“Aye,” Hamish put in. “She is fair smitten, right enough!”
9
They spent the evening amongst the hospitable crofters, and Emilia listened to all their banter and superstitious tales of faeries and banshees while the weather outside became colder and rainier. After a while the wind began to howl and the fire in the kitchen started to sputter. It was time for bed.
The family usually slept on straw mattresses on the kitchen floor, but the two oldest boys, Broch and Wee Hamish, offered their beds to Emilia and Adam. Emilia would not hear of it.
“Absolutely not,” she said firmly. “We have put you to enough trouble. We will sleep in the barn.”
“I agree,” said Adam, nodding at Ina to make sure she understood.
Ina looked at Hamish, who shrugged.
“If that is the way ye want it then I willnae argue with ye.” She bustled over to a big shelf that contained folded blankets and took out two, then gave them to Emilia. Mara had fallen asleep in Adam’s arms and as he put her down gently on her bed she gave a little sigh and stuck her thumb in her mouth. He had never seen anyone who evoked so much tenderness in him.
Ina took them out to the barn and left a lantern for them.
“How can I thank you for all your kindness?” Emilia asked with tears in her eyes.
“Nae need hen.” Ina patted her shoulder and smiled. “Somebody else will dae it for me someday.”
They thanked the farmer’s wife then Emilia shook her head in wonder. “Such goodness,” she said softly.
Adam reflected that it was a welcome change, but then they had not guessed that he was English.
Emilia was glad that Adam could not read her thoughts because she was delighted that things had turned out this way. Lying with Adam, even if it were only to sleep, was the most wonderful thing she could imagine.
She spread one of the blankets on the floor, but it soon became apparent that they would have to share their body heat by snuggling close together, otherwise they would have frozen.
“Thank God it is not December!” Emilia said in a heartfelt tone. “I do not think we would have lasted the night!”
She had left a few inches of space between them, afraid to touch him in case he thought she was being too familiar, then she realized that perhaps she was not being familiar enough.
Emilia had no idea that she was making him yearn for her too. To have this beautiful woman lying next to him and not be able to touch her was torture. He closed his eyes and tried to will himself to sleep, but he was still too cold.
Adam closed the gap between them. “I am sorry, Emilia,” he said regretfully, “but we are never going to stay warm like this.” His warmth and nearness were immensely comforting, and it was all she could do not to beg him to take her in his arms. “But please do not tell my betrothed.”
Emilia’s heart skipped a beat. “Betrothed? Why did you not tell me that you were betrothed before?”
“It has only just happened!” he replied. “Mara proposed to me and I accepted. It would break her little heart if I left her standing at the altar!”
There was a momentary pause before Emilia began to laugh. “You will pay for that!” she threatened.
In the faint light of the lantern, Emilia could see that Adam’s cheeks had grown dark with stubble, which she longed to touch. She had always found it one of the most alluring qualities about men; that, the little bump in their throats, and their hairy chests—as long as they were not too hairy! As well as that, they had muscles that were much stronger and bigger than hers. Oh, how she wanted to be imprisoned in Adam’s strong arms! However, she could say nothing unless she wanted him to think she was a certain kind of woman, and that was not her aim at all.
He turned to her and murmured, “Mistress Emilia, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” His voice was low, husky, and sent a thrill through her that went all the way to her secret place. She was moist there and felt a sweet, pleasant ache that she had never experienced before. She had no words for how good it felt, but it was also frustrating because she wanted more. But more of what?
More of Adam,she thought. Her whole body was begging for him.
Adam heard her breathing quicken. He looked into her lovely green eyes and felt himself stiffen. Then he put out a hand to caress her cheek and watched her lips part, and suddenly he could not help himself.
“Forgive me,” he said raggedly, as he kissed her gently, caressing her lips with his and teasing them with the tip of his tongue. She cupped her hand around his cheek and felt the rasp of bristle under her palms. It aroused her body even more, making the ache stronger and flooding her core with more moisture. She moaned with pleasure. She was in heaven.
When he drew away from her she saw that his eyes had darkened with desire. Having her in his arms was the single most wonderful experience he had had since he became a man. The pleasure of bedding another woman and coming to the ultimate fulfillment was nothing compared to this.
Then she ran her thumb along his lips and he smiled. “Why did you do that?” she asked. “And ask me to forgive you?”
“Because I could not help myself,” he whispered. “I have wanted you since the first moment I saw you, and lying here with you is like a dream come true. I have told you that I have been with many women...but not like this.”
