Page 57 of Claimed Highland Brides

12

CONFRONTATION

T hey decided not to wait but to leave for Braenaird Castle at first light.

“In case the chieftain realizes the gravity of his mistake, we dinnae want him getting to Inchcree before ye do,” Euan told them.

“Aye. The clock is ticking. Let us go to bed.” He reached for Aileen’s hand, leading her out into the cottage at the bottom of the garden. This would likely be their last night alone for quite a while. He had every intention of taking advantage of it.

He closed the door of the cottage and turned to her with a smile. Reaching for her, he pulled her close, looking into her eyes. “How are ye doing? It’s been an eventful time.”

“I cannae even begin to say.”

“How are ye feeling? Are ye…sore?”

Her brow furrowed in puzzlement. “Sore?”

He cleared his throat. “From…this afternoon.”

“Oh! I’m fine.”

“Good.” He led her to the bench and sat her down with a sigh. “We didnae have dinner. Are ye hungry?”

Aileen shrugged. “I could eat.” She got to her feet. “Allow me to see if we have any leftover food. I do believe some meat and bread was left from our earlier meal.”

Heading to the small kitchen, she retrieved the covered tray and brought it. They ate companionably, not speaking much.

“I dinnae want to think for a while. Shall we go and lie doon?” He smiled gently at his wife.

Aileen’s lashes fluttered. “O’ course. An’ ye’re tired.”

“I’m no’ tired. I just thought to go to bed.”

“Oh…” She fought not to blush and failed. He stood up, helped her to her feet, and led her down to the bedchamber. With a smile, he helped her onto the bed and sat down next to her. Leaning in, he planted a kiss on her neck before mouthing his way towards her jaw. She inclined her head to give him more room to work.

His hand snaked upward, squeezing her small breast. She gasped, arching into him before pulling back to look him in the eye. “Do we need to do this again? I thought the marriage was already consummated.”

He frowned, searching her eyes. “Do ye no’ want to?”

Her mouth opened and closed, eyes widening uncertainly. “Do ye?”

“O’ course I do.”

“Really? But I’m no’…ye dinnae have to take pity on me. I ken ye’ll want someone more…”

Barclay chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Ye think I dinnae want ye?”

Aileen looked away, unable to bear being laughed at. Her mouth was dry and she couldn’t say a word. His hand lifted, landing on her cheek, his eyes gentle on her. “I’m sorry. I dinnae mean to make ye think I was laughing at ye.”

“Then what were ye laughing at?”

He shook his head, still smiling fondly. “Ye’re so wise beyond yer years in some ways; in others, ye’re as na?ve as a newborn wean.”

She frowned, puzzled at his words. “What d’ye mean?”

“I mean…last night…was it…satisfactory t’ye?”

Aileen looked away, lashes fluttering. “I…it was…exceptional. Beyond my wildest dreams,” she whispered.

“Aye, weel, why would ye think I wouldnae want to do it again?”

Aileen searched his eyes. “It was…exceptional for ye too?”

Barclay leaned close so their noses were almost touching. “More than exceptional,” he whispered.

“Oh…” Her breathing became shallow as she met his eyes. They gazed at each other, frozen in a moment that seemed to last a lifetime. Slowly, without taking her eyes away from him, Aileen reached for her bodice and loosened it. His eyes dropped to her exposed breasts before returning to meet hers.

He leaned in, slowly watching her eyes as his lips joined with hers. His hands tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. “I want ye,” he murmured against her lips.

Her hands flew around his neck, clinging to him as his tongue found its way into her mouth, tangling with hers.

“Mmmm.” The sound caused vibration in his mouth as she moaned. He propelled her up the bed, covering her body with his. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and she moved against him, wanting to feel him as close as possible. Her body was soft with desire, wet with need, and hungry with want. As he lay atop her, she reveled in his nearness as he pulled off her gown and then her petticoat, leaving her naked to his gaze. He lost no time divesting himself of clothing, and soon he was between her legs, fingers questing inside of her, rubbing at her sensitive nub.

“Ye’re so wet and ready fer me. Cannae wait to be inside ye,” he murmured, licking at her belly button and causing her to draw in a deep breath.

“I…cannae wait either. Do it now.”

“Oh, impatient, are we?”

She sighed, rolling her eyes. He laughed, shimmering up her skin to hover above her. His hips jerked as he entered her, making her jolt in surprise, the intrusion fast and hard—nothing like it had been last night.

It was no less pleasurable for that fact, as he pounded into her, sweat beading on his brow. She clung to him, savoring the internal bursts of feeling that resulted from every thrust.

“I-It’s happening again,” she whispered as she felt the bubble growing within her, taking her over cell by cell until it was almost larger than she was.

“Dinnae hold back, mo chridhe. Let go.”

* * *

Travel back to Braenaird Castle was achieved much quicker, now that they did not have to hide. They traveled through the day and found shelter where they could in the evenings. It took three days to get back to the keep, and as they approached the gate, Aileen turned to Barclay. “I dinnae ken if we should tell Daividh and my sisters aboot our marriage. They wilnae be pleased aboot it.”

Barclay sighed with impatience. “Then what do ye propose, eh? We are to call Gilroy for a summit. One of the reasons we will do tha’ is because we are marrit, and so the land belongs to me outright. Do ye want them to hear it the same time as Gilroy?”

Aileen sighed even as she shook her head. “Vera weel then. I shall be the one to tell them.”

“Tha’s fine. ’Tis yer prerogative if ye wish to.”

“I do.”

Barclay nodded curtly and spurred his horse ahead so that he could ride with Diego. Aileen watched him go, knowing that she had upset him, but not why. Slowly, Antonio came abreast of her, riding by her side without speaking. She almost felt tempted to ask him what might have ruffled Barclay’s feathers, but she did not know him well enough.

He was not as garrulous as his brother and seemed to keep his own counsel and spend his time observing others. So instead, she fixed her eyes on Barclay’s stiff-backed profile.

“He feels just as unsure as you do, senora . You must be patient with him.”

“Do ye tell him to be patient with me too?” she couldn’t help but snark.

Antonio grinned. “You are right. What is good for the goose, eh?”

Aileen snorted. “I dinnae even ken wha’ it was I said.”

Antonio sighed, shaking his head. “Barclay will bristle at anything he deems to be rejection. When you tell him to keep the marriage a secret, he hears only that—denunciation, dismissal, denial.”

Aileen pursed her lips in understanding. “I dinnae mean to?—”

“Of course, I understand. Barclay does too, I am sure…deep down. But he reacts with his feelings and not reason.”

Aileen nodded in understanding. “I suppose we mun’ take more care aboot how we speak to each other.”

Antonio nodded with a slight smile. “That would be wise.”

Aileen looked forward towards her husband, seeing him in a new light. He projected such an air of calmness and confidence it was difficult to imagine that he was insecure. With his looks, poise, and worldliness, she would never have thought that a throwaway remark from her would be enough to upset him. She wanted to spur her horse forward and draw up next to him. Perhaps take his hand and squeeze it.

She was too shy to execute it, however. Instead, she just kept staring at Barclay until he sensed her gaze and looked back. She offered him a cautious smile and was relieved when he returned it. She hoped that he could see the apology in her eyes. He looked back at Diego, resuming his conversation with no acknowledgment, and she swallowed her disappointment.

As they rode up to the gate, Aileen felt her heartbeat speed with nerves. She was not an adventurous one. She wondered how her sisters would take her change of status.

The guard at the gates spotted them coming and opened the gates, so they could ride through without stopping. Fiona and her husband stood at the entrance, watching them come. Fiona hurried down the steps, hands out as Aileen alighted from her horse. Although she was much shorter than Aileen, she enveloped her sister in her arms, and Aileen felt surrounded by her love.

“How are ye?” Fiona whispered.

“I am vera weel. Thank ‘e, Sister.” Aileen stepped back and smiled. “How is everybody keeping here?”

“Aboot as weel as always. Come, tell me everything.” She slipped her hand through Aileen’s and led her to the house. Aileen laughed.

“First, I should get cleaned up and perhaps some refreshment?”

“O’course.” Fiona let go of her arm as they came to the stairs. “Ye go up to yer room. I’ll have the servants bring ye some hot water to bathe and some honey cakes and sweet tea.”

“Thank ‘e.”

* * *

Barclay nodded respectfully to the laird of Braenaird Castle. “We need to talk.”

Daividh nodded. “Follow me.”

He led Barclay to his study and ushered him to sit. “How did yer meeting go?”

Barclay shook his head. “Aboot as well as ye might expect. The governor was willing to uphold the law but no’ to interfere wi’ family business, as he called it.”

“So, what next?” Davidh leaned back in his armchair, eyes narrowed keenly.

“I shall call for a meeting. Hopefully, my step-uncle will agree to talking terms.”

“What is different this time than before?”

Barclay opened his mouth to tell him about the marriage but then closed it again, remembering Aileen’s words. He gave Daividh a strained smile. “Let us wait until dinner when we can tell everybody.”

Daividh’s eyes narrowed further. “I see. So ye have some news.”

“Aye.”

The laird nodded. “Fair enough. We shall wait. I’ll let ye go so ye can refresh yersel’ before then.”

“I thank ‘e.” Barclay got to his feet and nodded at the laird before leaving. He could well understand Aileen’s feelings of unease now. It was mighty discomfiting to be springing something like a marriage upon a family with no prior notification.

He went back to his chambers to get himself ready for dinner. He chose his red velvet coat and black satin breeches, wanting to look as well as he could for this very important meeting. He stepped out into the corridor and almost bumped into Diego. His cousin took a step back, his eyes wide with surprise.

“You look well, primo . What is the occasion?”

Barclay grinned. “A wedding announcement.”

“Ah.” Diego’s eyes gleamed with understanding. “I should go and change as well then. Perhaps my gold epaulets.”

Barclay laughed. “Now, now. Ye wouldnae want to outshine the groom now, would ye?”

“Of course I would. I always aim to be the most handsome man in the room.” Diego preened theatrically.

Antonio appeared suddenly at his side. “What is going on?” His eyes shone with curiosity.

“We are going to dinner,” Barclay replied.