‘No, lass,’ he said, not budging from the spot. ‘You know what will happen if we go inside together.’
Sinfully, she did and she hoped he would banish the memory of all those lonely nights without him.
‘If we are to be married, we should wait,’ he said.
‘Wait, my arse!’ she said, then she covered her mouth after saying such a coarse thing. ‘I have a mind to seduce you, Aidan MacLerie. To have my way with you.’ For this time it was her choice and he was the one she’d chosen.
‘I may let you,’ he promised. He bent over and lifted her in his arms.
No words were spoken nor needed through the rest of that night. Though Catriona worried over the changes in her body wrought by the pregnancy, Aidan did not seem to mind at all. His attentions drove her mad with desire and then he satisfied her. And she satisfied him from the sound of it.
Now, lying together, with him wrapped around her, she slept soundly and dreamlessly for the first time since she’d left him. For why dream of him when she had him with her now?
* * *
She woke for some reason just past dawn and found him staring at her. Cat did not move, enjoying the feel of his body next to hers, his heart beating under her hand. She could have remained like that for hours or days, but the arrival of a large, noisy group of people outside her door told her that would not happen. When she would have climbed from the bed and found a gown, the door burst open and the Earl of Douran strode in.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Aidan pushed Catriona behind him and turned to face his father. Then his mother entered, took in the situation and whispered furiously to him.
‘Connor, let us wait outside. Now.’
He watched as the petite woman commanded the most fearsome warrior chief in the Highlands like a serving woman. He almost laughed as his father did exactly what he was told to do. Once the door had closed, he stood and found his trews and shirt. Helping Catriona from the bed, he avoided touching her as he wanted to. Her lush body blossomed now, her soft curves filling out and her breasts swelling as her belly did. He’d explored every inch of her last night, kissing and caressing all the changes in her body.
‘Aidan, what does he want?’ Catriona asked, as she reached for her garments and dressed quickly.
‘I do not know. His agreement with you was that you not see me again,’ he said. She blushed at his words. ‘Aye. I know you went to him for help. It saddens me that you had to humble yourself because of me.’
‘And you came for me in spite of his orders.’
‘Aye, love, I did.’ He kissed her on the forehead. ‘And I will be with you no matter what he says or does. Fear not. You are mine now and I will protect you, even from him.’
‘Aidan!’ his father called from outside.
Aidan walked to the door and pulled it open. Not only were his father and mother there waiting, but he saw his sister and her husband, along with Duncan and a large group of MacLerie warriors. Not to be outdone, Rob had sent along his Matheson soldiers, so it looked like a war camp outside Catriona’s house.
‘Aye.’ His mother slipped past him before he could stop her, with some words about speaking to Catriona.
‘I would speak to you,’ his father said, or ordered.
‘To what end?’ he asked. ‘We said all we needed to say weeks ago. You should know that I am marrying Catriona.’
‘Walk with me.’
Aidan looked at his father, for the softer tone and request was most unexpected. He nodded and followed his father down the lane to where they could not be heard by the others. They stood in silence for a few minutes before his father spoke.
‘I asked for your opinion that day as a test of your knowledge and your abilities. One day as chieftain, you will have to make decisions like that.’ Aidan did not pretend to not know which day he spoke of or which decision. ‘But you—’
‘I failed. I know it, Father,’ he admitted. ‘I sent a man away for an unconscionable reason and he died as a result.’
‘Nay, you misunderstand. I had already chosen the men to go. Asking you for your opinion did not change my decision, it only confirmed it. I chose to send Gowan in spite of knowing why you spoke his name.’
Aidan stood in shocked silence then. So, his father had sent Gowan away? Still...
‘I still failed, for my decision was based on my own personal desires and not on what was best for the clan. Not a very good choice for a man who would have led the clan one day.’
‘Will lead the clan.’
