Page 86 of Wed to the Highlander

Maggie wrinkled her nose at her life being a game. “Can’t say that I’m sorry I didn’t have the pleasure.”

“Neither can I.”

The dance ended, and the last of the guests headed for the gate. She and Duncan waved them off then, arm-in-arm, climbed the front stairs.

“It’s been a long day. Shall we go up and say good night tae our lad?” he asked.

“Lillie put him to bed an hour ago. With the gates flung wide and so many milling about,Callum went with her to stand guard.” The clan had adopted their darling little boy as their own. “He’ll bedemanding my attention soon enough. Until then, I have one more celebration planned.”

“Do you now,” he said, green eyes twinkling. “Care to share?”

“No. I care to escape—with you.” With a mischievous grin, she led him by the hand, not up the main staircase but deeper into the castle.

***

The moon hung low over the east tower, casting the couple entwined on the bed in silver.

Maggie gasped, arching beneath Duncan’s weight. He caught the sound with his mouth, swallowing it as she trembled against him. Her fingers clutched his shoulders, nails biting through linen. He didn’t stop until she stilled, breathless with release.

He kissed her temple, her cheek, the corner of her mouth. “You’re spirited tonight,” he murmured.

She smiled, lazy and sated. “Because you’re quite skilled at this.” Suddenly, she tensed with concern. “Do you suppose anyone heard?”

“If they heard wailing, they’ll chalk it up to the spirits of Castle MacPherson.”

Maggie shoved his shoulder. “Countesses do not wail; they sigh like a lady.”

He chuckled, shifting to lie beside her, their legs tangled. “This lady will have to bury her sighs into a pillow next time, or the guard may come running and put an untimely end to our pleasures.”

“Very funny, Laird Tease.” She traced his lips, smiling archly. “And your mouth took care of my sighs just fine.”

He silenced her with a kiss once more, which deepened until words were forgotten.

They lay quiet for a time, before Duncan spoke, his voice pitched low. “A messenger arrived today from Inverness. Lachlan appeared in court day before last. He did not contest the charges.”

Maggie’s head lifted from his shoulder to look at him in surprise.

“He gave a full confession and will be sentenced next week.”

“Will you go?”

“I won’t have to testify, now. So, no. I hadn’t planned to.”

“Does Fiona know?”

“I didn’t want to spoil the festive mood. She and the boys smile a bit more these days.”

Maggie nodded, fingers tracing idle circles on his chest. “She’ll be relieved that it’s over—and angry. That has overridden the guilt of late.”

“It’s understandable. He made promises to her he did no’ honor.”

They were quiet again until Duncan said, “We also must discuss a trip to London.”

“Do we dare?” she asked. “I hate to disrupt the stretch of calm. And, you haven’t yet chosen a second.”

“I may not. MacLeish is capable.”

“Indeed. The man knows the workings of the estate up one side and down the other.”