Page 76 of Highland Jewel
“I’m going. Going.” Maisie hugged her one more time and went to join Niall.
“What was that about?” he asked.
She took his hand and pulled him out of the Great Hall. “I have three sisters. Isabella, the physician. Morrigan, the protector. But she’s also quite funny.”
Niall paused at the foot of the stairwell. “And the third?”
“Fiona, my confidante.” Her voice quavered, and she took a deep breath to steady it. She wanted to have faith that all was not lost. That Fiona would return to them.
He didn’t say anything. Dark clouds cast shadows across his expression. Maisie knew she couldn’t slay his demons, but she could bring him back to her. She leaned into his frame and kissed his lips. Once… twice… until his eyes were once again seeing her.
Hand in hand, the newlyweds ran to the top of the stairs. Once there, Niall swept her up in his arms.
She looped her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”
“There are many wedding traditions that you had to do without today, but this I can do for you.”
As he carried her along the corridor, she took hold ofhis chin and looked directly into his eyes. “I wasn’t slighted. Not in the least. You are the greatest gift I could possibly wish for. After we parted in Edinburgh, I never expected fate would be kind to us again.”
His smile reached his blue eyes.
When they reached the chambers, a wreath of flowers had been hung on the door. Without putting her down, Niall lifted the latch and pushed open the heavy oak door.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“For anything.”
He carried her straight into the room and set her on her feet. Lifting her chin, he kissed her slowly, his mouth lingering on hers with a tangible promise of what was to come.
“Don’t go anywhere,” he said, going back to the door and latching it shut.
Every comfort the people of Dalmigavie Castle could provide was evident in these rooms—from the Persian carpet on the floor to the upholstered furniture to the food and drink arranged on the table. Maisie decided that the chamber had to be saved for use only by the finest of guests. She was touched that her sister and Cinaed would insist that they be situated here.
A second room was adjacent to this one, and Maisie could see the large bed with its heavy posts and damasked bedclothes. Excitement and tension battled and settled inside her skin. On that afternoon in his rooms in Milne’s Court, she’d been the seducer, for desperation at losing him ruled all rational thought. Here, now, she felt like a novice, and she feared doing something wrong.
Darkness was a late and brief affair on August nights in the Highlands. Still, everywhere Maisie looked, candles had been lit, and vases filled with sprays of whiteheather mixed with purple, along with roses from the walled garden, decorated the tables. Her eyes were drawn to the small wood fire that crackled cozily on the stone hearth. A table sat beside it, laden with wine and two crystal goblets.
She crossed the room and poured both of them a glass. She lifted one immediately to her lips and started to turn with Niall’s.
“Nervous?”
He was standing beside her.
“I am… a little.”
He took the glasses from her hand and put them on the table before pulling her into his embrace. “Do you know I’ve never loved as I love you?”
Her hands slipped around his neck. He knew how to make her heart dance with happiness, to make her forget all that was still unsettled in her mind.
“I’ve never wanted to convince a woman that I’m worthy of her.”
Maisie had no chance to say anything as Niall’s lips met hers in a tender kiss. It was a kiss of exploration. He tasted vaguely of wine—delightful, intoxicating, delicious. She wanted more, and an unexpected sigh rising from her chest urged him to take charge. His hands roamed downward along the lines of her back and over her bottom.
She tightened her hold around his neck and pressed her body against his. She felt his arousal pressing against her stomach through the layers of clothing between them. A longing ache began to throb deep within her. Anticipation lit her body, inch by inch. Niall deepened the kiss, and she sighed with pleasure. She clung to him as his tongue continued to duel with hers. She sought more.
He broke off the kiss, sliding his mouth along her cheeks, her jaw. Maisie tilted her head back, allowinghim to reach her throat and neck. His mouth dropped ever lower, and he kissed a breast through her dress.
Her fingers delved into his hair and she arched and pressed against him, the ache of desire deepening. She wanted to feel his lips on her skin, on her breasts.
