Page 229 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

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"I thought the bedding-in was meant to be o' us, nae o' half the village!"

Ainslee grumbled, but inside, she was laughing. The wedding party had been long, their dancing and reels lasting into the night.

Slowly, the procession had rounded the hill, from the McDonald barn, up to the ancient realm of the Duncan keep… And with them, the entire village, dancing along.

It was exhausting, but as Ainslee sank into Malcolm's arms, it was already the best night of her life...And it was not over yet!

Carrying her over the threshold, Malcolm kissed her, tenderly. But as they entered, Ainslee gave a gasp. The entire chamber was bedecked in flowers. Ainslee blinked, as the heady scent of bluebells, daffodils and hyacinth seduced her.

But it was to the bed, in bold mahogany, that her eyes were drawn. Curtains drawn, at the center of the room, its allure was hidden in silks.

The room's richness dazzled; mahoganies and oaks, with silver and gilt all over. And at its heart, a steaming hot bath, tempting her in.

"Welcome, Mrs. Duncan," laughed Malcolm, throwing her onto the bed. "Get yersel' ready noo!"

Ainslee squealed as she flew through the air. Then, when she landed, she screamed louder.

"Oof!" There was something there! An arm poked out of the bed. In the candlelight it was hard to see for sure. Affrighted, Ainslee leaped in the air.

"Jings! What is it?"

Pulling the covers back, Malcolm laughed. There, asleep in the bed was Ainslee's father! Ainslee yelped out loud.

"God's bones...!" she clacked. There he lay, reeking of whiskey, chest bobbing up and down as he snored. Silently, Ainslee cursed.

Prodding him, Malcolm peeled back the sheets, to reveal... a second body!

Both Ainslee and Malcolm stared. A second man, this time an aged clan elder, lay almost wrapped in his arms. Both of them smelt strongly of liquor.

Malcolm shook his head, grinning.

"I thought the bedding-in was meant to be for us, an' nae them!"

He grinned at Ainslee, before starting to wake them. The wedding party had been raucous and long, and as was tradition, several revelers had gone to "bed in" the happy couple.

Somehow, they had fallen asleep before the couple got there, and now they were asleep in their bed!

Malcolm went to rouse them, but Ainslee shook her head. "Ye'll have to lift him," she said. "Father sleeps like a stone, only mair noisily!"

She was not wrong. Mister McDonald's mouth fell open, in protracted snoring, as Malcolm lifted him up. Then, groaning, he looked around and blinked.

"Ainslee?" said Mister McDonald, faintly. "Where... where is this?"

Malcolm put him down, swiftly. Ainslee sighed. He was clearly very drunk. Somehow, they got both of them out of the room, before bolting the door very tightly. Then, Malcolm stood with his back to the door and grinned.

"Any mair?"

Ainslee burst out laughing; a thick, guttural laughter that rocked her ribs. Everything was madness. The tension of the day unfurled within her.

Watching her, fascinated, was Malcolm. Coming over, he kissed her on her ear. "Yer beautiful," he said, kissing her hard. Then, he slid down to her neck, kissing the nape.

Slowly, he filled her with kisses, from the tip to the bottom of her throat, whereupon he caressed her shoulders, igniting her senses more.

"More," moaned Ainslee, although in truth, he had only just got started.

"In good time," chided Malcolm, his eyes wide with desire. Ainslee liked the look of him there; wild, alive, and abandoned. His thick shoulders lifted her up, making her scream madly.