“I dinna chirp,” she said in a snappish tone before thinking better of it. With a hard swallow, she hurried to smooth any damage to the plan that her attitude might have caused. “I’d be most grateful, husband, if ye would allow this so I can see with my own eyes that ye’re safe.”
“Lady Catriona’s idea holds merit,” Magnus said.
Catriona made a mental note to name one of their children 'Magnus.' Of course, if that was the only way she could think of to favor people who’d served her well, she’d best hope for a keep full of sons and daughters. That thought sent a warm flush through her. She couldna think of a thing that would make her happier. A keep full of Alexander’s children. 'Twould be wonderful, indeed.
Alexander turned and studied the forces below. “Think thee they would accept such an invitation?”
“If worded proper,” Graham said.
“Alasdair and Sutherland are the best persuaders I know,” Magnus said. “The both of them can tell ye to go straight to Hell in such a way that ye look forward to the trip. Shall I get them?”
Catriona noticed Alexander’s knuckles whitening as his hands fisted atop the stone ledge. She could tell by his stance that whilst he wasna in full acceptance of the idea and was, in fact, fighting it, he couldna think of a safer option. She knew he realized that riding into Campbell’s camp was a foolhardy thing to do. Which stirred another quandary: If they wished to invite the two men, how the hell would they do it without risking a life?
“How shall we extend our invitation?” Alexander asked.
Catriona caught her breath and stared at him all the harder. Was she so transparent? Had her husband read her mind? “Uhm…” As much as she wanted the plan to succeed, she couldna think of a viable option.
“Arrows,” Graham said.
Another name for another child.Catriona smiled and agreed with a nod. Of course, arrows. They could wrap a note around the shaft and launch it into the camp without risking life or limb.
“A shot from that wee bluff overlooking their camp. Hit the pole in front of Campbell’s tent easily. Ian could do it. I grant ye.” Graham turned to leave, then paused and looked back at Alexander. “I’ll fetch him, aye?”
“Aye,” Alexander said. “Have our brothers pen the invitation and seek Alasdair’s counsel as well. Tomorrow. Noon. We’ll offer them a meal along with the conversation.”
“It shall be so,” Magnus said as he joined Graham and the two men set off to accomplish the task.
“I’ll set Mrs. Aberfeldy and Cook to planning a fine repast.” Catriona stretched to the tips of her toes and pecked a kiss to Alexander’s cheek. “Thank ye, Alexander.”
He darted an arm around her waist and pulled her snug against his chest. “I believe I deserve a proper kiss for bending to your wishes.”
“Oh, do ye now?” Catriona pressed both hands to his chest, leaning back in mock refusal. While meant to be coy and teasing, the position had the additional benefit of pressing her lower half snugger to Alexander, revealing that her husband was verra pleased to be with her. She couldn’t resist a covert wanton wiggle against the delightful hard length of him, hidden from anyone who might watch by the fullness of her skirts whipping in the wind.
“Ye're a wee vixen, ye are,” Alexander growled out in a low rumble right before he took her mouth and kissed her deep and long. “I’ll never get enough of ye, Catriona,” he whispered against her lips then kissed her again.
A wicked idea came to her as Alexander slid his hands down her back and cupped her behind through the layers of her skirts and squeezed.Merciful heavens.Perhaps a wee detour from her duties wouldna be amiss. After all, keeping her husband happy was a wife’s primary function. Was it not?
“The benches in the tower room,” she said in a breathless whisper against his temple as he pressed heated kisses to her throat. “We could…sit and rest a bit. Aye?”
“Aye, woman. That would please me well.”
They hurried the few feet to the tower room. Alexander opened the door and held it for her.
With a stolen glance down the path of the curtain wall to ensure no one followed, Catriona darted inside and hurried to slide the iron bar across the other door to the staircase leading down into the keep.
Alexander stepped inside and locked the door behind him, then did the same to the door leading to the curtain wall. As he turned, Catriona rushed into his arms and resumed the smoldering kiss they’d paused whilst in their search for a more private place.
“I’m so glad ye wore your kilt without your trews this fine day.” Catriona eagerly reached down with both hands and hiked up his kilt to rake her nails up the backs of his thighs and cup his fine sculpted arse.
Alexander rumbled with a low laugh as he gathered up her skirts and did the same, kneading her buttocks and sliding his hardness against her as he walked them back to the bench. “Shall we sit awhile, wife?” he teased as he positioned her astraddle his lap and lowered her down upon him.
“Most definitely.” Catriona slid down his shaft, burying it to the hilt inside her. Settling into a slow rocking motion, she loosened the laces of her bodice just enough to allow Alexander entry to her bosom. She clutched his head to her chest as he kissed and fondled then suckled and squeezed some more, all the while riding his shaft at a steadily increasing pace.
The latch on the door leading up from the keep rattled, and the door bumped against the bar. “What fool bolted the tower door?” said the voice on the other side.
Alexander grinned and pressed a shushing finger to his lips as his other hand squeezed her buttocks and pulled her hard against him. Shifting on the bench, he met her thrust for thrust. Whoever was on the other side of the door could just be damned.
“We’ll have to enter through from the wall,” the irritated voice advised. “Come!”
