Page 19 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

A fter breakfast, Edward had made his way to his study. Evelyn would need far more time than him to get ready. Besides, he was determined to address Laird Wallace’s letter as swiftly as possible.

After penning his reply, he found a messenger boy. He was a lad of no more than ten and five. Handing the letter to him, he pressed a coin in his hand.

“It is most important that this missive be delivered as quickly as possible. See tae it, will ye?” Edward said.

“Aye, me laird,” the lad replied, nodding eagerly.

Without hesitation, he turned on his heels and ran down the corridor, leaving Edward satisfied that he would do as he was bid. Noon had come and gone, and the feast would soon begin. It was time that he readied himself, and with that thought, he made his way to the bedchamber.

Upon reaching the bedchamber door, he hesitated. A compulsion washed over him and he lifted his hand, as though to knock on the door.

Why now? I havenae knocked ‘afore. Surely, after the intimacy we’ve shared, I should be less inclined tae worry about her privacy.

Smiling at his inner considerations, he lowered his hand again, reached for the door handle, and stepped into the room.

He did not get very far.

Evelyn was indeed, ready. In fact, she and Caitlin were admiring her appearance in the tall mirror. While they smiled with satisfaction, Edward felt his breath catch in his throat, while his feet came to an immediate standstill.

“Me God,” he breathed.

The words were intended as a thought, but they fell from his lips before he could stop them. Upon hearing them, Evelyn turned to look at him, her face flushing at his evident admiration, for he had to forcibly close his gaping mouth.

He had been struck by her beauty from the moment he had set his eyes upon her, that very day she had arrived at his father’s castle, exiting the carriage like some angel sent from the gods. She had mesmerized him then, as she did now. At the time, he had wished that she were his bride, not his brother’s. Back then, he could not have imagined how things would turn out. He only remembered the envy he had felt.

Now though, she stood before him in all her glory. Strands of golden blonde hair framed her delicate features. The bright green of her eyes were made even more radiant by the clothes that adorned her slender frame.

Her frock was green with embroidered gold thread. It cinched at her small waist, pushing her bosoms upward, the soft flesh of which nearly begged for his touch. Long sleeves clung to her slender arms, the material hanging past her wrists, and flowing beside the gown. Her hair was pinned to her head in some intricate design, showing off the beauty of her slender throat, dressed with a black choker and an emerald stone.

“Ye tak’ me breath away, Evelyn,” Edward breathed, still struggling to compose himself.

Caitlin had taken several steps away from her mistress, and with her eyes lowered, she tried to hide a smile. Evelyn only blushed more deeply, a soft, shy smile lighting up her face.

“Thank ye,” she said, her voice so low, it was nearly a whisper.

“I think it is I who ought tae be thanking ye. I will be the luckiest man in the castle with ye beside me.”

The maid could clearly take no more of the crackling tension that danced between the laird and her mistress, and keeping her head bent, she whispered her excuses and hurriedly left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

Now alone, Edward took several steps and closed the gap between them. Taking Evelyn’s hands in his, he gazed down at her, feeling his desire for her building with every second.

“I can hardly put intae words how beautiful ye are, Evelyn. With ye on me arm, I will be the proudest and wealthiest man in the land. The envy o’ all others.”

Her cheeks could not redden any further, and clearly self-conscious about the attention, she lowered her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering on the soft skin on her face. Edward hooked his finger under her chin, tilting her head toward him. He had no words, but there were other ways he could show how he felt.

He then lowered his mouth to hers. Slipping his tongue past her soft lips, he explored inside, that sweet taste only making him want more. Every part of him wanted to go so much further, but there wasn’t time. While a fleeting thought passed his mind that all his guests could wait, he knew it was hardly practical.

Still, wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her in tightly. Her breasts crushed against his chest, her body pressed against the part of him that was struggling the most to hold back, for his manhood now begged to be freed and satiated. As though his body had a mind of its own, he felt his groin pushing forward, eager for some relief. And yet, even as he desired to devour her, he only punished himself the longer he remained.

Eventually, and with much reluctance, he pulled his mouth from hers. Both breathless and panting, he felt her warm breath on his lips. The sensation only tempted him to kiss her again.

“Nay,” he said, taking a swift step back.

Evelyn’s eyes flew wide as she gasped.

“What is the matter?” she cried.

Edward found himself laughing then. “I said that out loud, didnae I?”

Still a little confused, but hardly able to help herself, Evelyn smiled back and nodded. “Aye. Ye did.”

“It gets tae be a worry when a man talks tae himself out loud. Still, if it is the only way I can resist ye…” He grinned.

Again, Evelyn blushed and smiled.

He took another step back. “It will be better if ye leave. I am yet tae ready mesel’, and I swear, if ye stay a minute longer, those clothes will be off ye, and ye’ll be joining me in me bath.”

Evelyn’s eyes flew wide at his forwardness. Her innocence entertained Edward, and he found himself chuckling.

“Away with ye, lass.” He swiped a hand playfully toward the door. “I only have so much self-control around ye.”

It took some willpower, but he resisted the urge to relieve himself in his bath. He wanted to save himself for the next time he could pleasure his wife. Why waste time when he had such a beautiful creature to lose himself in?

He found her in the drawing room once he was ready. She was not alone, however, for James, Freya and Morgana were with her, keeping her company in conversation.

“Well, dinnae ye scrub up well,” James jested once Edward had entered the room, flattered by their admiring glances.

“It is never the clothes that are impressive, brother, but the peg they hang upon,” Edward quipped back, recalling something their mother would have said when they were young.

James chuckled knowingly. “It still sounds better coming out o’ Maither’s mouth than yers.”

Edward smirked back and nodded. “I’m sure.”

After Freya and Morgana also complimented him, the three announced their departure, to go to hurry to the great hall and await their arrival.

“One thing,” Edward said as the three made their way to the door. “There will be nay talk o’ the attack this night. I want us all tae enjoy ourselves.”

“Indeed,” James replied.

Morgana and Freya nodded their agreement too and then they left the room.

Edward and Evelyn were then alone.

With the great rush of getting their wedding over and done with and taking his place as laird of the clan on the day they had arrived, Edward had hardly been given a chance to dress for the occasion. This time, however, his attire was far more suitable. His outfit had already been chosen, but seeing Evelyn earlier, and how gracious she looked, had pushed him to make extra effort.

The tailored form-fitting jacket made of fine wool fitted snuggly over his linen shirt beneath. His jacket was a rich navy blue with decorative buttons covered in fabric. Gold embroidered thread twisted in intricate patterns along the collar and cuffs. Beneath the doublet, the white ruffled collar of his shirt sat in contrast.

He wore a belted plaid which fell to the knee, while shining black knee-high boots covered the stockings beneath. A wide leather belt showcased a decorative metal buckle with more clan symbols. Beneath that, the sporran hung against his kilt. Made of rabbit fur and material, it too, had silver decorative fittings.

A matching plaid cloak was pinned at his shoulder, held in place with a silver brooch engraved with the clan symbols. And upon his head, Edward wore a soft wool bonnet adorned with a feather.

“Yer braither isnae wrong,” Evelyn said softly. She wore an admiring smile as her eyes grazed over his attire. “I dinnae think I have seen ye looking so dashing.”

“Is that a compliment I hear?” Edward feigned disbelief. “Well, wonders will never cease. And here’s me thinking ye hate me guts.”

Her smile grew wide and she gave him a playful look, rolling her eyes while shaking her head. “I dinnae hate ye, Edward. In fact, I never have.”

Her words stunned him for a second, his eyebrows hitching in surprise. “But ye said?—”

“I ken what I said,” Evelyn replied, not letting him finish. “But it has never been true. We were both thrown intae this with little option for disagreement. Ye had nay more power over the decision than I. But ye are right. I have acted fiercely towards ye. I am sorry about that.”

Those words stunned him even more. “Well, I…” he floundered, unsure how to reply to her. “I dinnae ken what tae say tae that.”

Evelyn shook her head. “Ye dinnae have tae say anything,” Evelyn said. “It is nae ye that has been in the wrong. Quite the opposite. Ye have tried, time and again tae build a bridge between us. It is I who have thwarted ye at every opportunity.”

“And now?”

Evelyn was about to reply when Craig walked into the room.

“Ah, there ye are,” he declared. Looking from Edward to Evelyn and back again, his eyes danced with delight. “Dinnae ye look the pair. Me lady,” the councilman addressed Evelyn, “ye look positively stunning. And me laird,” he turned his attention to Edward, “ye look dashing. If ye will follow me.” He gestured to the door. “Everyone is waiting.”

Offering Evelyn his elbow, Edward gazed down at her. His wife stepped forward, slipping her arm in his, and then, they both followed Craig out into the corridor.

Music danced on the air as they walked together down the passageway and approached the great hall. An excited hum of a hundred conversations leaked out of the room, meeting them as they approached.

Craig stopped at the door and turned to them both.

“Are ye ready?”

“As we’ll ever be,” Edward replied.

“Good. Give me a second tae reach the musicians. Ye’ll ken when tae enter.”

Edward’s closest advisor and new friend turned on his heels and hurriedly entered the great hall, leaving Edward and Evelyn standing there, waiting.

“I’m nervous,” Evelyn breathed.

“I’m right here. By yer side. Where I’ll always be,” Edward replied calmly.

She flashed him a soft smile, her eyes locking onto his. But there seemed to be more than reassurance expressed in her gaze. Edward was too scared to make any assumptions, but he was certain she was expressing something much deeper.

He had little chance to explore it though, for the musicians began playing a trumpet call.

“That’s our cue,” Edward said. “Come on. It will be grand.”