Page 43 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

“Cadge, ’tis good to see ye too. Ye look well. I needed to see ye and hope to make camp in yonder woods overnight.” Shaw held her hand. “And I also wanted to introduce ye to my wife. This is Sorsha. Sorsha, this is Cadge.”

The man bowed to her. “Milady, welcome. My wife already served supper och ye are welcome to what we have left.” Cadge turned and walked toward the cottage.

Shaw continued to hold her hand and gently pulled her forward. “We shall like anything ye have to serve. I could eat a bite or two.” Before he entered the cottage, he turned to Walen. “Have the men make camp and erect my tent. We will take our slumber when we return.”

Sorsha followed Shaw inside. The cottage was cozy, dimly lit with only a few candles alight and a fire in a small hearth with two chairs situated before it.

A curvaceous woman with light hair appeared and carried a tray, completely filled with foodstuffs.

There were sweetcakes, jellies, and other breads.

Cadger grabbed a jug from a nearby table and some cups. “Please, take the chairs. Wife, get us some more chairs so we can entertain our laird.”

She hastened from the room and returned with one chair. Then she hurried away and came back with another. They all sat now and Shaw picked from the tray. Sorsha ate a large piece of sweetbread which was the most delectable thing she’d ever eaten.

Cadge poured them each a cup of ale. “Milady, this is my wife, Anabelle. Wife, this is the laird’s wife, Milady Sorsha. Laird, I am gladdened ye came. We heard about Milady Maven’s passing and offer our condolences. But now do ye come with good news or bad?”

Shaw held his cup of ale with both hands.

He wore a serious expression on his face.

“My thanks, Cadge. It was a difficult time…losing my mamo. ’Tis the truth, I come with good news.

I met with the king earlier this year and he offered me the hand of this lovely woman.

If I accepted her, I also reaped the benefit of no tax for the year. ”

“That was an offer I suspect ye had a hard time passing on.” Cadge chuckled and Shaw smiled at his clansman’s jest.

Sorsha smiled and her cheeks heated a little at their discussion.

Cadge grunted. “I mean who would give up the benefit of no tax? Ye be fortunate, Laird, that the woman was bonny too.”

She had to shift her gaze to her lap. Of course, the man would consider the tax ramifications more important than a wife. How foolish was she? But then she wanted to laugh because men were often misguided in their view of women.

“I tell ye, Cadge, I could have passed on the no tax… Lady Sorsha was prize enough and I vow that I could not lose her.”

Her heart melted a little at her husband’s words. Shaw was the most charming man she’d ever met and he proved it time and again.

“If ye say so, Laird. So why are ye here telling me this?” Cadge asked and his voice grew to a cantankerous tone.

“I want to return the tax that ye previously paid and I will not be collecting further tax for the rest of this year. Use the coins to buy supplies and make repairs to your croft and land. All I ask is that ye send us a good supply of crops and wool.” Shaw lifted his cup and took a good chug of his ale.

Cadge was speechless and his brows furrowed.

“I cannot believe what ye speak. That is good news indeed, Laird. Aye, we will certainly put the coin to good use. We shall send ye plenty of goods for your stores.” The man struck his knee with the palm of his hand in jubilation.

“Do ye hear that, wife? We can repair the plow and mayhap get ye a new spinning wheel.”

“The harvest was good?” Shaw asked.

“Aye, the best in the last few years. Och, we had good weather and rain.”

“I am gladdened to hear that.” Shaw stood. “Well, I thank you for your hospitality. Now we will be off to seek our rest.” He stuck out his hand and shook Cadge’s. “In the morn, we shall leave early so I might not see ye. I bid ye farewell. Come and visit us at the keep soon.”

Cadge and his wife walked them to the door. Sorsha wished them well and followed Shaw toward the encampment that his men had made. There were four large tents in all. The horses were settled and there was a big fire in the center of the tents.

Walen met them when they reached the fire. “Laird, your tent is ready. I will command the men to take to their rest but set two men to sentry duty during the night.”

Shaw nodded to him and walked toward a tent. He held the flap for her and she entered. The confines were comfortable with various furs, pillows, and covers set in a makeshift bed. Their belongings were placed in one corner and Shaw’s sword stood against the fabric of the tent beside the bedding.

“Let us get some sleep. We will get an early start on the morrow.”

She nodded and began undressing. Sorsha left her underdress on and would use it to sleep in. Lifting the top cover, she shifted onto the makeshift bed and moaned when her head hit the pillow. “Lord, it has been a long day.”

“Are ye sore?” Shaw asked as he pulled his tunic over his head. He undressed quickly and didn’t bother to wear a stitch of clothing for sleep.

“A little.” She snuggled against his hard, hot body and moaned again. It wasn’t soreness that caused her to groan but the warmth and strength of his body. She palmed his chest and gently stroked her fingers over the musculature.

“If ye keep that up, I will not be responsible for my actions.”

She giggled. “I do not want you to be responsible for your actions.”

Shaw chuckled. “Nay? Well then perhaps I deserve a kiss or two?”

“You might.” Sorsha shifted her leg over him and straddled his hips. She used her hands to keep herself from falling against him. With her lips slightly pursed, she leaned forward and set a sweet kiss on his lips.

Shaw pulled her against him and she felt the heat of him through her garment.

He braced her back and she shifted forward effortlessly sliding her underdress to her waist. She closed her eyes and moaned softly at Shaw’s gentle invasion.

Shaw eased forward to a sitting position and they rocked together, partners in desire.

Sorsha wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly as passion completely overtook her.

Their movements increased as if neither of them could meet the other fast enough.

Sorsha squealed with pleasure and Shaw grunted.

He helped to lift her and she tried to give him room to move.

Sorsha tilted forward until she was able to press her breasts against his chest. His hardness entered her swiftly and sent waves of culmination through her entire body.

Shaw joined her and climaxed too. His open mouth pressed against her chest and he moaned.

The sound of him attaining pleasure made her happy and she took his face in her hands and tilted his head back.

“What you do to me,” she said breathlessly. Sorsha set her mouth on his and kissed him with all the passion she could muster. She twirled her tongue with his and kept kissing him until she was forced to take a breath.

“Ye are the bonniest lass,” Shaw whispered.

They stayed joined and held each other for a good bit of time.

Sorsha’s legs twitched and she was sure she would be aching on the morrow, not only because of their vigorous lovemaking but also from the long day’s ride.

With care, she moved her leg and shifted to sit next to him.

Shaw leaned over her and used his fingers to press back the locks of her hair. He placed a kiss on her forehead.

“We should get rest. I warn ye, sweetheart, not to wiggle that bonny bottom against me during the night. I will not be responsible for what I do, for I’ll be unable to resist ye if ye do.”

Sorsha rolled to her side, closed her eyes, and was content with being held by him.

She giggled lightly at his warning and she seriously considered wiggling her bottom just to see if he would own up to his promise.

A moment later, she drifted to sleep held by her handsome, passionate, and charming husband.