His Rebellious Lass (Scottish Hearts)

by Hutton, Callie

  Not that she would have not wanted him to, but there were still too many unsaid words and hurt feelings between them to allow that to happen. If only he wasn’t so handsome and affected her in such a way that she lost all good judgment when he was near. And if he kissed her! Well, it was better if he escorted her home and returned to his house.

  Our house.

  He’d been certain to mention that, but the women’s house felt more like home than Campbell Townhouse.

  The carriage stopped in front of the building, and Cam flipped his coattails back to reveal a pistol tucked into the waistband of his pants. He stepped out, looked around the surrounding area, and then reached in for her.

  She shivered, whether from the threat of danger, the cold, or his touch, she didn’t know. He grabbed her elbow and hurried her up the stairs. Once they were inside, he went from room to room and checked the windows.

  Next he huddled with the two footmen and, after a lengthy discussion, walked over to where she stood. “Are you certain you don’t want me to stay?”

  Yes, I desperately want you to stay, but if you do I will fall under your spell and lose myself again.

  “No. I will be fine.”

  He wrapped her in his arms, the scent of starched linen, horses, and male emanating from him. He lowered his head and took her lips in a kiss that started soft and then turned to fiery passion. By the time she pulled free, they were both panting.

  “I will be back tomorrow.”

  She nodded, still dazed from all the emotions and feelings running through her body. With a tap on the tip of her nose, he walked out the door, closing it softly. His voice rang out. “Lock the door.”

  She hurried over and flipped the lock then leaned against the wood, her eyes closed.

  …

  The next morning, Bridget rose from the only bed in the house and wandered to the window that looked out to the street below.

  She frowned at Cam’s carriage parked in front of the building. She checked the small clock on the table next to her bed. Seven o’clock. He was up and about this early?

  She performed a quick wash and dressed then hurried down the stairs, still pinning up her hair. She unlocked the door and stepped out just as Cam was leaving the coach. From the look of him he hadn’t been home all night.

  His gait was a bit crooked, like a man who’d slept crouched up. His hair was a mess, his clothes wrinkled, and the shadow of a beard covered the lower part of his face. She placed her hands on her hips and regarded his sorry-looking self with a smirk. “Have you been here all night?”

  He flashed that crooked smile that always set off butterflies in her stomach. “Guilty.”

  She pushed the door back to allow him to enter. “Why?”

  He stepped inside and pulled her into his arms. “I tried, I really did. I made it all the way home, and before I could have the carriage returned to the mews I had visions of you being kidnapped again, and I turned right around and came back.”

  “I have been here alone for three nights.”

  “Not alone. The footmen were here, and they both had guns. I wanted to give you time away from me, hoping you would allow me back into your life if I left you to think things over. But I could no longer stand not being here to see to your protection myself.” They made their way to the empty drawing room and closed the door against the footmen. Whatever needed to be said between them did not need an audience.

  “Is Davenport still locked up in the basement at the inn?”

  “He was released after the magistrate spoke with him. Those small-town justices are in awe of lords, regardless of their wrongdoings. However, instead of making him wallow in debtor’s prison, I escorted our nemesis to Southampton where he boarded a boat. I stayed until it left the harbor with instructions to the captain that Davenport was not to leave the ship until it docked on America’s shores.”

  He cupped her face with his warm hand. Shivers started again. She must really see that the fires were lit soon. “Just one day without you was enough to tell me what I’ve been fighting for months.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Yes?”

  “’Twas no duty or hardship to marry you, Bridget. I love you. I’ve probably loved you for quite some time. I don’t want us living in separate houses. I don’t want to command you and ignore your wishes. It won’t be easy for me. I am used to being obeyed without question, and I will need you to show me how to change.”

  She tilted her head to the side and smiled. “Why not put the money that came to me with our marriage in my name? That would be a start.”

  The laughter in his eyes warmed her. He pulled her into his arms. “Done.”

  “What?”

  “I already did that.”

  She was stunned. He really did want to change, and that made her love him more. However, there was still one thing that troubled her. She drew back and stared at him. “What about your charges of my lack of virtue?”

  He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I was so wrong. So very wrong, but even if the situation had been what I thought, it doesn’t matter. As long as I am the last man to hold you in his arms and love you, that’s enough for me.”

  “Oh, Cam.” Her eyes filled with tears, and her voice hitched. “I love you, too, and want a marriage like you described. We should be partners, not just in this endeavor, but in life.” Bridget ran her palm over his rough beard and tugged his head down for a kiss.

  And her world exploded.

  They tore at each other’s clothes until they were skin to skin and lying together on the pile of garments they’d shed. He took her with love and caring, with fire and passion, showing her with his hands and mouth how much he loved her.

  And with my body, I thee worship.

  She loved him back, exploring him with her hands and mouth until they both lay exhausted, flat on their backs, hands entwined, staring at the ceiling.

  “Will you come home?”

  “To our house?”

  “Yes, wife.”

  “Indeed, husband.”

  Epilogue

  A few weeks after Bridget had returned home, Cam took her hand in his and escorted her down the stairs to the drawing room to await their guests.

  They were hosting a dinner for a few of Cam’s fellow members in Parliament, who would be departing to the country for holiday.

  The next day he and Bridget were also headed to his country estate for Christmastide. They would return when Parliament resumed and the new Season began. While they were gone, the contractor would work on The Sanctuary so they would be able to open it after they returned.

  He strode across the room and poured himself a brandy and a sherry for her. She’d announced a few days before that she was with child, and now her favorite Scotch whisky seemed to upset her stomach.

  A child.

  He still felt a tightening in his chest at the thought. After numerous talks with his sisters, he no longer believed he would become his father and turn into an ogre after a child was born. But he’d thought for so long that he would never have children that the idea was still frightening. He worried about not being a good enough father, but then he looked at Bridget and knew she would be a wonderful mother and would never allow him to be anything but the best parent.

  The past few weeks had been the finest in his life. During the day they worked together on their plans, the excitement in his wife growing. She’d been disappointed to learn it would take some time to ready the house, but at least it was in the not-so-distant future.

  “Cam, I think I made a bad decision asking Cook to make lamb chops. Not everyone likes lamb.” Bridget chewed her lip as she took the sherry glass from him.

  “Lamb chops are fine, my love. And if someone does not like them, there are so many courses planned they will be unable to walk to their carriage after the meal, anyway.” He sat alongside her and tucked her close to his body. “How is our son today?”

  “Our daughter is fine. It is still much too early to feel any moveme
nt, but she lets me know every morning that she’s there and not happy with whatever it was I ate the night before.”

  “My lord, Lord Stevenson and Lord Appleby have arrived.” Dobson’s announcement in his usual staid manner was quickly followed by the men’s entrance. This was to be an all-male dinner, those with families having already sent them off to the country.

  …

  As the group gathered and began to talk and wave their hands in the air, paying her no attention, Bridget took the time to think about the missive she’d received the day before. Mr. Manning, Papa’s solicitor, had forwarded a letter to her in Papa’s handwriting. Mr. Manning explained that he had been holding it—per her papa’s instructions—until she notified him of her marriage, so he could release the funds.

  Opening the letter with shaky hands, she’d been dumbfounded by the time she finished reading, before she’d folded it and placed it into the pink-and-blue ribbon box where she kept special papers.

  The letter had said:

  My Dear Daughter,

  If you are reading this letter, it is because you are married. Happily so, I hope. I know you desired your freedom to do what you wished with the money left to you, but I had other hopes and dreams for my only child.

  After all, daughter, after I am gone, you are alone in the world.

  You might have wondered why I never changed your guardianship from the late Lord Campbell. After my old friend’s death, it got me thinking about my own demise and what would happen to you. I knew the current Lord Campbell to be a good man. Someone who would take care of you and possibly even love you.

  He had a reputation, I know, but I had someone send me word of him over the years after his father died. Lord Campbell would make you a fine husband. He has enough strength to allow you to be yourself and not crush your fine spirit.

  I hoped if I threw the two of you together you would both feel something special for each other.

  Please don’t harbor any ill feelings toward my heir, Laird Evan MacNeil. He visited with me when you were away at school and I found that although he is a gruff man, he has a tender heart. I know he will take good care of our lands and what is left of our clan.

  Be happy, daughter, and surround yourself with children to love and who will love you. If my instincts were correct, you have a strong, loving husband in Lord Campbell to stand beside you for the rest of your life.

  Your loving Papa

  The shock of that letter had stayed with her ever since. At least that had explained why Papa had been so neglectful in changing the guardianship. She smiled at his treachery.

  The dinner passed with all the shouting from the men bringing on a headache. It was a great deal of relief when they all gathered their things and left.

  “Brrr, it’s cold.” Cam shut the door as the last of the vehicles rolled away.

  Bridget came to an abrupt stop and placed her hand over her tummy. “I think our daughter just moved.”

  “No, it’s too soon.” Cam said as he led her upstairs. “’Twas most likely indigestion.”

  She turned to him. “How do you know? How many children have you carried?”

  He bent and scooped her into his arms, taking the rest of the steps two at a time. “I don’t need to have carried a child—crazy idea—but it’s still too soon.”

  Cam unfastened the latch on the bedroom door and pushed it open with his hip. He strode to the bed and gently laid her down. “Now let me see what you felt.” He placed his hand on her belly.

  “Do you feel that?” She grinned up at him.

  “I think it’s those lamb chops Cook made for dinner.” He stood and removed his cravat and shrugged out of his jacket.

  Bridget knelt on the bed, pulling the pins from her hair. “It is not indigestion.”

  He twirled his finger in the air for her to turn around. He unfastened the back of her gown and made quick work of the strings on her stays. Leaning over her, he pushed the cascade of curls off her shoulders and cupped her sensitive breasts in his hands. He kissed the soft skin where her neck and shoulder met and murmured into her ear, “I think we should agree to disagree, my love. We have much more interesting things to consider this evening.”

  After they were both divested of their clothes, he climbed onto the bed with her and pulled her into his arms. “Whether it is our son announcing his presence, or indigestion, just know that I love you, Lady Campbell.”

  “I assure you it is our daughter announcing her presence. And I love you, Lord Campbell.”

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  Acknowledgments

  No man (woman) is an island and no book could be presented to the reading public without the work, support, and help of many.

  Thanks to Erin Molta, editor extraordinaire.

  Thanks to Nicole Resciniti, agent extraordinaire.

  Thanks to members of the Beau Monde chapter of the Romance Writers of America who have the resources and answers to my numerous questions.

  About the Author

  USA Today bestselling author Callie Hutton has penned more than thirty-five historical romance books and writes humorous and spicy Regency with “historic elements and sensory details.” (The Romance Reviews). Callie lives in Oklahoma with two rescue dogs and her top cheerleader husband of many years. Her family also includes her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law. And her four-year-old twin grandsons, “The Twinadoes.”

  Callie loves to hear from readers. Contact her directly at calliehutton11@gmail.com, or find her online at www.calliehutton.com for a printable list of all her books and to sign up for her newsletter. Also visit her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads, and follow her on Amazon and Book Bub to receive notice of new releases and pre-orders.

  Also by Callie Hutton…

  The Elusive Wife

  The Duke’s Quandary

  The Lady’s Disgrace

  The Baron’s Betrayal

  The Highlander’s Choice

  The Highlander’s Accidental Marriage

  The Earl’s Return

  Seducing the Marquess

  Marrying the Wrong Earl

  Denying the Duke

  The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth

  Wagering For Miss Blake

  Captivating the Earl

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