Page 67 of Highlander's Captive Bride
They made love again, more leisurely this time, and Daisy reached her peak just seconds before she felt Bellamy’s last, powerful thrust as he reached his own.
They reveled in the aftermath for a long while.
“Och, I dinnae ken about ye, bonny lass, but I’m dying for a cuppa tea,” Bellamy declared eventually.
He yawned, stretched, got up, and stumbled over to the door. Daisy watched, admiring his magnificent, naked physique from behind. She giggled again as he made a show of opening the door and peeking out to see if anyone was looking before snatching up the tray the servant had left and bringing it back to the bed.
They shared a relaxing, naked breakfast. Daisy was surprised at how hungry she was, and at how much she ate.
“I suppose we have to get up soon,” she said reluctantly.
“Aye,” he agreed. “There’s the celebration happening today, and I have quite a few things to do that are expected of me as the Laird. But ye can stay here as long as ye like.” He stroked her hair and ran his hand down her naked flank, sending shivers up and down her spine.
“Last night was wonderful, Bellamy,” Daisy told him, meaning every word.
He looked at her with a tenderness that turned her insides to water. “Better than wonderful, me bonny lass,” he told her, kissing her hair once more. “Maybe it’ll turn out to be nae just one night, eh?”
His words sent a chill through her, for there was nothing she wanted more than to lie with him every night for the rest of her life.
But ye have to leave! There is no choice.
Daisy pushed away the chill, determined to have these last few hours with him, no matter what.
He gave her a smacking kiss on the lips and went to the washstand, where he proceeded to wash himself vigorously, amusing her by singing at the top of his lungs an old Highland song with rather bawdy lyrics.
“I’m just away to me room to change,” she shouted, rapidly pulling on her clothes.
The singing stopped. “Aye, all right. I’ll come and get ye when I’m done,” he called back.
“Aye!” she replied, smiling to herself, filled with pure love for him as he resumed the song heartily.
Daisy slipped out into the, mercifully, empty hallway and hurried to her room. After half an hour or so, Bellamy came to her room, looking splendid in the regalia of the Laird of Murdoch.
“I dinnae think ye could look any more handsome if ye tried,” Daisy teased as she brushed her hair in front of the mirror.
He nodded, coming to stand behind her and taking the brush from her hands. “I’m glad ye realize what a fine figure of a man I am,” he said, winking at her.
She laughed at his antics.
He began brushing her hair with his usual surprising delicacy, humming to himself and smiling at her in the looking glass. He even tied her hair back with the tartan scarf he had bought her in the market, which had been hanging with some other ribbons over the glass.
“There ye go, lass, as pretty as a picture,” he said, at last, planting a kiss on the top of her shining locks.
“I have to agree,” Daisy told him, inspecting her appearance. “The tartan goes perfectly with me dress.”
“Shall we fetch Elodie, M’lady?”
Bellamy gave her his arm, and they left the room together, making their way to Elodie’s chambers. She and Poppy were all ready to go, both filled with excitement for the day ahead.
With Bellamy carrying Elodie, the four of them made their way downstairs. In the great hall, Jamie was waiting for them with a cheery smile. Together, they all went outside to join the Beltane celebrations that would last all day and all night.
The mildness and beauty of the day were appropriate to mark the first day of summer, Daisy thought. They joined the rest of the throng on the fields outside the castle gates. Hundreds of folks were gathered there, all in their best clothes, most looking none the worse for the party the night before. Walking along with Bellamy was the icing on the cake for Daisy. Her heart was bursting with love and pride to be at his side.
But all the time, the clock was ticking down in her mind, telling her how many hours and minutes remained before she had to wrench herself from him and Elodie, to try to make it home to fulfill her family obligations.
Perhaps because of the pressure she was under, the time seemed to pass in a blur. She watched Bellamy make the symbolic offering to the old harvest deities to ensure a bountiful harvest for the coming year. That was followed by a blessing of the spirits for good luck.
It was an effort for Daisy to keep from crying, for she was so full of conflicting emotions by that time. But by focusing on making Elodie happy, she somehow managed to get through it.
