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Gillian glanced at the single beam of sunlight streaming into the chamber and sighed. When she looked back at him, she voiced her thoughts aloud. “A glorious morn to be sure.”

Reluctantly pulling himself away, Graeme began to move about the room, cleaning himself and preparing for the day. When he glanced back, Gillian was sitting up. Seeing the look on his face, she immediately dropped the coverlet from her breasts, and it took every bit of Graeme’s strength of will for him not to take advantage of the two round, full mounds that stared back at him.

He groaned, his well-used cock responding as it should.

“Nay,” he said, more to himself than Gillian, who in fact had not said a word. What he had planned was just too important.

“I have something to tell you,” he blurted, glancing back at her glorious body. Now fully dressed, he sat on the side of the bed, giving in to temptation for just one moment. He reached out to fondle Gillian’s breasts, sliding closer to her for just one more taste. But rather than pull her nipple into his mouth, he pulled away.

“I will never accomplish anything from this day forward,” he murmured.

He tried to focus again, this time walking toward the door before turning to speak to her. Amused, Gillian cocked her head to the side and waited.

“So what is it you have to tell me?” she asked.

He could very happily forget every duty, rip off his clothes, and climb back into bed with the woman he loved. But it was because of that love that he would not.

At least not yet.

“Aye, but not until we find Allie.”

“My sister?”

“The very same one.” He flicked the iron lock and opened the door, though not too wide, lest anyone get a glimpse of the May Day beauty languishing in his bed.

Their bed.

“Hurry down,” he said, excited now. “I will find your sister.”

Before she could ask further questions, he left to do just that. Sure enough, she and Aidan already sat at the head table with their heads tipped together, speaking of something they clearly did not want others to hear.

“Good morn,” he said, smiling.

Aidan and Allie exchanged glances, both greeting him with wary expressions.

“I see you haven’t yet broken your fast?” he said to Allie.

She shook her head.

“Then can I have a private word first?”

While he waited, his sister-in-law stood and followed him from the hall. He led the way to his private chamber at the back of the hall, the windowless one that made him feel as if he couldn’t breathe.

Spotting Fiona and Morgan, he gestured to them. “Will you please send Gillian back here when she arrives?”

As he walked by his brother, Aidan gave him a curious glance. He indicated, without speaking, that he would explain later.

“Please sit,” he told Allie. She very delicately placed herself on a cushioned chair.

“Why am I here, Graeme?”

“Indeed,” a voice behind him added. “Why are we both here?”

Though he’d been elated before, excited to speak to them and hopeful they would approve, when faced with both Gillian and her sister, Graeme began to doubt himself. But the deed had been done, and there was nothing more to do than explain himself.

“If you’d like to sit—”

“Nay, Graeme, just tell me what is happening. You’re making my stomach do little flips in anticipation.”