Page 18 of The Lady in Pearls
The building pressure and the dark need for some kind of release became unbearable. She whimpered as he rubbed his thigh over and over against her mound. Then he suddenly changed direction, rolling his hips in a slightly different direction, and the explosive release of a frightening pleasure was unbearable. Daphne cried out against his lips and he pulled away from her with a curse. The abrupt separation made her stumble on the steps. She barely caught herself against the banister before she fell.
Without a word, much less an explanation, Lachlan started up the stairs, leaving her alone, legs shaking and body aching with a loss she didn’t understand. How could he have touched her so intimately, so… She blinked back tears. He’d roused deep feelings within her, not simply passion, and then he’d left her alone, cold and confused. The evening sunset had faded an hour ago, leaving soft purple beams of moonlight painting the walls with a melancholy splash of color.
Daphne stared up at the portrait of Lachlan’s brother and shivered. His pained eyes seem to gaze right through her.
“What am I supposed to do?” she asked him in a barely audible whisper.
The handsome, tragic man in the portrait offered no reply, leaving Daphne feeling more alone than she’d ever felt before.
***
“You’re getting married?” Cameron McLeod burst out laughing.
“It’s not amusing,” Lachlan barked. He glared at his best friend. Cameron couldn’t seem to stop grinning and was barely restraining himself. Laughs still escaped as snorts and hisses, which made him sound one gasp away from giggling like a girl.
“For heaven’s sake,” Lachlan punched his shoulder in only a partially playful manner, but Cameron’s good-natured grin didn’t fade. His eyes were alight with mischief.
“Well, don’t go silent on me, Lachlan. Describe this paragon of a girl who has captured your heart.”
“She hasn’t,” he replied. She’d captured his interest, his arousal, but not his heart.
At this, Cameron sobered immediately. “You...you don’t love this lass you’re planning to marry? But you always swore you wouldn’t marry, not unless you fell madly in love.”
Cameron frowned as he and Lachlan strode toward the small stone church. The Kirk of Huntley was a quaint Gothic structure that had been around for hundreds of years and would likely be there long after he was dust. He paused as he reached a heavy oak door and grasped the handle, unable to look his friend in the eye.
“That was before I became an earl. I have a duty to marry and provide for an heir.” The words tasted like poison. Marrying out of duty was bad enough, but marrying for revenge was worse, yet here he was intending to do just that.
Cameron placed his hand on the church door, preventing Lachlan from opening it. “Do you evenlikeyour future bride?”
“I like her well enough. She’s fetching and sweet.”
Cameron rolled his eyes, but his gaze was serious when he finally lifted his hand from the door.
“’Marrying for anything other than love is damned foolish.’ Those are your words, Lachlan.”
Lachlan exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a brief moment. “Losing William has made me stop thinking like a foolish and unrealistic child. It’s time I settled down with one woman and made the best of it. If you do not approve, you don’t have to witness tomorrow’s wedding.”
“Not come? I wouldn’t miss it. I only want you happy.” Cameron followed him into the church, their voices lowered out of respect as they walked down the aisle. The echo of their boots on the stone floor summoned the vicar, John McKenzie. Lachlan greeted the middle-aged vicar and shook his hand.
“My lord, what service can I do for you?” The vicar’s bright blue eyes appeared amplified behind the spectacles perched on his nose.
“A wedding. I need a wedding tomorrow.”
“Oh? And who’s the lucky man?” John glanced at Cameron and chuckled. “I seem to recall marrying you only last month.”
Cameron laughed and pointed a thumb in Lachlan’s direction. “It’s him, if you can believe it.”
McKenzie blinked in surprise. “You, my Lord?”
“Why is everyone so shocked that I am to be married?”
John smiled. “Hardly a year ago, you said you would never marry, not unless someone made you.” The humor faded from his eyes. “There isn’t a…reason that a ceremony is required in such short time, is there? You know how I—”
“No,” Lachlan couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “The lass still clings to her precious maidenhead. I simply want the wedding to be done quickly.” Lachlan didn’t care for their assumptions, and had grown tired of everyone questioning his motives. That the truth was far worse, didn’t help matters.
The minister pursed his lips and, after exchanging a glance with Cameron, shrugged.
“And what’s the lucky lass’s name? Is she from this area?”
