“Very slowly, I doona wish to hurt ye.” Guiding her, he sunk inside her as she lowered herself on top of him.
It felt so different. Though she was overly sensitive between her legs, no pain ensued. Instinctively, she started to roll her hips while Alex held on.
“That’s it, lass. Doona stop.”
She’d never thought it possible that a woman could take control. She liked it, perhaps more than she should. But just as she was getting familiar with how to move, Alex lifted her and carried her to the wall. He pressed her back against the cold, smooth stones, holding her up while he thrust inside her. Was there no end to the pleasure? No end to how many ways her new husband could bed her?
Alex stopped moving and bit his lower lip. “I canna hold it, lass. I am sorry for it.”
She dinna care, he’d already given her so much enjoyment, so much hope.
Once he stopped convulsing, he lifted her chin and placed a kiss on her lips. “We should sleep now.”
They walked hand-in-hand back to the bed. As she slipped under the furs, Keely couldna remember a time when she felt so content. Alex turned on his side and pulled her close, keeping an arm around her. “Sleep well, milady,” he whispered.
She smiled as she closed her eyes, hoping her dreams were as sweet as the memories she’d made with her husband that night.
Chapter Fifteen
Despite the temptationto stay with his wife, Alex knew there was much work to be done. He was careful not to make too much noise as he slipped out of the bed to find his clothes. Aye—the night couldna have gone better. Keely was everything a man could want in bed. Her scent lingered all over him, and he liked it that way. He washed his face and hands, then dressed. Once his boots were on, he walked to the door and knocked four times.
The bolt slid back and one of the guards opened it for him. “Good morn, Laird Alex,” Iain said with a stupid smile.
Alex nodded and stepped into the corridor. “Let my wife sleep. When she is ready, she is free to walk about the keep and bailey. But one of ye must stay with her at all times.”
“Aye,” Iain said.
Alex made his way belowstairs, and was welcomed by the council and his captains.
“Food,” he demanded, claiming his seat at the high table.
A maid set a trencher of warm oats in front of him, then filled his cup with ale.
“Ye survived the long night. Did ye bring the sheet?” Mathe asked.
“What sheet?” Alex swallowed his first bite of food.
“The bloody sheet from yer bridal bed,” Mathe explained. “To provide the necessary evidence of yer wife’s purity. There’s been much talk of it.”
“And who is entitled to see it?”
“The council, your captains, and perhaps any clan member who is interested. This marriage isna a private affair, milord. Hundreds of people are depending on ye, on Lady MacKay, to set things right, to heal the wounds so cruelly inflicted by the past and the Sutherlands. In short, Alex, hope.”
“And a blasted sheet will give ye that hope?” He couldna understand why any of them would doubt his ability to determine whether his young bride was an innocent or not. “My word should suffice. I did see virgin’s blood.”
Mathe leaned closer and spoke quietly. “I believe ye.”
“Let that be enough.”
“Nay.”
“What do ye mean, nay?”
“There are those like Angus. Tenants filled with superstitions who need to see the physical evidence to satisfy their doubts. The sheet should be hung from the window in yer bedchamber or even here in the great hall.”
Alex growled with disapproval. “I dinna bed my wife in the usual way.”
Mathe raised a brow. “Milord?”
