Reclaiming His Bride

by Bethany Hauck

  “I hear the children,” Lorna said, jumping out of the bed. “It’s time I started breakfast.”

  Thomas watched as Lorna dressed and then hurried from the room. He knew he was right, Lorna still loved him as much as he loved her. No woman responded to a man the way she did unless her heart was involved.

  Lorna entered the kitchen and quickly looked around, happy to have a few minutes to herself. She needed to think and figure out a way to guard her heart against Thomas. Her brain told her she’d be a fool to fall in love with him again, but she was afraid her heart wasn’t going to listen, and it was already too late.

  Chapter 10. Trusting Him

  Lorna carried William as Thomas led them down the dock to the ship they’d be traveling back to Glasgow on. He carried Katie and kept one hand on Lorna’s back. Lorna could feel the tension in him and now regretted her actions that morning at the inn. They’d been married for a month already, and until that morning, everything seemed to be falling into place.

  Alan and Jason were excited when Lorna and Thomas offered them the opportunity to buy the Walsh farm. They’d been saving their money, and although Lorna could have gotten more for her land, the price they paid was still on the low side of fair.

  It was already the perfect set up for the two brothers, and since there were already two houses on the property, they each decided to live in one. Alan proposed to his girl, and she said yes. Once they married, she’d be moving into Lorna and Patrick’s old house with him.

  Once the farm was sold, Lorna and Thomas packed up the family's personal belongings. It took less than a week. There wasn’t much, and they only filled three good-sized trunks. The only things Lorna needed to take were clothing for her and the children, some of Patrick’s things she wanted Katie and William to have when they got older, and a few trinkets she’d purchased since arriving in Pleasantville.

  They then traveled to the big city, also called New York, to look for a ship. Thomas rented them rooms at one of the best hotels they could find. They stayed there for a week, looking for a ship with rooms fit for passengers, and not just cargo. Once a ship was found, they had a few days to take the children around the city and see some of the sights. Thomas rented a carriage, and Lorna enjoyed herself; it was becoming harder and harder to guard her heart.

  Lorna and Thomas had been getting along so well, and Lorna was almost certain that Thomas paid for a two-bedroom suite on the top floor so they could enjoy their privacy at night. Once the children slept, Thomas would talk her into going to their bed early, but Thomas and Lorna were getting very little sleep.

  Today they were finally leaving America, and this morning the family had gotten up very early. Thomas paid to have their trunks moved the day before. So they already sat on the ship the family needed to board in the next hour. Lorna made sure both the children were dressed, and then searched the room, making sure nothing of importance was getting left behind. There was no way to come back for it.

  Thomas ran down to the restaurant to see if he could purchase some toast and milk. Lorna wanted the children to eat a small meal, a little something to hold them until they boarded the ship and settled in their room. He was relieved to find the restaurant already open and serving breakfast to other early morning travelers.

  Thomas ran back up the stairs, wanting to collect his family as fast as he could. The restaurant was cooking their breakfast, and he wanted to get back down to it as quickly as he could. Thomas was running down the hall to their rooms, knowing they were on a tight schedule. He barely had time to save the woman that walked out the door of the room next to his and Lorna’s, right in front of him.

  Thomas had to react quickly. He knew he’d never be able to avoid her, and as they collided, he grabbed the woman around the waist. As they fell, he twisted his body so the woman came down directly on top of him.

  “I am so sorry,” Thomas told her, still holding her hips. He grinned himself when the woman burst out laughing, trying to push herself off of him.

  “Thomas?” he heard Lorna say.

  He looked up at her, still grinning until he recognized the look of disgust on Lorna’s face. It took him a second to think about what Lorna was seeing. A strange woman straddled his hips, as they both lay there laughing. He had to admit, if it was Lorna and another man lying there, he’d probably kill the poor bastard, and make sure Lorna didn’t sit for a sennight.

  “This isn’t what it looks like, Lorna,” Thomas said, helping the woman to her feet. “I am so sorry,” Thomas said to her. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m well,” the woman assured him, putting a hand on his chest.

  “In the hallway, Thomas?” Lorna said, “at least last time you kept your leman a secret. Are you taking her on the ship with us?”

  “Lorna!” Thomas yelled. “You’re being ridiculous. I ran this poor woman down; there was nothing inappropriate going on.”

  As Thomas talked, Lorna turned and walked back into the room, slamming the door. Thomas was embarrassed by her behavior.

  “I’m very sorry, my wife...,” Thomas started to say, but the woman cut him off.

  “No need to be sorry,” she told him, bringing her hand up and stroking his cheek, “I can see why she’s so protective of you. I’ll be here for a few more days. If you’re in the mood for a bit of fun one night, just knock on my door.” She winked at him, then turned and went down the stairs.

  Thomas stood and watched her go, not believing what she’d just said to him. Lorna came out of their room, holding both of the children by the hand.

  “We need to talk about this, Lorna,” Thomas said, “what you think you saw is wrong. I’ve never seen that woman before this morning.”

  “If you say so, Thomas,” Lorna replied, not looking at him.

  Thomas knew there would be no reasoning with her now. What she needed was a trip over his knee, since that seemed to be the one place she always listened to him. Deciding to wait to speak to her until they had more privacy, he led them back to the restaurant, where they ate a meal, mostly in silence.

  By the time they reached the ship, Lorna had thought things through. She knew Thomas would never try to take a woman in the middle of a hotel hallway. Lorna wanted to tell him she believed him, but her one-word answers, and refusal to look at him as they ate breakfast, had put him in a bad mood.

  Once on the ship, they were shown to their rooms. The section of the ship where they’d be staying had twelve cabins for passengers, and Thomas paid for two of them that had a connecting door.

  They met some of the other passengers soon after the ship pulled up anchor at a small gathering in the galley. Lorna liked young Katlynn McGuire the second she met her. The lass was only four and ten, and was traveling to Scotland with her grandfather. He wanted her to see the country he grew up in before he died. Katlynn loved small children, and within an hour of meeting Katie and William, she was all Katie could talk about. Thomas liked the McGuires too, and he spent quite a long time talking with Sam, Katlynns grandfather. Lorna couldn’t help it; she smiled at Thomas. His kindness to others beginning to make her feel better about the incident at the hotel that morning.

  Lorna’s good feelings towards Thomas didn’t last, and they faded away quickly once they met Miss. Marissa Stanwick and her brother, Mr. Malcome Stanwick. Lorna hated the woman soon after they were introduced. Miss Stanwick was constantly looking at Thomas, and kept touching his arm. Thomas seemed to find it funny, and talked with the woman far longer than Lorna felt was necessary.

  “What is your problem, Lorna?” Thomas finally asked once the children were sleeping, and they were in their room alone.

  “My problem? You and Miss. Stanwick are my problem. You’re flaunting your attraction for each other in front of everyone,” Lorna stated.

  “I’m not attracted to Miss. Stanwick,” Thomas told her.

  “You were letting her touch you,” Lorna hissed. “You’re a married man; she shouldn’t be touching you.”

  “S
he’s only being friendly, Lorna. You’re being ridiculous again,” Thomas told her, “and I’m getting very tired of it today. I’m tempted to take my belt to your arse.”

  “Don’t you dare, Thomas,” Lorna said.

  “Are you daring me, Lorna?” Thomas asked.

  “Nay,” Lorna said right before Thomas kissed her and began taking off her clothes.

  “Let’s not fight,” Thomas told her, “you’re the only woman I want, Lorna. The only woman that will ever be in my bed.” He kissed her again. “Would it make you happy if I promise to avoid Miss Stanwick as much as I can, without being rude?”

  “Aye,” Lorna answered truthfully. “I don’t like that woman, Thomas. She wants more from you than friendship.”

  “You’re wrong, Lorna, but for you, I’ll keep my distance,” Thomas said, kissing her again.

  Lorna let Thomas love her, and of course, before the night was over he showed her something new. It was an incredible night. Once more before he fell asleep, Thomas told her he loved her. She wanted so much to trust him with her heart and be able to say the words back, but not yet.

  **********

  “Thomas, wake up,” Lorna said to him, shaking his shoulder.

  They’d been out to see for almost three weeks, and Thomas seemed to sleep like the dead from the rocking motion. Lorna wasn’t so lucky, and she was looking forward to sleeping in a bed on land again.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked as he woke.

  “Someone is crying. Don’t you hear it?” Lorna asked.

  “Aye,” Thomas said. “Sounds like the lass in the cabin next to us.”

  “Katlynn,” Lorna told him. “She’s a nice girl. Very good with Katie and William. Put on some britches and go see what’s wrong.”.

  “No more britches,” Thomas said, grabbing his plaid and wrapping it around his hips. “We’re almost halfway home; I can dress like a Highlander again.”

  “Hurry, Thomas,” Lorna urged. She could hear other people outside their door in the corridor.

  “You stay here,” he said, pulling his boots on. “I need to know you and the bairns are safe.”

  “We’ll be alright,” Lorna assured him. “I won’t step foot out of the cabin.”

  Thomas opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. The captain was there, as were the Stanwick's and a few others. Katlynn sat against the wall, with her head buried in her arms, sobbing.

  “What happened?” Thomas asked.

  “From what I understand, Miss. McGuire woke not too long ago because her grandfather was making strange noises. She went to his bed and saw him clutching his chest and struggling to take a breath. She ran for help, but by the time the Stanwick’s got here, he was already dead,” the captain answered. “We believe the old man’s heart gave out.”

  “What will happen to the girl?” Thomas asked.

  “Her passage is paid to Scotland,” the captain answered, “hopefully, she has family there.”

  Thomas walked back to his cabin door and opened it. Lorna was now dressed in her nightdress and wrapper. “Katlynn needs you,” he said quietly to her. “Her grandfather passed away.”

  “Oh no,” Lorna said, rushing out the door.

  “She can’t stay in that cabin alone,” a woman Lorna only met a few times was saying. “She’s too young.”

  “What do you want us to do with her?” the captain asked.

  “She’ll be staying with us,” Lorna told everyone as she knelt next to Katlynn and pulled the young girl into her arms. Katlynn latched onto her and sobbed as Lorna spoke quietly into her ear. After a few minutes, Lorna helped Katlynn up and walked her into the cabin she shared with Thomas.

  Thomas decided to give Lorna and Katlynn some time alone. He helped the captain wrap the body move it out of the cabin, and into a storage area up on the deck. They’d have a funeral for Sam McGuire in the morning. When Thomas finally went back to his cabin, he was pleased to find Katlynn calmed down and talking with Lorna.

  “Not in America either?” Lorna was asking.

  “No,” Katlynn answered. “It’s been just me and Grandpa for as long as I can remember. My Mama and Papa died when I was just a baby. Grandpa said my Grandma died years before that. There’s no one. What will they do with me?”

  “No one will do anything to you,” Lorna told her. “If there’s nowhere for you to go to in Scotland, and no one to go back to in America, then you’ll stay with me and Thomas.”

  “But you barely know me,” Katlynn said, “and Mr. Grant might not want me intruding on your family.”

  “If my wife says you go with us, then you go,” Thomas interrupted. He sat down next to Katlynn and told her, “I know you feel alone right now, but I’ll make you a promise, you can stay with Lorna and myself as long as you like.”

  “Do you mean it?” Katlynn asked.

  “Aye,” Thomas said, and the smile he sent Lorna made her heart melt a little bit more.

  **********

  “How much longer until we get to Scotland?” Katie asked.

  “The captain said we should be there tomorrow or the next day,” Lorna answered.

  “I’m hungry,” William said.

  Katlynn laughed and said, “you’re always hungry.” She turned to Lorna and asked, “would you like me to take William and Katie to the galley to see if there’s anything to eat?”

  “That would be wonderful, Katlynn,” Lorna told her. “They’ll be ready for bed soon, but I could use a bit of fresh air myself. Maybe I’ll take a quick walk on the deck.”

  “Don’t rush, Mrs. Grant. I’ll bring them back and put them to bed. I planned on getting to sleep early myself tonight,” Katlynn told her.

  Lorna left the cabin and made her way up to the deck. She hadn’t seen Thomas in a couple of hours. He was angry with her again, and once more it was because of Marissa Stanwick. They seemed to be arguing more and more about the woman for the last two weeks.

  Thomas had promised to keep his distance from Miss. Stanwick, and for the first month of the trip he’d done just that. Lately, it seemed the woman made sure she showed up everywhere Lorna and Thomas went.

  If she was only on the same deck, or in the same room, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but Miss. Stanwick made it a point to always sit next to Thomas, and she was constantly touching his arm, smiling at him, and demanding all his attention. One night she even placed her hand on his thigh, and then acted like it was an accident. Lorna knew better, but Thomas wouldn’t listen.

  When she complained to Thomas, he told her she was imagining things. He denied having any relationship with the woman, other than the times they’d been out of their cabin and happened upon her together.

  Lorna told him the woman wanted him as more than a friend, and if he couldn’t see it than it was because he was enjoying her attention. Lorna even suggested they were already sharing a bed; although, even she knew when she accused him of it, she was being ridiculous. Thoughts of her husband and Miss. Stanwick together were making Lorna crazy.

  Lorna rounded the corner on the deck at the back of the ship and came to a complete stop. Thomas was taking Marissa Stanwick into his arms, and she seemed to melt against him. Lorna saw red.

  “Get your hands off of my husband!” she yelled, grabbing Marissa’s wrist and pulling her away from Thomas. “You whore. Throwing yourself at a married man.”

  “Lorna!” Thomas scolded, “stop this. Miss. Stanwick slipped on the deck; I merely caught her.”

  “She touches you all the time,” Lorna said, and she actually pushed Marissa Stanwick with both hands, almost making her fall. “And you let her,” Lorna added, this time pushing Thomas.

  “Lorna,” Thomas said, trying to grab her wrists. “Stop this. You have to stop doing this.”

  “Nay,” Lorna said, pulling away from him and turning back to Marissa, “stay away from him. Stay away from my husband.”

  Thomas had heard enough. He picked Lorna up and threw her over his shoulder. He carried h
er like that past most of the crew. Thomas figured she’d already caused a scene on deck, so why stop now.

  He went down the stairs; making his way towards their cabin. Katlynn was just bringing William and Katie back to the room she shared with them. Thomas stopped them, and Katlynn tried not to stare at Lorna, hanging over Thomas’s back.

  “Take the children on deck, but don’t let either of them get close to the side. The fresh air is good for them. I need a good half-hour to discuss something in private with Mrs. Grant. Here’s the key to the room, take the children in through their door tonight. I’ll be in to kiss them goodnight, but their Mama isn’t feeling well, and I’ll be putting her to bed soon.”

  “Thomas,” Lorna finally spoke and tried to protest.

  “Be quiet,” Thomas said, slapping her arse, hard. Smack!

  “Can you do that, Katlynn?”

  “Yes, Mr. Grant,” Katlynn answered. She took the key and William’s hand, leading Katie and William back to the stairs and the deck above.

  Thomas carried Lorna into the bedroom they shared and tossed her on the bed. “Strip,” he told her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Strip, Lorna,” Thomas said. “I want you totally bare. Hurry, so we can get this done before the children come back.”

  “Thomas,” Lorna again tried to speak.

  “Don’t talk, just strip,” Thomas said again, “because I won’t stop until I’m ready, and tonight, I don’t care if the children hear us or not.”

  Lorna could tell Thomas was furious with her. She took off her clothes and laid them over a chair. She was used to being naked in front of him, and usually, it didn’t bother her, but somehow this felt different, and she fought the urge to cover herself.

  Thomas stacked two pillows on the side of the bed, then took Lorna by the arm and led her to them, pushing her torso down so the pillows raised her hips. Lorna knew she was about to get a spanking, but she gasped when Thomas pulled off his belt and folded it in half.

  “Thomas,” Lorna said once more.