In Bed With A Stranger(39)

“What I crave is a family, Brother. It’s something that comes with manhood. Chasing a wildcat for a few rounds of blistering passion is no longer what I need. I want to lay awake on the trail and know that there is a woman waiting for me in my bed. Maybe even praying that I’ll arrive home safely. I want to see her cradling our babe, suckling it with her own breast, because she’s happy being my wife, and mothering my children.”

Brodick smiled at his brother. They had always enjoyed taunting each other. The only one who needled him better was his sister. Fiona hid behind her feminine grace, trouncing both of them when it came to verbal attacks.

“I hope ye gain that, Brodick.” Cullen was serious, his face pensive. “Yet I’m suspicious of yer bride. Something is nae clear about her.”

Brodick agreed. “It disnae matter. Once Agnes is finished with this inspection, I’ll get on with welcoming my bride to the family. It won’t make any difference what she was thinking. All that will be important is our future. She’s in a foreign place surrounded by strangers. It’s expected that she’ll need time to settle in.”

“Spoken like a true McJames.”

Brodick felt his anxiety fade. He was the McJames and Mary would adjust. Agnes appeared at the top of the stairs and he felt his shoulders tighten in spite of his resolutions. Mary was correct about one thing. Men didn’t know a great deal about a woman’s body being sound for marriage. What a man sought were things that nature designed to attract his interest. That was the main reason that marriage was more of a business transaction. It was the wiser course of action. Letting lust lead the way was bound to land a man in a poor match both in dowry and children. He was a large man; taking a petite female to his bed would be like a death sentence for her. Inspections had begun to prevent uneven pairs. It made sense, but his lust was trying to argue with logic. He should be disciplined enough to ignore his rising attraction.

But he wasn’t.

His cock was straight and swollen again. The thing demanded he cut through all the formalities and get down to what he craved. The idea of tradition was beginning to sound foul as customs blocked his path. Desire was ripping through years of practiced discipline and it was the honest truth that he was enjoying the burn.

He moved toward Agnes with determination. The midwife approached him but stopped, waving her sons away when they stood to go to her side.

“My lord.” She lowered her head, waiting for him to ask her for her findings. That was the time-honored way of lord and vassal.

“Is my bride fit to assume her duties?”

“I believe she is.”

Satisfaction surged through him but Agnes held up a wrinkled hand.

“She is most concerned that her mother didnae produce any sons and that she may follow in those footsteps. Disappointing ye. She considers the production of children a serious responsibility.”

“Life is full of uncertainty. You cannae spend yer days never trying. Any bride I take would have that worry to contend with.”

Agnes pursed her lips, disliking his tone. The reprimand hit that spot inside him that was still a boy when it came to her. The midwife aimed a hard stare at him.

“A bride who plans to avoid disappointing her husband is as valuable as one who’s eager to please the desires of youth. I found yer new wife to be a woman of forethought.”

“Ye have my gratitude.”

Agnes lowered herself, just a tiny amount, before gesturing to her sons.

“May yer union   be blessed with healthy children. I will look forward to being summoned to the lady in the fall.”

Brodick offered Agnes a small pouch. She looked at it but only stroked the silver brooch at her shoulder.

“Ye’re a stubborn woman, Agnes.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

With a cheeky grin, the midwife turned to join her family. She’d never accepted payment from the lord’s family. His mother had ordered the brooch made and gifted it to her in order to get around the stubborn streak. Agnes might refuse payment, considering her service owed to the noble family who owned the land her family farmed, but she could not refuse a gift from the lady of the house. That would be rude. It would be interesting to see how Mary dealt with the woman.

Because his bride would be staying. God willing, Agnes would be back.



“Why are ye dressing?”

Helen looked disappointed when she returned to discover Anne halfway into her dress. It was only the stays that she needed help with lacing.

“There’s no need for anyone to bring trays to my chamber. I shall eat below.”

“Och, ye’re such a considerate one.”

Helen moved behind her to begin tying her corset in place. “It will please the folks greatly, too, I’ll no deny that. They are a might curious about the new mistress. There were a few rumors of how English ladies like their pampering that had us wondering.”