“Why haven’t you asked me about the man you struck down with your dagger?” Alec asked. “Your aim was true, wife,” he added, thinking to give her a little more praise. “You killed—”
“I don’t wish to discuss it,” she shouted, dropping Wildfire’s reins.
Now what had he said? His gentle little wife looked as if she might faint. The woman was a mystery to him. Alec shook his head. Jamie seemed to have a true aversion to killing. It was another quirk in her nature, to be sure, yet at the same time, he admitted to liking that flaw.
The woman would make him soft in all his attitudes if he let her. She was going to have to get used to killing. It was the way of life in the rugged Highlands. Only the strongest survived. He was going to have to toughen her up, he decided, or she wouldn’t make it through the first harsh winter.
“All right, wife,” Alec stated. “We won’t discuss it.”
The tension went out of her shoulders. Alec noticed she was a little unsteady on her mount, so he put his arm around her waist.
“What I did, I did in self-defense,” Jamie told him. “If I injured that disgusting man, God will certainly understand. Mary’s life was at stake.”
“Aye,” Alec agreed. “You did injure him.”
“On the other hand, Father Charles will never understand. If he gets wind of this business, Alec, he’ll have me wearing black for the rest of my days.”
“The priest who married us?” he asked, totally perplexed again.
Jamie nodded. “You worry about the strangest things,” Alec remarked. “’Tis a flaw in your nature, to my way of thinking.”
“Oh? Then go and give Father Charles your confession, and after, tell me I worry for naught. The man’s very imaginative with his penances.”
Alec started laughing. He lifted Jamie into his arms and started toward his mount.
Jamie put her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”
“You’re going to ride with me.”
“Why?”
His sigh nearly parted her hair. “Are you going to question everything I do or say?”
Jamie tilted her head back so she could see his face. Alec came to an immediate stop. The sparkle in her eyes, added to her slow, sweet smile, unsettled him.
“Will it make you angry if I do?”
“Do what?”
“Question you.”
“No, I’ll never get angry with you.”
Her smile enchanted him. “I’m wed to the most amazing man,” she told him. “You never get angry or lose your temper.”
“Dare you bait me, English?”
Alec’s full attention was centered on her mouth. He wanted to take her lower lip between his teeth, wanted to sink his tongue inside her, to taste the sweet honey that now belonged to him. Her fingers were stroking the back of his neck, whether by intent or by accident, he couldn’t discern, and her soft, full breasts were pressed against his chest.
A man could only take so much provocation, Alec told himself.
He slowly lowered his head toward her. Jamie met him halfway.
Her mouth was just as soft as he remembered, just as arousing. It was a tender, undemanding kiss, entirely too brief, and thoroughly frustrating in Alec’s opinion. She wouldn’t open her mouth for him and pulled away just as he was about to force his invasion.
She looked damned happy with herself, too. Alec didn’t let her see how frustrated he was. For all her courage and remarkable beauty, she sure as certain didn’t know how to kiss.
It would, of course, be his duty to instruct her. Alec smiled in anticipation.
“Thank you, Alec.”
“Why are you thanking me?” he asked. He lifted her onto his saddle, then settled himself behind her in one quick motion. Her backside nestled against the junction of his thighs. She moved, apparently trying to be comfortable. He grimaced in reaction. Alec wrapped his arm around her waist, lifted her high onto his lap, and held her tightly against him.
“Well?” he asked when she didn’t immediately answer him.
“I’m thanking you for your consideration.”
He misunderstood her comment. “’Tis obvious you haven’t ridden much,” he said. “I’ll instruct you in the proper way when we’re settled in.”
Jamie didn’t bother to correct him. If he wanted to believe she was uneducated, then she’d let him. He probably wouldn’t believe she was really skilled anyway, or that it was the new saddle giving her trouble now. If she admitted that she liked to ride bareback, as some warriors did, he would naturally conclude she wasn’t much of a lady. She would let him think what he wanted. Beak had been right, she decided, for Alec was being more patient with her. He certainly wouldn’t be holding her in his lap if he knew she didn’t need his help. Jamie smiled to herself and leaned back against her husband. It felt good to be pampered. In time, she promised, she would set him straight. For now, however, she’d let him take charge.
Wives were a nuisance, Alec decided, but this one . . . she smelled so feminine, felt so soft. so right in his arms. She kept trying to edge his hand away from the undersides of her breasts. He smiled over her timidity, certain that once he’d bedded her, she’d be rid of this shyness. He was suddenly eager to make camp. Tonight he would take her, make her his; tonight she would give herself to him.
For a Scot, he certainly had a most appealing scent. Jamie had to smile over that daft admission. In the space of one short day she’d gone from hating the man to almost liking him. God only knew she felt safe enough with him. If her emotions continued along this illogical course, though, she just might let him kiss her again . . . in another day or two. And if he proved to be all she wanted in a husband, well, then, eventually, after a long, satisfying courtship, of course, she might let him bed her.
It was a blessing Alec was such a patient man. She would simply explain her reticence and he’d agree to her terms.
And that was that.
Chapter Six
They made camp an hour later, near a deep mountain-fed pool of clear water. While Daniel and Alec attended to the horses, Jamie unpacked the basket of food Agnes had thoughtfully prepared for their supper. Mary leaned against a tree trunk, watching her sister work. Jamie thought she looked quite miserable.
Jamie spread a small blanket on the ground. She sat down on one edge, folded her skirts so that not even a hint of ankle showed, and motioned for Mary to join her.
Both she and her sister were trying to ignore their husbands. Alec and Daniel had each taken a turn washing in the pool. It hadn’t bothered Jamie much at all when Daniel came strolling back into camp without his tunic. Alec’s bare chest was another matter altogether. When she glanced up and caught sight of him, her breath caught in her throat. His body was bronzed from the sun. The ripple of muscle in his shoulders and upper arms reminded her of his strength, and the dark gold hair covering his massive chest emphasized his raw masculinity. The hair tapered to his flat stomach, then disappeared beneath the waist of his black pants.
“I don’t want Daniel to touch me.”
Mary’s whispered fear captured Jamie’s attention. “It’s only natural to be a little afraid,” she whispered, trying to sound as if she knew what she was talking about.
“He kissed me.”
Jamie smiled. Now she felt that she was on safe ground. She knew all about kissing. “It’s his right to kiss you, Mary. Alec kissed me, too,” she added. “Twice, if you count the wedding kiss. I thought it was very nice.”
“Did he kiss you the way a man kisses a woman when he wants to mate with her?” Mary asked. “You know, did his tongue touch yours?”
Jamie didn’t know what Mary was talking about, but she wasn’t going to let her ignorance show. “You didn’t like it, Mary?” she asked, avoiding a true answer.
“It was disgusting.”
“Oh, Mary.” Jamie sighed. “Perhaps, in time, you’ll get to like the way Daniel kisses.”
“I might have liked it if he hadn’t been so an
gry with me,” Mary muttered. “He just grabbed me and kissed me. I still don’t know why he’s upset. He keeps frowning.”
“You aren’t imagining this anger?”
“No. Will you speak to him, Jamie? Find out what has him so prickly.”
Daniel walked over and sat down next to Mary before Jamie could answer her request. She nudged Mary, then motioned to the food. Mary caught the silent message and offered a portion of the food to her husband.
Alec separated himself from the threesome. He sat on the ground with his back against a fat tree trunk. He looked very relaxed. One leg was bent at the knee, making the sleek bulge of muscle in his thigh all the more prominent.
Jamie tried not to look as nervous as she was feeling. Alec was staring at her. She told herself she just wasn’t used to being the center of anyone’s attention, and surely that was the only reason she was feeling so awkward.
She motioned him over to join her. Alec shook his head, then ordered her to come to him.
Jamie decided to give in. He was her husband and she supposed it was her duty to try to get along with him. She gathered a large wedge of cheese, some crusty bread, one of the three leather pouches of ale, and finally walked over to Alec.
He accepted her offering without comment. Jamie started to go back to Mary’s side, but Alec wouldn’t let her leave. He pulled her down next to him, softening her fall by bracing his arm around her waist.
She couldn’t help but notice how possessive his touch was. She kept her back as straight as a lance and folded her hands in her lap.
“Are you back to being afraid of me, English?”
“I was never afraid, Scot,” she answered. “Only worried.”
“Are you still worried?”
“No.”
“Then why are you trying to ease my arm away?”
“It isn’t decent to touch like this in front of others, Alec.”
“It isn’t?”
She ignored the amusement in his voice. “No, it isn’t,” she repeated. “And my name is Jamie. You’ve still to say it, Alec.”
“It’s a man’s name.”
“Are we back to that?”
“Aye, we are.”
She refused to look at him until he finished laughing, then said, “My name certainly seems to give you vast amusement. I suppose that’s all for the better, Alec, because you’re in a fine mood, you see, and I wanted to tell you something you might take exception to, but once you hear me out, why, I’m certain you’ll agree with my decision.”
The seriousness in her tone puzzled him. “What is it you wish to ask me?”
“I would ask that you not . . . touch me. I don’t know you well enough to allow such liberties.”
“Allow?”
A shiver of dread passed down her spine. It was apparent from his tone of voice that he didn’t care for her choice of words. “Alec? Do you want a wife who is unwilling?”
“Are you asking me or your hands?” Alec countered.
“You.”
“Then look at me.”
The command was given in a hard voice. She needed all her determination to do as he ordered. It would have been easier if he hadn’t been sitting so close to her. He wouldn’t let her scoot away from him, either, no matter how many times she tried.
She finally managed to look into his eyes for a full minute, then lowered her gaze to stare at his mouth. That error in judgment made her sigh. It didn’t seem to matter where she looked. The man was hard all over. A day’s growth of whiskers made him all the more fierce-looking.
Jamie had the feeling he was trying to read her thoughts when she glanced into his eyes again. It was an absurd feeling, but it was there all the same.
She was suddenly hot and cold and thoroughly confused.
“Now ask me your question again,” he said.
“Do you want an unwilling wife?” she repeated, her voice a low whisper.
“I don’t particularly want a wife at all.”
She took immediate exception to that honesty. “Well, you’ve got one.”
“Aye, I have, and English at that.”
If her back became any straighter, Alec thought her spine might crack.
His new wife was blessed with a giant-sized temper. She looked ready to let go of that precious control of hers, too. She was clasping her hands together now in a grip that had to be painful.
“I wonder why you say the word ‘English’ as though it were a blasphemy.”
“It is.”
“It isn’t.”
Her blush deepened when she realized she’d just shouted at him. She glanced up to measure Alec’s reaction. He was frowning, but she didn’t think he realized how very angry he was making her. She was well disciplined in hiding her emotions.
“You could never care for an English wife, then?”
“Care for?”
“You know my meaning.”
“Explain it.”
The man was as dense as fog. “Love,” Jamie snapped. Noticing that Mary and Daniel were both staring at her, she paused to give them a smile, then turned to glare at Alec. “You could never love an English wife?” she whispered.
“I doubt it.”
“You doubt it?”
“You needn’t shout,” Alec remarked. He was thoroughly enjoying her outrage. “Does my honesty upset you?”
She had to take a deep breath before answering him. “No, your honesty doesn’t upset me, but I do find your amusement most insulting, milord. We’re discussing a serious topic.”
“Serious by your measure, not mine.”
“You don’t consider marriage an important undertaking?”
“No.”
“No?”
She looked appalled and furious. Alec thought it was an enchanting combination. “You’re only an insignificant part of my life, wife. When you understand the way of life in the Highlands, you’ll see how foolish your fears are.”
“I’m insignificant and foolish? Alec, you must find me most inferior,” she countered. “Yet you’re ready for sainthood, aren’t you? Why, you never lose your temper or get angry. Isn’t that what you told me?”
“True,” Alec admitted, grinning. “I did say that.”
“I didn’t particularly want to marry you either, Kincaid.”
“I noticed.”
“You did?”
She actually seemed surprised. Alec let her see his exasperation. “You wore a black gown to your wedding,” he reminded her.
“I happen to like this gown,” she returned, pausing to brush a bit of dust off the hem. “I might wear it every other day.”
“Ah, so you could never come to care for me?” he asked.
“’Tis most doubtful.”
Alec did laugh then, a low, rumbling sound that made Jamie think the earth was trembling.
“Why does my honesty make you laugh?”
“’Twas the way you gave it.”
“I don’t want to continue this discussion, Alec. If you’ve finished your meal, I’ll put the food away.”
“Let your sister see to that duty.”
“It’s my responsibility,” she explained.
“Just as it was your responsibility to protect her?”
“Yes.”
“Mary believes this nonsense, too, doesn’t she?”
“Nonsense? Since when is doing one’s duty nonsense?”
“Daniel and I heard your sister order you to guard her when the English bastards attacked. We saw her use you as her shield.”
“They weren’t English bastards,” Jamie corrected, concentrating on that remark. He was determined not to understand about Mary and she wasn’t in the mood to argue. “I’m certain the infidels came from . . .” She was about to tell him she was sure the scoundrels had crossed over the border from Scotland, then thought better of it. “They belong to no country. That is why they’re called outcasts, don’t you suppose?”
“I suppose,” Alec allowed, letting her have her way. She wa
s frowning enough to make him think that issue was of grave importance to her. “I thought you were the youngest daughter,” he stated. “I heard your father call you his baby.” He smiled after making that comment, then added, “I was mistaken?”
“No, you weren’t mistaken,” Jamie replied. “I am the youngest. And Papa does like to call me his baby.” She blushed after making that confession.
“Yet Mary forced you to be her shield.”
“Oh, no, she didn’t force me,” Jamie argued.
“Aye, she did.”
Her voice had gone suspiciously soft. Jamie didn’t retreat from his frown this time. “You can’t possibly understand, Alec. You’re a Scot, if you’ll remember, and can’t possibly know how the English do things. You’ll just have to take my word on this issue. It has always been my duty to protect my older sisters. It’s probably the same in every household in England.”
“Your opinions displease me.”
She didn’t particularly care if her opinions pleased him. She shrugged to show her indifference.
“You’re the baby,” he continued. “For that reason, your older sister should have looked after you.”
She shook her head. The man seemed determined to make her change her mind. “No, it’s the other way around, milord.”
Now Alec shook his head. “The strong must always protect the weak, wife; the older must always protect the younger. And that’s the way it is everywhere, even in the hallowed country of England.”
While he watched in fascination, Jamie’s eyes turned a deep violet. She wasn’t at all happy with his views. That truth was emphasized when she jabbed at his shoulder. “I am not weak.”
Alec resisted the urge to take her into his arms and kiss the outrage out of her. Lord, she was really too beautiful for his peace of mind.
“No, you’re not weak,” he admitted.
The bluster went out of her then. “It was good of you to notice,” she said.
“Yet you were afraid of me.”
“Do you have to keep bringing that up? It’s most unkind of you to remind me of that incident, Alec.”
“Perhaps I have an unkind nature.”
“You don’t.”
He was surprised by her quick, vehement denial. “You sound very sure of that.”
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