Chapter Fifteen
When Gunn sawJocelyn in the hall, looking confused, he wanted to scoop her up in his arms and carry her away to his room. Thoughts of spending the night there, whilst ignoring everyone else here was tempting. But he’d invited everyone so they could be together.
As tempting as the thought was, it would have to wait for another time. Having her as close as possible without her actually being in his room would suffice for now.
“I ken at the inn ye didna have the help ye needed. I apologize for that. To make up for it, I’ve assigned Louise to be your maid. She’ll help ye with whate’er ye need.”
“Flora was very helpful.”
Gunn chuckled. “She is indeed. I dinna think I can e’er replace her.”
He pushed open the door, and a deep sense of pride filled him when she looked around the room in awe.
“This is beautiful, and massive.” She entered the room, spinning around, trying to take it all in.
“I am pleased that ye approve. All of your items should be unpacked. I will let Louise ken ye are here. She’ll assist ye in getting ready for dinner.”
Stepping up to him, she placed her palm on his chest, her fingers playing with his lapels. “Thank you. It seems your kindness knows no bounds.”
“Ye deserve it all. I only hope I can make ye happy.” Placing his hands on her waist, he pulled her closer. Dropped his head to capture his mouth with hers. She accepted willingly, her body melding to his.
His own body roared to life, seeking the release he’d been longing for since he’d first laid eyes on Jocelyn.
They broke the kiss with a sigh. “Dinner will be ready shortly. We shouldna be late.” Then he remembered her worry from earlier. “How did it go with the ladies? Did ye get on well?”
She smiled, nodding her head. “Swimmingly, actually. They are all very kind and warm-hearted.” She traced his cheek with a delicate finger. “They all care for you very much.”
“I am glad to hear that your nerves were for naught. I figured as much, but one can ne’er be sure until placed into the situation. But I do recall telling ye that they would love ye.”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Right you were. I shouldn’t have worried. They’re lovely. I look forward to spending time getting to know all of them better.”
That statement made him happy. It meant that she had no intention of leaving. He hadn’t thought she did, but if she and the wives didn’t get along, then it would have been hard to convince her to stay. Luckily, as expected, there was no issue.
“I’ll let Louise ken to come up. I’ll be back to escort ye to dinner, aye?”
She stood in the middle of the room, a smile on her lips, as she wrung her hands together. A gesture he noticed she did a lot. At first he thought it was just when she was nervous, but she did it so often that he didn’t think that was the case.
“I would love that. Thank you.”
He gave her a curt bow and left the room. Needing to get ready himself, he quickly found Louise and sent her to Jocelyn’s room.
Back in his own room, he bathed the scent of the day’s travel off and dressed in a clean linen shirt, blue trousers, and a matching waistcoat. Tying his cravat, he eyed himself in the looking glass. Never before had he cared so much about how his looks came across to other people. But now with Jocelyn, he couldn’t stop. He wanted to ensure that he equaled her in dress.
He shook his head, mumbling to the empty room about the person he’d come to be.
One thing was for certain. He couldn’t get the image of Jocelyn getting ready in the next room off his mind. Jocelyn in the bath, drops of water running in rivulets down her body, over her breasts, trailing down, lower, lower, until they disappeared into the water right before they could reach her nestle of curls.
Hell. God should strike him down now for coveting another man’s wife, even if that so-called man didn’t deserve to have Jocelyn in his life. Once again he thought about the impending showdown the two of them would have. Gunn was confident he would come out victorious, or rather, Jocelyn would. She was the one who deserved to be free. Deserved to make her own choices.
She’d already taken the first step by running. If only it was that easy.
He’d deal with Townsend and ensure he never again touched Jocelyn. That he didn’t even look in her direction. Never thought of her again. Because one thing was for certain, Jocelyn was his.
And not because that was what he wanted, but because it was what she wanted.
After nursing a whisky in his room to give Jocelyn enough time to get ready for dinner, he knocked softly on her door.
Louise opened it, curtsied and left them alone.
