Page 116 of Edge of Yesterday

She went up on tiptoe and, before he realized her intent, brushed her lips against his, then turned and walked toward the stairs.

Cailean drank until his surroundings began to blur. He was sure it had to be close to two in the morning. The ‘middle of the small hours’ as medieval Scots would say. Lifting a hand, he rubbed the back of his neck, still amazed to find himself here. Especially in the thick of his own wedding feast. Lord and Lady Ravenstone had retired some time ago, but the guests were still celebrating. He considered that a good thing. If they passed out in the great hall, no one would think it strange he hadn’t gone up to Julianna’s room.

Someone clapped him on his back. “More ale, lad?”

Cailean turned his head and looked at Brodie, who lowered himself onto the seat beside him. Lennox sat on the other side of him. Cailean watched as Brodie filled his mug. The liquid blurred as it flowed from the pitcher. Brodie poured ale into Lennox’s mug, filled his own, then set the pitcher down. Brodie pushed Cailean’s mug closer to him.

“A toast.”

Cailean swung his gaze onto him. The man’s face blurred.

Brodie lifted his mug, then nodded at Cailean’s ale. Cailean grabbed his mug.

Brodie stood and boomed, “To the groom!”

A loud cheer went up and they emptied their mugs.

Cailean took a big swig and his head swam. He would have one hell of a massive hangover tomorrow, but he wouldn’t be the only one.

“To bed,” shouted a male voice.

Cailean looked around, searching the crowd for the man who had shouted. His vision distorted into two—no, three sets. He gave his head a hard shake.

“To bed,” called another man.

It seemed everyone in the room converged on him. Strong fingers grasped his shoulders and pulled him to his feet.

“What the hell?” Then he realized what was happening. They intended to parade him upstairs to Julianna’s room. His head cleared in an instant.

Bloody hell!

Cailean swung his gaze onto Lennox. “This is ridiculous. Julianna is no maid. There’s no need to confirm I can perform my duties.”

“Ye can try to convince them it isnae necessary.” Lennox nodded at the crowd that was nearly upon them.

“Lads,” Cailean began, but broke off when he was suddenly lifted into the air on two broad shoulders, Brodie on his left and Lennox to his right. Cailean glimpsed the faint smile on Lennox’s mouth.

“Damn you,” Cailean muttered as the men started toward the stairs, and the smile curved upward enough to tell Cailean that Lennox had heard him.

They reached the narrow staircase and the men lowered him to the floor, then crowded around and pushed him up the stairs. On the third floor, they turned left and passed half a dozen doors before stopping at the one he knew had to open into Julianna’s room.

“That’s far enough.” Cailean dug in his heels, but someone pushed the door open and shoved him inside. He stumbled backwards into the room, then spun to find himself two feet from a large, curtained four-poster bed. The thick brocade curtain facing him was drawn back to the foot of the bed and revealed Julianna sitting upright. Her long blonde hair tumbled around her shoulders in disarray. She stared, eyes wide.

She’d been sleeping, he realized, and she looked sexy as hell. The blanket had fallen to her lap and he couldn’t tear his gaze from her breasts, straining against the white fabric of her chemise. His cock jerked and began to rise. Christ, if he didn’t gain control of the situation he was going to botch things up royally.

Her brow furrowed and he knew she was thinking the same thing he was: she was no maid, so why observe the wedding night tradition? Because the medievals were a lecherous lot, that was why.

Cailean turned to order everyone out, but half a dozen women pushed past him. He twisted and looked over his shoulder to see them pull Julianna from bed. She looked downright indecent in the thin shift. Strong hands grasped his shoulders and a man pulled his sash down over his shoulder. A woman stepped up to him and started unbuttoning his shirt.

“What” –he began before realizing what they were doing.

They weren’t just escorting the groom to the bride’s bedchamber. They intended to strip him and Julianna naked so that each could give their final approval of the other before the lovemaking began. He scanned the crowd, his gaze catching on Triumph in her scabbard, lying on a chest at the foot of the bed. He spotted Crowe in the back of the throng. His hand rested on that damned dagger and he watched, eyes intense. A tiny smile curved his mouth.

He knows, Cailean thought, but knows what?

Lennox turned and Cailean reached out, grasped his arm and yanked him close. “Get him out.”

Lennox frowned.