Rescued by a Highlander(70)

“How am I supposed to dress and undress with my arm like this?” she sighed in frustration.

“Let someone help you,” he whispered near her ear. He stood behind her and helped to untangle her arms and remove the night rail.

He stood so close to her she could feel his heat, even through the material. His scent washed through her senses, reminding her of the day he had rescued her, how he smelled on his horse. She remembered how gentle he had been when he pulled her gown from the dried blood on her back. She gave in to him and let him control her movement. His hands ran down her body as he helped her put the gown on. She leaned back into him and felt his hardness. She shivered.

“Are you cold, lass?” Alex asked as he turned her and pulled her into his arms.

She shook her head as his mouth descended on hers. She opened her mouth for him as his tongue pressed against her lip. Maddie wrapped one arm around his neck and pushed against him. She couldn’t stop the little moan in the back of her throat as he deepened the kiss, begging for more.

Alex heard her moan and pulled her up hard against him. He ran his hands over her soft bottom. He had wanted her for so long he swore as soon as his hardness touched her flesh he would embarrass himself and lose his seed instantly. He set her away from him as soon as he heard footsteps in the hallway. The door flung open and Alice marched in.

Alice stopped her advance and gasped, her hand going immediately to her mouth as she took in Maddie’s dazed look and drew her own conclusions. Alex noticed how red and swollen Maddie’s lips were. She immediately flushed with embarrassment when Alice glared at her. Alice picked up one of Maddie’s storybooks made of parchment and promptly swatted Alex across the back of his head.

“Just as I thought, you swine. This is not proper. You will not treat her like this. You are not to be alone with her until after you are wed. Why, her mother is probably rolling in her grave as we speak!”

Maddie’s eyes were big as saucers. “Alice, you hit Laird Grant. That is not your place!”

Alice’s chin jutted forward. “Perhaps not, but I won’t take it back. I promised your mother that I would take care of you, Madeline, and I will not let this man, laird or not, take advantage of you.”

Alex squelched the grin on his face and before he knew it, found himself shoved out the door by a petite commander as she continued to rant. He turned and caught a quick glimpse of Madeline before he was ousted and caught her fighting a smile. He was propelled right into a grinning Robbie.

“Huh!” Robbie said. “What do you suppose that is all about? Any ideas, brother?” His eyes sparkled as he ducked Alex’s swing. Robbie turned and ran down the stairs, laughing all the way.

***

Eventually, Alex returned to carry Madeline downstairs to the great hall. He sat her at the main dais, but ordered the food to wait. He moved her chair away from the table, facing the door. Robbie, Brodie, Brenna, Alice and Mac were present as if they were waiting for something. They acted peculiar, but she couldn’t fathom their intent. Jennie positioned herself at Maddie’s side, a big smile lighting up her face.

“What is this about?” Madeline asked as she searched everyone’s face.

Alex motioned for Brodie to go to the door. He turned to Maddie and said, “There are some members of my clan that have been asking to speak to you.”

The door opened and Moira came in with Emma in her arms. Maddie was taken aback at the expression on Moira’s face.

She marched up to the dais and curtsied to Maddie, “My lady, I came to thank you for saving my wee Emma.” She set Emma down and placed a package in her tiny hands, pointing her in Maddie’s direction. Emma waddled over, offering the package to her with a big smile.

As Emma walked, Moira continued, “I also wish to apologize for the way I treated you. I was wrong, and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. You are truly a fine lady.”

Tears welled in Maddie’s eyes as she opened the package. Inside, she found a bar of lavender scented soap.

“I made it with me own hands, my lady. I hope you like it.”

Madeline held the soap up to her face to take in the sweet scent. “It is lovely, Moira. Thank you, I will treasure it.” She gave Moira an awkward hug, cradling her broken arm, and said, “Of course, I forgive you.” Emma reached to give Maddie a kiss and Moira curtsied and left.

Maddie turned to Alex, only managing to offer, “Oh, Alex!”

The door opened again and wee Tommy scrambled up the steps to Maddie. Followed by his mother, he bowed to Maddie and handed her a glorious bouquet of dried flowers. “Me Ma and I picked them and dried them ourselves awhile ago, but we want you to have them, my lady.”