by Wine, Mary
“Faolan will be far better than most brides get!” one of the older women muttered suggestively.
“No doubt ye won’t have to worry about spending too much effort to stroke up his member,” another added with a wink.
“A man like him will put ye on yer back the moment he has the blessing of the Church!”
For all that Cora had considered her brothers Retainer’s to be rough in their speech, she discovered her face flushing as the comments continued to come.
“He’ll ride ye more than once a night to be sure.”
“The winter will be a warm one…with him in yer bed!”
“Best make sure the bed ropes are newly strung, else ye end on the floor in the dark hours of the night!”
Noreen finally raised her hand. Her women fell silent instantly. But there were still smirks being sent toward Cora, confirming that none of them felt any shame.
“Do ye have any…questions, Cora? Before I take ye down to yer groom?” Noreen asked pointedly.
Cora felt like her cheeks were on fire, but at least it burned away the fog which had been crippling her mind.
“Why would ye ask me if I have questions since ye made a point of forcing this wedding on me because ye seem to believe Faolan has already had me?”
Noreen wasn’t shamed by the question. She merely fluttered her eyelashes. “Ye are a woman and yet, still so naïve, Cora. Weddings for women such as us are about dowries and position. How could ye think I’d be foolish enough to allow ye to leave McKay land now that ye are here and me husband has an unwed brother?”
Cora felt her temper simmer. Noreen let out a little amused sound.
“Do nae be so cross with me, Cora.” Noreen ventured closer and took her hand. “Faolan or Cormac Grant or another son of the highlands…what does it matter except that ye are wed to a man with a good position? The McKay are a fine clan to be joined with, and it is more than time ye married. Stop acting like such a child. Ye’re a woman fully grown. Ye need only mind me as yer mistress. Yer lot might be far worse if Cormac breaks the arrangement with ye and yer brother finds ye a third or fourth son to wed. Yer reputation has spread far and wide as being unruly. Do ye truly think ye will catch someone better after riding rough with Retainers across the moors?”
Noreen had a point.
Cora wasn’t blind to it. Something new stirred inside her. A sense of anticipation that was really quite pleasant.
Almost exciting, really.
Noreen offered her one last smile before she was guiding her toward the door.
Cora went willingly.
After the first step, she found the second one easier and the third even more so. Confidence was building inside her. Perhaps Fate had brought her to Faolan. Oh, yes, he was stubborn when it came to doing what he thought was best. Her cheeks remained hot as the memory of him tossing her over his shoulder surfaced.
But he’d called her tempting.
Was she?
It was an honest question, for even if she was pitifully ugly, no one on Mackenzie land would have dared to tell her so. Suddenly the dress was something she enjoyed wearing. The heat warming her cheeks was due to anticipation, and her breath caught as she made it to the bottom of the tower.
It was her wedding day.
Or night as things were.
The passageway was illuminated by candles. Such was an extravagance, but it drove home how much the McKay wanted to secure her. They’d rather have a midnight wedding instead of risking waiting until daylight and the possibility that her brother’s men might arrive. By all rights, she should have been terrified by the lack of contracts.
But she had contracts that were sealed and witnessed with Cormac Grant, and those parchments wouldn’t protect her from a groom who treated her roughly.
Faolan wouldn’t hurt her.
That one certainty kept Cora moving. Perhaps it was foolish to trust so blindly, for she hardly knew the man.
She knew less of Cormac Grant, though. To her betrothed, she was not even worth the time to stand in a kitchen doorway and argue over something he thought best for her own good. The ride over Faolan’s shoulder might have wounded her pride, but she recognized that he cared about her well-being, or he simply wouldn’t have bothered.
And Malcolm had been intent on…something. She decided it was best not to decide just what the McKay laird had planned to do in the dark in her chamber. Instead, Cora set her sights on the moment she was in, drawing in a deep breath as she paused outside the entrance of the great hall. The moment she’d heard so much about throughout her life was about to take place. She let out the breath she was holding before making sure her chin was level.
And then she went forward to greet her groom.
*
Faolan had never thought to wed.
Well, at least not to marry in the great hall of the McKay. But he was here. The priest was standing at the base of the high ground while Malcolm sat in his chair with a disgruntled look on his face.
His mother would have wept with joy.
Faolan grinned. Perhaps wept wasn’t the fitting word. His mother had been proud and unbridled. She’d followed her heart and never lamented her choice. But she’d never forgiven the slights handed out to her either for being considered a lesser woman.
She’d approve of Cora.
Faolan shifted as that idea went through his brain. He wouldn’t be keeping Cora. So, there was no reason for him to ponder his mother’s opinion on the matter.
Purpose was what defined his life. His mother had raised him to be honest and to always stand by his actions.
He’d promised Cora he was going to see her back to her brother. So that was precisely what he would be doing.
But movement at the back of the hall caught his eyes. Noreen was preening as she tugged Cora by the hand. The first time he’d seen her in daylight, Faolan had noticed how fair she was. Tonight, though, clothed in blue silk, with her copper curls piled on top of her head, Cora Mackenzie looked like a fairy. Her eyes were full of life as she looked straight at him. And then, Cora Mackenzie began to walk toward him.
Christ. He had no idea how he was going to keep his purpose in mind now.
*
“Take the lass’s hands in yers.”
The priest knew his duty. He was conducting the wedding slowly and with reverence.
All around them, the McKays were pressing forward, silently urging the man to hurry.
It was over soon enough the way Cora saw it. For an event that she had spent so many hours listening to lectures about, somehow, it seemed as though it should have lasted longer.
But her vows were spoken, and Faolan looked her straight in the eyes as he uttered the words that would bind them together until death.
“Ye may give the kiss of peace to yer bride,” the priest announced.
Cora stiffened. She’d forgotten about the kiss.
There will be more than a kiss as soon as ye are abovestairs…
She jerked her mind back to the moment. Her heart was pounding. A deep, hard motion that made her feel like the muscle just might break through her ribs. She’d started to pull her hands from Faolan’s as her composure suddenly eroded.
Faolan tightened his grip. He’d looked toward the priest but returned his attention to her when she moved. Something flashed in his eyes. Like a crack of lightning splitting the sky in warning before the thunder boomed.
She started to turn her head, to offer her cheek. Faolan didn’t take it. He angled his head and fit his mouth to hers. She jerked back, but he reached down and caught a handful of her skirt to keep her in place. A startled gasp opened her lips, and he took full advantage of it, pressing a hard, full kiss against her mouth to the delight of the assembled McKays.
They hooted as he slipped an arm around her waist and continued. Somehow, she’d never noticed just how sensitive her lips really were. The connection between his mouth and hers was searing. Her belly twisted in an insane little motion that sent a shiver
racing down her body. It kept going until it hit her toes, and they curled inside her shoes. Somehow, she was pressed against him, discovering once more just how hard his body was compared to hers.
Like her curves were fashioned just to give way against his hardness…
Her thoughts dissolved as the kiss continued. It was like there was music playing, and she just couldn’t ignore the tempo. She needed to move in time with the rhythm. So she moved her mouth, mimicking the motions as she kissed him back.
“Well, now, it appears our couple is well suited,” Noreen said.
There was a round of cheers from the McKays. Noreen clapped her hands. “A toast and then off to the bridal chamber.”
The Head-of-House came forward with a silver tray in her hands. Two goblets were already half-filled. The tray was gleaming from a quick polish, and the scent of fine French wine tickled Cora’s nose. Faolan took both of the goblets and offered one to her.
She downed it too quickly.
Cora felt her belly heave when the strong brew hit it. She clamped her mouth shut as Faolan lowered his own goblet just as fast. There was a flash of something in his eyes that she couldn’t quite identify.
Whatever it was, Noreen grabbed Cora by the wrist and tugged her away before Cora had the chance to think. The older maids clustered around Cora. They urged her down the length of the great hall and into the passageway with muffled sounds of amusement. It might be her first wedding, but Cora had seen a bride or two whisked away by her brother’s household staff.
Now she was about to discover just what happened abovestairs.
The chamber Cora had been shown to was now lightly scented with rosemary. She caught a hint of it wafting through the air as the women surrounded her and made short work of disrobing her.
“Enough,” Cora grumbled as she hugged herself in the hope of keeping her smock.
“Not just yet,” Noreen purred as she snapped her fingers and pointed at Cora’s hair. “Men enjoy flowing hair.”
There was another round of husky laughter.
Someone began plucking the pins from her hair. It became heavy and then sagged down to cover her neck. A few more tugs and the last pins released the copper strands completely.
“Nature was overly kind to ye,” one of the women muttered enviously. “Such fire in yer hair.”
Would Faolan like it?
Cora found herself absorbed with the idea.
She’d enjoyed his kiss.
A great deal.
Her cheeks heated as she admitted it to herself, but this time, it wasn’t shame that caused the blush. Faolan was her husband. It wasn’t forbidden to like him or his touch.
“I see ye’ve come to terms with yer circumstances.”
Cora blinked and returned her attention to the people in the room. The matrons had filed out of the chamber after someone finished combing Cora’s hair. Noreen stood in the doorway as the steps of her staff disappeared into the distance.
“Faolan is a fine groom to welcome into yer bed.”
There was a touch of anger in Noreen’s voice. The moment when Malcolm and Faolan had been fighting in her chamber rose from Cora’s memory.
“Tell him to leave, lass. That ye prefer me.” Malcolm shifted his attention to Faolan. “It won’t be the first time I’ve taken yer woman, will it now?”
“I told Malcolm no,” Cora defended herself.
Noreen’s lips pressed into a hard line. “And yet….it doesn’t really matter what ye told him, Cora dear.” The mistress of the McKay ventured closer, her eyes glittering with temper. “Malcolm is laird here. He can take what he pleases. Why do ye think I chose him over Faolan?”
“Ye chose position,” Cora stated the obvious.
“I did.” Noreen suddenly smiled as she swept Cora from head to toe. “I’ve saved ye from the fate of being a mistress. As laird, Malcolm will have the lion’s share. Do nae forget ye owe me a favor.”
There was a hard warning in Noreen’s tone. She slapped Cora lightly on the cheek.
There was a noise behind them. Some of the McKay men were escorting the groom abovestairs. They were loud and jovial, their voices raised in scarlet suggestions for the wedding couple.
Noreen flattened herself against the wall as they made it to the top of the stairs. Faolan surged into the chamber, turning to warn them away. Gainor took to baring the door with his thick frame.
“Enough, lads!” Gainor declared. “The night is short enough now. Let the happy couple enjoy what is left of the darkness.”
“There is more ale below,” Noreen sweetened the deal. “I have ordered it set out in celebration of the laird’s brother’s wedding. Drink until it’s time to come for the sheets!”
The McKay men roared with approval before turning and reversing their course. Noreen claimed Gainor as her personal escort on her way through the doorway. Faolan’s captain had little choice but to lend her his strong arm unless he wanted to be downright rude.
Cora smiled as she saw him go. It was her wedding night, after all. Faolan closed the door with a grunt of satisfaction.
“Bloody lot of parasites,” he grumbled. “Stripping me down like some sort of sport.”
“I know the feeling,” Cora muttered.
Faolan froze. He was half facing her, but his body tightened as he gained his first look at her. Her belly twisted. An insane little jolt of excitement hitting her. The truth was, she was more than ready to be done with all of the anticipation over her wedding night. A burden had been lifted from her shoulders. The fear of arriving at a strange stronghold to find a cold groom was gone. Even with the icy reception the McKay appeared to reserve for Faolan, she was relieved beyond measure to see him there as her husband. They might return to the tower and build a life together.
Hope tantalized her with possibilities.
Cora realized they were both staring at one another. The pair of them frozen in place as they tried to absorb their current circumstances. She drew in a deep breath and forced the corners of her mouth up into a little smile of welcome. Noreen was correct; Cora was plenty old enough to wed.
So she’d start acting like a woman instead of a trembling girl. He ventured closer. Her breath caught, but she kept her eyes on him even as her teeth bit into her lower lip.
Her groom stopped just a foot from her.
“Ye do nae need to look so frightened.” Faolan sounded disgusted. He grabbed a pillow off the bed and took it with him toward the heath. “I am no’ going to fall upon ye like a wolf.”
“I am no’ frightened of ye.”
His eyes narrowed as he peered down at her.
“Nervous is no’ frightened,” Cora clarified. “I’ve no’ done this before.”
His expression tightened. There was a glint of something in his dark eyes that hinted at an inner battle.
“Ye will no’ be doing it tonight,” he muttered before reaching past her to grab another pillow off the bed.
“I do nae understand.”
Faolan moved back across the chamber. He sent her a stern look. “Go to sleep, Cora. I’ll be arranging an annulment come first light.”
Faolan turned his back on her and pulled the portion of his plaid that was hanging down his back up to cover his head. He was making ready to settle down for the night.
Annulment.
Perhaps he meant to put her at ease with the word.
But she didn’t relax.
Instead, she felt like something had been ripped from her grasp just moments after she’d realized how much she wanted it. Disappointment went tearing through her as she felt the unmistakable burning of unshed tears in her eyes.
She’d not cry!
Cora flopped back onto the bed to hide her lack of emotional control from him. It wasn’t enough, though, for she had to bite back a scathing response.
She refused to give the beast the satisfaction of seeing her eyes glassy. The sting of rejection was harsher than she’d ever contemplated it might be. She wanted to screa
m into her pillow but clenched her jaw tight to prevent even the tiniest sound from escaping her lips.
*
The darkest hours of the night were where Faolan normally found solace. A place where the blackness cloaked him and provided him shelter from the world’s harsh judgment.
Tonight, he would have sworn he could feel Cora sleeping across the chamber from him.
Would have bet his life on the fact that he could detect her delicate scent drifting across the space which separated them.
It was for damn sure that her taste lingered on his lips.
Well, lad, that’s what ye get for kissing her.
Aye, and he was ten sorts of a fool for the fact that even as sleep eluded him because of how much he wanted another taste of her lips, Faolan still didn’t lament taking the moment to indulge.
He wanted her.
More than anything else he’d ever encountered. But it was more than lust for her flesh. Her sheer will to taunt the challenges tossed at her drew him to her. The fire in her eyes stroked the thing inside him that made him refuse to submit to those trying to trample him.
His knuckles popped as he gripped the edge of his plaid.
He’d not touch her.
Blessing or no. He didn’t have anything to offer her but a life of hardship.
Chapter Six
The birds announced the arrival of first light. Cora drew in a deep breath and winced at the headache making itself known as she awakened.
Faolan was gone.
Cora blinked.
Had he ever been there?
“Grrr….” Cora socked the pillow as she rolled over.
Her bare feet touched the floor, the chill of the night half numbing her soles. Her unbound hair swung out like a curtain, reminding her of the way Noreen had insisted on letting it down for Faolan’s enjoyment.
Well, he hadn’t enjoyed it or her.
Cora snorted as her emotions shifted.
She’d not think about him. If he didn’t want her, fine. She wouldn’t cry over the loss.
But she discovered herself looking at the bed. She’d pushed the covers back, and the sheet was as clean as it had been when she’d gone to bed. The lack of blood would taint her reputation.