Page 40 of Seduced By the Reckless Highlanders

Adaira nodded. “We were married in secret two weeks ago by the priest in Saint Patrick’s,” she told them. “We told no one because we did not want a fuss, and I am already with child—Dougie’s child. Anyway, we knew that you two would be married soon, and we did not wish to steal your moment in the sunlight.”

“Oh, this is wonderful!” Keira cried. “I am so happy for you, Addie!” Then she looked at Dougie. “And you too, Mister Prentice. Look after my stepmother, please, or you will answer to me!”

Dougie gazed at his wife, and the look in his eyes almost made Keira weep.

“I will spend the rest of my life daein’ just that, Keira.”

“When is the baby due?” Keira asked, kissing Adaira’s cheek.

“Spring,” Adaira answered happily. “I know it is usual to wish for a boy, but I would love a daughter!”

“I am so happy for you!” Keira’s eyes looked suspiciously moist.

They sat down on the outside of the circle, and Murdoch called for silence in his booming voice. At once, everyone was quiet.

Murdoch looked around them all, grinning. “Now, for the second time, do any of you have any serious objections to Keira and I being married?”

“Aye!” one of the best jokers and raconteurs in the community shouted. “I want tae marry her myself!”

“Shut up, you!” his wife, Orla, said, laughing. “You’ll get nay objection fae me, both o’ ye. Whit took ye sae long?”

At that, they were deluged in a storm of hugs, kisses, and good wishes. Ale flowed freely, and after a while some extremely ribald songs began to be sung in slurred voices until eventually everyone had either walked or were dragged back, drunk, to their cottages. The more religious of the community pointed out that it was after midnight, and the Sabbath had already begun, so they went home early, but when the bride and groom stood up to go, the last stragglers went with them.

“I think they approved,” Murdoch said, laughing, as he escorted Keira back to her rooms in the keep. “Were you surprised about Dougie and Adaira?”

“Not at all,” she answered. “And I am so happy that Adaira has found the love of her life at last. After those dreadful years with my father, she deserves an abundance of happiness.”

“We do too,” Murdoch said tenderly. “I cannot promise you that your life will be filled with joy every minute of every day, Keira. That is impossible. But I think we will be happy.”

Keira laughed softly. “I think so too.” Her voice sounded dreamy. She felt pleasantly drowsy, and her heart was full of thankfulness and love. “This time last year, you were someone Ipassed every day in the castle without thinking about except to notice that you were very handsome. Now look at us!”

“I always thought you were lovely,” he murmured, “but you always looked at me so coldly I thought I must have done something to offend you.” He laughed ruefully.

“Never,” Keira said tenderly. “You are the love of my life, Murdoch. If I ever made you feel otherwise, I am sorry.”

She pulled his head down to hers and, in a moment, they were lost in each other again.

It began softly, but when Murdoch pulled her against him, cupping her bottom in his big hands and pulling her against the hard ridge of his arousal, Keira moaned her satisfaction.

He thrust his tongue into her mouth to tangle with hers, and their sensual duel began as it always did. It seemed that they would never be able to get enough of each other.

At last they drew apart, breathless, and Keira asked, “When will we be married?”

“How long will it take you to have a dress made?” Murdoch laughed.

“Pfft!” Keira swatted her hand in the air in dismissal. “I will wear one of the ones I have.”

“Good,” he replied. “I will wear my uniform.”

“As long as the deed is done,” Keira said, laying her head against his chest. “I want to be Keira Holmes. It has a nice ring to it.”

“A nice ring?” He laughed at her unconscious pun. “I hope you are not expecting a gold one.”

“I only want you and your name,” Keira sighed. “That will satisfy me for the rest of my life.” She looked at her own little section of the castle, which had enough rooms for a big bedroom, two smaller ones, and a nursery. She would soon be a mother; she felt it instinctively. “Mind you, I want babies too. At least four.”

“I will do my best to oblige, mistress,” he answered, with a mock salute. “At least four? That is a tall order!”

Keira hugged him as tightly as she could. “I have faith in you,” she murmured.