by H. C. Brown
“Verra well but until that time, ye will not step one foot inside your bedchamber or go near the lass. Proprieties will be observed, ye ken?” She gave him a gimlet eye. “I will inform the lady, ye are verra busy wi’ clan business and will call on her in a day or two. Then ye can ask her if she will have ye but afore ye do, I suggest ye call the clan to the Great Hall and inform them of your decision.” She turned and in a swish of tartan left the room.
He rubbed both hands over his face and stared after her hoping their conversation had not been overheard. His ears grew hot with embarrassment. Will I ever be a grown man to ye, Ma?
* * * *
He waited for his clan to sit down to supper then banged on the table to get their attention. With all heads turned in his direction, he cleared his throat. “Afore ma father died, I made him a promise to marry and I told him about a bonny lass I met in London. He gave me his blessing and now I ask for yours. I will wed Lady Adrianna Beachwood the day after tomorrow. She is the goddaughter of King Geordie and I am marrying her against her father’s wishes, but it will be a marriage of the heart. What say ye?”
Angus got to his feet and his mouth twisted into a semblance of a smile. He lifted his goblet.
“To the new Lady of Badenoch.”
To his delight, his men raised their goblets in a toast to his future. He emptied his drink and grinned. Now all I have to do is to convince Adrianna to have me.
Chapter Eight
Adrianna sat in the huge bed and stared at the smoldering peat fire unsure of her future. Lady Badenoch had sent seamstresses to make her a new gown but had not permitted her to step one foot from her room and insisted she take to her bed. Her feeble excuse for Drew’s absence worried her. Has he changed his mind about me after all?
A knock on the door had Betty rising from her seat at the hearth to answer.
“I would like a word wi’ your mistress in private, aye.” Drew stepped inside the room.
Adrianna bathed in the sight of him and her heart raced with joy. He had shaved and wore his long black hair tied in a neat queue. Dressed in full Highland regalia, with ruffled shirt, blue velvet jacket, and the end of his plaid tossed over one shoulder attached by a silver brooch, he was magnificent.
With some difficulty, she found her tongue and cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. You may wait outside, Betty.” She met eyes of the finest emerald and smiled. “You are looking very handsome today, Laird Mackenzie?”
“Laird Mackenzie is it now?” Drew’s dark lashes dropped shuttering his expression and he bowed. “Your most obedient servant, my Lady Adrianna.”
He rose and she caught a flash of annoyance in his intent stare.
“Your hesitance to use ma Christian name causes me confusion after our recent fondness for each other.” He straightened keeping a good distance from her. “Do ye not want me, Adrianna?” He held out both arms at his sides palms up. “I thought we had an understanding, aye?”
Her heart raced in anticipation. She pushed down the desire to leap into his arms and smiled. “Yes, we do have an understanding.”
His wide lips twitched into a smile.
“That is just as well.”
Her heart squeezed with joy. She slid from the bed and faced him. “Drew … what have you done?”
Making a feral sound deep in his chest, he went to her encircling her in his strong arms and pressing her against him. A tremble shuddered through him, so slight if she had not been wearing a thin chemise she may not have noticed.
“I love you mho creagh.” He stroked her hair. “I wanted to come to ye, but I have been busy organizing a few things ye ken.”
Her nostrils filled with a scent as familiar as breathing. His hot breath brushed her neck before he found her lips and plundered her mouth in a possessive kiss, deep and savage. She melted against him, opening to his probing tongue, and tasting whisky. She clung to his broad shoulders and kissed him back unable to contain her desire. Her breasts brushed against his jacket, and she gasped at the delicious sensation. She squirmed against him needing to be closer to ease the throbbing tips.
She wanted him.
Drew dragged his mouth away from paradise and gazed into Adrianna’s flushed face. So bonnie, with her long brown curls all about her scandalously bare shoulders and framing a face with skin like the finest French china. When she moaned and wriggled against him, his attention dropped to her full breasts with erect rosy nipples pressing hard against the thin muslin of her nightgown. He inhaled the familiar feminine scent of her infused with a hint of roses. Christ give me strength. He cupped her chin rubbing the pad of one thumb in slow circles over her cheek and strengthened his resolve. He came to speak with her and speak with her he would. “Adrianna. Look at me, lass.”
Eyes as blue as a loch in summer, flitted open. Tracing one finger over the bruise on one cheek and the red tip to her long aristocratic nose, he swallowed hard. Christ, I nearly lost her. The speech he had practiced vanished from his mind like last winter’s snow. He brushed a soft kiss over her lips. “I want you, mho creagh.”
“I want you too.” She gripped his shirt and with a determined expression lifted her chin. “Now.”
Nothing mattered, not the eloquent speech, he had concocted to persuade her to wed him, because love shone in her beautiful eyes, love for him. He swallowed hard then held her away and noticed her bottom lip quiver from rejection. He smiled and stroked her soft curls. “I will not take ye now, maybe later after we are wed, aye?”
Adrianna blinked and her astonished expression made him sigh. He cupped her cheeks and hot tears splashed over his knuckles. “Och lass, dinna cry. I love ye wi’ all ma heart.” He rested his forehead very carefully against her brow. “Will ye have me, ma bonnie Adrianna, to be ma wife, and stay by ma side, forever?”
“Yes, oh, yes, I would love that of all things but what about your clan and my father’s threat to murder you all?”
Her expression of concern warmed his heart. He shrugged. “Aye, well ma clan has welcomed ye as ma bride and your father is not the only threat to clan Mackenzie in the Highlands. There are many things afoot and probably more to deal wi’ since my absence. We must form new alliances wi’ other clans. I will hold a calling of the clan to bring the Mackenzie men from across Scotland to join us.” He smiled. “There are many like Lord Rupert, Mackenzie by birthright who will come.”
“How wonderful, Rupert is like a brother to me.” Adrianna returned his smile. “But if my father discovers my direction and takes issue, he may convince King George to send troops to avenge his honor.”
He met her gaze. “Aye, he might but I have not disrespected your father. Although, he might seek revenge by complaining to King Geordie. I ken there is talk of another rising to place a Stuart on the throne, so being a Scotsman will not bode well with any English king. Ye will become Scottish by marrying me.”
He shrugged and regarded her closely. “Then there is the matter of my life as Le Diable Noir.” He took a deep breath and sent up a silent prayer. “In consideration of everything I have told ye. Would ye still want to take me as your husband?”
“Yes, I do. I believe your notoriety is exciting, indeed thrilling.” Adrianna cupped his face and smiled. “You are an honorable man, a great leader, and the Mackenzie clan will be strong again. Whatever the future holds for us we will face it together because I love you, Drew, and that is all that matters.” She leaped into his arms. “Thank you.”
Relief flooded over him and he sighed. “Dinna thank me, lass. I have wanted ye since the first time I laid eyes upon ye.” He kissed her again and reluctantly stepped away. “I have something for ye, but I dinna want ma men to see ye in your nightgown.” He lifted his spare plaid from the back of a chair and wrapped it around her. “Good, now sit yourself by the fire for a bit, aye.”
He moved to the door and swung it open then motioned for his men to carry her chests from The Black Turtle inside and set them on the floor. He noticed with some pride, all of t
hem kept their attention firmly on the floor and not one as much glanced in Adrianna’s direction.
“How did you collect my belongings?” She jumped to her feet and rushed toward the chest then one of his men placed a small leather covered box on the table and all color drained from her face.
“Adrianna?” He rushed to her side. “What is amiss?”
“The box … it was my mother’s.” She lifted her face to him. “Where did it come from?”
He held her against him and rubbed her back to comfort her. “Jamie sent men to The Black Turtle wi’ a letter from Lord Moreau, a forgery, of course, to collect your belongings. They searched Lord Moreau’s cabin too. The wee box contains a marriage contract and what I assume is left of your dowry, a goodly portion but nay doubt nibbled by Lord Moreau for one of the purses is near empty.”
She made a sound of distress.
“I had forgotten about the agreement. Burn it and there will be no proof of the arrangement between my father and Baron du Court. You are my betrothed now and the dowry belongs to you.”
He let out a long sigh. “I dinna ask to marry ye for your dowry, and aye, I will burn the document. I have a marriage contract I need ye to sign afore we wed and once the priest has bound us your father will not be able to part us.”
“Then burn it now and give me your contract to sign before anything else happens to prevent our happiness.” She broke free of his arms and moved toward a small desk. She held out one hand. “Now if you please.”
He took the folded document from his sporran and handed it to her with a smile. “God, I love a braw woman.” He opened the small box, removed Baron du Court’s contract, and tossed it into the fire watching with relish as the parchment curled, darkened then burst into flames.
“There, I have made my mark. When will we be married?” Adrianna held out the document to him. “Is there a chapel here?”
“Aye there is and a priest waiting to join us.” He folded the paper and placed it back in his sporran. “Get dressed in the gown ma mother had sewn for ye, mho creagh and become ma wife.”
He pulled her into his arms and the plaid fell from around her shoulders. With her soft skin pressed against the length of him, he kissed her, savoring her tempting mouth. Her arms came around his neck and she pulled him down to her demanding more of him. He could lay her down on the bed and take her now. The thought of burying his aching shaft inside her virgin folds consumed him. He broke the kiss gasping. Christ, she tempted him beyond reason. He gazed into eyes fogged with passion and stepped away.
“I will send Betty to help ye dress. Then when I have made an honest woman of ye, we will take this further, aye?”
He turned and headed for the door then stopped to gaze upon her again still caught in her spell.
“Ye are so verra beautiful. Dinna take too long, mo nighean donn. I miss ye already.”
He threw open the door startling Betty waiting outside. He waved the girl into the room then strolled down the passageway. He grinned so wide it hurt and pushing one hand inside the pocket of his jacket closed his fingers around his great grandmother’s silver wedding band.
Chapter Nine
Standing before the altar in the small bitterly cold kirk, Adrianna, arranged the skirts of the thick tartan gown, and gripped Drew’s hand. She repeated the vows spoken first in Gaelic and then in English. As Drew spoke the words to bind them together, she gazed into his handsome face and his vulnerable expression filled her heart with love. She had found her knight in shining armor, the Highland warrior who would love and protect her forever.
When the time came and he slipped a beautiful silver ring on her finger, the third finger of the right hand, as was the custom in Scotland, his warm hand trembled slightly but lips curled into a beatific smile.
“We are wed, lass. Ye are mine.”
“Ye may kiss the bride.” The priest closed his prayer book and grinned.
To her delight, Drew gathered her against him, surrounding her with warmth and his enticing lips moved across her mouth in a slow embrace. She clung to him drinking in his flavor, tasting whisky, and kissed him back. In his embrace, time and all around them melted into insignificance.
“Carry her to your chamber, afore we all die of the cold.” Angus’s voice drifted into her consciousness and she dragged her mouth away. “Ye canna consummate your wedding here, man.”
The clansmen cheered and Lord Rupert stepped forward and slapped Drew on the back.
“My most heartfelt congratulations to you both.” Lord Rupert bowed low over her hand. “I am very glad to see you well after your ordeal.”
“I thank you, Lord Rupert.” She smiled at him. “As you can see, I am fine and extremely happy.” She glanced down at the small dog at his feet complete with a Mackenzie tartan bow on its head. “Hello Fru Fru, I see she is now one of the clan.”
“Indeed.” Lord Rupert scooped up the ball of fluff and tucked it neatly against his side.
Drew’s mother gave her a bright smile and came forward holding out her hands. She addressed her in French.
“Welcome to our family, Adrianna. I am sure we are going to be great friends. I will teach you the Gaelic and you may teach me English.” She met her gaze, her blue eyes dancing with happiness. “I can see how much Drew loves you and to see him happy means so much to me. I hope you will do me the honor of calling me Mother?”
Adrianna took her hands and squeezed. So happy to be accepted, she returned her smile. “I would enjoy your company very much and I promise to keep Drew happy, Mother.”
She slipped under Drew’s arm and snuggled against him then waited patiently for the priest to make his mark. Lord Rupert and Angus witnessed the marriage contract she had signed earlier, her name set below Drew’s bold hand.
“Good, now we can eat.” Angus rubbed his hands together.” I have been looking forward to the wedding feast.”
“Ah-hum.” Drew glared at him. “Will ye not be welcoming your new mistress to our clan?”
“Oh aye, beg pardon. My Lady Badenoch, may I be the first to welcome ye to Clan Mackenzie?”
He had greased down his unruly red hair and bowed before her in such a formal fashion, she smothered a giggle. “You may. I thank you, Angus.”
She leaned into Drew soaking up the heat radiating from his body and sighed. “Do we have to go to the wedding feast? Our room is so much warmer than the Great Hall.”
He gave her such an abashed look, she laughed. “What is it, husband? Did I say something inappropriate?”
He raised one black eyebrow and bent close to her ear.
“Ah, lass, I love ye being bold and I canna wait to bed ye.” He chuckled. “But I dinna want ma mother overhearing your wicked intentions toward me, aye?” He pulled her against him and led her from the church.
* * * *
Drew waited with agitated patience for the numerous toasts and good wishes to end. The feast had gone past supper and his men were well into their cups although, he had partaken of one tankard of ale all evening. His bride, God bless her endurance, had started to wilt at his side like a parched rose. He banged his empty tankard on the table to hush the noise. “I will be taking ma leave now, ma wife needs her rest.”
Rowdy jeers greeted his announcement and he glared around the table but to no avail. He grinned and shrugged then pushed to his feet. He offered his arm to Adrianna. “My Lady Badenoch.”
“Husband.” She stood smiling at him then wet her lips in an invitation he could not ignore.
To be sure, the small action sent blood rushing to his groin and he cleared his throat. “Ye will not need Betty tonight.” He led her from the Great Hall and toward the stairs. “I have moved her into a maid’s chamber down the hall, so ye will have her nearby to tend ye.”
“I thank you.” She smiled up at him. “There is one thing I would like to discuss with you.”
He patted her hand, and pulled his thoughts away from the temptations ahead. “Aye?” He opened the door to his b
edchamber and stood to one side to allow her to pass. “What is it?”
Adrianna strolled into the room and moved around running the tips of her delicate fingers across the backs of the chairs.
“I know you are aware of the gold and gemstones I have in my stays” She turned and smiled at him. “All I have is yours now, husband, but there is more. Betty is carrying an amount in silver and I have a substantial income from my estate in Surrey.” She sighed. “In truth, I hope it is enough to sustain Badenoch. The thought of you putting your life in danger by smuggling again is a worry to me.”
“I am verra glad you care for my safety, but I am canny and will use ma business in France to account for my whereabouts.” He smiled and cupped her chin. “I will not risk ma life, not now I have ye.”
His attention went to the curve of her hips and the way her rounded bottom swayed provocatively with each step. Desire flamed in his groin. He would not wait one second longer to possess her. “Whatever the future holds, we will face the problems and the joys together, aye?”
His mouth watered to taste the pale, smooth skin hidden beneath the layers of her skirts, to cup each breast, and suckle her tempting pink nipples. He rubbed a hand down his face. Christ, she was innocent of the ways of men and the sight of his erection might frighten her. He cleared his throat pushing the need to ravish her to the back of his mind.
“Betty laid out a nightgown for ye. Do ye trust me wi’ your laces?”
She turned and gave him a slow sensual smile and pulled the pins from her hair. Long silken locks tumbled down her back.
“Oh, I trust you to do for me, husband.” She turned her back and lifted her curls over one shoulder. “Then perhaps, if I may be so bold, might I be permitted to undress you too?”
Oh, Christ! He fumbled over her laces and his face grew hot with frustration. The sight of the creamy skin exposed slowly to his sight near undone him. He sighed in relief as the dress fell into a mass of fabric at her feet. She kicked it aside then turned her head to gaze at him from beneath hooded eyelids. If she continued to look at him in such a lustful fashion, he might well drop dead of an apoplexy.