“Be quiet, Lorna, you’ve said enough,” Thomas leaned down so he could speak directly into her ear. “Tonight I’m going to talk, and this time, you’re going to listen. Spread your legs; I want access to your thighs.” Lorna did, hoping her quick compliance might earn her some mercy. Thomas stood back up.
“I’m tired of this, Lorna,” he said, bringing the belt down on her backside in a way that it covered both sides. Swish, thwack! “I love you, but I’ve had enough!” Swish, thwack! “You have to quit thinking I’m trying to get every woman I meet into my bed!” Swish, thwack! “I don’t want any woman, but you!” Swish, thwack!
Lorna went to jump up; her arse was on fire. Thomas put his hand on her back and pushed her back down. He kept his hand there, and although she tried, she couldn’t get up.
“Stop, Thomas. You’re hurting me,” Lorna cried out.
“I said no talking,” Thomas scolded, the belt coming down again, but this time across her thigh. Swish, thwack! “You attacked Miss. Stanwick, and almost knocked her down.” Swish, thwack! “Did you care about hurting her?” Swish, thwack! “No, Lorna, you didn’t. You’ve already decided you hate the woman, and no matter what she says or does, you find fault.” Swish, thwack!
“I’m sorry!” Lorna cried, knowing Thomas was right.
“No talking,” he said once more. Swish, thwack! “Miss. Stanwick slipped on water, and what you saw on the deck was me catching her.” Swish, thwack! “Now listen to me, Lorna, because I want to make myself very clear. I love you.” Swish, thwack! “I will never dishonor you with another woman.” Swish, thwack! “There is no one for me but you.” Swish, thwack! “Do you understand, Lorna. It’s you, just you.” Swish, thwack!
Thomas hoped he’d made his point. He just couldn’t do it anymore. He pulled Lorna up off the bed and picked her up in his arms. He sat down in a chair and set her on his lap. He let her cry for a long time. Neither of them spoke, Thomas had said enough.
Once Lorna was calm, Thomas got up and placed her in their bed, tucking the covers in around her. He kissed her softly on the head, and then on the lips.
“I want you to think about what you want out of this marriage. I’m tired of this, Lorna, I know it’s my fault, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s even possible to earn back your trust.”
Lorna went to talk, and Thomas put a finger on her lips. He shook his head, silencing her.
“Think tonight, Lorna, and we’ll talk tomorrow,” Thomas kissed her once more.
They heard the children come in through the door to their room. Thomas left Lorna and went through the connecting door to help Katlynn get them cleaned up and changed, leaving Lorna alone.
She laid there for a long time, thinking. Thomas came back and joined her in the bed. It was the first night since their marriage that he rolled away from her before going to sleep.
Lorna didn’t sleep. She laid there all night, thinking about everything, and having a hard time finding any fault with Thomas, or his behavior. If only she could be sure his words were real, and she wasn’t just being told what her heart wanted to hear.
Chapter 11. Finally Home
Lorna stood on the deck of the ship and watched as the outline of the city of Glasgow came into view. Today she would finally be back home, in Scotland. She wanted to cry she was so happy. If only she could figure things out with Thomas, and learn to trust him again.
The ship Thomas had booked passage on made the trip in almost record time, a few days short of seven weeks. The weather had been perfect, and besides a few small storms, they’d seen mostly sunny skies and steady winds.
The fresh air seemed to clear her mind a little. She wondered if she’d feel that now familiar knot in her stomach every time Thomas looked or talked to another woman for the rest of her life. Did she really think he wanted to take every woman he met to his bed? Nay, she didn’t, and he showed her all the time how much he loved her. She was beginning to realize the problem was her, not him.
Even last night, as he was taking his belt to her arse, he declared his love for her, and only her. She sighed, knowing she couldn’t fight her feelings much longer, she did love the man, and she was going to have to either tell him soon, or let him go. But things had changed, and letting him go didn’t feel right.
This morning it dawned on her, her menses were four days late. The only other time that happened was when she carried William. Lorna was almost certain she carried Thomas’s bairn, again. She hoped Thomas would be as happy about the news as she was, but she’d wait a fortnight before telling him, just to make sure.
Lorna knew Thomas wouldn’t be happy with her when he woke up and found her gone from their cabin. He’d told her more than once he didn’t like her up on deck alone, but she needed some time to herself this morning, to think. The spanking last night had been the worst he’d ever given her, and she’d been up the rest of the night thinking about everything Thomas said. She’d felt his frustration every time his belt made contact with her backside and thighs.
The trip back to Scotland had been relatively easy, especially with Katlynn’s help. What a blessing it’d been to meet her on the ship. Thomas already offered to take the young girl with them back to Castle Sween to be the children’s nurse, and thankfully, she’d accepted. William and Katie loved Katlynn, and it seemed like the right thing to do, for everyone.
Lorna heard movement behind her and stepped behind a stack of crates, not ready to be found yet. The sun was just beginning to rise, and only the crew seemed to be up and moving about. Lorna peered around the crates, wondering who else could be up already, but knowing it was probably Thomas. She spotted Marissa Stanwick, looking lovely as always, strolling the deck. She was the last person Lorna wanted to see or talk too.
“Thomas!” she heard Marissa call out, “Thomas!”
Lorna watched through a crack as Thomas stepped out on the deck. Hearing Marissa call his name, Thomas stopped, and Lorna saw him scowl before making his way over to where Marissa was standing. Lorna knew Thomas well, and the look on his face let her know he wasn’t looking forward to talking with the woman, especially after last night.
“Good morning, Miss. Stanwick,” Thomas greeted her politely.
“How many times do I need to tell you, please, call me Marissa,” she replied, putting a hand on his arm, and leading him in the direction where Lorna was hiding. A place on the ship where they were unlikely to be seen.
“I don’t believe that would be appropriate,” Thomas told her, stopping and taking a step back as he scowled again.
“What are you doing walking the deck so early? Were you, by chance, looking for me?” Marissa asked him.
“Nay,” Thomas answered, “why would I be looking for you? I was looking for my wife.”
“Why?” Marissa asked, “after the way she treated you last night; I’d think you’d be trying to get as far away from that harpy as possible.”
“Don’t talk about my wife that way,” Thomas warned her. “Now please, if we’re done here, I need to find her.”
“ I haven’t seen her, but I’m glad I ran into you. I’ve been meaning to speak with you privately,” Marissa said, stepping towards him again.
“About what?” Thomas asked, scanning the deck for Lorna, and becoming worried when he didn’t see her.
“About us,” Marissa said, pressing herself against him. “I’ve noticed the way you look at me, and I feel the same way.”
“I don’t look at you in any certain way,” Thomas said, taking her shoulders and pushing her back from him.
Lorna couldn’t believe her bad luck. She was still peering through the crack between the crates when Thomas and Marissa stopped on the other side. They were so close that she’d either be forced to listen to their conversation or expose herself, and she wasn’t ready to do the latter.
When Marissa pressed herself against Thomas, Lorna was ready to jump out of her hiding spot, grab the woman by her hair, and throw her over the side of the ship. It took a
ll her self-control to stay where she was and let Thomas handle the situation.
“I understand, you don’t want your wife to see us. We could go to my cabin,” Marissa said, putting a hand on his chest again, and after looking around to make sure no one was looking, she let her hand slide lower, “we’d have more privacy to continue this.”
Thomas couldn’t believe what he was hearing, Lorna was right, the woman was trying to interest him in more than friendship. Although he still wasn’t happy with the way Lorna behaved last night, he now understood his wife’s concern. Thomas grabbed Marissa’s hand and pushed it away from him. He stepped close to her before he spoke, wanting to make sure there would be no misunderstanding this time.
“We do not need privacy and never will. I am a married man. A happily married man who is very much in love with his wife. I don’t want what you’re offering, and will never allow you, or any other woman in my bed,” Thomas said, “do you understand what I’m telling you?”
“But, Thomas, we could be so good together,” Marissa said, once more trying to touch him. “Especially in bed.”
“I’m happy with the woman I already have in my bed,” Thomas told her, “she takes care of all my needs.” Then he threw his hands up and said, “I can’t believe this.”
“Can’t believe how much you want me?” Marissa asked, ignoring everything he’d said to her.
“Nay,” Thomas said, “I don’t want you. I’ve never wanted you. I can’t believe I punished my wife because of you. She was right, and I didn’t listen to her. I think this is the last time we ever need to speak, Miss. Stanwick. I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey, but please, stay away from me, my wife, and the rest of my family.”
“You’ll never know what a good thing you just missed out on,” Marissa said, stepping back and turning away
Thomas watched her go, but yelled out one last time to her, “I lost the best thing in my life once, and I would never chance losing her again, not for any woman.” Marissa picked up her pace and almost ran back to her cabin.
Thomas was still watching Marissa when he heard Lorna’s voice behind him.
“Did you mean it?” Lorna asked him.
Thomas turned to look at her. She had tear marks on her cheeks, but she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
“Mean what?” Thomas asked, stepping forward and wiping the tears off her cheeks.
“All of it. That you love me, that you’ll never want any other woman in your bed, that I’m the best thing that ever happened to you...all of it, Thomas. Did you mean it?”
“Every word,” Thomas told her. “I fell in love with you when you were four, and I was eight. You climbed a tree in your Da’s apple orchard, and couldn’t get down. I climbed up and rescued you, and you kissed my cheek as a reward.”
“I remember that,” Lorna said and laughed, “you were the gallant knight, and Dylan was the evil King. He told me to climb the tree; it was Dylan’s fault I was up there!”
“If we’ve learned anything from all we’ve been through, it’s never listen to Dylan,” Thomas said, and when Lorna giggled, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
“I love you, Thomas,” Lorna said, laying her head against his chest. Thomas grabbed her shoulders and pushed her away from him, just far enough so he could see her face.
“Say that again,” he told her.
“I love you,” Lorna said again, and then grinned.
“One more time, just so I know I heard you right,” Thomas said, a big smile on his face.
“Damn you, Thomas Grant, I love you. I’ve always loved you. I’ll love you until the day I die, and probably long after that. Is that good enough?” Lorna said, beginning to laugh.
Thomas covered her mouth with his until one of the sailors walked by and whistled. Lorna blushed as Thomas pulled away from her. They both looked towards the shoreline, they were close now and would be on land again in just a few more hours.
“Are you ready to go home, love?” Thomas asked.
“Aye,” Lorna said, “take me home, husband.”
**********
Lorna and Thomas rode through the gates of Castle Sween in a carriage less than a sennight later. Once they got off the ship, they had to stay in Glasgow long enough for Thomas to send a missive to Dylan, who then sent a carriage to collect them. That took three days.
Once they arrived at Doune, Thomas and Lorna announced they were wed, and Ava and Dylan were thrilled. Although he knew Lorna was anxious to get home, Dylan asked them to stay for a day or two, and they agreed. Lorna knew Thomas missed his brother as much as she missed her parents. The two of them had always been close.
For two days, Lorna and Thomas rested, while letting the children play and get to know their new cousin. Ava had given birth to a son, who the couple named Dylan Thomas, less than a month before. Katie and William were interested in the bairn for only a few minutes before deciding there were more interesting things to do.
Dylan and Ava took to Katlynn immediately and were thankful when she offered to help care for Dylan Thomas while she was there. The lass had a gift with children. By the end of their two-day stay, Katlynn agreed to stay with Dylan and Ava for the next month, to help train a nurse for their son.
Not wanting to ruin the surprise, Lorna sent no warning to her parents. Elliot was the first to come out the doors of Castle Sween, wondering who the unexpected visitors might be. Thomas opened the door of the carriage and stepped out first. Elliot’s heart began to pound as he watched the door to see who came out next.
“Thomas,” he finally said, approaching the carriage and trying to see how many people were still inside. “Welcome home.”
“Good to see you, Elliot. I’ve brought some people you’ve been wanting to meet,” Thomas said, reaching back into the carriage and lifting a pretty little girl into his arms
“Katie,” he said to the lass, “this is Elliot MacNee, your Grandda.”
Katie wrapped her arms around Thomas’s neck a little tighter as she looked at Elliot and smiled. They heard a shriek as Sorcha came running down the steps.
“They’re here,” she yelled. “They’re finally here!”
“Mither!” the cry came from the carriage as Lorna launched herself out the door and into Sorcha’s arms. “I missed you so much, Mither!”
“And I you,” Sorcha told her, hugging her tightly. “We received your letter, I’m so sorry to hear about your Patrick. That must have been so hard for you to go through alone.”
“Aye,” Lorna said. “It was, and I’m sorry about Calvin.”
“Aye,” Sorcha replied, wiping tears off Lorna’s cheeks and her own.
“Is she my Grandmither ?” Katie asked Thomas. She watched her Mama and the older woman hug, talk at the same time, and then hug again. Thomas laughed at the look of confusion on the little girl’s face.
“Aye,” Sorcha answered, letting go of Lorna who was quickly pulled into a hug by Elliot. She walked over to the little girl and smiled at her, “I am, and this Grandmither has been waiting for years to hug you.” She held out her arms, and Katie let go of Thomas as he placed her in Sorcha’s arms.
Thomas reached into the carriage one more time, lifting out William. Lorna watched as her parents got their first look at their grandson. There was no denying William favored his Da in looks, especially when Thomas was holding him and you looked at the two of them together.
“And this is William,” Thomas said, and then to put an end to what they were all wondering, he added, “my son.”
“Aye,” Elliot said, “I think we can see that.”
“Lorna?” Sorcha said, looking at her daughter and fighting back a grin. “Is this true?”
“Aye,” Lorna answered, not looking at either of her parents.
“And what do you intend to do about this?” Elliot asked Thomas.
“I’ve already done it,” Thomas said, handing William to his Grandda and walking over to Lorna.
/> “And what have you done?” Sorcha asked, shifting Katie from one hip to the other, and hugging her tight once more.
“I’m married to Thomas, Mither,” Lorna said. Thomas wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. She smiled up at him. “We married two months ago, back in Pleasantville.”
“I see,” Sorcha said, smiling at Elliot. “I think Grandda and myself are going to take these two little ones to the kitchen. I believe cook was making pastries today, and I know there are some fruit ones waiting with their names on them.”
“Can we go see?” Katie asked both her Grandparents.
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Elliot answered, handing William to Sorcha as he took a turn with Katie. He lifted the lass up to sit on his shoulders before he turned and started to walk away.
“The two of you will be staying in your old room, Lorna. For now, we can bed the children down in your solar, at least until you hire a nurse and get the nursery set up,” Sorcha called out over her shoulder as she followed Elliot.
“Mither,” Lorna said and laughed. “How long will you be gone with the children?” Sorcha didn’t answer and kept walking.
“Why didn’t either of them seem surprised that we’re married?” Thomas asked.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Lorna told him. “It was strange, wasn’t it?”
“Aye,” Thomas answered.
“I wonder what’s going on?” Lorna asked.
“Do you know what I wonder?” Thomas asked, turning her to face him and pulling her into his arms.
“What do you wonder?” Lorna asked.
“I wonder how long they’ll be gone.” He kissed her. “And I wonder what your old bedchamber looks like.” He kissed her again. “I wonder if the bed is going to be big enough for both of us.” Another kiss, longer this time. He whispered in her ear as he said, “and I wonder how many times I can make you call out my name before either of the children come looking for us.” The last kiss took Lorna’s breath away.
“No reason to wonder,” Lorna said, grabbing Thomas by the hand and pulling him towards the castle. “I think we deserve a rest after our travels. A long rest, while Mither and Da enjoy their grandchildren.”
Reclaiming His Bride Page 11