“Sir Aonghus,” the Lord Chancellor ordered not asked, “take leave of your bride for but a moment as I must speak with youdirectly.”This couldn’t be good.
Her hands trembled at what they had shared. She tried and failed to unravel the ribbon. Aonghus untethered them. Just as he finished, his thumb stroked in a suggestive way beneath her palm hidden from view. She had just had a taste of paradise, and watching him depart toward a nearby pew but out of earshot, it crashed over her. What torture had she just condemned the man she held above all others to by choosing him for these vows?
Chapter 17
It was odd. After the closeness they had shared only a wee bit earlier with the kiss that still caused her heart to race quicker when her mind strayed into the moment, now it seemed they were two strangers.
The feast in the hall was deafening with drunken clansmen surrounding them, so conversation had been impossible, but now on the passageway with only the sizzle in torches or swish of a skirt from a chambermaid who strode past at the late hour, there was nothing but a tense silence between her and Aonghus. It all changed…when? Her lips pursed:right after his talk with the Lord Chancellor. What had he said to her knight?
“MacCade,” she began as he held the passage doorway open for her into the earthy scented chamber. They had been placed on the second level. A pause took her step and speech when Aonghus raised his hand in a silent ask for her to remain at the threshold while he inspected the surroundings for threats.
A tiny spark, bright as the flames licking the peat bricks in the hearth, ignited her temper. Raging hell! Who was the fate-seer here when disaster was about to strike? Not the one checking every drape on the canopy bed, and the dark corner beyond the oak table with chairs, and behind the two chestswhich lined the far wall. No, it was her! For years she had seen herself and those around her safe.
“MacCade.” She re-advanced swiftly on the topic burning her thoughts. “What was spoken between you and the Lord Chancellor earlier in the nave?”
His step paused unexpectedly as he darted his eyes at her.It must have been something powerful; look at that guarded expression. “I would rather not speak upon the matter,” he replied, sheathing the dagger’s blade back into his scabbard strap.
She crossed her arms, then widened her stance after he closed the threshold before he threw the board into place. “Then we are at an impasse,SirAonghus,” she rebuked, formally, “as I would rather speak upon the matter.” It appeared they were going to engage upon one trait as a wedded couple: arguing. Her stance broadened.
“The past day’s events have unleashed a weariness for me.” He yawned; did he truly think he was fooling her with a fake yawn? “Are you not tired, Cluaran?”
Her shoulders straightened. “Nae.” He observed her a long moment. Was there a glimmer of mirth dancing within his gaze at her defiant reply? “I thought you considered me a clever lass; however, I only see one who believes me a fool.”
His mirth vanished. “I wouldnevertake such a consideration regarding your wits, my lady.”
“I dare say challenge them! Tell me what the Lord Chancellor proclaimed!” Silence.Ugh!“Or are you going to lie down and fringe sleep to avoid bestowing the truth for my ears?”
He gave a long sigh. “Aye, the yawn was a ruse. I yearn to stay awake all eve till dawn’s first light” – his tone turned fierceas the desire in his gaze on her – “for you to cry my name more than once in pleasure.”Oh. My.More than once – a lad could do that? “Cluaran, this shall not be, so why speak upon it?”
“This is the matter the Lord Chancellor pressed you upon?” Her temper turned from spark into flame. “He was reminding you of your post to stay away from me?”
“Aye;‘The eyes may feast but the flesh shall not’, he advised. Truly, not even the eyes – he ordered I shall remain back turned while you disrobe in intimate moments such as this.” He raised his hands toward their chamber surroundings.
“Well, then I shall have to endeavor to share with the chancellor upon our next meet that I have seen Northmen bare-arsed on my travels over the years in their needs of having to pee. I also best not forget to mention to the Lord Chancellor” – she jabbed a finger toward herself – “I have been forced to shed my garments in others’ presence from Northmen to Sturan, a Scottish enemy whose head will soon be on a spike at the gates here at Stirling.” Her voice continued rising with rage. “So, I’d better make certain the lad who saved me from their vicious grasp does not capture so much as a glimpse upon my breasts! How dare he! I shall take the matter directly before the king this very moment!” Her stride burst into action as she bolted for the door, not seeing the dark oak but red.
A thick arm captured her waist from behind. “Nae, MacCade! I shall not have him think so ill of you when others have demanded such vile things…” The words halted as his lips captured hers.
At the touch of his mouth, her anger turned toward desire as her arms wove about his shoulders when the firmness from his lips stole her breath anew.Oh, aye.She may not have all of Aonghus, but dammit, she could have this taste in pleasure. Aye!She would devour it with all she was. He crushed her close as he opened fully to taste her. It ended all too soon when he pulled back, his breath panting upon her with their mouths remaining close.
“You are magnificent,” he said, “Your wish or will or fight to stand against those who seek to tarnish me is unlike any other I have ever beheld.”
Her eyes locked on his. “MacCade, your strength is matchless; how could a lone lass tip such a vast scale?”
“Passion.” He grinned at her. “You have a fiery will in your grasp. A passion for life.”
She held her gaze on his. “When one sees life taken away as many times as I in all the ‘glances’ over the years, it trenches in my soul to live each moment to the fullest, for it can be taken away in a blink.”
“I find your fierceness ‘to live each moment to the fullest’ intoxicating, Keirah. This passion I see at each turn is what gave the strength for your survival all those years in the Northmen’s grasp.” She nodded. “Your spirit is beyond compare; this was why I yearned for you to choose me from those who gathered.”
“Ten of Sir James could never shadow one of you, even with his feathers spread wide.”
“Feathers?”
“He appeared part rooster in the solar.” Her fingers found a natural rhythm caressing the tiny hairs upon the back of Aonghus’s neck. “Strutting about. He was the same in Bjørgvin. The only matter missing from his arse was a sprout in feathers.” Aonghus’s breath brushed her lips heavier as he gave a chuckle.
“Aonghus?”
His smile faded at her serious tone. “Aye, Cluaran?”
