Page 10 of Bride takes a Scot
As she drew near to him, he finished tying her valise to a horse and held out his hand to assist her. “You have no others to protect you on the journey home?”
“I need no others,” he replied boastfully.
“Oh,” she replied, astounded by his prowess. He certainly appeared able-bodied enough to protect himself on the trek. She placed her hand in his and he helped her mount the horse. Once she was seated, she watched him curiously. “It shall be dark soon. How far do we travel?”
“We will ride a few leagues and shall stop at an inn that I frequent when I travel to Edinburgh. Do not look so dour, Wife, you will have a roof over your head this eve.”
Declan was seated upon his horse before she blinked. He nudged the animal forward and didn’t glance behind him to ensure she followed. Isabella watched his back as she trailed him. He had strong muscles evident by the way his tunic stretched over his shoulders. He was a well-built man and she had to admit that not only was he handsome, but also his body was definitely pleasing to look upon.
By late evening, they’d arrived at a small manor home. He jumped from his horse and assisted her to dismount. Her legs ached and a stiffness settled in her lower back from riding for so long. Isabella appreciated his aid. She purposely closed her eyes and leaned against him, delighted to be held by him but it also gave her time to adjust to standing. He steadied her and she wouldn’t let him release her when she took hold of his tartan. After a few moments, he stepped away from her.
“Lass, we should get inside and get ye warm.” He forced her to release him and handed the reins of the horses to a lad. “Stable them. We’ll leave early in the morn.”
The stable lad nodded and walked off, leading their mounts behind him.
Isabella followed Declan inside the stone building.
At the entrance, an older woman with short brown hair greeted them. Her face lit with a smile. The innkeeper yelled to her husband, but he didn’t come at her call. “Laird Declan, ’tis good to see ye again. I’ll ready your room for ye.”
“We will need two rooms, Mistress,” he said absently and followed her.
They took the stairs and the woman stopped at a door. She opened it and turned to the door across the hallway and opened that one as well.
“Enjoy your evening, Laird. If ye wish, I’ll have food sent up. ’Tis well past the supper meal and our cook retired for the night. But I’m sure I can scrounge up some light fare.”
“Aye, that would be kind of you, Mistress. We could use a wee bite to eat.”
The woman left them.
Isabella grimaced at the thought that he wouldn’t be sharing a room with her. Shouldn’t she stay with her husband? It was their wedding night, after all, and she’d heard the king profess that Declan should consummate their marriage. How she looked forward to it, but he didn’t seem to want her with him. That dejected her more than she realized. Isabella didn’t enter her room. She stood staring at Declan and hoped he would change his mind and call to her, but he leaned against the door jamb, unsmiling.
“Get rest, Wife, we’ll set out early.”
“Wait,” she said and stepped toward him. “Why? Why do you not wish to share a room?”
“I thought ye might appreciate sleeping in your own bed this night.” He offered no further explanation.
“I wouldn’t appreciate that at all.” She stepped into his room and waited for him to close the door, but he didn’t.
Declan seemed anchored to the floorboards but eventually, he entered and shut the door. He ambled toward her and said,“I do not expect ye to perform your wifely duties, especially after a day on horseback. We can wait until we get home. Ye should return to your bedchamber. I’ll have a hot bath sent up for ye to soak in so that ye can rest more comfortably.”
Isabella wanted to scream. She had no intention of leaving him. “Nay, I shall be quite comfortable here. Why do you wish to wait until we get home?” Her face heated with her question. She couldn’t even put words to name what they’d do—if they ever got around to doing it.
“We have been riding all day. Surely you are tired and sore.” He pulled the tartan covering his upper body loose and tossed it on a chair.
Her eyes followed him, taking in his every movement, his body, and the way he exuded confidence. “I am not tired at all or sore.”
“Well, Wife, I am,” his tone was a little testy. He removed the scabbard that held his sword and set it next to the chair. “If ye wish to stay here, I will not object, but ye shall be more comfortable in your own bedchamber.”
Hewouldn’t object? What was wrong with her that he wouldn’t take his husbandly rights? Thoroughly ashamed, Isabella lowered her head and hurried through the doorway. “I bid you a good night then.”
Isabella retreated to her room across the hall and entered. She closed the door and sat on the bed with absolute consternation. Her husband was a perplexing man. What man wouldn’t take his husbandly rights on his wedding night? She held doubt that he was tired because he certainly appeared as if he could ride through the night with little or no complaint.
A knock came at the door, and she hastened to it thinking Declan had changed his mind, but it was a servant, delivering a tray of light foodstuff. She took the tray and thanked her, notedthat Declan’s door remained closed, and used her hip to shut her door.
Though her mother explained what happened in the marriage bed, it had never appealed to her. She’d been told to do her duty and suffer through it. It all sounded rather ghastly to her, that is until she met Declan. Declan wasn’t like other men. Most would claim ownership of their wife, but he hadn’t. There seemed to be a sense of admiration in him. The thought of his touches, kisses, and his body against hers brought a sense of excitement to her. No other man had stirred such emotion and sensual yearning from her.
Every new wife needed a little encouragement, didn’t they? In her case, she needed very little. She wanted his affection. If only he wasn’t so noble, she could, at that very moment, enjoy being with him and sharing the intimacy.