Page 72 of The Scot is Hers
Alec looked genuinely terrified at that prospect and shook his head vehemently. “We’ll go to Edinburgh.”
By the end of the day, they’d arrived in Aberdeen, where they boarded the ship Jaime had sent for them. The Andrewson Shipping Company that Jaime owned had been thriving. While they were mostly well known for being a cargo carrier, they had recently begun incorporating passenger travel into their business as an additional service.
“Welcome aboard, my lord, my lady,” an enthusiastic young woman with glasses said as she swept into a low bow. Rather than a gown, she wore breeches, a starched shirt and a frockcoat in Sutherland colors. “I’m Emilia, the Duchess of Sutherland’s assistant. She sent me to welcome ye aboard theDuke’s Sails.”
Giselle instantly remembered the amiable, hard worker from years before when she’d first met her. “Lovely to see ye again, Emilia,” Giselle said.
Emilia looked slightly embarrassed. “Ah, begging your pardon, my lady, for no’ recognizing ye right away. A blunder on my part that I do apologize for.”
“Oh, ye need no’ apologize. I’m certain ye must meet many people, and it has been quite some time since I visited Jaime’s ships. No offense taken.”
Emilia grinned. “Thank ye, my lady. Ye’re too kind. If ye would accompany me, I shall take ye to the cabin where ye may enjoy a rest from your long journey. The moon is high and the wind excellent this evening, so we plan to set sail soon and arrive at the Leith docks in the morning.”
Giselle was grateful for that because she was incredibly tired and hoped the boat's rocking would lull her into a deep sleep, so she was fresh when they arrived.
“Would ye prefer two cabins?” Emilia said, her back to them as she led the way.
Giselle bit her lip and glanced up at Alec. Were they supposed to want two cabins? She loved sleeping beside him, curling into his strong embrace and feeling safe and loved. “I think one should suffice.”
Emilia sighed with relief, glancing behind her. “Good, because we only prepared for one, thinking of their Graces. Ye’re in the minority. Alas, I probably should have kept that to myself. Here we are.” She pushed open the door to an opulent cabin with a massive, carved-oak four-poster bed, a matching wardrobe and a round table with two chairs, all of which were secured to the floor.
The room's colors were green and gold with embroidered purple thistles, giving it elegance and a feeling of a united Scotland. Being above the deck, they had a wide window view of the sea, with pillow-covered benches to watch the rolling waves as they traveled. It was too dark now to see out of them, but she thought it would be splendid in the morning. For now, the room was lit by several candelabras that were also secured to the surfaces.
“Your servants will be given their own quarters as well. Shall I instruct your maid and valet to help ye prepare for bed?” Emilia asked, pushing her glasses back up the bridge of her nose.
The last thing Giselle wanted was her maid fussing about when she wanted to flop onto the bed and tug Alec down with her. “I think we can manage. Thank ye, Emilia. Ye’ve been a wonderful host thus far, and we’ll be sure to sing your praises to Her Grace.”
Emilia blushed. “Thank ye so much.” She curtsied before backing from the room, closing the door behind her.
Alone at last, without their overeager servants fussing about and bone-weary from a long day of travel, Giselle and Alec undressed each other and climbed into the large bed, both of them asleep before the ship set sail.
Giselle woke to the most glorious sensation—often how she awoke— of her husband kissing his way across her collarbone to her mouth. She opened her eyes, discovering a smiling Alec staring down at her and the light of the sun filtering through the window.
Alec loved to make love in the morning, and she found that even with child, she was enthusiastic about the act too. As it turned out to her surprise, bedding her husband wasn’t only about creating a child—but a glorious and delicious pleasure.
They made love languidly, with the ship’s slow rocking only adding to the lazy, dreamy indulgence of a morning in bed.
By the time the ship docked, they’d spent several hours in each other’s arms, wolfed down the breakfast Emilia had dropped off and then dressed. Despite a full night’s sleep, Giselle was exhausted again—but in a good way. A smile seemed to be permanently formed on her lips. Being married to Alec had made her the happiest person in the world, she was certain, because he enjoyed and encouraged her to be who she was.
They meandered down the gangway to the docks and to a carriage that awaited them there. They arrived at Errol House a short time later, greeted by the servants who were pleased to see them and to meet their mistress for the first time, and of course by Alec’s mother, who was dressed impeccably at this hour already. She often looked as if she expected the queen to walk through her door at any moment. Given it hadn’t happened yet, Giselle wasn’t holding out hope, even though Lady Errol was.
“Oh, ’tis so good to see both of ye.” Lady Errol raked her gaze over Giselle, settling on the slight swell in her gown, which, being loose, hid most of the roundness of her belly. She flicked her eyes back to Giselle but didn’t say a word. The glitter in her eye and large smile spoke volumes, and Giselle was pleased to see the excitement in her eyes at learning she would soon be a grandmother.
“We are glad to be back in the city,” Giselle said, embracing her mother-in-law.
“And the city welcomes ye with open arms.” Lady Errol held her at arm’s length and stared again at her growing belly. If Giselle wasn’t mistaken, there were tears of joy in the woman’s eyes as she squeezed her hands. She finally let go to pull her son in for an embrace. “Oh, do please refresh yourselves, and then we shall have tea.”
Their idea of refreshment was slightly different than Lady Errol might have expected. Rather than retire to their bedroom—they headed to the library, which Alec had been telling her about. It was not as grand as the one at Slains Castle but rivaled all of the libraries in Edinburgh, Giselle was fairly certain.
The curtains had been opened to allow in light, and rows upon rows of floor-to-ceiling shelves of books filled the space with not a speck of dust in sight. There was a large marble hearth, topped with a massive gilded-looking glass. Wherever there was wall space not taken up by books, there were paintings of people writing books, lounging with books, and a particular favorite of Giselle’s where a woman had fallen asleep on a chaise with a book, and her hound had a bit of the corner as if he’d drag it away like a prize.
“This is so incredible,” she said, whirling in a circle, taking it all in. “Who would have known that the Beast of Errol had no’ one but two of the most amazing libraries in Scotland?”
Alec wrapped his arms around her, swirling her into a dance. “Yeare incredible.”
Surprisingly, they spent the afternoon undisturbed in the library, managing to make love twice with no one the wiser. By the time evening rolled about, both of them had realized they’d missed tea and felt a little guilty about it. But alas, they were about to endure the ultimate torment, which was a grand ball in their honor. And they reasoned if Lady Errol had wanted them at tea, she would have come banging down the door herself, which she’d never been too shy to do before.
At the top of the stairs, both of them were dressed in their best—she in a rose-colored gown with all the frills of a countess, her hair done as simply as she pleased with a diamond-and-gold comb. Alec was garbed in his starched white shirt, kilt and frockcoat; his boots shone in the light of the candelabra in the grand foyer. They each drew in long, steadying breaths.
