Page 20 of Highlander's Rebellious Affair
She figured she would have had a wide knowledge of nature at this point. Her interest in nature had always been there, but she had never explored it because her mother never showed interest in anything besides being a statue at her father’s side.
“I will prepare a meal with some of these,” Orlaith said and moved to pick some leaves, but Hope stopped her.
“I don’t think ye will be allowed to prepare a meal here, Aunt,” Hope said to her, and Orlaith frowned.
“Why nay? What will the Laird eat for dinner when he returns from his huntin’ trip? These are wild hazelnuts and he loves them in haggis,” she said and just then Hope saw Ian and his sister walk into the garden.
She smiled at them, and Ian walked to her and placed his hand on the small slope of her back. Heat rushed through her, and she snapped her mouth shut instead of speaking because she was sure it would be nothing more than a croak.
“Why can I nay prepare a meal for the Laird? He loves these nuts,” Orlaith said, and turned to Rhea. “Ye look just like yer faither,” she said and Hope saw Rhea’s eyes widened as Ian gasped.
“Laird Galloway is dead, Orlaith, and the new Laird is his brother, Lyall,” Hope gently replied, but Orlaith was already focused on Rhea.
“Ye ken me?” Rhea asked and turned to Ian. Orlaith smiled and turned to Ian.
“Ye are the spittin’ image of yer faither, how could I nay ken ye?” she said. “I ken who ye were from the moment ye rode into my yard with my niece.”
Ian smiled and turned to Rhea. “Take her to yer chambers so ye can get her ready.”
Rhea led Orlaith away and he turned to Hope. He removed his hand from her back, and Hope exhaled and blinked, hoping he wouldn’t notice how flushed she looked. She had slept half the day away, and she had dreamed of him.
His face when he kissed and whispered to her, the sound of his voice reverberating through her as she shook with pleasure was all she could think about, and it was making focusing very difficult.
“How are ye?” he asked, and she nodded. They strolled the garden together, and Hope asked,
“Where are ye preparin’ to take her to? And why did she come here with us?”
Ian cleared his throat. “I thought ye will be more comfortable if ye had someone ye ken around,” he replied. “But I have to take her away from here.”
He stopped talking, and turned to her. “I cannae tell ye everythin’ now because she has to leave the Castle before Lyall gets here, but when I return tonight, then I will tell ye everythin’.”
“All right,” Hope replied with a nod, and he turned to face her.
Their gazes locked, and he slowly moved closer to her, and used both his hands to pull her closer. “I dinnae want ye to leave this wing of the Castle because I dinnae want ye to see Lyall or anyone who supports him. I believe they will do anythin’ to harm ye just to get back at us for getting’ married.”
“I wouldnae, ye dinnae have to worry about me,” she replied him, her voice faint because his gaze was on her lips. Hope swallowed when he inched closer, and her eyelids fluttered close even before his lips touched hers.
He kissed her slowly, and she parted her lips and gave him access to the inner parts of her mouth. He tasted sweet like cinnamon and his tongue swooped around hers before he sucked on her lower lip. The act made her moan and he pressed her closer to him.
Hope, unable to stop herself, wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe so she could meet his height, and the kiss made her knees weak.
A voice behind them calling Ian made him pull away, and then turn to see Rhea. Rhea turned away the moment she caught them, and she cleared her throat. “Orlaith is ready to leave.”
“I will join ye soon.”
Rhea walked away, and Ian turned to Hope and kissed her again, quicker this time, but it still had the same effect on her. She opened her eyes slowly as he pulled his lips away this time, and she bit her lower lip and stared at him, her eyes reflecting her passion as he said, “I will come to ye tonight when I get back from the village.”
She could only nod as he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the garden. Hope spent the rest of the small hours of the day alone in the garden, her mind reeling with thoughts of what would happen when Ian came back.
The last time they were together, he had completely ignored his needs and had pleasured her until she couldn’t breathe out without calling his name, and she wondered if he would do the same to her tonight.
The servant who prepared her bath helped her to it, and then gave her a nightdress made of silk and a beautiful embroidery that matched the color of her eyes. The maid combed through her thick curls, trying to tame them, and Hope helped her by using her fingers instead to free the tresses.
She applied a little oil to her neck just below where her pulse beat and to the back of her knees. The scent of lavender filled the chamber when the servant left, and she waited for Ian.
Late in the night, she heard sound footsteps approach the door to the chamber, and she sucked in a deep breath as the door knob turned after a soft knock and Ian entered.
From the dim light of fire in the fireplace, she could make out his features, and when he neared her, she saw that his hair was damp and he had changed his kilt and leine into something neater.
