A tremor of anticipation caught within her stomach, for today was her wedding day. Queen Isabel, Lady Genevieve, and Aileen had helped her dress, and Honora wore the emerald overdress and cream-coloredléinewith a crown of hawthorn flowers upon her unbound hair. The light floral scent mingled with the beeswax candles, and she was both nervous and overjoyed as she walked with the women toward the chapel at Laochre.
They were surrounded by family—all of the MacEgan brothers and their wives, children and foster-children chattering eagerly. Even her father stood witness, his face somber as Honora approached. Nicholas had apologized for his earlier stubbornness, and Honora had thanked him for bringing his own army against John's forces, back at Ceredys only a month ago. Despite his gruff demeanor, he admitted that he'd never wanted harm to come to her or Katherine. Her sister had already married Sir Ademar, and both of them had accompanied Nicholas to the wedding. Honora offered her sister a smile, and Katherine winked at her.
At last, Honora reached the chapel entrance and found Ewan waiting. His expression held the same love that swelled up within her heart as she took his hand and they stood before the priest and murmured their vows. And when the priest bade him give her a kiss of peace, Honora's knees wobbled at the heated embrace her new husband gave her. At the end of the Mass, Genevieve's newborn daughter gave a lusty cry.
"We should go and make one of those," Ewan whispered beneath his breath.
The blood seemed to drain from her head at the thought of motherhood, but Honora managed a laugh. Ewan swept her up into his arms, ignoring the crowds as he took her back to their own private chamber within Laochre Castle, where a soft bed awaited them.
"You didn't want to join in the feasting for our wedding celebration?" she teased him.
"Oh, we will," he promised. "After I've feasted upon you." He undressed her slowly, each layer of clothing falling away. The warmth of the fire kept the stone chamber warm, and new spring rushes lined the wooden floors. Honora opened her arms to him, a smile upon her face. A secret swelled inside her, and the need to tell him was nearly bursting.
"I am going to give you a castle like this," Ewan swore. "One day. No matter how many years it takes."
She gave him a sidelong glance. "I don't need a castle, Ewan."
"I would lay the world at your feet, if I could." His expression was so serious, so intent, that she held him tightly, resting her cheek against his heart. "But none of it means anything without you. If you're with me, Honora, I could live inside a stable and be happy."
Ewan stroked her hair, his breath against her ear. "Although . . . I wouldn't have minded it if we had found the treasure before John lost it."
"He lost nothing," Honora said. "When you cast the treasure into the water, it was nothing but a bag full of stones and sand I picked up off the beach."
He drew back, frowning. "But there were silver coins. I saw them."
Honora sent him a cheeky grin. "I picked John's pocket when he was holding you prisoner. The only coins lost were his own. I knew he wouldn't believe me unless he saw it for himself."
"I wed a woman of great intelligence," he remarked, kissing her again.
"Yes, you did. And I believe you are wearing too many clothes," Honora said, stripping away his tunic and trews, until they stood naked together. She ran her hands over the firm muscles, replacing each touch with a kiss. Lower still, she moved, over his stomach and down to his hardened manhood. With her hand she stroked it, eliciting his groan of response.
The power of showing him how much she loved him was intoxicating. So much, that she nearly lost sight of her purpose.
Tell him now, her conscience urged. The excitement rose up inside her. "I have something for you," she said seductively, taking his hand.
"Do you, now?" Ewan followed her over to the bed, where Honora brought out the small chest Marie St. Leger had once given her.
"It's my wedding gift to you," she said, holding it out to him. "But you'll have to earn it."
He opened the chest and saw hundreds of multicolored precious stones. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires gleamed amid a small pile of gold." Where did you get this?" His expression revealed his shock and disbelief.
Honora beamed. "Remember when I was searching for the treasure along the bay, near the bird-shaped stone? I happened to look back at the shore." Her expression turned chagrined. "It wasn't so difficult to find. The shrubbery upon the hillside is shaped like a spiral. I returned to the beach early the next morning, and in the center of the spiral, I dug up the chest. I kept it as a surprise to you."
She reached in and picked up a handful of gems. "Marie wanted me to have it, Ewan. It was her gift to me, and now, I'm going to give you the kingdom you always wanted. Patrick has the rest of it. It's enough for a lifetime."
He started to shake his head, but she put a finger to his lips. "I know you're too proud to accept it, but trust me. You'll be earning every last stone and every coin."
Lying back against the bed, she placed the gemstones upon her body. With a wicked smile, she added, "Come and get them, Ewan."
Ewan picked her up, letting the stones fall to the coverlet. "Later, perhaps. After I've made love to you."
His hot mouth roamed over her throat, pressing endless kisses upon it. "You are my greatest treasure, Honora. Not a handful of stones."
He lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, shocked when he sank deep within her. His mouth covered her puckered nipple, sucking hard until she trembled in his arms. "Take them, Ewan. And me."
Over and over, he penetrated her, urging her closer to a release. "The treasure is yours, to do with as you will," he said. "Just as I am yours."
Honora clung to him, her body going liquid. Flesh to flesh, becoming one body, she arched her spine. He grabbed her bottom, lifting her against him, pounding until she shattered in his arms.
