Page 56 of Marry the Highland Villain
“But Brigid,” Lily protested, a frown creasing her kind face.
“What happened in there? We were so worried when ye disappeared wit’… wit’ that man. What did he say? Did he harm ye?”
“Ye have too many questions,” Brigid replied, forcing herself to smile at her sister. “And ye can see for yerself that I’m absolutely fine. Laird Auchter meant me nay harm. I ken it’s hard to believe, but I think he just wanted to pay his respects.”
Lily frowned again, unconvinced. “But?—”
“But nothing,” Brigid interrupted firmly. “Auchter is gone. I’m here, I’m well, and I want to celebrate my wedding with my sisters. Now, are ye going to dance, or are ye nae?”
Lily and Valerie exchanged concerned glances. After all that had happened, it was hard for them to believe that it was as Brigid said, and that Laird Auchter had simply wished her well. And yet here she was, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkling, begging them to dance with her as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
“Ye should be dancin’ with yer husband,” Valerie protested, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had fallen upon the company as soon as their grandfather had entered the room.
“I will,” Brigid assured her with a smile. “But right now, Conall doesnae wish to dance, and I do. So we should dance together.” She twisted around, her eyes finding Megan in the crowd. “Ye too, Megan!” she called merrily. “Come and join us.”
Megan made a face that suggested she was every bit as confused as her sisters were about the events that had just transpired. But Brigid was clearly not prepared to take no for an answer.
As the first strains of a Highland reel began, she linked hands with her sisters, stepped forward in time to the music, and tried to put her encounter with Laird Auchter out of her mind.
And, after a second, Lily, Valerie, and Megan followed her.
CHAPTER 20
Conall watchedBrigid dance with her sisters and wondered how long he could stand and simply watch. She moved smoothly and gracefully, her full skirts flaring around her hips as she joined the clansmen and women dancing the reel. She glowed with joy and exhilaration, and the sight made his blood heat as if every drop had turned to sparks to dart through his veins.
His groin ached, his manhood straining against his kilt, and he dared not stand, or everyone would see exactly how his bride’s appearance affected him. And yet he wanted nothing more than to rise, stride across the floor, sweep her into his arms, and carry her back to his rooms.
Only two days ago, he had told her they would wait until after their wedding. Now, he wanted nothing more than to show her everything she had asked for that night, and more. He wanted to lay her down, remove her lovely dress, and show her every kind of pleasure she could imagine, until both of them were spent and sated, lying on the soft linens of his bed.
The image of Brigid, naked and waiting for him, made him bite his lip hard.
He wanted her. The heat of his desire was almost overwhelming.
Brigid spun through the final steps of the reel, her face flushed with delight and laughter, her eyes glittering like starlight trapped in flawless gems.
It was too much. He didn’t want to wait any longer. And why should he? She was now his wife, and this was their wedding night.
Conall rose and stalked around the table, altering his posture to hide his arousal as well as he could. He moved to the dance floor and met Brigid as she started back toward the table.
“Come with me,” he said, taking her urgently by the hand.
Brigid blinked in confusion. “But the feast isnae over yet, and dessert hasnae been served,” she protested, her eyes darting to the table where she knew cake and other sweetmeats would be served later in the evening.
“The servants can bring some later for both of us. For now, though…”
Conall took her by the shoulders and pulled her flush against him, and watched her eyes widen as she felt his need, swollen and erect against her belly. He cupped her chin and kissed her,lingering for a moment on the taste of wine and fresh bread, then broke the kiss abruptly.
“Come with me,” he murmured into her ear, his voice raw with his aching desire.
“Aye…” Brigid nodded.
She looked dazed, flushed with more than the exertion of dancing now.
“Aye,” she said again, sounding almost as if she’d lost the power of speech.
Conall smirked and scooped her up into his arms, then carried her off the dance floor without another word. He heard laughter behind him, and Brigid giggled in his arms as she waved to her sisters. Then, the door to the Great Hall shut behind them, leaving them in near silence.
His erection made it difficult to walk, but having Brigid in his arms spurred him onward. Conall carried her to his quarters, through the front chamber, and into his bedroom, to lay her on the bed.
