Fiona shivered, goosebumps raising on her flesh. “Our room?” she asked, then she pulled back a bit. “So strange to hear ye say that.”
“Strange?” He cocked a brow as color rose in her cheeks again.
“In a good way.” She licked her lips. “I was considering a life on me own or one with a husband who’d ignored me for the better part of three years. This has been the best of surprises.”
“For myself as well.” He started walking again, guiding her toward the hatch. “I think I’d grown tired of my own life some time ago. I just didn’t trust change. Or that a woman would treasure my heart.”
She trailed her fingers down the inside of his arm. “I promise that I will.”
He let Fiona go and jumped down the hatch. She started down the ladder but hadn’t made it halfway when he swung her into his arms. “And I promise to take care of you and Edna always.”
She laughed, then wrapping her arms about his neck. “We both appreciate that.”
He stopped in the dim light of the hall, kissing her long and hard until they were both breathless. Finally, he lifted his head and started for his room once again. He needed to get Fiona alone.
Opening the door, he carried her over the threshold, slamming the door closed before he kissed her again.
This touch was more leisurely now that they were alone. They had all day and night and the rest of their days and nights for that matter. Tom set her down on her feet. “This is a beautiful dress,” he murmured.
“Thank ye.” Her eyes sparkled as she leaned back. “It was meant to catch a husband and I suppose it did its job.”
He turned her around, starting to work the tiny buttons that lined the back. “I suppose it did.” He exposed her back to see ivory skin sprinkled with a few freckles, then brushed his lips along the flesh as it was exposed. “Well, as long as you’re satisfied with the results.”
“I am.” She looked over her shoulder, giving him a seductive smile. “Very.”
He didn’t want to think about Exmouth, but now he couldn’t help it now. “Are you nervous? To tell him you’ve married another.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. He can’t want to marry me either. I’m sure he’ll be relieved.”
“I’ll come with you,” he said as he lifted his head again. Her chemise kept him from touching any more of her bare skin. For now.
She shook her head. “It’s all right. It’s not yer mess to clean up. Honestly, I should have broken it off years ago. I didn’t want to upset Edna’s life and I thought I’d honor the commitment I’d made.”
Reaching the last of the buttons, she carefully pulled the sleeves off and then stepped out of the gown. He watched her drape the silk gown over the back of the chair and then cross back over to him in her corset and chemise.
She looked stunning in this partial state of dress. His body hardened in his awareness even as his mind tried to create a picture to remember this moment forever. “Sit on the bed and I’ll unlace your boots.”
She stopped in front of him, standing on tiptoe and giving him another kiss. “Yes, Mr. Mayweather.”
Her voice had taken on a sultry quality that set him on fire. He wanted to go slowly but Fiona made it difficult. A buzzing need was filling his thoughts as they kissed again and again.
Wrapping his hands under her behind, he lifted her up, his mouth fused to hers all the while until they bumped into the edge of the bed. Then, slowly, he set her down and sunk with her until her back was pressed to the mattress as he hovered over her.
“My boots,” she said as she pulled back a bit.
He growled out in dissatisfaction but pushed up and began working the laces as she held first one foot and then the other up to him. His fingers grew clumsier as he became more impatient but he finally got them both off.
“Yer turn,” she said, standing and grasping his arms to turn him so that he landed on the bed. Then she bent down and started working his shoes off as well. Something about her bent between his thighs made his already aching member pulse with need. When she slipped the second foot free, he pulled her up his body so that she landed on top of him with a soft thud.
“Fiona.” His throat worked as he struggled for the words. “I want to go slow for you. Want this to be what you dreamed…”
“I dreamed of being with ye,” she answered, holding his face in her hands. “And me dream has come true.”
* * *
Fiona meant the words with her whole heart. Tom rolled them over, running his hands up and down her body, their lips locked in a searing kiss. She wasn’t aware that he’d unlaced her corset until it fell away. She was, however, intimately aware of his hands on the lace of her chemise and the feel of the fabric sliding up her body. And when he exposed her torso to his gaze, heat filled her cheeks.
“Fiona,” he groaned, raining kisses over her breasts until he reached one of the peaks of her nipple. She gasped out a breath as he took it in his mouth, her fingers twining in his hair.
When he kissed the other nipple, she tugged at his shirt, wanting to expose his skin. She had a driving need to be closer to him, feel more, touch him everywhere.
He obliged by pulling the fabric over his head. She stared, still amazed by the perfect picture he made above her with his rippling muscles and broad shoulders.
When he came back down to cover her body with his, he almost stalked up her, not unlike a predator, all male. The movement made her ache with desire and she reached out her hand to run it along his shoulder.
The rest of their clothes came off between kisses and touches until nothing stood between them. When he brushed against her most intimate folds, pleasure rocked through her.
“Tom,” she murmured against his ear. “Please.”
He did it again, running a gentle hand up and down her seam until she was wild with wanting. Then he replaced his finger with something much larger but equally gentle. “Are you certain you’re ready?”
“Yes.” She clasped his neck. “Oh yes.” This was what she’d always hoped for. Passion and love and a life to share with a man who cared for her in return.
He sank inside her, slowly opening her channel. She cringed in pain but gathered him closer, burying her face in his neck and whispering words from her heart.
When he was fully seated inside her, he kissed the base of her throat as she cradled his head. “Fiona, my love. Are you all right?”
“I’m wonderful,” she answered. “This is wonderful.”
In response he started a slow rhythm even as he kissed and caressed her. Soon the pain subsided and pleasure replaced the ache. Faster and faster, they held one another until Fiona couldn’t hold on any longer. Something intensely marvelous broke inside her and she shattered into a thousand pieces, crying out his name. In turn, he groaned with his own finish. When he collapsed on top of her, Fiona was certain she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Chapter Fourteen
Four days later…
Tom sat in the carriage outside a well-appointed mansion as he waited for Fiona to return. He’d wanted to go with her to confront Lord Exmouth. They were married now and they’d solve their problems together.
She’d insisted it would be better if she’d went alone so they’d settled on this. He was here if she needed him. He shifted nervously, wondering what might be taking so long. She’d been gone for close to an hour. He pushed open the door of the carriage and began to climb out. Was something wrong?
But just then, the door swung open and Fiona came down the steps, a large smile on her face.
He straightened and reached out a hand to her. Slipping her fingers into his, her grin spread wider. “He’s marrying someone else too.”
Tom nearly choked at the words. “You’re joking. That’s wonderful news. So everything was amicable then?”
“More or less.” She linked her arm through his. “Do ye mind if we walk fer a bit? I saw a park just down the street. After years of build up, I simply can’t sit after that last con
versation.”
“Of course.” Tom gestured for the driver to follow as they walked through the gates, and started down the tree-lined street. “So…” He looked over at his new wife. “Was he handsome?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose. If ye like red hair.”
“I do.” He gave her a long look, taking in her fiery locks.
She gave his arm a tap. “Don’t be silly.” She stopped turning toward him. “I don’t ken what I thought he’d be. After years of wondering, he was just a man trying to find the right path. I—” She stopped. “Do ye see those women there?”
Tom’s eyes narrowed. “What about them?” He assessed the three women, his jaw tensing. Huddled together, their bodies curled forward, their heads bent, they grasped one another as if a strong wind might blow them all away.
“They look…lost.” She pulled his arm, dragging him toward them.
“Fiona,” he started. He agreed but he didn’t want to take on three other people’s problems. “We’re still caring for that gull. And my finger hasn’t forgiven me yet.”
“Gully needed our help,” she murmured. “And those women. They look like they need it too.”
“Fiona,” he groaned. Colin had warned him and he loved his wife but he had a feeling this was going to be a habit.
She kept moving toward them, undeterred by his protest. “Hello,” she called, waving her hand. “Hello. Are you all right?”
The women had been sitting together, hunched on a bench, three bags in front of them. As he moved closer, Tom could see that two of the three of them had tear-stained faces.
Damn. He hated when women cried. It tugged every heart string when they did.
Fiona’s head also bent low as she whispered with them. He debated for another minute before he made his way to the bench.
Fiona looked up at him. “I’d like ta introduce Ladies Rose, Lily, and Daisy Morningstar.”
“A pleasure.” He bowed.
They nodded in response.
“This is my husband, Mr. Thomas Mayweather.” Fiona shifted to face him. “Their cousin has tossed them from their home and they have little money and no place to live.”
Tom’s stomach dropped. That was terrible. “Surely, they could come stay with us,” he said without hesitation, casting his doubts aside.
“No.” Rose stood. “We could never impose on you like that.”
His mouth twisted. He didn’t know these women and he didn’t want to push or pry. “Well, how much is little money?”
Rose held out a purse to him and he dumped the coin into his hand. It was less than a little. “How about this. I might know a place you can stay. It’s not very nice but it’s cheap and the innkeeper is an honest man. More than I can say for most places at the price.”
Rose nodded, gratitude and hope filling her eyes. “Thank you.”
He didn’t mention that the bill would still be well over what they could afford. He’d settle that with the innkeeper. It was a temporary plan, but knowing his wife, he assumed Fiona was already working on a more permanent solution.
“We’ve a carriage waiting outside the park. I’ll escort you ladies there now.”
Gratefully, they picked up their bags and together they shuffled toward the vehicle.
Fiona fell back, taking his hand. “Thank ye,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome, my love.” He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss on her brow. “I have a feeling that this won’t be the last time we race in to rescue someone or something.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I do make a habit of it. Do ye mind?”
“Mind? Where would I be if you hadn’t decided to save me?”
She stopped, facing him. “I never meant to save ye. I was being completely selfish marrying ye.”
He chuckled. “I’ll take it. Let’s get your new friends settled. Then we can continue our honeymoon.”
She gave him a glowing smile. “Sounds wonderful to me.”
Thank you so much for reading, A Lass to Love! If you’d like to find out what happens to Rose, Lily, and Daisy, please check out their stories.
A Highlander to Have and to Hold
A Scot to Keep
A Laird to Remember
A Highlander to Have and to Hold
The Brides of Scotland
Tammy Andresen
Chapter 1
Lady Rose Morningstar sat on the edge of the bed and pretended not to notice the cockroach crawling steadily toward the leather toe of her boot. Outside the London street’s teamed with activity despite the cold rain that was steadily falling on a gray March day.
Across the room, her sister Lily let out a long sigh. “Please just kill it. I don’t want it crawling on me while I’m trying to sleep.”
Daisy turned back from the window, her slender shoulders pulled straight and tall for her small stature. “One bug isn’t going to make a difference, there are thousands of them in this place.”
Lily shivered, her blue eyes squinting as her nose crinkled. “You’re not the one who has to sleep on the floor tonight.”
Rose frowned as she lifted the boot and stomped the bug, it’s decided crunch echoing through the near bare room. So much for pretending they weren’t in a seedy inn in London’s Docklands. “It’s just for one more night. Our escort arrives today and then we’ll me off to Aunt Edna’s tomorrow before first light.”
Daisy shook her head. “We shouldn’t bother with the escort. What if he isn’t a nice man? It would be one thing if we knew him but we don’t.”
Rose looked down at her hands. Daisy’s point was a fare one. Their father, the Earl of Rothberg, had passed a month ago. The new earl, a distant cousin, had all but tossed them bodily out of the house. Rose has been able to collect some pin money and jewelry, which she’d sold for a fraction of what it was worth, to book them passage to their Aunt Edna in Scotland.
There one remaining friend in the city, Mrs. Fiona Stewart, had urged them not to travel alone. She had a cousin, she’d said, who travelled regularly back and forth and could give them reduced price passage and a safe escort as far as Glasgow. “He’s Fiona’s family. He’ll have to do. It’s all we’ve got.”
Daisy spun back to the glass, not bothering to argue. They’d been over it a dozen times. One, she didn’t have enough money to book passage on a regular ship. Two, she didn’t dare travel on a merchant vessel without a real escort, and three, she didn’t even know if her aunt would take them in. It had been years since they’d had any contact with their mother’s sister.
Nerves fluttered in her belly again. The room grew darker. It was likely getting close to sunset, not that she could tell with the cloud cover so thick. Lily stood and crossed to the fire, holding out her hands. “Do we have any money for dinner?”
Rose held in a groan. The truth was, not much. But their dresses were growing larger and larger as they shrank away. “I’ll go get a loaf of bread at least.”
Daisy didn’t look back. “We need to eat something other than bread soon, Rose.”
“I know,” she answered. She could only hope they’d feed them better on the ship. As the oldest, she felt responsible for caring for her younger sisters and she hadn’t been doing a very good job but she wasn’t certain how to do better.
Making her way to the door, she unlocked the deadbolt. “Lock it behind me,” she said automatically.
“We know,” Daisy answered. “Hurry back.”
With a single nod, she stepped into the dark hall and waited to hear the click of the lock before she headed down the stairs.
The stairwell opened into a large common room where several sailors sat raising their mugs and loudly calling to one another as they swigged back their ale. Rose kept her head down, and crossed to the inn keeper. “Pardon me, sir. May we trouble you for a loaf of bread.”
He stood straighter, assessing her. “Bread? Shouldn’t you eat something else? You can’t live on bread.”
Rose squeezed her hands together. She was
aware of that fact. “Thank you for your concern.” Then she produced the single pence needed to purchase the loaf. It was one of the last few that she had.
“Rose?” a feminine voice called from the door. “Is that you?”
Rose’s chin snapped up. “Fiona?” Silly tears sprung to her eyes at the sound of her friend’s voice. Without thought to the attention she might bring herself, she lifted her skirts and raced to her friend’s side. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Fiona held out her arms and the two embraced. She wasn’t even aware of the man behind Fiona until he let out a long breath. Pulling back, Rose glanced over her friend’s shoulder and square into a broad leather clad chest. “Oh,” she exclaimed as her eyes travelled up to his exceedingly broad shoulders, and across his thick neck to the ridiculously square jaw. His features were broad and strong with dirty blonde hair and the sort of dark brown eyes that seemed to look into your very soul.
“Rose,” Fiona stepped back. “This is my cousin, the one I was telling you about. Colin Faversham, this is Lady Rose Morningstar.”
He gave a single nod, not even speaking as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Pleased to meet you,” Rose took a step closer. “I can’t begin to express my gratitude.”
His mouth turned down. “I have already explained to Fiona that my ship is no place for a lady.”
Rose’s eyes darted to Fiona’s. Was he going to abandon them after all? Her breath caught in panic but Fiona’s gaze back didn’t look worried or sad just annoyed. “And I told him that he had to take you anyway.”
He grumbled out a sound of dissatisfaction but didn’t argue the point further. Rose stood perched between fear and relief. Would he take them to Scotland?
“Ma’am,” the innkeeper tapped her shoulder. “You’re bread.” Then he paused. “Come down the kitchen after dinner is finished. If there’s any leftovers, you can bring them to your sisters.”
A Lass to Love: Brides of Scotland Page 7