* * *
After helping Kyla into her bed again, Lorna walked to Bryce’s chamber. She wanted to make sure he knew that even though she had been hurt by him, she still wanted him. A little part of her was afraid that he would think he was doing her a favor by not asking for her hand. And after Kyla’s enthusiastic blessing, Lorna was even more motivated to make sure that all was understood between her and Bryce.
At his chamber door, she knocked, but there was no answer. She looked down the passageway to the left and right but saw no one, only the flicker of torches in the sconces on the wall. The light was fading, and soon it would be dinner. She most certainly wanted to speak to him before she would see him at dinner.
She opened the door and walked inside and saw that he was not there. Her heart leapt with hope. Perhaps he was with her grandfather asking for permission to marry her? In a sudden, bold decision, Lorna shut the door after her and sat down in one of Bryce’s chairs by the fire. She would wait there until he came back.
She breathed out, folded her hands on her lap, and prepared to wait. Staring into the fire, she tried to keep her nerves from taking over as she waited, minute after minute. Her resolve wasn’t cracking, but it did give her mind the time to create all kinds of thoughts about Bryce’s answer. He saw firsthand just how damaged her family was. Did he really want to be a part of it?
Will he be able tae put that aside tae marry me?
It seemed an eternity before she heard the door swing open, and with a little flip of the heart, she turned around to face Bryce entering the room. He paused in the doorway, his hand on the side of it, and after a first look of surprise, he grinned.
Lorna smiled back. He looked very handsome, as if he’d prepared himself on purpose to look very well. His hair was clean and pulled back. His beard was trimmed, and his clothing was clean and pressed. He wore his kilt’s colors of course, but now they looked very familiar and warm to her.
Hopefully, she would wear those colors as well one day. “Bryce,” she said in a soft voice, standing up. “Ye are here.”
“Aye,” he replied with a nod, and he closed the door, and stepped further into the room. “But that makes sense does it nae, seeing that this is me room?” He looked around with a twinkle of laughter in his eyes.
“Of course,” she said with a chuckle. “That makes sense.” She stepped closer, and he caught her gaze, walking closer.
“Are ye all right, lass? How do ye feel after all that?”
“Unharmed. Surprised, maybe, and most definitely confused, but I am unharmed. I am ready tae put things behind me and focus on the future.” She hoped that he would understand her meaning.
“Good. Because so am I,” he said, reaching for her hands.
He brought them to his lips, and Lorna said quickly, “I love ye!”
He laughed and pulled her closer for a kiss. Against her mouth, he whispered, “I love ye too, lass. And there is something more.”
“What is it?” she said, her mind already hazy with love and desire.
His hands roamed down her back and pulled against her backside, pushing her against him. She let out a soft moan. “I have asked yer grandfather for permission tae marry ye. I kenned that I wouldnae care if he said nae, but I kenned that it would be better if he did give his blessing. I wanted ye tae begin yer life in a happy way.”
Lorna was speechless. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Bryce smiled wider, and he kissed her on the cheek. “Is that nae what ye wanted me tae do, lass?”
“Aye,” she said, finally finding her words. “It is what I was hoping for, even though such bad things have happened. I wanted us tae think of love.”
“Good. Now, there is only one thing left.” He nodded with a stern expression.
“What is it?”
“I need tae ask ye a question. Will ye marry me, Lorna? Marry me and make me the happiest husband in all the world?”
“Aye,” she replied, jumping into his arms, wrapping her arms about his neck. “Aye, I will marry ye, Bryce.”
He kissed her then, and they were silent for a while as their mouths explored one another. Lorna accepted his kiss, let go of all inhibitions, putting her hands on his cheeks, happy tears in her eyes.
“It will be dinner soon, Lorna,” Bryce said with a growl, leaning his forehead against hers. His hands gripped her sides tightly. She had never felt so wanted. “People will wonder where we’ve gone.”
“I donnae care. I want ye here and now. We will go tae dinner when we are ready.” She pulled him down again.
And before he kissed her again, he said, “Aye, I will listen tae ye always, wife.”
He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the edge of the bed where he set her down again. He began to pull off his cloak and kilt, and she worked on her bodice and skirts. Her fingers had never worked so fast. There was an urgency to the moment, where they were finally free to give of each other.
She paused in her haste. “Will there be pain this time?” she asked, not afraid, but wanting to know, knowing that he would tell her the truth.
