It didn’t take long for both of them to become impatient, though. Ishbel’s movements soon became faster, almost frantic, and then Angus gripped her hips, holding her still as he thrust up into her.
It was rushed and graceless, but it was precisely what Ishbel wanted. She was desperate for her release, but once it came, it took her by surprise, and she cried out Angus’ name, every muscle in her body stiffening.
It only took Angus a few more thrusts before he reached his own completion, spilling himself inside Ishbel. Then, he let her collapse on top of him once more, and the two of them lay there, on top of their sheets, their bodies covered in a sheen of sweat as they panted against each other.
They didn’t say another word before they fell asleep, both of them tired to the point of exhaustion after a full day of celebrations and drinking. Even as they slept, they stayed in each other’s arms until the next morning.
When Ishbel opened her eyes, the sun was blazing out of the window, bathing the entire room in a beautiful golden light. Ishbel turned to look at Angus, finding him still asleep, and she watched him for a while, taking in the way that the light played over his features.
“I ken that yer watching me,” Angus mumbled after a while, without even opening his eyes. How he could have possibly known was beyond Ishbel, but Angus was a man of many talents. “Have ye been awake for long?”
“No,” Ishbel assured him. “But I like watching you.”
“There is something verra wrong with ye, lass, did ye ken that?” Angus teased, as he finally opened his eyes and looked at her. Ishbel smiled at him, soft and sweet, and she leaned in for a kiss just as sweet as her smile.
“Well, then that means that there is something very wrong with you, too,” Ishbel pointed out. “If you love me, that is.”
Angus hummed softly before he grabbed Ishbel by the waist and abruptly pulled her closer to him, drawing a surprised yelp out of her. “If I love ye?” he asked. “Mo ghràdh, I love ye more than anything. Yer me wife noo . . . yer me life.”
Ishbel felt herself blush at that, though she didn’t know why. It was simply strange, hearing anyone say such words, and she buried herself in Angus’ chest so that he wouldn’t notice the flush that crept up her cheeks.
Angus was a rather observant man, though, and not only did he notice, but he let out a soft chuckle before he pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “Do me words make ye blush?” he asked. “Do ye wish for me to stop?”
“No.”
Ishbel never wanted Angus to stop. As sappy as it was, and as embarrassed as his words made her, she also liked to hear him say them. She liked to hear those words from his lips, and she would do anything to hear them every single day.
There was a short silence between them, peaceful and comfortable, but when Angus spoke again, his words had Ishbel frowning.
“Are ye happy, Ishbel?” he asked her.
It was such a strange question, she thought, that she had to prop herself up on her elbows and look at him. He suddenly seemed so concerned, and Ishbel didn’t know whether she had done or said something to worry him.
“Yes,” she said. “Of course, I’m happy. I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you, Angus.”
“Aye, but . . .” Angus hesitated, his words trailing off, but Ishbel didn’t push him. She waited until he spoke again, her hand coming to lie gently over his chest. “I ken that ye wished to travel. That was all that ye wanted, to see the world. And noo . . . weel, yer bound here noo. I dinnae say that we canna travel, but I’m the Laird, and yer the Lady of the clan. There is only that much time that we can spend away from this castle. Ye willnae see the entire world, Ishbel. I dinnae even ken if ye’ll have the chance to go back to France.”
It was something that Ishbel had considered before, of course. She had known what it meant to be the Lady of the clan before she had agreed to marry Angus, and she had always known that she wouldn’t be able to do everything that she wanted.
A part of her still wished to travel, to see the world, to meet new people. She had made a commitment, though, not only to Angus, but also to his clan, and she was perfectly happy with the way that her life had turned out.
“Angus . . . I love you,” she said. “I love you more than I thought I could love anyone, and I want nothing more than to spend my days with you. It’s true, I wanted to travel . . . I still do. But traveling and seeing the world means nothing to me if I can’t share that experience with you. I am happy. I’m happier than I ever thought I would be.”
Ishbel thought that her words must have been quite convincing, as the next thing she knew, Angus was kissing her deeply, holding her in his arms so tightly that he almost stopped her breath. Ishbel laughed at his enthusiasm, but she kissed back just as fervently, her hand threading through Angus’ hair.
When they pulled apart, the two of them simply stared into each other’s eyes for a while, taking the time to enjoy those moments between them. Soon, their lives would be chaotic again, what with the two of them being the leaders of the clan, but Ishbel wanted to stretch those moments for as long as she could.
There was something that had been bothering her for a while, though, something that she could ignore while the two of them had been busy with other things, but as they lay there, she couldn’t push that thought away from her mind.
She simply had to ask.
“Angus . . . are you alright?” she asked him. “After everything that happened that day . . . you have never said anything about it. You never said anything about . . . about Vika.”
Just the mention of Vika’s name had Angus stiffening up like a board, and Ishbel could see that he curled his hands into a fist, almost as though through instinct. She couldn’t blame him, but that was precisely why she felt like they should talk about her, about what had happened in that tent.
“I’m fine,” Angus assured her, avoiding her gaze. “I’m fine, Ishbel, there isnae a need to worry.”
“And yet, I worry,” Ishbel said. “I can’t help but worry, Angus. Donal . . . he told me that he found you kneeling next to her body after she killed herself. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for you.”
Angus took a deep breath, shaking his head. “I’m fine, Ishbel,” he insisted. “Vika is in the past. Whatever it was that made me stay by her side in that tent . . . it’s gone noo. I think that even after everything that she had done, I couldnae bring meself to hate her enough to take any joy in her death. Seeing her take her own life . . . it was a shock, it was such a shock. I wish that I hadnae seen it. I wish that she hadnae done it at all, but I suppose that’s for me own sake, rather than hers. It’s all done noo. It’s done, it’s in the past. Vika will never be an issue again, she’ll never hurt us again. There is nay reason to talk about her.”
Ishbel couldn’t argue with that. The less she remembered her cousin, the better it was for her, but she was glad that she had finally asked Angus how he felt.
“As long as you’re alright,” she said softly. “That is all I want.”
Ishbel laid her head on Angus’ chest once more, and then she closed her eyes. She knew that she wouldn’t manage to sleep any longer, but simply being there, with him, was more than enough for her.
She would stay there for as long as she could, in his arms.
The End?
Extended Epilogue
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Afterword
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Highlan
d Seductresses
Book#1
Highlander's Vengeful Seduction
Book#2 (this book)
Highlander’s Veiled Bride
Do you want more Romance?
If you’re a true fan of the Scottish romance genre, here are the first chapters of my previous best selling story, and it’s called: How to Woo a Highlander
This time we are discovering the tale of a lass bound to marry a laird, but falling for a mysterious Highlander that it would be best to avoid. How will fate connect their lives? And what dangers lurk in their path?
How to Woo a Highlander
Chapter One
Jane Baxendale relaxed into the comfort of her carriage seat, choosing to disregard the glares of her governess. Mary Barton scoffed her displeasure, hands folded in her lap and back perfectly straight, as she shook her blonde head.
"You are off to be married, and yet you still disregard the simplest of my teachings. A lady never slouches!" Mary said, the displeasure evident in her voice.
Jane had seen the scolding coming but deserved to relax as her mind was swimming with questions and doubt.
"It is but the two of us in this carriage, Mary; besides, I fear I might be sick if I do not find myself some form of respite," she responded, causing Mary to press her lips together but say nothing in retort.
As Mary had mentioned, she was off to be married, being sent by her father to her betrothed in the Highlands: Laird William of Clan Mackenzie. She was nervous and worried, despite her innate curiosity. She wanted to see the Highlands. She wasn't going to see the sights, however, but marry a man she had never met.
She knew that he was not old, her father had been considerate enough about that, but she knew nothing of his character and wondered if he would be of calm countenance or if he would turn his face in anger to her. She worried her lip as she thought. Would she find him attractive? It was essential if there was to be an atom of romance between them. She couldn't face a life devoid of romance.
Her father, Captain John Baxendale, had left his station in Inveraray to meet at their manor, giving the news of her impending marriage. Her first emotion had been surprise. Her father was a very ambitious man, and she had known that the chances of a political marriage were rather high, but had not expected to be sent to the Highlands.
Scotland! – a foreign place, with different customs and people leading a different way of life. She felt as if she had been thrown into the deep sea, given that she knew nothing of what to expect. Slouching further in her seat, she glanced at Mary by force of habit but looked away when the woman stayed quiet. Mary seemed to understand her fears and was allowing her the slight indulgence to do as she pleased before being thrust unprepared into her duties.
Marriage to the Laird of the Mackenzie clan would help her father strengthen his position with the crown. Or at least, that was what he hoped to achieve with the union. She wanted to help her father, of course, and she had known for a long time that it would happen by marriage. It was not that she was attracted to any of the noblemen in England anyway, so perhaps a Highlander was best.
She had just finished reassuring herself when the carriage lurched to a stop, and in the absence of the noise from her party's movement, she could hear the sound of steel clanging against steel. She sat up immediately, even as Mary's face registered concern, and she met her gaze.
People are fighting outside, is it my men?
Her question was answered when Adam, the leader of her entourage, rode back to her carriage window. She moved the curtains aside so that she could see him properly.
"I am sorry for the disturbance, Miss, but there is a skirmish ahead with what appears to be bandits attacking three Scotsmen," he explained, swaying slightly as his horse marched on the spot as though excited by the conflict.
Jane's eyes widened at the news, even as the concern drained from Mary's expression, and she went back to sitting stoically. She worried her lip, wondering if they should get involved. Bandits were a menace everywhere, and if it were her party in trouble, she would wish for help. However, it was unwise to get involved without thought.
Although I want to help, it could also be a ruse, and all the parties involved might be bandits waiting to attack a good Samaritan.
"The Scots are outnumbered, and I believe they bear the colors of the Mackenzie clan," Adam added, causing her to raise her head to look at him again.
'Mackenzie' was the clan she was to be married into! Although she might have chosen to help out of the goodness of her heart, Adam's words decided it.
"Do we try to go around them, or should we step in, Miss?" Adam asked, although her face probably gave her answer.
"Help them, Adam," she ordered.
Immediately he gave a small bow and turning to the guards behind, gave a signal. Four guards rode past from behind them, but she knew that two would remain behind to protect the carriage. Adam gave another bow before leaving to join in the fray of the battle.
Her guards were some of the best, having been trained by her father for their purpose. They were loyal and treated well in her father's household. She knew they would protect her and ably perform the task. Mary said nothing, and Jane wondered if the governess approved of her orders or not. It did not matter, as Mary held no sway in that respect, but she was sure that helping those with the colors of her soon-to-be husband's clan was the right choice.
As she expected, it was not long before the sounds of battle died down, and Jane smiled to herself. Her party had subdued the enemy, and as the future Lady of the Mackenzie clan, she was already helping her people. The carriage moved forward a little before stopping again, and she was just in time to hear Adam yelling at the Scots.
"You ungrateful bastards! Is this how you speak to people who help you?!" she heard Adam's angry voice. Her smile fell and contorted into a frown of confusion. Adam was a calm person, so he would not be incensed without good reason. What could have gone wrong?
"I dinnae remember askin' fer help from ye English shites! What should I be grateful fer when ye stepped into our fight uninvited? Now ye want to make me lick yer feet in thanks? We would have been fine on our own if ye had gone on yer way." An unfamiliar voice responded in the harsh accent of the Highlanders. Her expression frosted over as rage sparked in her chest from the stranger's rudeness.
"We should have just left you to face your lot on your own! I only acted on the magnanimous order I was given, but if I knew what a waste it would be, we would have saved our energy." Adam spat, causing the rude Scot to laugh derisively.
"Magnanimous, ye say? Och, ye English love to make yerselves feel righteous! As though yer Lord or whoever's in that carriage cared about me truly. Let him come out here and tell me that he didnae simply dae it out o' self-righteousness with the expectancy of some thankful bootlickin'," the Scot retorted.
Furious, Jane stepped down from the carriage, surprising Adam, who had been standing beside his horse right in front of the carriage doors.
"Miss!" Adam exclaimed in surprise as she stepped around him, turning her furious gaze to the antagonists. The first man her eyes met did not seem to be the speaker as he looked sheepish and avoided her gaze. Out of the three men, it was the one in the middle who was the culprit. Despite her rage, her heart staggered at the sight of him. Being so used to the clean-cut handsomeness of English noblemen, she was unprepared for the wild ruggedness of the man that stood before her.
He was handsome enough to steal the breath from her lungs, standing a few inches taller than Adam, his frame large and full of brute strength. His long brown hair was flying untamed around his chiseled face, and his dark eyes were so deep that she would gladly lose herself in them, if not for the disdain in his gaze. She glared at him as her rage returned.
Who is this rude character?!
"It is not a Lord, but a Miss who now regrets extending such a generous hand of aid to a group of unscrupulous Scots. That you would be so boorish as to be rude to those who assist you is bad enough
, but to think you would leave such a distasteful impression on foreigners is disgraceful. You are lower in moral standards than the bandits we just fended off," she said haughtily, causing the Scot to look taken aback and gape like a fish at her onslaught. Satisfied, she turned to Adam, who gave her a bow.
"I apologize for making you and the men waste your efforts on such a miscreant," she added, heading back into the carriage, leaving Adam wide-eyed and the annoying Scot standing aghast with his jaw open.
"Please, allow our party to continue the journey and forget this unfortunate incident," she ordered. Adam gave another quick bow, rushing to carry out her orders as she settled back into her seat. Her heart was pounding with excitement, despite her anger. Perhaps it was that she was pleased to have wiped the disdain from his face and replaced it with shock.
Highlander’s Veiled Bride: Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance (Highland Seductresses Book 2) Page 25