“Aye, but when you and Mairen wed, there will be those amongst them who remain loyal to her. I suggest you hasten your union , handfast as soon as possible, and send word right away to Castle Rait of your marriage. That is, if you are willing.”
Liam’s eyes went to Mairen. “What say you, love? We can say our vows on the morrow and have the union blessed in a fortnight when the priest comes to Moigh Hall.”
“I should be in mourning for my father and brother, but I feel nothing but relief. Is that a sin, Liam?” Her eyes, wide with worry and pain, filled with tears. “You ken I want to be your wife more than anything,” she cried. “I—”
“’Tis no sin, lass. I ken it will take you some time to recover, but there’s no reason we canna handfast.” Liam reached for her hands again.
She nodded through her tears.
“Is there someone at Castle Rait you trust, Mairen?” Malcolm asked.
“Aye, our garrison commander is an honorable man. Father assigned him duty elsewhere during the feast. He knew Wallace would object, and Father feared a rebellion.”
“Does he read?” Liam asked.
“He does.” She nodded.
“Are you willing?” Malcolm prayed she’d prove herself worthy of Liam. “Will you tell the truth of your father’s treachery to your people?”
“Aye, I will tell them the truth, and to our king as well. For surely we will be called upon for an accounting of today’s events.” Mairen’s spine straightened.
“Liam, they will have need of someone to lead them. With you and Mairen wed, ’twould make sense for you to become laird of Castle Rait. If King James approves after he has heard all that has occurred, would you agree to it?”
“I dinna ken if they would accept a MacKintosh as laird.”
“It’s brilliant,” Mairen whispered. “I canna think of a man better suited to lead us. Please, Liam, for my sake, and for the sake of my people, say you will.”
Alethia awoke in her own bed to find herself draped in hot, naked Scot. Her eyes flew open to find the brilliant blue of her husband’s gaze fixed upon her. Their conversation last night had ended in anger. She cast him a wary look and noticed something else. “I’m naked.”
This elicited a low rumble from deep in Malcolm’s chest. “Aye, that you are. I put you to bed last night and didna have the will to clothe you.”
He moved his hips, and she could feel the hard length of his erection pressed against her thigh, causing a wave of answering heat and dampness to spread inside her. “Malcolm…” She pushed at his chest. “This will not fix things between us.”
“I beg your forgiveness.” He whispered into her ear and nuzzled her neck, leaving little kisses as he went. His large hands cradled her face as he looked deeply into her eyes. “I canna bear the thought of something happening to you. I vow I canna. My heart stopped beating when I saw you in the gallery. I won’t live long if I must endure that kind of fear oft. I’m telling you, Alethia, I canna bear it.” He brought his forehead to rest against hers. “I spoke out of fear for you, lass.”
Holding each other tight, neither said a word for several moments. She had never been so grateful in her life. He felt so solid and warm against her, so alive. “I would have done anything to see you safe, Malcolm.” Her throat tightened with emotion, and all she could manage was a raspy whisper. “I beg your forgiveness for putting you through so much. And I’m sorry, but I’d do it all over again if it meant I could hold you once more in my arms.”
She put her arms around his neck. “Don’t you get it? Don’t you know I feel exactly the same way you do? I cannot bear the thought of something happening to you. My God, do you have any idea what it’s been like for me these past few weeks? I saw you die over and over in my visions, and I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Malcolm nudged her thighs apart with one knee and moved to cradle his hips between them. Rocking slightly, he managed to work the tip of his erection between the folds of her already aroused flesh, to tease her with long, slow slides, gliding just so over the sensitive bud that now throbbed with urgency.
She sought his mouth with hers and kissed him with every ounce of feeling she held for him in her heart. Malcolm crushed her into the mattress with the force of his emotions. She welcomed the storm of passion, opening up to take him inside her body and her soul to a place that offered them both refuge against the uncertainty of a world filled with peril.
Later, their limbs still tangled, he gave her the ear beating she knew she deserved. Through it all, she smiled and kissed his face all over as he lectured her about safety, and explained all about how wives were supposed to obey their husbands. “Mmm-mm. OK. I’ve been properly chastised. Now I’m famished. Plus, Hunter, Lydia and Elaine will also want a piece of my hide for causing them worry.”