Just then the door burst open, and Beatrice hurried to her sister’s bedside. “So sorry Issy. I had to stop and dry myself before coming up here.” She patted her sister’s stomach. “Come along now ye wee bairn.”
Happy to see a member of her family, Isobel began to push. Between pains, they did their best to distract her with silly anecdotes until the pains were so close together, there was no time to do much more than soothe her.
Cait worried one moment and felt pride the next. That women were so brave to go through something so painful to bring a child forth was awe-inspiring.
At the sound of the baby’s first wail, everyone began to cry.
“It is a boy,” the midwife announced holding up the red-faced child.
Lady Mariel hurried to the foot of the bed. “I will bundle him up.” She took the baby and swaddled it, then placed it in Isobel’s arms.
Beatrice beamed. “My wee one and yers will grow up together.” The sisters hugged, sharing a loving moment that brought more tears.
Annis went to the door to announce the baby’s arrival. There were masculine sounds of cheering and laughter.
Once the afterbirth was brought forth and Isobel was settled onto clean bedding, they walked out so that Darach could enter and meet his son.
Before walking out, Cait turned just as Darach knelt beside the bed and pulled both Isobel and the bairn into an embrace. For a moment she hesitated. It was a scene she’d never forget. A loving couple welcoming their firstborn.
Everyone was gathered in the hallway, hugging, and speaking over one another in celebration. Unsure of how to get around them, she moved against the wall to wait.
Stuart hurried over and lifted Cait off her feet, turning in a circle. When he placed her down, his face was bright with happiness. “The heir to the lairdship is born,” he said in a hoarse voice.
He kept one arm around her waist as they continued to celebrate.
As one the group went down the stairs together. Beatrice with Duncan, Gideon with his mother, and Stuart beside Cait. At the bottom of the stairs, Gideon called out that the babe was born, and the people gathered cheered.
Wine was poured, and several men began playing music. The room became bright when more candles were lit making the celebration more festive.
Greer and the other cooks hurried out from the kitchen with trays of sweet cakes. Cait noticed that Annis hurried up the stairs with warm cakes and a bowl of soup for Isobel and the laird.
Already feeling a bit lightheaded after the brandy, Cait took small sips of the celebratory wine while enjoying the cheerful conversations surrounding her. For a moment she considered that this would be her family if she and Stuart reconciled.
She smiled brightly when her mother walked close and was asked to sit with them.
“He rarely looks away from ye,” her mother said with a soft smile.
Cait turned to her mother. “Are ye happy here? I want ye to be.”
“I am happy wherever ye and Brice are,” her mother replied. Her mother looked lovely. Having good food and without the lines of worry, she seemed younger and much prettier.
“Perhaps ye will find someone and marry again,” Cait said loving it when her mother blushed.
“Cait the things ye say,” she admonished.
Lulled by the wine and music, soon Cait could barely keep her eyes open. Her mother had gone to bed and both Lady Mariel and Beatrice had gone back to see Isobel.
When she stood, Stuart stood with her. “I will see ye upstairs.”
Cait was glad for it. She wanted to be close to him for a bit longer.
They walked up the stairs in silence until reaching her doorway. “Why did ye move here?” Stuart asked. “This is a very small chamber is it not?”
Cait walked into the room. “I find it very comfortable.”
When she turned Stuart had walked in behind her, his large body shrinking the room considerably. He looked around. “Much too small.”
Cait laughed. “I can see why ye would say that.”
Then she was in his arms. She’d be hard-pressed to say who closed the distance first. They’d move toward each other at almost the same time.
However, it was Stuart who covered her mouth with his and pulled her closer. The kiss so wonderful, tears slid down her cheeks.
When he continued the kiss and tasted her tears, Stuart pulled her against his chest. “Do not cry. I will not kiss ye again, I promise. Allow me to stay with ye for a moment longer.”
Cait pushed back a bit and swatted at his chest. “That is not why I cry. I cry because I missed ye so much.”
His chest expanded as he took a large breath. “I missed ye too Cait. I love ye and do not wish to ever lose ye.”
Looking into his eyes, she knew he was truthful as his own were shiny. “I love ye Stuart. Kiss me again.”
The kiss became passionate quickly. She parted her lips for his tongue to push past and raked her fingers through his hair wanting more of him.
When she slipped both hands under his tunic to feel his skin, Stuart’s breath caught. Needing no further urging, he pulled it over his head then took her hands and placed them against his chest. “I am yers, Cait.”
At first, she was tentative, slowly sliding her palms over the surface of his muscular chest, then to his back. Wherever she touched, Cait could feel his restraint.
“Ye have a beautiful body,” Cait whispered.
He cupped her face and lifted it so that he could kiss her as she continued to discover him.
It was not surprising to find that her vest was untied and her top unbuttoned shortly thereafter. Stuart turned her around, and while his lips traveled down the side of her throat, he managed to untie all the bindings of her skirts as well, until they were in a puddle at her feet.
He lifted her into his arms and walked to the bed where he lowered along with her to lay beside her.
His mouth closed over hers. His hand traveling under her chemise, sliding over her skin, sending ripples of awareness to every inch of her body.
While trailing his tongue from her throat to her breasts, Stuart removed his breeches leaving himself completely naked.
Cait lifted her head wanting to see him, but all she could see was his head and shoulders. Curious as to what would happen, she slid her hands down his sides imitating what he did. Stuart lifted his head and smiled at her.
“Marry me, Cait.” His hand slid between her legs and she gasped at the awakening tingles.
His fingers delved between her folds touching her in a way that made her take a sharp breath.
“Say ye will,” he insisted.
“We should ensure…ah.”
He began circling the very core of her sex with his fingertips and she had to grip the bedding in an attempt at control.
“Say yes,” he whispered in her ear, as he continued the slow, torturous, movements.
Cait couldn’t breathe. She gasped trying to take in more air. Unable to control herself, she lifted her hips urging Stuart to take her to that forbidden place. The one she remembered from their time in the forest clearing.
“I cannot wait. Please…”
“Say ye will marry me,” he insisted. “Or I will stop.”
“Yes!” she cried out and then dissolved as he pinched her lightly sending her into a fast spin.
Cait grabbed his hips. “More,” she urged. “Stuart.”
“Are ye sure ye want to take things further?” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his voice caught. “I love ye, Cait. I am willing to wait.”
“I do not wish to wait any longer. I am done waiting,” Cait replied nodding. “I am very sure.”
When he lifted to take himself in hand, she finally saw his sex. It was not what she expected. It was rather appealing. Longer and thicker than his hand, it was flushed and quite hard.
The sight of his arousal made the heat between her legs intensify and she marveled at the sensations. How was it possible for it to happen?
“Do ye
feel it too?”
“What do ye feel?” He asked testing her entrance. “Relax, beauty.”
She inhaled sharply at the tight fit. “A bit hot down there. Wet.”
“Aye, I feel that way as well.”
“Take a deep breath,” he instructed and when she did, he thrust into her.
Cait cried out into Stuart’s mouth. Thankfully it muffled her sound enough that no one would hear. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes at the sharp pain that began to ebb immediately. “It hurt.”
“Only once,” Stuart said kissing her tears and beginning to move. He slid out just a bit and then drove back in.
Cait concentrated on each movement, her eyes closed and her hands on his bottom. She liked the feel of his flexing with each movement and soon was entranced by the rhythm he set. When he kissed her and began moving faster, she had to break the kiss to catch her breath. Something explosive was happening and she wondered if what he did would render her again.
Every muscle in her body tensed as the heat grew hotter. She didn’t want to move for fear of dousing the ember that swelled within.
By the time Stuart was pumping into her with vigor, Cait’s legs were straight, and she held her breath both fighting and welcoming the wave that threatened.
Suddenly she shuddered with a release so hard, she could not make a sound. She screamed silently, her fingernails digging into Stuart’s shoulders. Then slowly everything settled into place.
It was delightful and a bit scary if she was to be honest.
Meanwhile, Stuart seemed to feel the same, he’d lost his rhythm, went rigid, and uttering a deep groan he collapsed over her.
Cait wanted to laugh at how silly they must have looked. But never before in her life had she felt so as one with another human.
Lazily sliding her hands down his back, she grinned at him like a madwoman.
Stuart lifted his head and met her gaze. He didn’t look happy, but instead concerned. “Did ye mean it?”
“What are ye referring to?” Cait asked genuinely perplexed.
“That ye will marry me. I want ye to be my wife forever, Cait.”
She pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “I said I would. I love ye Stuart and want ye to be my husband forever.”
He lowered his head to the pillow beside hers. The man was quite heavy and yet she never wanted him to move.
“Ye love me?”
Her entire being filled with emotion. “More than ye will ever know.”
A moment later, he shifted to lay beside her and pulled the bedding over them.
“Ye cannot remain. Someone will see us,” Cait whispered.
“We are to be married,” Stuart replied with a yawn. “I will sneak out in the morning.”
“I cannot wait for ye to see our bedchamber at the house,” he said groggily. “It has a very large bed.”
His feet probably hung over the end of her small bed. “Are ye comfortable?”
When he pulled her against him and nuzzled her neck, she sighed.
“I am very comfortable.” Cait giggled knowing he lied.
Chapter Nineteen
Two days later, there was a feast to celebrate the laird’s firstborn and the arrival of Isobel and Beatrice’s mother, Lady Macdonald.
Ella Ross Macdonald, who’d married the new laird Evander Macdonald, came as well.
Cait immediately loved Ella, who claimed that Cait was the most beautiful woman she’d ever met. It was sweet of the other women to agree with her and for their husbands to reassure them that they were the most beautiful in their eyes.
“I for one am glad to be preparing for this son’s wedding,” Lady Mariel announced, and everyone laughed.
“It took a great deal of effort on my part last night to convinced her to marry me,” Stuart said, and Cait gasped at what he alluded to. Then she blushed when Stuart kissed her in front of them.
“I want to hear that story,” Ella said giving her a saucy wink.
“No!” Cait replied. Then realizing she’d taken the bait; she covered her face with both hands as everyone began laughing again.
“When will the wedding be, dear?” her mother asked and Cait shrugged. “I am leaving the decision to ye and Lady Mariel. Stuart wishes to remain for a few weeks longer. He is spending time with the laird.”
“Yer brother and I will be leaving with ye when ye are ready,” her mother stated. Then looked over her shoulder. “Oh, there he goes again.”
A man walked to stand across the room. With silver at his temples, he was a bit older than her mother. His gaze darted to where they sat.
Cait’s eyes rounded, and she looked to her mother. “Who is he?”
“A bother,” her mother replied, then snuck a look at the man.
Leaning closer to Stuart, Cait asked him in a whisper who the man was.
Stuart looked over to the man who was now speaking to another. “Lyall Ross. He is my late father’s cousin. He moved to the village after his wife died and works here with the livestock. He is good with animals.”
His gaze met hers and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Why do ye ask?”
“I believe he is interested in my mother.”
Stuart smiled. “That is good.”
“I am not sure. Mother seems put off.”
“Then why does she keep stealing glances in his direction?” Stuart asked with a grin.
“Come with me,” Stuart said taking her hand. When the others looked to them, he gave them a lazy smile.
“I am going to speak to Cait about setting a wedding date.”
His mother waved a hand in the air. “It will be in a sennight.”
“In a sennight,” Cait repeated.
“Nonetheless, come with me.”
They walked out through the front door and past the gates to the side of the house. From there he guided her to a slight hill and then lowered her to the ground. “Sit with me.”
Cait sat next to him looking out to the sea. It was cool outside, but not so cold that it was uncomfortable.
“Do ye wish for me to ask Uncle Lyall to come with us?” Stuart asked. “If he is hoping to court yer mother, it would be useful if they were near one another.”
It was the sweetest offer and Cait cupped his jaw with her hand. “Ye are so kind to offer. I am not sure. She protests, but ye are right, she does seem very interested. Perhaps it would be a good idea. However, we must not let her know it was just now planned.”
“Very well,” Stuart replied. He looked into the distance. “I need to return to my lands.”
Cait stiffened. “Before the wedding?”
When his eyes widened, Cait wanted to slap him. “Nay, it can wait, I’m worried about Artair.”
“If ye cannot wait until we are married, then if ye go, I will go with ye.”
Thinking on how very much he loved her. “I’ll send Gideon,” Stuart said and pulled her against his chest. “Can I come to yer chamber tonight?”
“No.”
He blew out a breath. “Ye are going to make me wait to be married?”
“Aye, I am. We should have not done it. We are not married yet.” Despite her stern reply, she hid how much she wished he would insist and perhaps even come to her chamber without permission. But she knew he wouldn’t, and she couldn’t bring herself to say yes.
“Then I will have to kiss ye until ye melt into my arms.”
“That happens every time,” Cait said lifting her face so that he would kiss her.
The days passed quickly. Soon the keep was overflowing with people who’d come to attend the wedding of the laird’s brother.
With each passing day, Cait had become more nervous. It was late morning the day before the wedding and she sat in the small room next to the kitchen with her mother and Greer going over the meal that would be served.
“It is a wonderful menu,” her mother exclaimed with excitement. “Two boars, pheasants, and fish, then the sweet cakes and stews. I can hardly wait.”
Cait smiled despite the persistent tightness in her stomach. “I am so nervous; my stomach has been in knots. I’ve not been able to eat the last two days without feeling sick.”
Tapping her hand, Greer smile. “Do not be nervous, all will be fine. Ye will be a beautiful bride to a very handsome man. I know ye look forward to time alone with him, but remember, once the wedding is over, ye will have a lot of work to do. Be sure ye learn as much as ye can before leaving.”
“I have,” Cait replied. “Lady Mariel has ensured I am well versed in running a household.”
“I am so very happy for ye,” Cora said walking in. “I cannot wait to help ye run the new house.”
Cait smiled when a plate of food was slid in front of her by Cora.
“If ye eat here in peace, without all the discussion of weddings and the presence of the man ye are to marry, then the food will settle much better.”
She ate everything on the plate and then drank cider while her mother, Cora, and Greer also ate. It was refreshing to have a chat with the women she most trusted and loved. She would miss Greer greatly and made the woman promise to come visit. Both Greer and her daughter, Finella, became excited at the prospect.
When she walked out, her mother followed. “Cait, I must tell ye something.”
At her mother’s serious expression, Cait hesitated. “Is something wrong Mother?”
“The man, Lyall informed me that yer husband-to-be offered to move him to yer new home. Did ye know anything about it?”
It was hard not to laugh at her mother’s pointed look. “I did not ask Stuart to invite him if that is what ye are asking.” It was not a lie, so she didn’t feel bad about the statement.
“Very odd,” her mother said. “He is quite happy about it. Did ye know he is a Ross?”
“Mother, I had not noticed the man until the other day when ye pointed him out to me.” Again, she was not lying “Does it bother ye that he is to go live where we are?”
“I suppose not. It has nothing to do with me, so,” her mother said with a shrug. “I just think it odd that he is to come. He’d not mentioned it before.”
“So ye have conversations with him then?” Cait asked innocently. She’d seen her mother speaking to Lyall several times. Each time, she’d acted put out, but her cheeks had pinkened.
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