Page 78 of A Highland Bride Taken
“I will see ye at the morning meal, then,” he muttered.
His insistence on not claiming her, even if he sought to give her pleasure often and tortured himself in the process, told her that he would never accept her fully as she had accepted him, and he would never love her like she loved him.
“Ye can rise a little later,” he suggested. “I will ask the maids to leave ye be.”
“Nay,” she blurted. “I will rise early. I must see to the boys and make sure they are doing well.”
He looked as though he wanted to protest, but then he nodded and took his leave. She did not want any more thoughtful gestures from him, not when it would only have her falling deeper in love with him.
When the door closed, the first tears spilled over till she was sobbing into her pillow. She wished that he had treated her just as his friend treated her sister, so she would have had no reason to develop the feelings that were now clawing at her chest, itching to be expressed and reciprocated.
“Because I feel guilty.”
She remembered the words he had told her and finally understood the guilt he felt. He blamed himself for never trying to meet his brother, and now, everything he couldn’t do for him, he would do for his sons.
He was so honorable that her heart soared, which brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes.
She wept long into the night, wondering how she would keep from falling deeper for the man who held her heart, even though he did not want it.
Campbell knew he had hurt his wife by refusing to stay with her. But even though he had found his release, he still wanted herwith a ferocity that would not allow him to control his lust if he slept beside her beautiful, naked form.
She had been willing in her desire, and her responses had driven him to the point of madness, where he wanted nothing more than to sink himself into her warmth just to hear her cries of pleasure.
Her voice was a sweet song that sparked lust in him and haunted his dreams, and he knew he would struggle to find sleep that evening. He had not even expected to touch her, but when she had kissed him, he felt his desire surge like never before.
It was not just lust driving him to pleasure her, but gratitude for ridding him of the dark cloud that had hovered over him since he had returned to his castle to find Darragh threatening his family.
Family.
The word was a little odd to describe the situation between them, but it was fitting, as that was the only thing he could use to describe them.
Somehow, he had made a home with them, and he felt… at peace.
Nonetheless, he had to shore up the castle defenses and tighten security.
Now that Darragh knew he cared for them, the man would stop at nothing to harm them. The insult he had received today wouldn’t go unpunished, but Campbell would ensure he protected his family even if it cost him his life.
30
“Why are ye ending the morning training early, Magnus?” Campbell asked as he stepped into the courtyard to see the men putting away their weapons.
It was still early in the day, before the noon meal, and it was an odd occurrence, as they usually ran trainings until it was time for the evening meal, among other things.
“There’s a fair in the village, and the men and I will be taking our families there,” Magnus answered with a smile. “Elspeth and Poppy have been looking forward to it, and ye ken Poppy willnae forgive me if I am late.”
Aye, Campbell did.
He felt guilty that he hadn’t remembered the fair, and the sight of all the men chattering excitedly reminded him of his own little family, which would no doubt enjoy the festivities.
He had never visited the fair, as he had had no reason to in the past, but after the shock of Darragh’s visit last week, perhaps this would be just what they needed to put the darkness behind them.
“Ye can bring the lady and the bairns,” Magnus suggested.
“Ye dinnae need to remind me, Magnus,” Campbell scoffed, which earned him a grin.
“The villagers will be pleased to see ye,” Magnus added.
“‘Tis a good time for them to see the new lady of the clan as well as me heirs,” Campbell agreed.
