“I heard your voices, Madeleine,” he answered, studying her quizzically. “I was a bit too wrapped up in my project in here to pay much attention to what you were saying. Why, did I miss some interesting village gossip?”
Madeleine gulped, forcing a light laugh. “Gossip? Och, if ye mean Kitty’s discussion of her latest beau, aye, then ye missed some fine gossip. She’s spurned two young lads since I’ve been gone, or so she told me.” She fumbled for the latch, swinging the door closed behind her.
“But I thought the girls were to help you today?”
She froze, her retreat stayed once more. “Ye know these lassies,” she said over her shoulder, feigning a nonchalant tone. “They decided they’d best go bramble picking this morning before a frost kills the berries. They might be back in the afternoon if they’re able to fill their baskets by then.”
Madeleine quickly closed the door without waiting for a reply and hurried into the drawing room.
A half truth was better than none, she thought as she began to sweep furiously. She only hoped she would be able to keep all of her stories straight and warn Kitty and Meg in time so they wouldn’t give her away if they did return to help her in the afternoon.
Beaus and brambles indeed. How did she think up such things?
***
Garrett stood in the midst of the floury mess he’d created, thoughtfully rubbing his left cheek. It still stung, but the unexpected kiss he and Madeleine had shared had been well worth the slap.
Just as last evening had been well worth the frustrating nights spent alone in country inns and chasing sleep in a tent. Both were welcome signs that her defenses against him were crumbling and that he had a fighting chance to win her love.
Maddie Fraser. His beautiful, defiant, and reluctant bride.
How long would it take him to find some measure of acceptance with her people, and, he hoped, favor and acceptance in her own heart? How long would it take before he would hear words of love mingling with her sweet cries of passion? Weeks? Months?
“Patience, man,” Garrett said under his breath, the recent memory of her kiss etched indelibly in his mind. “It’s the only way you’ll win her. You must have patience.” It was enough for now that they were sleeping together, enough that she was yielding at last to her desire. Perhaps tonight she might surrender again…
He walked silently to the window and gazed outside at the double row of wagons, filled with every manner of household goods he had thought Madeleine’s people might need after their recent devastation. He glanced beyond the wagons to the makeshift corral where the cattle were confined. He could hardly wait until his men arrived from Fort Augustus, so that he could set his plan into motion.
Yes, he had a grand plan, but it was far different than the one of which Madeleine had accused him. He would prove to the Frasers of Strathherrick an Englishman could be trusted, on his own and without any help from her. He was committed to this plan with his whole heart and soul. So much depended on its success.
Garrett clenched his fist against the window frame.
However long it took him, Madeleine was worth it. Her rare smiles were worth it, as was her laughter, her kiss, and her love.
***
Late that night, Madeleine crept quietly into the dark bedchamber, her heart fluttering madly within her breast.
Was Garrett asleep? She stopped and listened for a moment, relieved to hear him breathing evenly. Aye.
As she stole across the floor to the screen, she glanced at the hearth. Only faintly glowing embers remained of the fire she had stoked there after supper, hours ago. She had purposely kept herself busy with other household tasks since then, and she wasn’t even sure when Garrett had retired for the night.
Madeleine quickly changed into her cambric nightdress, then walked silently toward the bed. She held her breath while she lifted the covers and climbed in next to him, fearful of the rustling sounds she was making. She started when her fingers accidentally brushed against his muscled thigh, her blood thundering through her veins as she realized he was naked.
She began to roll over onto her side, thinking to sleep as far away from him as possible, when his arm caught her around the waist and pulled her back. She gasped, struggling, but he held her so tightly she could not escape him.
“You’re not the only one accomplished at feigning sleep,” he said, nuzzling her nape. He pushed away her hair and kissed the hollow at the base of her throat. “I’ve been waiting for you, sweet Madeleine.”
She gave a small cry as his hand found her breast, his fingertip stroking her through the thin nightdress. She felt the wildfire ignite within her, melting her resolve in a blaze of heat and desire. He captured her lips, and she was lost….
Chapter 30
Madeleine whisked the crisp linen sheet over the aired mattress, and Meg caught it on the other side.
“So ye’re saying Major Marshall and his soldiers finished two more stone cottages yesterday, and none of the villagers will claim them?” she asked as she deftly smoothed and tucked in the clean sheet.
“Aye, Maddie,” Meg replied, finishing a corner. Flushed with exertion, the plump maidservant stood upright and caught her end of the thick tartan blanket. “And they’ll stay empty, too, along with the other twelve. We’ll have nothing to do with the major’s handiwork. My da says he’d rather live in a drafty hovel ‘til he can finish his own cottage than dwell in one built by King Geordie’s spy.”
“And what of the wagons Major Marshall left by the church?” Madeleine queried. “Has anyone taken any of the things he brought from Edinburgh yet?”
