Cailean had missed this opportunity last year, when he was away, and his gratitude overflowed at the chance to compete this year. He dinnae ken what the future held for Elayne and himself as they assumed their duties in the Grant clan. Would there be an opportunity for him to participate in the games next year?
Cailean loved competing and took out his frustrations in the execution of his exceptional skills. Seeing Elayne cheering for him took his breath away. Her sparkling eyes and flushed face projecting her happiness further inspired him to victory. At the end of the morning matches, he splashed water over his face, arms, and chest, then dried. Afterward, he strode to Elayne and kissed her, devouring her lips.
“Will ye join me for lunch, wife? I am powerfully hungry.”
“Ye worked hard battling yer opponents. I enjoyed watching yer form, strategy against each one ye fought, and of course yer victories. I learn something new each time I watch ye fight.”
“I enjoy ye watching me, Elayne.” Cailean noticed all the lustful looks and appreciative gazes toward his wife by many men as they walked past. And he placed a protective arm around her waist, demonstrating his claim to the stunning woman at his side. Cailean and Elayne ate lunch and chatted about the events of the day and the upcoming evening.
“I will come get ye early so ye can bathe and change for the feast and dancing tonight. Perhaps we can rest?” Cailean teased as his eyes smoldered and sparkled.
“Aye,” she flirted, with an arched brow in invitation. “Ye need to rest after all yer fighting. Ye need to conserve yer energy for the dancing ye will do with me.”
Cailean laughed heartily, charmed by his wife and her teasing. He could hardly wait until their bathing and “resting.”Perhaps the better order should be resting and then bathing. There definitely would be more “resting” if he had his say. Cailean could not get his fill of the woman who had captured his heart.
A few hours later, he collected Elayne after greeting her family and stole her back to his chamber to prepare for the celebratory opening feast, pageantry, and dancing. In their chamber, he called for hot water for their bath and locked the door after the staff had filled the tub with steaming hot water.
Candles burned, their flames cavorting. Flickering flames from the fire cast light and shadows across their faces. Cailean made love to his wife as he bent her over their bed, unable to constrain his ardor for her any longer. While he caressed her breasts and nipples, he also stroked her nub of pleasure hidden in her curls at the apex of her thighs. He kissed and licked the skin on her back, shoulders, and neck. Cailean rocked into Elayne fast and furiously, unable to hold back the urgency to claim his wife and pleasure her. They exploded their mind-numbing release together, and afterward, Elayne slumped in Cailean’s arms.
Stepping into the tub, Cailean washed his wife’s intoxicating body and claimed her again in the tub. They stood, and he rinsed them both and dried off his wife. He scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. Cailean dried himself and climbed into the bed naked next to Elayne, pulling the sheet over them before they fell into a deep slumber. Cailean, used to short naps to regain his energy as a warrior, awakened first and dressed. He then awakened his wife with his kisses and helped her dress.
“I will call yer maid to help ye with yer hair and return to ye shortly.”
Elayne kissed him. “Thank ye, husband, I feel better after our bath and rest.” The maid knocked on the door, interrupting them. She styled Elayne’s hair with braids, weaving in a crown of flowers, which complemented her shimmering cerulean gown. When Cailean returned to escort Elayne to the feast, she took his breath away and tempted him to seduce her all over again.
“Lass, ye look breathtaking. I will need to guard ye all evening. Ye dinna ken how ye affect me. I wish we had more time,” he murmured as he kissed her temple and her neck, until he at last feasted on her lips. Elayne loved his kisses but pushed him back.
“I long for more time with ye. But we must show our respect to yer guests and be there to greet them. We must leave now.”
“Aye, ye are right. Come, let’s go greet our guests.”
In the great hall, they welcomed their guests with Laird and Lady MacPherson and other family members. Elayne’s parents would join them in the great hall at another table nearby. Even Thomas proudly wore new clothes this evening, including a MacPherson kilt with a dirk sheathed in a belt around his waist.
Mrs. Logan looked magnificent in a new rose-colored gown that gave a rosy glow to her skin. Or mayhap William brought the blushing bloom to her cheeks, for she seemed to blush whenever she looked at him tonight. Thrilled for both of them that they were most likely betrothed, it had been Elayne’s dearest wish to see them wed before she had to leave the clan.
A few men played bagpipes while others paraded platters of food inside the great hall. The laird and his lady stood and welcomed their guests and their warriors, who’d competed in the games.
“Welcome to all of ye. Thank ye for joining us for the fair and games. We hope ye had a good time, what with all the food, the market, and the competition of the skilled warriors at the games. After dinner there will be dancing. Enjoy yerselves, but if ye are competing tomorrow, mind yer heads tonight to be sharp on the morrow.” Everyone laughed and began to eat and drink the ale and wine.
Men carried pheasants, a whole suckling pig, and geese before the guests, while platters of roasted venison, salmon, vegetables, and warm breads were served. Merriment and laughter floated on the air as the piper played.
Everyone ate their fill before honey cakes, puddings, and fruit for dessert were served. Then the dancing began outside under a large tent. The fun continued until late in the evening. Warriors came and went on their watches, keeping alert eyes over all.
Cailean took Elayne’s arm in his and led her to the dance floor, and they danced all evening. Her eyes glowed with the happiness reflected in her smile as she danced in Cailean’s arms and remembered his first lessons in the moonlight.
He kept a keen eye on his wife as they danced with other partners for fast-paced country dances. Finally, after several hours, Cailean whispered in Elayne’s ear, and they left the festivities of the great hall for those private festivities inside their chamber.
The morning came too soon, and Elayne wished they could slumber on. They assumed their duties, and each worked until once again Elayne saw Cailean compete on the field against the other warriors and win his competitions. They enjoyed dinner and dancing before retiring for the night.
On the last day of the competitions, Elayne met with her family and surveyed the remaining items to be sold. Thomas placed the last few of them on the tables and they vanished. Sold out well before lunchtime, Elayne’s family was free to observe the competitions and eat the fair food. Elayne, her father, Mrs. Logan, and Thomas watched the last of the championship games.
Elayne eyed Cailean’s competitor warily, hoping Cailean could defeat him. Elayne sized up his opponent as Cailean had taught her, seeking his strengths and weaknesses to exploit on the field when possible. At first, she held her breath since Cailean and his opponent appeared evenly matched, but Cailean pound-ed his sword relentlessly against his opponent, knocking him to the ground, the sword dropping from his grip.
Laird MacPherson proudly declared Cailean the champion to the roar and acclaim of the crowd, and Elayne couldna contain her elation and jubilation at her husband’s victory. Cailean joined the lairds that afternoon for more business discussions. Elayne and Mrs. Logan joined Lady MacPherson, Cailean’s sisters, wives of his brothers, and other ladies, and had tea and desserts over sewing, embroidery, and gossip.
Before the feasting started, Elayne’s father and Mrs. Logan announced quietly to Elayne, Cailean, and Thomas that they were to be married in a small ceremony in the next couple of days, before Cailean’s and Elayne’s departure. Elayne and Cailean congratulated them enthusiastically. Elayne felt elated. Now, she could leave her family knowing they wouldna be alone but together. She was overjoyed that the woman who had cared for her as her mother would be joined in love with her father. Her mother deserved the love she showered on others. Elayne noted how her father’s eyes sparkled with love for her mother.Her mother was young and Elayne hoped one day they would have children of their own.
The fair ended with the dancing after the final feast that evening. Other clan members departed the MacPherson clan in the early morning and throughout the day, so merchants continued to sell food and wares until they left.
