Page 29

HER brEATHING CAME in short, labored gasps as she lay sprawled against his chest.

Moments slid by, and Rose tried to pull herself together. However, it felt as if the earth and sky had just swapped places. Nothing would be the same after this.

“Rose?” Kerr’s fingers gently stroked her cheek. “Ye are weeping.”

“Aye,” she whispered. It was true. The tears had started flowing shortly before he’d taken her over the edge, yet even now, she couldn’t seem to stem them.

“I didn’t hurt ye, did I?”

“No.” She heard the worry in his voice and managed to push herself up, lifting her face so their gazes met. “Not at all … it’s just” —she broke off there, struggling to articulate what she’d experienced— “I never thought coupling would be like that.”

Kerr’s mouth curved. “What did ye think it would be like?”

Her cheeks warmed. “I don’t know,” she hedged. “More perfunctory, more of a physical act rather than an emotional one … but” —she swallowed then— “being with ye like this … it turned me inside out.”

Kerr stared up at her, his eyes glittering in the silvery light. “Aye, lass,” he said, his voice roughening. “As it did me.”

She heaved in a deep breath, her hand sliding across his sweat-slicked chest. “Is it like that for everyone?”

“I don’t know,” he replied softly. “But somehow … I don’t think so.”

She exhaled slowly. “That makes sense … how would anyone get anything done if it was?”

He huffed a soft laugh. “I know what ye mean. I’m tempted to steal ye away, to take ye to a place where I can swive ye for days without interruption.”

Heat ignited in her lower belly at these words, her core clenching around him, for his shaft was still buried deep inside her. She wished he would. The thought of being able to focus on nothing but him for days on end filled her with a longing so fierce that an ache rose under her breastbone.

But they both had responsibilities and people who’d worry about them if they went missing.

“I don’t want to be parted from ye, Kerr,” she said, her voice shaking from the force of the fierce emotion that had caught her in its thrall.

He reached up, his fingers tracing the line of her jaw. “And ye won’t have to be … for I shall ask Iver to wed us.”

Joy expanded like a cloudburst inside her at these words, and fresh tears spilled over. Rose then swallowed a sob. What the devil was wrong with her tonight? She wasn’t usually a woman who wept over the slightest thing. However, this man—one she’d once spurned—had set something free inside her.

“Ye will?” she whispered, hardly daring to believe this was happening.

“Aye, mo chridhe,” he replied, his gaze never leaving hers. “I want us to be joined as husband and wife. Nothing will prevent that.”

“Where shall we live after we are wed?”

“In the broch … my bedchamber is spacious and comfortable.” Kerr lazily stroked Rose’s back as they lay together upon their bed of pine needles. His limbs felt loose and relaxed after their passionate tumble. He was in no hurry to move on from here.

Rose snuggled against his chest, her breath feathering across his skin. “Yer role as Captain of the Guard keeps ye busy … but what will be expected of me?”

Kerr’s mouth curved. “Ye’ll not rest idle, lass. With Davina gone, Bonnie needs assistance with sewing and spinning. In such a busy broch, there’s always something to be managed.”

Rose raised her head and met his gaze before giving a soft snort.

Kerr inclined his head. “What?”

“I’m no shirker, as ye well know,” she pointed out archly, “but there’s more to woman’s work than sewing and spinning.”

Kerr cocked an eyebrow. “Aye?”

Rose gave his arm a playful punch. “ Aye .” Her expression grew serious then, and she cleared her throat.

“I wish to continue working with Eara a few mornings a week … even after we are wed.” Her body tensed against his, as if she anticipated a fight on the subject.

“I’ve already organized to start helping her again next week. ”

Kerr considered this news in silence for a few moments.

Aye, most husbands wouldn’t likely tolerate such an arrangement, yet he knew how much it meant to her.

He wanted Rose to be happy, and it was but a small compromise.

Reaching up, he stroked her cheek tenderly as he held her gaze. “Then ye shall.”

Their gazes held for a long moment before Rose favored him with a warm smile. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with Bonnie,” she admitted then. “I like her.”

He grinned. “Aye, ye would have to be hard of heart indeed not to fall in love with her.”

Rose’s smile faded. “And what about yer mother?”

Kerr sobered. “Ah, well … that’s another matter.” He traced his fingertips along her arm, up to the curve of her shoulder. “However, I know ye are more than capable of holding yer own against her.”

He did trust Rose’s ability to handle his mother.

However, no doubt Sheena would have one or two things to say about him taking the daughter of a criminal as his wife.

Kerr would watch their interactions carefully and wouldn’t hesitate to intervene if his mother attempted to sharpen her tongue on Rose.

Dawn was nearing when Kerr finally dropped Rose off at the cottage. Helping her down from the saddle, he pulled her close and left her with a sensual, lingering kiss.

Drawing back, Kerr then brushed a lock of hair from Rose’s face. “I will fetch ye as soon as I can,” he promised. “Most likely tomorrow … for I shall need a day or so to announce the news and organize the wedding. In the meantime, pack yer things and wait for me.”

“I will,” she whispered, smiling up at him as excitement danced in her belly. She couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Soon, she’d be Kerr Mackay’s wife.

Brushing her lips with his one last time, Kerr stepped back and moved to his horse. He mounted Prionnsa, his gaze finding Rose’s once more.

“The next time I see ye, lass … I shall be taking ye to our wedding,” he said, his mouth quirking. With that, he turned his gelding and urged it into a canter, away from the cottage.

Rose watched Kerr go, a smile still curving her lips.

The glow of well-being and happiness that had wrapped itself around her in that pine glade had yet to lift. She felt as if she were floating.

The eastern sky was lightening now, a rosy blush announcing the dawn.

Rose placed a hand to her mouth, stifling a yawn. Neither of them had slept a wink last night. She’d be exhausted by the end of today, yet she couldn’t bring herself to care.

It wouldn’t take her long to pack, for there was little that she’d bring with her to Dun Ugadale, just a few keepsakes and some clothing. However, Kenna and Ailis would both want a detailed explanation of her plans.

She remembered then her promise to Bonnie to accompany her the day after this one in giving alms to the poor. She’d assured the laird’s wife she’d arrive at Dun Ugadale mid-morning. She’d forgotten to say something to Kerr, although it mattered not.

Warmth suffused her chest then, her smile widening. It would just be another excuse to see him earlier in the day.

Moving down the path to the cottage, Rose quietly let herself inside.

Kenna was already awake, letting Hazel in through the window. The owl had just returned from a night hunting. There wasn’t any sign of Ailis, although the gentle snoring drifting out from behind the hanging indicated she was still asleep.

“Morning,” Rose’s aunt greeted her with a sleepy smile as she moved across to the fire pit and put on a fresh brick of peat. “How were the festivities?”

“Bonnie indeed,” Rose replied with a smile of her own. Crossing to the window, she greeted Hazel with a stroke to the back of the head. Her chest tightened just a fraction then.

“Ye’ll be all right here, won’t ye?” she murmured.

“Kerr says I can bring ye to Dun Ugadale with me … but it’s much busier than these hills, and I wouldn’t want to confine ye to the mews.

” The owl inclined her head, dark-golden eyes blinking.

Rose smiled down at Hazel as she stroked her wing. “Watch over Kenna and Ailis for me.”

“What’s all this, lass?” Kenna asked from behind her. “Are ye going somewhere?”

“Aye.” Rose turned to face her aunt. “Kerr and I are to be wed.”

Kenna’s eyes snapped wide. “He proposed last night?”

Rose nodded. He did more than that . Nervousness fluttered up. Would her aunt think they were taking things too fast? Would she caution her to wait?

But Kenna did no such thing. Instead, she stepped forward and took Rose by the hands, squeezing firmly.

And to Rose’s surprise, tears now gleamed in her eyes.

“I’m overjoyed for ye, lass … for ye both,” she murmured.

“Happiness in this life can be a fragile and fleeting thing, and we must grab it with both hands when we find it.”

“It would be an honor to wed ye both, brother.”

Even though he hadn’t expected Iver to deny him, Kerr exhaled sharply. The warmth in his eldest brother’s eyes choked him up. “Thank ye, Iver,” he said, swallowing to loosen his thickened throat.

“That is wonderful news, although not entirely unexpected,” Bonnie announced, leaping up from where she was seated next to her husband in the solar. She then rushed forward and flung her arms around Kerr, squeezing tight. “Ye are both so right for each other.”

Kerr went rigid with surprise at his sister-by-marriage’s display of affection before he relaxed into the hug. He’d always appreciated Bonnie’s warmth and kindness, yet no more than he did today.

“I appreciate that, Bonnie,” he murmured, hugging her back.

“This is fine news indeed.” Lennox got up from the table and slapped him on the back, while Davina rose to her feet and waited for her turn to hug Kerr. Lennox’s wife was grinning broadly, and Kerr was pleased he’d been able to deliver the news to them both now, before they departed for Loch Lussa.

He drew back from hugging Davina, his gaze shifting across the table to where his mother eyed him speculatively. She then heaved a sigh. “Please tell me ye aren’t speaking of Graham MacAlister’s daughter, Kerr?”

Kerr held Sheena’s gaze. “Aye, Ma. The very same.”

Her proud face stiffened. “Could ye have chosen a more disreputable woman?”

“Rose MacAlister isn’t disreputable,” Bonnie replied, uncharacteristic sharpness creeping into her voice. “As ye well know, Sheena.”

“Aye, she’s an honest lass,” Davina added.

Sheena sniffed, lifting her chin a fraction. “She carries bad blood.”

“Rose can’t help who her sire was,” Kerr shot back, his anger quickening. He hadn’t expected his mother to be thrilled by this news, yet her instant criticism rankled. Why was it so difficult for her to be supportive of her sons? “Ye sound like one of those small-minded MacDonald women.”

Sheena scowled. “I’m just speaking the truth as I see it,” she said, lifting her chin.

Kerr held her eye steadily. “Rose is the woman I have chosen for my wife, Ma. Ye must accept it, or make an enemy out of me.”

They were strong words—the strongest he’d ever said to his mother.

Nonetheless, he’d witnessed her viciousness upon Bonnie’s arrival at Dun Ugadale, as well as her prickliness toward Davina initially.

Only the fact that the latter was a chieftain’s daughter, albeit one in disgrace, had prevented her from treating Davina as she had Bonnie.

But he wouldn’t tolerate it.

Rose was about to start a new life, and he wanted it to be a happy one.

He half expected Iver to intercede, to warn him about taking such a tone with their mother. But he didn’t.

A heavy silence fell in the solar. Sheena looked as if she’d just swallowed her tongue. Nonetheless, she didn’t contradict him.

Satisfied, Kerr nodded to his family before stepping back from the table. “I shall let ye all return to yer bannocks,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips, “while I find Brodie and tell him the news.”