The Highland Commander

by Amy Jarecki

  “Agnes is finally asleep.” The lady tiptoed to the bed. “I fear she’s starting to suspect that we’ve grown a mutual fondness.”

  His cock lengthened as she slowly untied her sash and let the dressing gown fall from her shoulders. “Let us keep the good-hearted serving woman at bay for the next sennight, for I would go mad knowing you were alone in your bed only paces away.”

  “I’ll do what I can—though she’s wondering why I’ve taken to sleeping so late.”

  “It must be the London air.”

  “Oh, that is good. I’ll use that on the morrow.”

  He slipped from the bedclothes, letting her see him naked.

  She grinned, her gaze meandering downward and coming to rest on his manhood. “You are magnificent.”

  Stepping in, he fingered the satin ribbon on her chemise, then slowly tugged. “I’d go into battle to prove you are more so.”

  Maddie raised her arms while he drew the gown over her head and cast it aside. Her nipples constricted, making wee pebbles. “Is that what brought on the sparring session with Seaforth?”

  He traced his finger around a supple breast, and his cock lengthened a bit more. “I suppose. Besides, it felt good to have a sword in my hand. Aboard ship the officers have an hour of swordplay every day.”

  “Ah, that explains why you’re so practiced.” Stepping closer, she tapped his bandage. “How is your arm?”

  He drew her into his embrace, skin to skin. “Can hardly feel it.” He bit his bottom lip. “As you are aware, a sailor is resourceful.” He glanced to the pillow where he’d hidden his pamphlet. He’d decided to share it with her this night. “I have some drawings that I wanted to show you—but only if you wouldn’t be offended.”

  “Offend the bastard?” She threw back her head with a chortle, grinding her mons against him. “I’ve been offended so much this eve, I doubt I could be injured further.”

  “Och, you heard the whispers, did you?”

  “Only a deaf woman wouldn’t have.”

  He cradled her chin in the crook of his finger. “I care not what any of them think.”

  She shrugged. “Nor do I.”

  After a kiss, he again looked to the pillow. “The pictures are… well, erotic.”

  A wee smile played on her lips while a naughty flicker sparkled in her eyes. “Similar to what we’ve been up to these past few nights?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  She circled her mons into his cock, deliberately this time. Dear God, no matter how much he wanted to maintain control, Maddie could turn up the heat of his passion like nothing he’d ever imagined. “Pictures? You mean to say someone actually was audacious enough to put pen to parchment?”

  “Aye.”

  She snorted with laughter. “’Tis scandalous.”

  “We are scandalous.” He gestured to the bed.

  “Well then, show me these drawings, and I’ll tell you if I cannot abide them.”

  They sat side by side as Aiden opened the pamphlet.

  Maddie gasped and covered her mouth. “I’d never dreamed.” She turned her head and looked at one picture in which the man and woman were each on one knee with their legs wrapped over each other’s back. “That looks a wee bit uncomfortable.”

  “I daresay it does.” Licking his bottom lip, Aiden pointed to the drawing with the woman seated on the bed and the man standing. “That one looks interesting.”

  “Aye, but we agreed not to…” She waggled her eyebrows at his member. “You ken.”

  “True, but a man can dream.”

  “Mm-hmm.” She continued to study the drawings with great interest. She pointed to the picture at the bottom of the man licking the woman’s quim. “We’ve done that.”

  He pointed to the reverse. “And that.”

  “And we’ve used our hands.”

  “I wish I could be inside you.” He almost moaned.

  She looked him in the eye, her teeth grazing her bottom lip. “What if I were to conceive?”

  He glanced to the drawing showing a clear picture of the man buried inside the woman. God, he’d give an entire year’s pay to feel her wet heat surround him.

  “I’ve seen too many women succumb to the throes of passion, only to be left with a bastard,” she said as if reading his mind.

  He nodded. “Forgive me. ’Twas selfish of me to say.”

  “’Twas honest. I’d like nothing more myself.” With a wicked waggle of her brows, she slid down and traced her tongue up his cock, sending his mind into a maelstrom of desire. “Let me bring you pleasure as I did last eve.”

  Lying back, Aiden gave in to the pleasure of Maddie’s touch. Since they’d started this adventure, she’d grown defter and he’d grown a bit more endurance. Och aye, the longer he prolonged his peak, the greater the reward.

  With her lips around him, he closed his eyes and imagined burying his cock inside her. His hips rocked back and forth, faster and faster, as she worked her magic, sucking, swirling her tongue, and milking him with her fingers. Though he tried to resist, passion hit him strong and hard, and he came with the force of a cannon blast.

  Collapsing on top of him, Maddie chuckled. “I feel powerful when you bend to my will.”

  He ran his fingers through the wild honeyed tresses sprawling over his body. “Only you have that privilege.”

  Pulling her up, he claimed her mouth, a swirl of desire filling his chest, his cock growing hard again. But now he’d give Maddie pleasure. He coaxed her to her back and nuzzled kisses into her neck. “I cannot wait to eat you.”

  “Mm,” she moaned. “You make it sound so sensuous.”

  He moved to her breasts, cupping them in his hands. He pressed them together and slipped his tongue through the crevice. “You are my goddess.”

  Down he went while his cock grew harder yet. She opened her legs and he moved between them, rose up on his knees, and stared into those fathomless blues. “Are you ready to reach for the stars, lass?”

  Licking her ruby-red lips, she nodded.

  With the first swipe of his tongue, Aiden, too, soared to the stars. Heaven on earth.

  He could kiss Maddie until dawn and never tire. He loved how her pleasure made him feel like a man, like the king of the world. He was so rapt in his passion, Aiden barely registered the door slamming.

  “Good God, what on earth is going on under my father’s roof?”

  Aiden’s tongue stilled. Only one man on earth possessed a deep voice such as that.

  In one move he leaped from the bed, grabbed his plaid, and covered his loins. “John? What the blazes are you doing here?”

  His brother strained to glance around to Maddie. “The question is, what are you doing?”

  Fortunately, she’d managed to pull the linens clear up to her neck—and now over her head.

  Dear Lord, they’d been caught—and not by Agnes. Aiden wrapped the kilt around his waist. “Come. Let us allow Lady Magdalen a moment of privacy while she gathers her clothing.”

  “Lady Magdalen? Is she by chance related to Marischal?”

  “Aye.” Aiden pushed John out the door and to the drawing room. “I’ve allowed her to stay whilst she arranges for her father’s release.”

  “Is that likely?” John, the Marquis of Tullibardine, plopped into a chair.

  “It seems probable.” Aiden scratched his head. “But what are you doing in London, and at this hour?”

  “My regiment has been deployed. We sail for the Continent on the morrow. I came to Whitehall to sleep in a real bed for the last time in God kens how long. I’ll be tenting it with the First Cavalry after we hit the Continent.”

  “Are things heating up on the front?”

  “Haven’t you heard? The French attacked the Allied forces in Bavaria. I’m surprised you’re not in the thick of it.”

  “The Royal Mary is in port for repairs.”

  “You lucky devil.” John glanced to the sound of a door clicking in the passageway. “In more ways than one.”
/>
  “It’s not what you think.”

  “No? What? Did my eyes deceive me?”

  “She’s not a harlot.”

  “You could have fooled me.”

  Aiden scowled. “Bugger off with the jesting.”

  John slapped a dismissive hand through the air. “I suppose it means nothing to me—after all, don’t they say a sailor has a woman in every port?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Early the next morning, the porter brought in a tray of toast, jam, and herring. Aiden met his brother in the drawing room. Dressed in a red-coated cavalry uniform, John looked far too English for Aiden’s taste.

  “What regiment did you say you’ll deploying with?” he asked.

  “Marlborough himself. I’ll be leading the First Cavalry.”

  “That’s quite a responsibility.”

  “And an honor.”

  “Not to mention dangerous.”

  “No more so than traveling the byways around Blair Castle.” Picking up a piece of toast, John used a round-tipped knife to carve off a slab of butter. “And you, you’ve never been one to shirk danger.”

  “Aye, but I’m not the heir. I’d expect you to be a bit more careful.”

  “Ever the practical one.” John swathed his toast. “What news of the Colonies?”

  “Not much. The French are carving out territory to the north—tempers are rising on that front as well.”

  “Next you’ll be telling me the Royal Mary has been deployed to the Americas.”

  Aiden reached for the flagon of cider. “Holy hell, I hope not. We’d most likely succumb to the mercy of the sea. She’s only a class-four frigate. The crossing is better suited to a galleon or the like.”

  “True, though you could request a transfer.”

  “Are you anxious to send me to the Americas, brother?”

  “Not at all.”

  Aiden had thought about it at one time, though since the Act of Union, sailing off to the Colonies to represent Britain didn’t sit well. John hadn’t yet mentioned anything of home. “How is Mathilde?”

  “Well.” John chased down his bite with a swallow of cider. “Still not with child, but we’ll resume our efforts upon my return.”

  Aiden gave his brother a wink. “Not an unpleasant thing for a soldier to dream about.”

  “Not at all.”

  When a floorboard creaked, Aiden turned his attention toward the sound. Wearing her cloak, Maddie tiptoed toward the door. He immediately stood, with John following suit. “Lady Magdalen, are you stepping out before you break your fast?”

  She snapped around and gaped at him, her face blushing red as raspberries. “Lord Aiden, you are up early this morn.”

  John cleared his throat. “My brother always rises with the first crow from the roost.”

  Maddie shifted her gaze to her feet.

  Aiden had no doubt she was embarrassed half to death. Dear Lord, if he’d known his brother was planning to pay a visit, he never would have risked… “Ah, I haven’t properly introduced my brother, the Marquis of Tullibardine.” He gestured from John to Maddie. “Lady Magdalen.”

  “I recall.” John bowed deeply. “’Tis lovely making your acquaintance.”

  “What does he mean he recalls, m’lady?” asked Agnes, pattering through the hallway.

  Maddie bit the corner of her mouth. “Ah, there was a wee commotion when the marquis arrived last eve.”

  Agnes frowned and looked between the two men, though her gaze didn’t linger. “I do hope all is well?”

  “Indeed,” said Aiden. “His Lordship will be sailing for the Continent—at what time, John?”

  “Orders are to be aboard ship at midday.”

  The bell sounded. “A missive for His Lordship.”

  “I’ll fetch it,” said John, walking to the door. “Though I’ve no idea why you haven’t employed a valet for the duration of your leave.”

  Stepping nearer, Maddie mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

  Aiden spread his palms, affecting an aghast expression. She had absolutely nothing to apologize for. “What are your plans for this morrow, m’lady?”

  “Agnes and I are off to the Tower to tell Da about Lord Seaforth’s petition.” Her smile brightened the entire chamber. Thank heavens she wasn’t entirely flummoxed by last eve’s debacle. “I am certain it shall do much to lift his spirits.”

  Aiden tugged on his lapels. “It would be an honor to accompany you.”

  “Oh, that is kind, is it not, m’lady?” said Agnes.

  John stepped back inside holding up the opened missive. “I’m afraid this is for you, Aiden.”

  Knitting his brows, Aiden took the parchment and read. Then a lead ball dropped to the pit of his stomach. His face grew hot.

  God, not now.

  Maddie craned her neck, her expression alarmed. “What is it?”

  “I’ve been ordered back to the Royal Mary.”

  “When?”

  “I’m to report immediately.”

  “My word,” Maddie whispered, drawing her fingers to her mouth.

  “Didn’t you say the ship is in port for repairs?” asked John.

  “Aye, minor repairs, but she’s still seaworthy.” Aiden eyed his brother. “What does Marlborough have planned?”

  John arched one eyebrow and studied the two women. “An all-out sweep of the Continent—by land and sea. He aims to put an end to this bloody war once and for all.”

  Having been in the navy for two years, Aiden had heard the same more than once. But perhaps the Duke of Marlborough was serious this time. Aiden reached his hands out to Maddie, but quickly snapped them to his sides. Touching her in the presence of his brother and her serving maid would be completely and utterly improper.

  She remained surprisingly composed. The only thing giving away her disappointment was the stricken look in her eyes. “Do you have any idea when you’ll return?”

  “None.” He raised his palms while a chasm spread in his chest. “We could be gone for months.”

  “We’ll most likely be back in Stonehaven by that time,” said Miss Agnes.

  Maddie drew in a sharp breath. “Will the Royal Mary again visit Stonehaven?”

  “I cannot be certain.” Unable to stop himself, he stepped forward and grasped her hands tightly between his palms. Damn propriety. “I thought we had several days. I wanted to join Lord Seaforth in working to see your father released, or at least stand beside you whilst you presented the petition to the queen.”

  She blinked, her eyes watery. “Not to worry.”

  The walls closed around him. “But more than anything, I wanted to spend the remainder of my leave—ah—with you.”

  John cleared his throat—the lout.

  A tear slipped from Maddie’s eye. “Me also.”

  Damnation, Aiden’s tongue was tied. He wanted to pull her into his chamber and declare his undying love. Promise that he would return as soon as possible. Tell her he would meet her in Stonehaven for Hogmanay, or sooner. Mayhap make a promise of marriage, ask for her pledge to wait for him.

  For how long?

  Only God knew. And his fate rested in the Almighty’s hands. If Britain truly intended to pull out all stops and end the war, then he could be away for a year or more, if the Royal Mary didn’t end up at the bottom of the Channel.

  Aiden shuddered. He’d never given much thought to a cannonball’s sinking his ship—he’d always thought about the adventure—but looking at Magdalen’s bonny but stricken countenance made ice pulse through his veins. He must come back for her.

  He raised her hands to his lips. Closing his eyes, he kissed them—imparting all the affection swelling in his heart. “I will endeavor to see you again, God willing.”

  His pathetic words conveyed but a pittance of his true feelings.

  Indeed, Maddie knew as well as he that they couldn’t make commitments. Their liaison had been a tryst. An affair.

  Right?

  He gulped.

  Why d
id his heart feel as if it had been ripped from his chest and crushed in a pair of scorching-hot tongs?

  A lump the size of Maddie’s fist remained fixed in her throat for days. She sat on the stool while Agnes combed her hair. At least while Aiden was in London, her plight hadn’t seemed as dire. Perhaps she’d neglected her daughterly duties somewhat, but what else could she have done? Gaining a pardon was a dreary job of waiting for days, mayhap months. Having Aiden near had made the hours fly by, made the waiting tolerable.

  A sennight ago Lord Seaforth had presented his petition to the queen. He hadn’t allowed Maddie to attend Her Majesty alongside him. He’d thought her presence would be too distracting and draw attention away from the true purpose of the document, which served to express the political prowess of the Earl Marischal of Scotland and the other peers still incarcerated in Edinburgh Castle.

  Maddie’s shoulders drooped. What a miserable state of affairs.

  “My heavens, m’lady,” Agnes said, pulling her hair and pinning it too tightly. “Ever since Lord Aiden left, you’ve been as listless as a rag doll.”

  Heaving a sigh, Maddie rolled her eyes to the ornate ceiling frieze. At least they’d been granted leave to continue to stay in the Atholl apartments. “I’m so worried.”

  “About your da, or about Lord Aiden?”

  “Both.”

  “What more can we do?”

  “Lord Seaforth said to wait—and for me to continue to play my harp.” She busied herself by studying her fingernails. “I think music is the only thing that has kept me sane in the past few days.”

  Agnes primped fastidiously. She always did that when something weighed heavily on her mind. “I’ve prayed every moment that Lord Seaforth’s petition will be successful.”

  “As have I.”

  “I miss Lord Aiden, too.”

  “You do?”

  “Aye, he was ever so gentlemanly. He would be a good match for you, m’lady.”

  Maddie’s heart fluttered—the blasted thing. “If only we weren’t at war. Who kens when I’ll ever see him again?”

  When the bell sounded, Agnes went to answer the door, leaving Maddie sitting before the looking glass.