Page 23 of Bride takes a Scot

There was more to her than beauty. She was kindhearted in offering to look after Noah. Her generous nature affected him, and she was beginning to matter to him even though she’d been his wife for such little time.

Declan had to wonder if his heart already softened toward her. It had taken less than a sennight for her to wedge her way into his heart. There seemed to be enough room in his heart for vengeance and for Isabella. Perhaps he even loved her. From the moment he had seen her in the king’s antechamber, he was awed by her—the outspoken and bonny lass who had teased him. Even so, there was much to learn about her, and he wanted to know every detail: what pleased her, what displeased her, how she spent her days, and what was important to her.

When he glanced at Isabella, he noticed she had her eyes closed. He reached for the saddlebag, pulled out a flask, and took a sip to wet his throat, and then set it on the table by the bed. Relieved the telling was over, the weight of his confessions eased. He should have known Isabella would be accepting because she had such a tender heart.

Declan placed a soft kiss on her lips, yanked the blanket from the end of the bed, and covered them. His sweet wife was already asleep. He settled next to her, threw his arm over her torsopossessively, and closed his eyes. Everything would be well now that they’d come together.

Chapter Eight

Someone touched herand Isabella jerked awake. Her startled gasp filled the small cottage. She eased when she remembered where she was and who she was with. Declan moved the tresses of her hair from her face and set a gentle kiss on her cheek. Isabella groaned. She wasn’t much of a morning person, and even less of one now, especially after what she had experienced the night before. Every part of her ached. Declan shifted on the bed, and she opened her eyes. He pressed her onto her back and leaned over her.

“Good morn,Wife,” he said teasingly.

Isabella groaned. “Aye,Husband, is it? I feel like a rock has been dropped on me.”

Declan stretched over her and grabbed the flask that he’d placed on the table by the bed during the night. He handed it to her. “Drink. It will make ye feel better.”

She held the flask at her lips and tilted it up. The brew, or whatever was in it, burned her chest. Isabella blanched and handed it back. “Whatever was that? It was god-awful.”

“A spirit Anse makes. He vows ’tis the only thing that wakes him up in the morn. It really gets ye going, does it not?”

Going to hell, she considered as she used her tongue to try to get rid of the foul taste. Isabella shook her head and tried to swallow the aftereffects. “What are your plans for this day?”

Declan lay back and smiled. “To spend it with ye. What do ye want to do?”

She grinned and shifted closer to him. Declan wasn’t modest at all about his body. She wished she was as brazen to lay on the bed ungarbed, uncovered, and unabashed. “I have never seen a man unclothed before. You don’t know how appealing you look, do you?”

Declan chuckled. He spread his arms wide. “Look your fill, lass. Just do not touch me because I doubt I have the power to resist ye and ye must be tender after last eve.”

Isabella shook her head. “Not overly tender.” She blushed a little and then careened her hand over his hard thigh and her eyes widened when she took in the size of him. “You…” She couldn’t form the words to say that it was a wonder he’d fit her. And as she thought that, and with her gaze, his manhood grew. She gasped and averted her attention to his chest. With her palm, she smoothed it over the coarse fine hairs smattered there. His hard body was riddled with scars, some large and some small. None of the marks detracted from his handsomeness. When she glanced up at his face, he frowned.

“Wife, if ye do not watch out, ye will find yourself flat on your back with me inside ye.”

She giggled low because that was her intention. “Do you promise?”

Declan flung himself on top of her and held her face. His lips met hers and he swarmed her with a desirous kiss. Isabella liked the way his tongue meshed with hers. There was something about the way he kissed her that spurred passion within her. His kisses and touches were somewhat possessive, and she couldn’t deny that she liked it. She pulled him closer and laughed when he groaned.

“Now see what ye have done to me? I cannot get out of bed now. Ye are going to have to take care of this problem.” His eyes crinkled.

She squealed with laughter when he spread her legs and joined himself to her. Isabella couldn’t help but urge him on because he was being too gentle. The effects of her culmination took her by surprise, and she fell into an exquisite array of emotions. How he did that to her, she had to wonder. He had such power over her, and it was intense and wonderfully thrilling. She roamed her hands over his arms and torso, his chest and face.

Isabella kept her gaze on his and watched the myriad of expressions crossing his handsome face. His brows furrowed and he grunted, and then promptly fell to her side. His breath rasped and she leaned over him. She worried briefly that she’d hurt him, but then she noticed his smile.

“If this is the way it is going to be, Wife, I will probably die before we have our first child.”

Isabella lay back and was astounded by what he’d said. “You wish to have children?”

“Aye, as many as ye will give me. Do ye want children?” He sidled next to her and pressed his hand on her face, holding her tenderly. “I hope ye do because making them is splendid.”

“I always thought I would like to…have children. I am gladdened that you wish for them too. We probably should have spoken of such things when we were at the king’s castle.” For years she’d dreamed of having her own family, and now, lying in Declan’s arms, she realized she could make her dreams come true.

“Aye, but neither of us was readily willing to give such information, were we? We should get dressed. Do ye want to meet my grandmother? I will introduce ye this day.” He chuckled.

Isabella didn’t move. She watched him as he sat up. The muscles in his shoulders and back twitched from his movement. Lord, he was too pleasing on the eyes. The way his hair fell over his shoulders onto his back beckoned her touch. She reached up and pressed her hand on his hair, smoothing it. She hoped their children had his hair, wavy, shiny with light strands and a little darker shade mixed in. Her hair was too fair, almost white, so light it appeared.

“Did ye hear me, Isabella? Whatever are ye thinking? Ye are leagues away.”

She shook herself from her reverie and nodded. “Aye, I would like to meet your grandmother. Will you also introduce me to the rest of your family? Even though I have been in their presence, I think an introduction from you would make me feel more comfortable around them.”