Page 21 of Bride takes a Scot
“Aye, we got on well after we were married. I thought we would have a good life together. I never understood how it happened.”
She smoothed a hand over his cheek. “Worry not because I am a good swimmer.”
“So was she. Leona was a good swimmer and grew up near a loch. That spot at the loch is where she would bathe Noah. It made no sense then and even less now.” Declan leaned his head on her shoulder and was eased by her compassion.
“What a dreadful happening.”
He continued, “When she died… Soon after, my father passed to the hereafter, and I had many responsibilities calling me. I could not look after Noah because he was a handful, especially when he couldn’t and wouldn’t speak, an active child who doesn’t hear commands. My grandmother offered to keep him with her. He stays with her in her cottage. She makes sure he is fed, clean, and kept out of trouble. Although, he is an energetic whip, and my grandmother is aging. Noah might be too much for her to handle.”
Isabella set her hand on his head and petted his hair. “I am sorry, Declan, because I misjudged you. And I am sorry that your wife died and that you mourn her. Your son is young and definitely lively from what I saw.”
“Aye,” he said and kept her in his embrace. “I worry for him because he cannot hear. There is naught I can do to help him. What kind of life will he have? He cannot be a soldier.”
“He can be anything he wants to be. I would be happy to look after him if you will allow me.” She caressed his neck and smoothed her hand over his shoulder. The compassion in her touch lightened him.
Declan pulled back from her, looked into her eyes, and noted the sincerity in her gaze. “If ye wish to do so, I will not object. But ye must meet my grandmother first. She will want to know ye will see to him if that is what ye want.”
“I do. He is now my son, and I shall make sure he is cared for. It is the least I can do to honor Leona’s memory.” She paused a moment. “Why do you hide from your family? I met your brothers and sister. Your mother seems to have all in hand though.”
“I dislike having to deal with their petty issues when I have the weight of the clan to see to. I have enough to deal with regarding clan matters, soldiers, and protection. And she is my stepmother, not my mother.”
“Are you not fond of her?” Isabella asked.
Declan shrugged. “I suppose I am fond of her, but she was my da’s second wife. I had little interaction with her and only after my wife died did she come forward to offer her assistance with my siblings. They seem to care for Helena and so I do not involve myself with them too much.” It struck him that Isabella’s situation was identical to Helena’s, but his wife was more warmhearted than his stepmother. Helena had often reproached him when she first married his father. Fortunately, Declan had already begun his training and stayed in the barracks.
“Oh, I understand. I shall try to win their favor even though they seem to dislike me.” She lowered her face.
He pressed her chin upward. “Isabella, no one could ever dislike you.”
“So you don’t dislike me either?” Her pitiful tone alerted him that’s what had bothered her.
“Hell, nay. I chose ye, did I not? You are the only woman the king offered who appealed to me.” Declan grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him. He settled her on his lap and leaned his head on her shoulder. Her body was tense, and he rubbed his hand over her back to try to ease her. “’Tis the truth, I am far from versed in wooing a woman. I do not want to disappoint ye though. You are so bonny and I—”
“Shhh. Don’t say that, Declan. I want you as you are. You do not need to be anything but yourself. I could care less about wooing, courtly ways, or poetic verses. You already have me so there is no point to court me.”
“True enough. Then kiss me, Wife, for I want ye like no other.”
Isabella set her lips upon his and as soon as their lips met, all the tension ebbed from his shoulders. Declan held her face and continued to kiss her. He liked the way she responded as her tongue gently prodded his. Her hands held onto his shoulders, and he embraced her with his arm around her back. With his free hand, he petted her hair and was awed by the softness of her tresses.
Declan kept his mouth on hers but lifted her in his arms and crossed the small cabin to the bed. He gently placed her in the center and then pulled back his mouth. Her eyes shone with desire and her gaze stayed on him as he removed the outer layer of his tartan. He couldn’t disrobe fast enough for her because she knelt beside him and helped him remove his belt and lower tartan.
“You are handsome, Declan. Very pleasing on my eyes,” she said huskily.
“Not as bonny as ye are.” He set a quick kiss on her lips. “Now let us remove that gown for I know ye will be just as lovely beneath it.” His hands fumbled with the ties of the bodice and back. Once he had it loosened enough, he pressed the fabric tofall from her shoulders. She wore a silken shift beneath, but he saw the hue of her nipples under the material. The sight of her full, soft breasts with just enough flesh ceased his breath. He set a hand just below them and caressed the soft skin of her torso.
She gasped. “Your hands are cold.”
He found his first smile. “Aye, sorry.” Declan rubbed his hands together and breathed on them to warm his palms, and then set his hand back on her breast. “Better?”
Isabella sucked in her breath as she nodded, then began to untie his tunic. She pressed his tunic upward, over the confines of his abdomen and chest, and removed it. With her hands splayed, she roamed them over his skin. Her touch ignited raw passion within him. It had been too long since he had been touched with such affection, and how he missed being with a woman. He let her have ample time to explore his body, but her touches excited him, and his body responded. Neither spoke. Declan couldn’t take his gaze from her lovely face as she watched him in return.
“I have never been with a man…”
He shifted her back upon the bed and finished undressing. “As it should be. No other will ever touch ye but me, your husband.” He was gladdened by that. “Worry not, Isabella, we will take it slow.”
“But I do not want to wait. Tell me what to do.”
Declan grinned. He’d married a woman who knew what she wanted. That she wanted him pleased him more than he could have hoped for. He knelt next to her and slid the rough palm of his hand over her bare leg. Her creamy skin was as soft and delicate as heather petals. His hand meandered up her body, over her curvaceous hip, over her torso, between the valley of her breasts. He leaned forward and set his mouth on her erect nipple. The sensation drew her gasp and his smile. Declan tookhis sweet time, enjoying the thrill of hopefully filling her with desire.