Page 57 of The Highlander's Alluring Spy
“Nathair,” she whimpered. “God, I—oh.”
He snarled as she said his name, taking it as an invitation to move faster, harder, and she pulled at him to encourage more and more.
She knew it was coming this time, but it was somehow even more intense than before. She practically screamed as the wave overcame her this time, every fiber of her knowing nothing but the pleasure, the feeling of Nathair’s skin on hers, the feeling of him inside her. She turned her head and bit down on his arm, determined not to wake half the castle with her cry.
When she gathered herself, he was still moving, a little slower now, but the need in his expression was palpable. Nathair had made her feel so good, and she wanted to make him feel the same, so she clung to him tighter and encouraged him to keep going and whispered, “I love you, too.”
The sound he made was bestial as he finished, his heat pulsing into her, and then he collapsed forward, chest-to-chest, his head beside her own.
They lay there like that for who knew how long, the only movement when Magnolia moved her arms to wrap them around him.
They didn’t speak. Magnolia wasn’t sure they had any words.
Eventually, they pulled apart. Nathair went into the side room, probably to wash a little. Magnolia fixed her nightgown at the chest, her mind whirling with what had just happened. She moved up to lie on her pillow, on her side, wondering if she would ever sleep.
She half expected him to leave, but when he re-entered the main room, it was just to lie on the side of the bed that was usually empty behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back against him.
Let tomorrow’s Magnolia deal with the consequences.
For tonight, there was only her, only him, and their shared warmth as they drifted to sleep together at last.
16
The Friends
Morning dawned as it always did, and Magnolia half-awoke from a dream involving dancing pixies in a forest to the sound of a knock at the door.
“Mm, come in,” she murmured sleepily.
The door creaked open. “Miss, I—oh me, I’m right sorry. I’ll leave, I—oh, me God.”
Magnolia was fully awake now as she sat bolt upright, brought back to reality by the shock in Betty’s voice. She looked around wildly, wondering for a split second what could have caused such a reaction… and then she saw him there, all muscles and red hair, peacefully asleep on the pillow next to her.
She turned to see the maid standing frozen in the doorway. Betty’s face was red as a strawberry as she said, “I’m right sorry, Magnolia, I just—I dinnae—”
Magnolia felt her own skin warm, too, but she couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. “It’s quite all right, Betty, dear,” she said. “Forgive me, I should have warned you before welcoming you inside.”
Betty nodded her head, and then a slow smile crossed her face. “So…forgive me for bein’ so forward, but ye and Me Laird are—?”
Magnolia chuckled softly. “I’m not sure, to be entirely honest,” she said, a smile on her own face. She experimentally moved her body and felt stiffness in her arms and legs. The pain was sweet, though, stinging sharply like it had wakened her body anew. “I simply…oh, goodness, this feels so strange to talk about.”
“Well,” Betty giggled. “We probably shouldnae speak o’ it at all while Me Laird is snorin’ right there next to ye. I only came by because me mam wants to ken if ye’d prefer the leftovers from last night or a fresh egg to break yer fast.”
“An egg, please,” Magnolia said. “Soft-boiled if she can.” She glanced at the sleeping man beside her, enjoying the feeling of warmth in her chest, then looked back to Betty. “I think I shall take Elaine into the village to play with Bernie today. Would you like to accompany me?”
Betty looked surprised, but she nodded excitedly. “If Me Laird can spare me from me duties for the day, I’d be more than happy to accompany ye. I can get some more of Greta’s jam for me mam while I’m there.”
Magnolia smiled, and Betty glanced at the Laird once more.
“I kenned it would happen eventually,” the maid said teasingly. “Sandy owes me a wee bawbee now.” With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her.
Magnolia watched her go, then sighed contentedly, laying back on her pillow.
It wasn’t all contentment, though. Magnolia’s thoughts drifted as she lay there, considering the reality she’d managed to ignore all of last night.
I’ll have to go home soon. I have to return to reality. This can’t last.
She’d been a member of the Order since she was barely more than a child. She’d done her all to serve Crown and Country, just like her father before her.
