Page 76 of Bride of the Mad Laird
Although MacGregor’s face was pale, and he winced as he took his seat, making it clear he was still in great pain, he was much improved since Lyra had helped Eilidh attend to him the day before. He struggled to his feet as Tòrr walked up.
“Dinna fash, lad. I dinnae expect ye tae stand fer. I’m happy tae se ye improving.”
She saw the look of devotion in the lad’s eyes. Tòrr was a true warrior. He was not only a fierce fighter and a wise leader, but one who commanded the loyalty and admiration of his men. In turn, he protected them as he did all who were under his command and under his roof. Her heart swelled with pride. She was one to whom he had offered her his protection and had sworn on his life to keep her safe.
“So ye finally made yer decision, milady.” Eilidh was by her side speaking softly so that only Lyra could hear. “Ye followed the dictates of yer heart, in the end.”
Lyra gave a small laugh. “I thank ye fer yer guidance, Eilidh, I ken I am daeing what is right fer me. Even as I long fer me own land.”
Eilidh nodded. “The Laird Tòrr will make ye a fine husband.”
When the last of the guests had finally departed, Tòrr rose and helped Lyra to her feet.
“At last, they’ve left us,” he said grinning.
“I am tired, I’ve ne’er spoken tae so many folk in one day.” Lyra stifled a yawn. “Yet it was heartening that so many hold us in their thoughts.”
He escorted her from the hall and up the stairs. When they reached the door of her chamber, he folded her into his arms and she leaned her head against his chest.
“Eilidh has told me of it.” Her heart was beating fast.
“Told ye what?”
“She has told me what happens between a lass and a lad on their wedding night.”
“Oh,” he said with studied indifference, yet his arms tightened around her.
“I have learned what a kiss is like.” She smiled. “But I cannae imagine the rest of it.”
He groaned softly. “I’ll be happy tae show ye.”
He smelled of whisky and leather and the sweaty scent she’d come to savor, and she felt his breath in her hair. His words made her breath hitch and her limbs turn to liquid.
Behind her, he unlatched the door of her chamber and shoved it open with his knee. Then, in one powerful movement he hoisted her into his arms and carried her into the room, pushing the door closed behind them as they went.
“Are ye to show me now?” Her voice came out a little shrill with nervousness. “I’m nae certain I am ready. Should we nae wait until our vows are made before the priest?”
He gave a low laugh that, to her ears, sounded like a warm growl in his throat.
“Aye, we’ll wait. I’ll nay take yer maidenhood until we are wed, dinnae fear. But there are many ways of love I can yet savor wi’ ye.”
He stepped across to the bed with her in his arms and laid her on her back before him, taking care to undo every tiny braid and spread her hair on the pillow.
“Have ye bedded many lasses afore me?”
“Mayhap I have, but I dinnae remember anyone but ye.” He shook his head, his eyes soot-dark as they met her gaze. “Yer kisses last night erased everything from me head.”
She pouted, pulling him down beside her. “Are ye certain of that, me laird? That ye dinnae think of another lass?”
“Aye. Once yer precious lips touched mine, anything I’d ever kent was gone in a trice.”
He slid his long length along the bed and lay beside her. She raised a hand to toy with his hair.
“When we are wed, I shall take off yer clothes stitch by stitch.” He ran his fingers along the buttons at the front of her dress. “And then, when yer gown is undone, ye shall raise yer arms for me and I shall take it from ye so that I may see more of that soft skin.”
She gave a little gasp as his fingers trailed across the bare flesh at her shoulder and down, stroking over her chest.
He cupped the perfect mounds of her breasts, allowing his thumb to stray over the place where her nubs were puckering beneath the cloth of her gown. “And when these delicious globes are naked, I shall take the hard nubs in me mouth.”
