“I do not have considerable anger,” he moved to her, enveloping her in his muscular arms. “’Tis only irritation you see.”
She cocked an auburn eyebrow. “Irritation that kept you out of our bed on our wedding night. Irritation that caused you to tear this room apart and very nearly me with it. Irritation indeed.”
He tried to kiss her but she dodged him, twisting from his grasp. “Not now, Alec. I would go see Ivy and tell her the good news.”
He followed her about as she tried to move out of his range. He reached out to grasp her arm, only to have her slap his hand away. He grabbed at her skirt and she yanked the fabric from his grasp, squealing with laughter when he rapidly snatched at her with the other hand and succeeded in grabbing a handful of red hair.
Gently, he pulled her against his taut chest, winding the liquid fire strands around his powerful hand and cupping the back of her head.
“You will never escape me, wench,” he purred.
“I was not trying to escape you,” she replied, feeling the wickedly warm sensations of desire bubbling within her chest. “I was merely trying to elude you because you know as well as I that we are no longer satisfied with mere kisses, and there is no privacy for…. that.”
“What?” he whispered, his mouth descending on her lips.
She bent her knees, slouching low and trying to evade his probing mouth, but he merely wrapped an arm around her waist and hoisted her up to his level.
“Nay, Alec, not now,” she protested weakly, grinning as she turned sharply away from his seeking lips.
“I merely wish to taste, my lady,” he whispered, his hot mouth latching onto her neck.
Instantly, she felt herself giving in to him, but she fought against the overpowering passion that he so easily elicited. “Please, Alec, no! I cannot…. I am still tender from yesterday and this morn.”
His kissed her neck but a brief moment longer before pulling back with a heavy sigh. “I am a savage beast, I know. But I simply cannot help myself when I am around you. ’Tis your own fault for creating such a monster with your beauty and sensuality.”
She smiled, kissing his lips sweetly. When he moved to respond intensely, she avoided his pursuing lips and put her hand over his face to stop the onslaught. “Put me down, please.”
“One more kiss and I shall,” he mumbled against her palm.
She glanced at him, giggling to see that her fingers had plastered one eye closed while the other sky-blue eye blazed brightly at her. “No more. Please? I would go see Ivy now.”
He sighed and twisted his lips reluctantly, but he did as she asked and lowered her to the ground. She continued to grin as she straightened her surcoat.
“Thank you, darling.”
He raised an eyebrow and grasped her hand, leading her from the room. “I would respond that obeying your request was my pleasure, but it was not. You are a cruel woman to deny your husband a simple kiss.”
She eyed him. “A kiss is not such a simple thing between you and I, my Alec.”
The door tothe bower was bolted from the inside. Peyton rapped softly, calling for her sister to open the door. After an eternal pause, the panel opened and a hand suddenly came flying out at Peyton, catching her in the jaw with a sharp slap.
Peyton stumbled back as Ivy propelled herself from the archway, oblivious to Alec’s presence. He reacted instinctively, grasping his sister-in-law about her considerable waist as she charged his wife.
“Why did not you tell me what was going on?” Ivy raged as Alec restrained her. “Do you realize what you have done to me?”
Peyton, hand on her cheek, stood a safe distance from her raging sister. “Everything is as it should be, Ivy. Ali is riding to Northampton for the lawyer as we speak.”
As if by magic, Ivy’s struggles ceased and her blue eyes widened. But Alec did not let go of her just yet; the woman was amazingly strong and she had dealt his wife a heavy blow. And he wasn’t entirely certain that she would not charge her sister again.
“What…. what do you mean?” Ivy breathed. “Ali went to Northampton?”
Peyton nodded. “To fetch the lawyer. Lord Brian seems to think you two will be married before the Warrington’s arrive this eve.”
Ivy’s strength fled and Alec found himself supporting her. He and Peyton managed to steer her back into the bower, directing her into the nearest chair. Alec went to pour her a large draught of ale as Peyton patted her shoulder comfortingly.
“I am sorry, darling, truly,” she said softly. “We had no idea Lord Brian would react this way. It never occurred to either of us that he would betroth you to Warrington in my stead.”
Ivy took a deep, ragged breath to steady her reeling head. “Nor did it occur to me,” she grasped her sister’s hand tightly. “I am sorry, Peyton. I should not have lashed out at you as I did, but I have spent the entire night worrying and crying and…. oh, Christ, I am so sorry. You are wed, then?”
