“‘Tis far too long. But off of me before you soil your gown. I am wet from the laundry.” Emma frowned as Aalish pulled away. “You look bonny.”
“I said the same,” William said, sitting at the table with a pleasant grin on his face.
“Be quiet, William,” Emma mumbled as she sat across from him. “It’s lovely, but not me. As long as Glenn and the rest of them are here, I’m expected to dress the part.”
“As if they haven’t seen enough,” William mumbled.
Emma heard Aalish suck in air at the comment.
“Tell me what I heard is false,” Aalish pleaded quietly.
The thud of her forehead hitting the table answered first. “If you heard that I stood naked in front of over a dozen men and one horrible woman after the marriage was consummated, you heard correctly.”
“I had prayed that tale was greatly exaggerated.” Aalish’s horror filled the cottage.
“Our fine laird made certain none would doubt the validity of the marriage,” William mocked.
“No more, William. There wasn’t much choice given the gossip about me. Get over it, I have,” Emma said with her head still against the table.
“Leave us, William,” Aalish said. “Emma and I have much to discuss.” Emma groaned. She didn’t want to explain the details of her humiliation.
“Nay, Aalish. I stay at her side.” William explained his orders from Cortland and the fact they were followed to the village.
Emma lifted her head to nod. “We can talk in front of him.” This may be my happy thought today. “Whether he wants to hear it is his problem.”
Aalish took Emma’s hand in hers. “Tell me everything. How is it with you and Declan?”
“I think it’s good, really good. We’re still learning a ton about each other, but so far we work.” She told her friend about the long conversations, the insanely thoughtful ways Declan made her feel as if she were the most important human on the planet, and her hopes for the future.
William rose from the table to look out of the window. “Let us hope ‘tis nay an act for Glenn’s sake. You are too quick to believe the words of a desperate man.”
Emma gaped in surprise. “Strange talk from the man being trained to take over for Cortland.”
William turned to face her as he leaned against the wall. “Have you never wondered why I have nay sworn to him?”
Her smile faded. No, I hadn’t.
“I swore to Cortland. He took me from a life of farming on his lands, a life I had no passion to live. He wishes for me to replace him, but I have my doubts on serving Declan the whole of my life. My mother raised me to treat women with respect. The laird has yet to prove he shares the value with me.”
Emma pondered his statement that made too much sense given Declan’s past. But their present had been a far cry from previous behaviors. “So far he has with me.”
William laughed at her. “Oh, aye, that he has. You have been prodded into a marriage to save his arse and his lands. He displayed you like wares at the market on the night of your marriage. Dinna play the fool to me.”
“I am no fool,” Emma retorted and then turned to look at Aalish who watched all with stunned silence. “If Declan were only kind to me in public, that would be one thing. But when we are alone, it’s even better. He is so amazing and wonderful. I think we could be happy. I mean, I wasn’t sure at first, but it only keeps getting better.”
“That must be why your fine husband spends the day with Glenn’s whores,” William threw at her.
Before Emma could reply, Aalish’s temper snapped. “‘Tis no way to speak to Emma or any man’s wife.”
“I fear for her,” William said softly.
“Don’t,” Emma said. “What’s done is done. Make peace with it. I have. As for today, my da rides with him. Declan isn’t stupid.”
“Emma, you have no idea what happened with his first wife,” William challenged.
There he was wrong. She and Declan had talked about it two nights before. Declan’s first marriage had ended an old bitter feud with the Campbell clan with neither bride nor groom pleased with their fate. According to Declan, his late wife rarely spoke to him and took no interest in the keep or the clan and kept mainly to herself.
“You were nay here then, William,” Aalish said. “Morna never stepped foot in the village. The lass even failed to attend the feast given in her honor when she arrived here as Declan’s wife. The gossip said she never spoke to the laird and did little to manage the affairs of the keep. We all pitied him for being bound to a wife who had no heart for him. Though we were all grateful when the Campbell clan ceased burning our crops and raiding our livestock.”
“You would excuse his sins?” William asked with his eyes narrowed. Declan had been too honest when he listed his sins to Emma. Once his late-wife was with child, she locked her door every night, and he began his years of sleeping with anyone who would have him, followed by years of using sex as a means of discovering secrets. None of what he had shared had been an easy pill for her to swallow and hadn’t seemed simple for him to share.
“I believe it explains some of them. What would you do if your wife needed to drink many cups of wine before allowing you to her bed? How would you have handled the daily rejections to your kindness?” Aalish asked the man with his hands in fists.
When he didn’t answer, Emma did. “It’s all in the past, so let’s leave it there. We have enough trouble today, don’t we?” Declan had given her more details on his life with his first wife, none of which were William’s business. She thought she understood, and that was enough.
William softened and nodded. “Aye, we leave the past alone. ‘Tis the future that has me concerned.”
“What will happen now?” Aalish asked.
Emma sighed, knowing she had a lousy answer. “We wait to see what Glenn does next. With Angus, the crown’s representative, in residence, we are on our best behavior. Declan and Cortland hope Glenn will slip up and reveal his plans.”
Aalish nodded, but Emma could tell her friend didn’t like the answer any better than she did. They were reacting instead of attempting to control the outcome.
“Did the gossip include the telling of our vow to Lady Emma?” William asked with a small grin. She was grateful William had changed the topic to something better.
“Oh, aye it did. I sleep easier kenning Emma and Mary have the vows of the warriors,” Aalish said. “Nay that Emma isn’t handy with a sword, but I prefer a strong warrior any day.”
Emma shot Aalish a dirty look for what she perceived to be an insult.
“Did you hear what Emma whispered to each of us?” William asked, stepping closer to the table. When Aalish shook her head, William laughed. “The women always miss the fine details. Our lady swore softly to each man to also stand for them in battle. Such an oath from a proven warrior carries great meaning.”
“Why dinna you speak the words aloud?” Aalish asked. “Surely you have earned the right?”
“Glenn is supposed to think I am a simple, weak woman, as if such a creature actually exists,” Emma said as Aalish laughed. “So, I play meek and biddable, which is driving me insane, so you know. You should have seen Glenn’s face after the men swore to me—he was livid.”
“Declan did the correct thing. Glenn kens that strong able men guard Mary and Emma at all times. It served as a fine warning,” William said.
At least William has found one reason to approve of Declan, Emma thought. “It could make the difference in getting Mary to safety. He has no idea I’m capable of defending Mary if needed.” Though she prayed it would never be needed.
“You are a fine mother to our lass,” Aalish beamed as her eyes fell to Emma’s waist. “And you have the man’s dagger bound to you. I heard the tale of his speech in the hall. His fi
rst wife never wore it, did you ken that?”
Emma nodded while her hand rested on the metal. His words flitted in her mind: this is what has meaning between us. Turning to Aalish, she grinned like a besotted fool. “Have I mentioned I like being married?”
Aalish addressed William. “The lasses are in the back room playing with wee Thomas. Mayhap you would care to join them while I ask Emma to speak to me of her nights with Declan. It has been far too long since any have spoken of new passion to me.”
Uttering a curse, William stomped down the small hallway in the cottage with the women’s laughter ringing in his ears.
Chapter 18
Emma narrowed her eyes at Declan, who only scowled at her more fiercely. “And I’m telling you, we both have the same count. What could it possibly matter that I did the math differently than you did?” Her voice bounced off the walls of his study.
“The clan accounts are a matter of gravest import. You need to do them the exact way I showed you,” Declan roared back. His attempt to teach Emma to handle the ledgers had killed his patience. Why does she need to argue at every turn?
“I know how to add and subtract. It’s like a giant checkbook for heaven’s sake.” Her eyes rolled at his confusion. “I can do this, and that’s all you need to know. What’s the big deal if my methods are different than yours?”
“For generations, the accounts have been done as I have shown you.” Declan rose from his chair to stare down at the pale blue fire in Emma’s eyes that currently threatened to sap the last of his sanity. “‘Tis our duty to see them done correctly, as I have been trying to show you.”
He stepped back from her, needing to be away from the floral scent that clung to her hair and scented his pillows. “Once there was little wealth for the Draig Clan. The mines that supply our wealth were lost due to neglect. My ancestor battled to bring the wealth back to the clan. Since that time, the laird and his wife attend the ledgers.” He left out the story of the woman from another time who discovered the missing piece of the clan’s property. Tales to entertain his wife were not first in his mind at the moment. Though he knew she would love the tale of his ancestor who was supposed to wed another despite his love for her. Emma had a weakness for happily ever after at the end of the tale.
Emma groaned. “I’ve already had this lecture once from you today. I get it, the accounts aren’t to be trusted to anyone else and need to be up to date.” She looked back at the ledgers on the desk. Her voice was restrained as she glanced back up at him. “Why can’t you understand that I have done it all correctly? If you look at the numbers I’m giving you, you will see the same answer you found. Just look at them before I lose my mind.”
Her finger pointed to her sums, and his eyes followed. Emma spoke true; the work was correct. Grabbing the quill from the ink well, he double-checked one more time. Declan grunted. “This time you are correct. Next time, you will do it my way—the way my father showed me.”
“Like it’s my fault you need to write out every line of the math?” She roared at him before she laughed. “Hate to tell you, I can do the basic math in my head. I don’t need to write it out.”
Before he could demand again she do it his way, Emma abruptly rose to her feet and stood toe-to-toe with him. “We’re done here for today. I’ve had about all I can handle from you. We can try this another time when you are feeling less stubborn and more willing to admit I’m right.” Her gaze locked on his in defiance. “I’ve had all I can stand from the laird.”
Declan moved quickly as Emma attempted to step around him. Pulling her back to his chest, he asked, “Why can you nay do it my way?”
“Why can’t you accept I can do this? Lesson learned.” Emma grumbled as he inhaled the sweet scent of her bound hair. Her rigid body softened as he placed a kiss to the shell of her ear. The shiver up her spine doused what remained of his temper. “I understand the duty part and will do what I can to help you only if you trust me to do a good job.”
Smiling at her soft tone, Declan admitted, “You did the work well, wife.”
Emma turned within his arms. “Thank you for finally saying that. Now please tell me why it took so long and why you have that stupid grin on your face because we’ve spent most of the morning arguing.”
Holding her tightly with one hand around the waist, his other lifted her chin so he could kiss her easily. “I find I enjoy arguing with you. Our first conversation happened in this chamber, and it too held an argument. Few dare to stand up to me as you do.” He kissed her again. “The first time your temper flared and I saw the blue fire in your eyes, I questioned how brightly they would burn if your passions were roused.” Declan brushed his lips against hers once more, savoring the way she melted against him. “Your eyes burn bright.”
Emma laughed and shook her head, something she did often when they spoke in private. “We need to find you a better hobby.”
Every now and then her strange manner of speech made him ponder her meaning, and Emma’s comment created one of those times. “Do you mean an activity to fill my days?”
“Exactly,” she said with a trace of humor back in her voice.
He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply, feeling her body press close to hers. Against her mouth, he whispered, “I can think of one I prefer.” When she blushed, he chuckled softly. “Mayhap I should apologize for doubting your skill?”
He cut off her answer with his lips, lingering ever so gently against hers. She had never refused the flick of his tongue. Her passionate nature was brought so easily to the surface, matching his desire as his tongue tasted her intoxicating sweetness.
Emma broke the kiss with gasping breath. “Exactly how do you plan to apologize?”
With a wink, he lifted her off her feet and set her down on the table. Closing the ledgers, he placed them on the far side. “I seek to apologize verra thoroughly and with exceptionally great meaning, as always.”
His gaze left hers to watch his hands push the silks of her gown above her knees, revealing her long legs for his hungry eyes. When his hand stroked the skin of her hip under the bunched gown, he heard her gasp, and heat boiled in his blood.
“We can’t do this in here,” she squeaked, even though her hands failed to push his away.
“We can, wife. The door is locked, and given the way we have been shouting at one another, none will dare to knock.” Closing the small distance between them, he pressed his arousal against her thigh and caught the flash of desire in her eyes. “You may be late getting to the village.”
Emma laughed. “This is your idea of an apology? On your desk?”
Though she mocked, her hands were busy pulling him close. He reached behind her to loosen the ties of her gown and pushed it off her shoulders to reveal puckered nipples waiting for his attention—a task he would see done before they left the chamber.
Declan leaned over her and pushed her gently to lie back upon the wooden surface. “It may be far more satisfying than a simple forgive me.” How he relished her harsh inhale as his lips kissed a path down her neck and the soft sounds from her lips as he teased her waiting peaks with soft brushes, not the demanding mouth he knew she preferred. With her body squirming against his, he lifted enough away to untie his trews and push them below his knees.
With his gaze locked on hers, his length tested her body, and he groaned when he found her ready to receive all he could give her. Filling her in one hard thrust, her soft cry filled his ears while her strong, long legs wrapped around his hips. Declan whispered against her panting mouth. “I may argue with you often if only to apologize, sweet wife.”
Emma’s laugh came out choked, and he filled her hard. “I’ll argue with the laird any day if you are the one to apologize.”
“I am but one man. All of me is yours.” Does she truly hear me? Can she feel the depth of my devotion to h
er?
“Mine,” his wife whispered before her hands pulled his head down to hers and he lost himself in her kiss and her claiming.
Declan knew he would picture her willing, half-bared body on the table every time he sat there for the rest of his life. Shifting his hips, he lost his thoughts to the sweet pleasure of being deep inside his wife, his Emma. He wanted her cries of fulfilled passion ringing in his ears and filling the chamber. Then he lost even that thought as every ounce of his concentration centered on the very fine apology.
~ ~ ~
Cortland watched Emma snuggle deeper in Declan’s lap as he continued. “Still, there is no sign of anything from Glenn. I had thought to expect something when Angus left to bring the news of your marriage to the crown. By the way, the riders have returned. Angus and a copy of the marriage contract arrived safely.”
Declan placed a kiss to Emma’s temple as if such acts were commonplace. “‘Tis when a trusting fool would consider himself out of danger. I am no fool. The only question is how and when he will strike.”
Studying his contented daughter, Cortland could only be pleased the newly married couple appeared to be happy. Even with the stress of waiting for an attack in any form, the couple had grown stronger. The whole of the keep spoke of the change in Declan, his attentiveness to Emma noted by all. He sucked in a harsh breath as dread crept down his spine. “Glenn will use Emma. ‘Tis where he will strike.”
Emma lifted her head from Declan’s chest and laughed. “Then Glenn will get quite the surprise, won’t he?”
Declan took Emma’s chin in hand and stared at her. “Cortland may be correct and you could be in danger. I have told any who would listen I am blessed to have such a fine wife.” Declan’s gaze shifted back to Cortland. “Take your daughter and Mary to your lands. I will send for you when ‘tis over.”
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