The word made her cringe. “Duncan is not damaged. That is a horrible thing to say.” Beatrice blew out a breath. “Allow me a day, or two to consider things. I would like to speak to Stuart. I’d rather marry him than Caelan, mainly because he lives with Duncan and that would be… awkward.”
“Very well,” Isobel replied and stood. Beatrice was glad when she left, and she was allowed time alone again.
There was a solution they’d not considered. She could travel back to North Uist immediately. Her family would not hear about any rumors if they remained there. With her back, her mother would have no reason to come there for a few months.
At the thought of leaving and not seeing Duncan again, she became sad. In truth, she was very attracted to him and despite Lady Mariel’s revelations, Beatrice felt a kinship with him. Interesting since she’d never suffered any type of injustice and lived what one could call a sheltered life. However, something deep within called to him and she could only suppose it was that with him, she felt safe.
He’d kissed her. Perhaps it had been an impulse. Obviously, he’d been very shocked by his actions. Had he done to soothe her feelings and then realized it had the opposite effect? Whatever the reason, she wished it had lasted more than a second. In truth, it barely counted as a kiss.
Beatrice huffed and looked toward the window. How hard would it be to get him to kiss her again? Not because she wanted to force him into another awkward situation, but because the short interlude made her curious to know what his kisses would be like.
First, she packed all her clothes, and upon Orla entering, she instructed the maid to finish. “I will see about returning home in the morning. Ye should pack yer belongings as well.”
“Does Lady Ross know?” Orla said referring to Isobel.
“Not yet, I will inform her as soon as she is rested. I do not wish to disturb her right now.”
Once the packing was done, Beatrice went to find Ella.
She found her outside in the side garden looking off into the distance.
“What are ye doing looking so forlorn?” Beatrice asked.
“Do ye ever wonder what else there is to life?” Ella replied, her gaze still off into the distance. “I find myself growing weary of the same thing, day in and day out.”
Beatrice took Ella’s hand. “Come with me to North Uist. I have a grand idea. If I return immediately, my family will not learn of what happened. No knowledge, no forced marriage.”
For a long moment, Ella studied her. “I agree. It is a grand idea. We must tell Mother at once.”
“Allow them to rest. There is time. However, I do wish for ye to come with me. It will give ye opportunity to get away for a bit and to see different dull views.”
Ella burst into laughter. “Ye are a delight, Beatrice. I would very much love to travel with ye. There is nothing holding me here, if I am to be honest. A season away would be nice.”
Lady Mariel frowned, turning from Ella to Beatrice. “The idea has merit. Although I hate to keep anything away from yer mother,” she said pinning Beatrice with a pointed look.
“If ye do not come with us, then any blame will lay with me for not informing her,” Ella said. “Mother, we cannot force either Beatrice or Stuart to marry because of a weather mishap.”
“I will speak to Darach. If he agrees then ye both can travel immediately.” Lady Mariel let out a sigh and gave Beatrice a warm look. “If Duncan could marry, ye would be a perfect match for him.”
Her chest constricted at the thought of marriage to Duncan. He was so very perfect in every way. In her opinion at least.
“I would not protest to marrying him,” Beatrice replied.
An astonished expression crossed both Lady Mariel and Ella’s faces. Ella recovered first. “Ye really do care for him. That is so very endearing.”
“He will be here tomorrow. Ye can inform him of yer departure,” Lady Mariel told her with a warm smile. “I am sure he would like to know.”
Last meal was as expected. The great hall was filled with village people who came to see their laird and lady, and to partake of the feast. Musicians played lively tunes and people danced after they’d ate their fill.
Beatrice and Ella sat at a table with a visiting landowner and his wife. Despite her situation, Beatrice was enjoying the evening. More than anything, she loved seeing her sister seated at the high board stealing glances at her handsome husband.
The laird did the same, ever so often touching Isobel’s hand or leaning into her ear to whisper. Her heart ached when considering she wanted the same—a love match.
However, it seemed it would not be her lot in life. Instead, she hoped to learn to care for the man her parents matched her with.
“Look,” Ella whispered into her ear. “Duncan is here.”
Across the room, Duncan walked along the perimeter of the room and sat at a table in a corner. A moment later, Stuart and Gideon joined him.
“I wonder why my brother returned so soon. He just left earlier.”
Beatrice shrugged. “Perhaps he forgot something.”
“It could be,” Ella studied her brothers for a moment. “I have to know.” She stood and hurried over to where her brothers were.
“I hear North Uist is beautiful this time of year,” the woman at the table, whose name she’d forgotten, said.
Beatrice smiled. “It is. However, not as warm as it is here.” She slid another look at the corner. The siblings continued talking, but it seemed not to be anything serious.
Finally, Ella returned. “He got word of a shipment and will be traveling north in two days. I informed him that ye and I wish to go.”
“Oh,” Beatrice looked back to where Duncan sat, “do ye think that is a good idea?”
“He will not be going to yer home. We will be traveling there alone with an escort of course.”
Hopefully, it would not turn into yet another complication. Beatrice nodded and looked to her sister. “I must speak to Isobel.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Duncan slip out a doorway. Without a word, she stood and pretending interest in the dancers, slowly made her way out the same door.
Duncan stood with his back to the house. He peered up at the sky, his stance relaxed.
“I must speak to ye,” Beatrice whispered and walked closer until she stood beside him.
“What about?” Duncan replied, not looking at her.
“I-I am not sure how to express my regret for all of this.”
When he turned to face her, she felt small and insignificant. He was so beautiful under the moonlight. The dark waves of his loosed hair framed his strong face and his two-toned eyes flashed with something that she could not identify.
He took a step closer, and Beatrice considered if she should turn and flee. It was not what she wanted to do, she wished to stand her ground and be closer to him.
“Beatrice, ye should go back inside,” he said, his face just a breath away.
“And if I do not?” she replied breathlessly.
When his mouth covered hers, every ounce of her body filled with joy. Beatrice clung to his shoulders, kissing him back.
His arms surrounded her as the kiss intensified. He tilted his head, to deepen the kiss, their tongues entwining. She’d never been so thoroughly kissed and never had her body responded in the way it did in that moment.
Tingles ran down her arms and legs and she wanted to wrap herself around him.
Not wishing him to move away, Beatrice threaded her arms around his neck, not letting go when he broke the kiss. Instead of releasing him, she nuzzled her face into his neck pressing her lips to the pulse there.
Duncan moaned softly and ran his hands up and down her sides. Then he took her mouth again, this time lifting her off her feet. It was as if she floated in the air, only the night air and stars witnesses to the first time she’d felt so utterly undone.
The feel of his mouth on hers, his strong arms around her body, and the scent of him were intoxicating.
She never wished it to stop.
“We must stop,” he finally said in a ragged voice and lowered her to the ground. Her knees barely held her up, so Beatrice leaned on him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“That was wonderful,” she said smiling up at him. “We should do it again.”
For the first time since meeting him, his lips curved, and he shook his head. “Ye are unlike any woman I’ve ever met.”
“I will take it as a compliment.”
“Go back inside, ye will be missed.” He tried to dislodge her arms from around his waist. “Beatrice.”
She looked at him. “Ye wish to marry me. I know it.”
A frown marred his brow. “Go inside.”
“Kiss me again and I will.”
There was warmth in his gaze. “Ye are a vixen. Quite hard to resist.” Their mouths met with a sense of desperation, the knowledge that it was in all probability the last time they would be alone.
Beatrice couldn’t help the moan that escaped, and she raked her fingers through his hair pulling him closer. Their bodies pressed against each other’s; she could not fathom another man feeling so perfect. He was so very strong. Moving his lips along hers, Duncan traced kisses to her jaw and down the side of her neck while she clung to him lost in the wonderful sensations.
“This is certainly not what I expected to walk out to,” Lady Mariel exclaimed.
With a gasp, Beatrice pushed away from Duncan. She swayed and he steadied her.
“We were just…talking,” Beatrice said pushing Duncan’s hands away. “Is that not true?” She peered up at Duncan, who fought to keep his breathing controlled.
The door opened and Darach stepped through. His keen gaze locked first with Duncan and then moved to Beatrice, locking on her swollen lips.
“Ye will marry her,” he said then turned on his heel and went back inside.
Beatrice didn’t dare look at Duncan. Looking to Lady Mariel, she let out a breath. “May I have a word with Duncan. I promise to come inside promptly.”
Duncan’s mother looked to her son for a long moment. “I will be right inside. Hurry.”
When she left, Duncan remained still as a statue, looking in the direction of the door. “I am sorry.”
“Listen,” Beatrice said tugging at his sleeve. “When ye travel in two days. Take me back to North Uist. My family will not know anything about what happened.”
“My brother will insist we marry immediately. I know him.”
“Oh.” Beatrice scrambled to come up with another plan.
Duncan took her by the arms and waited for her to look at him. “I will marry ye and ye will remain here at the keep, with my family.”
“What?” Beatrice shook her head. “We are to live separately?”
“It is for the best.” He rounded her and walked toward the courtyard.
When she went inside, Lady Mariel was standing in the doorway, prepared to go out.
Beatrice gave her an apologetic look. “Every time I try to fix things, I only make them worse. Now he hates me.”
“I am sure he felt quite the opposite,” Lady Mariel said hugging Beatrice. “Now tell me what he said.”
“That once we marry, I will remain here, and he will continue to live at the other house.”
“We will see about that.” Lady Mariel lifted Beatrice’s chin. “Come, I am sure yer sister wishes to speak to ye.”
“This has been the longest day,” Beatrice said sagging. “I want to go to bed and begin the day anew.”
Chapter Eight
Duncan entered his brother’s study. “Ye know full well I will never marry. Why did ye make that statement.”
“Because it is obvious there is something between ye and her. Already she has been compromised. Someone else may have spied ye and her just now.” Darach met his gaze. “Sit down.”
His pulse raced as the reality of what was about to happen settled within. His brother would not relent in this and Duncan did not blame him. Their mother had walked in on what could only be described as a passionate interlude.
“Why do ye fight the idea of a future with a wife and family so much?” Darach asked while pouring whiskey into two glasses. He handed one to Duncan and sat across from him. “Tell me.”
Duncan blew out a breath. “There are many reasons.”
“He is a scared virgin,” Stuart said strolling in and went straight to the sideboard to get himself a drink. “We can get ye a woman to practice with.”
“I am not a virgin,” Duncan said staring daggers at their younger brother. Stuart could be his twin, with the same dark hair, and strong jaw. However, Stuart’s eyes were both hazel and he was built like the archer that he was, with slender hips, and strong shoulders and arms.
“When were ye with a woman last?” Darach asked, obviously believing Stuart’s statement.
“Before my entire body was covered in scars. Before a woman would scream in horror at the sight of me naked.” He set his jaw waiting for Stuart to make another humorous remark. He was prepared to punch him.
Instead, his younger brother shook his head. “Ye should not allow that to hold ye back. There are ways to enjoy lovemaking without having to remove all yer clothing.”
“I am aware,” Duncan retorted and swallowed down the contents of his glass. “I prefer not to.”
Darach looked at him. “Yer chest is not as scarred as yer back. When a woman is under ye or if she straddles ye, she will not see it.”
It was both embarrassing and endearing that his brothers began coming up with ways for him to enjoy bedsport without revealing his marred body.
“Ye cannot keep from marrying Miss Beatrice. She is beautiful and obviously taken with ye,” Stuart added. “Over time, ye can divulge more of yerself. Already she is aware of what happened to ye, that ye were stolen away when young.”
Duncan was sure once she saw what he looked like she would want nothing to do with him. It would be her choice and he would allow it. There would be no blame or resentment on his part because he already understood that most people would be repulsed at seeing evidence of torture.
“It isn’t fair to her. She deserves a husband to be proud of.”
“Let her decide, brother. I do believe she has a good heart,” Darach said. “The marriage will take place tomorrow.”
“I have to meet with the ship captain. We cannot allow him to sell the goods to someone else.”
Darach shook his head. “Stuart can go.”
“Stuart gets sick just looking at the sea,” Duncan argued. “It should be me.”
“I will go,” Stuart said, his face already seeming to turn green at the thought.
“I will speak to Ewan, he and ye can go. Catriona is well enough to be left alone now. Ella or Mother can go see about her while Ewan is gone,” Darach said to Stuart.
Stuart walked out, but Darach motioned for Duncan to stay. “I want ye to be happy; however, at the same time, I will insist ye consummate the marriage. Do not cross me on this. If ye do as we say, she will not see ye.”
“Women wish to touch while making love. I cannot control that.”
Darach nodded. “Ye were so young when ye left. I cannot imagine what lovemaking was like for ye then. When making love to a woman, ye must kiss and caress her until she is ready for ye.”
While Darach explained the mechanics of making love and instructing him on how to keep Beatrice from touching his back, Duncan listened intently. He wanted to know everything, to ensure Beatrice enjoyed her first time.
“There is something else,” Darach said. “It will be like yer first time as well. Do not expect it to be perfect. Over time ye will both learn what the other enjoys most and where to touch and kiss to bring more pleasure.”
“Thank ye,” Duncan said and leaned back.
“If ye ever have any questions, come to me,” Darach said and leaned forward to place a hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “I will always be here for ye.”
When he walked outside i
t was dark, and he looked up at the star-filled sky. When he was aboard one ship after another, usually tied up or laying on the deck too injured to move, he would often look up at the stars. It was the only constant in his life, the lighted night sky, the time when he would sleep and dream of home and the green fields of his homeland.
If ever there were days when he’d not been mistreated, he would climb up to the mast and imagined reaching up to grab a star.
“Duncan?”
He turned to find Isobel, his brother’s wife. “How do ye feel?”
It was an interesting question. He would have thought she’d be with Beatrice doing much what Darach had. Explaining to her what to expect in the marriage bed.
“I am well.” He met her gaze. “How is Beatrice?”
Isobel smiled. “She is fast asleep. We talked, but it has been a long day. I believe she is looking forward to tomorrow.”
“My apologies for the way things happened.”
“Do not apologize for the situation my sister put ye in. It is I who should apologize for my sister’s actions. Now ye are to be forced into marriage and after yer life, I would hope that ye would have a say in something so important.”
“I am not against marrying yer sister. To have her as a wife is a priceless gift. She deserves more than me.”
Isobel’s lips curved into a warm smile. “She has chosen ye. Beatrice is not the delicate creature some think. I believe she made a choice and did what she could to claim ye.”
“Then I am a fortunate man,” Duncan replied.
When left alone, once again he looked up to the skies. He’d had sexual relations after ten and four. However, he had not been a willing participant and it was something he never ever thought about.
In the shadows, a figure skulked away, slipping further into the darkness, a soft chuckle swallowed by the sounds of the wind.
Chapter Nine
At the first sign of sunlight, Beatrice got out of bed and hurried to the window. She hoped for a sunny day as she wished to pick flowers for her hair and a bouquet. Awake since before dawn, she’d been planning mentally what to wear and how to do her hair.
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