good question, my love. Without any support from your English king?” He shrugged.
“And you are attending?” She tried to keep the worry from her voice.
“I am, in Graeme’s stead. It should be interesting, indeed. ’Tis rumored young Neill Waryn has returned from the south with news that will impact all involved.”
“Reid’s brother-in-law?”
“Aye, love.”
“What news does he bring?”
When Aidan released her fingers, she knew he was finished speaking of border politics. And when his hand not so subtly reached for her breast, Clarissa had a feeling her duties with Lewis were indeed done for the day.
The turmoil outside Highgate Castle walls grew, but so did her passion. So, placing all thoughts of battle plans aside, she seized the moment. Putting Aidan’s very detailed instructions from the evening before to good use, she heeded his advice. Enjoy the love and protection our clan will always provide. And if you are troubled, allow me to distract you.
* * *
Thank you for reading THE GUARDIAN’S FAVOR. If you also love paranormal romance, jump seven hundred years into the future to see what becomes of Lawerence Derrickson, one of the two main vampires in a new series coming January 2019.
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About the Author
Cecelia Mecca is the author of historical and paranormal romance, including the bestselling Border Series, and sometimes wishes she could be transported back in time to the days of knights and castles. Although the former English teacher’s actual home is in Northeast Pennsylvania where she lives with her husband and two children, her online home can be found at CeceliaMecca.com.
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Also by Cecelia Mecca
The Border Series
The Ward’s Bride: Prequel Novella
The Thief’s Countess: Book 1
The Lord’s Captive: Book 2
The Chief’s Maiden: Book 3
The Scot’s Secret: Book 4
The Earl’s Entanglement: Book 5
The Warrior’s Queen: Book 6
The Protector’s Promise: Book 7
The Rogue’s Redemption: Book 8
The Guardian’s Favor: Book 9
Enchanted Falls
Falling for the Knight: A Time Travel Romance
Bloodwite
Also love PNR? Vampires are coming in January.
The Guardian’s Favor: Border Series Book Nine Page 21
