Page 104 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
“A man can hope.”
36
“What do ye have in this thing?” Adam asked as he lifted her trunk onto the back of the carriage, ignoring the servant trying to help him do it.
“The dresses ye bought me and some books,” she answered innocently.
Adam groaned. “We dinnae need any more books in the castle.”
“One can never have too many books,” her father added, sounding scandalized at Adam’s words.
Emily laughed and turned to face her brother, who was watching Adam with deep mistrust.
“If ye need to return, ye send for me, and I will be there in a moment,” Bruce insisted.
Emily’s heart sank at her brother’s attitude toward Adam, but she could not blame him. All Bruce knew was that her husband was a kidnapper. He had not seen the fierce and protective man that she had grown to care for.
“I willnae need to,” she reassured him, “but I want ye to come and visit as soon as ye can. It is right beside the sea, and I can best ye at archery in a new settin’.”
That got her a smile as Bruce gave her a brief hug before he stepped back, nodding to Adam as he came up behind her. The heavy hand on her shoulder was a welcome comfort.
Her father stepped up to them both, shaking hands with Adam. “Take care of me daughter,” he said, “and I shall see ye both soon.”
Emily took one final look at her old home. She would miss it, of course, but it felt as though her life was finally moving in a new direction.
As they climbed into the carriage, she waved happily to her brother and father. She would miss them, but MacNiall Castle felt more like home to her now. She couldn’t wait for them to visit, couldn’t wait to welcome them as the new Lady MacNiall. Bruce was going tolovethe secret passageways.
She leaned back in her seat as Adam sat opposite her. There was hardly any room between them, and his knees brushed against hers as the carriage lurched forward.
“Are ye happy?” he asked.
“I am,” she said. “Are ye?”
“Of course, I am. I have everythin’ I could have wanted.”
She smiled and watched the scenery pass them by.
“I was just thinkin’ how MacNiall Castle felt like home as soon as I set foot in it,” she said wistfully. “I didnae expect to miss it so much.”
He cocked his head. “So ye have only missed the castle? Is that it?”
She chuckled. “Nae quite. I have also missed the gardens. And Freya.”
Adam’s gaze was growing darker by the minute, and in the confined space of the carriage, she was only too aware of their proximity.
“What else did ye miss?” he asked as he leaned forward, his hands coming to rest beside her thighs.
“The breakfasts,” she added a little breathlessly. “And me room.”
He leaned forward further, his nose brushing against her neck as he nuzzled her. He was so big that it felt like there wasn’t an inch of space between them now.
“Which part of yer room did ye miss the most?” he asked casually. “Was it the chair before the fireplace?” His hands came up to her thighs, one of them running down the length of her leg and bunching the hem of her dress as he slowly pulled it up over her knee. “Or perhaps the view from yer window?” he continued.
She took a shuddering breath. “I dinnae ken.”
“Or was it yer bed?” he asked as his hand moved up her thigh, and her legs fell open as he groaned against her neck. “I think ye missed yer bed most of all.”
She gasped as he pulled her roughly forward so that she was only just able to balance on her seat. Her legs were spread open now, and he pulled her drawers down and over her feet, tossing them aside carelessly.
