Page 60 of Beguiled By the Highlander
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William held Isolde’shand as they entered the great hall to break their fast. He could scarcely drag his gaze from his beautiful bride, and any illusions that once he’d had her she’d no longer occupy his every thought irrevocably shattered.
He wanted her more than ever.
Even now, after the enjoyable night and early morning bed sport they’d shared, his cock thickened as though it had been weeks since he’d lain with her. His predicament wasn’t eased when she glanced at him and bestowed a knowing smile his way.
They took their places at the high table, and he sat beside her, trying to ignore the discomfort between his legs. There were at least a dozen essential tasks he needed to attend to this morning, but to hell with that. They could wait until after dinner.
He was devoting this morning to his wife.
“Ye’re looking well pleased with yerself, William,” Isolde said under her breath, and he almost choked on his ale. “I cannot think why that might be.”
“I’m looking at the reason right now.” He grinned when she shook her head in mock disgust, and aye, he had to confess, relief washed through him, too. This was his Isolde from the isle. Not the one who had spat venom in his face when he’d recalled his real name and wed him under duress.
He’d always known she’d come around, once he’d made her his.
Well pleased by events, he once again took her hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. How refreshing it was to be master of his own castle, and able to show her how highly he regarded her whenever he wished.
“Hmm.” For once, Isolde appeared at a loss for words, and he had the urge to grin at her again like a besotted fool. And while the prospect of his bride being speechless at his compliment was gratifying, he’d rather not display to the entire hall just how in thrall to his new wife he was.
As he rubbed his thumb against her fingers, his gaze snagged on the ring she wore. It was a magnificent piece of jewelry, but it wasn’t the one he wanted her to wear as the symbol of their union.
Despite how they were wed in the eyes of God and the people of Eigg, his father still wanted a second ceremony at Dunstrunage, so that all the clans in the Highlands could be left in no doubt of the validity of their marriage. Although he didn’t feel the need for it, it was a small price to pay to ease his father’sconcerns. And it would be the perfect occasion to present Isolde with his lady mother’s precious ring.
When breakfast was finished, and they rose to leave the table, he wound his arm about her waist. She shot him a scandalized glance but didn’t follow up with a scathing retort, which was merely more evidence that she had settled into their new life.
“This morning,” he said, “I’m showing ye the hidden side of Creagdoun.”
“Ah. I wondered if the castle had any secret passages. ’Tis always a concern when one’s ancestors didn’t live there.”
“Aye.” He understood her meaning. And her concerns. “We searched the castle thoroughly, and ye may rest assured Creagdoun is secure.”
“I’ve never doubted it.”
He led her back upstairs, and as they reached their antechamber she gave him an exasperated look. “Really, William Campbell?”
“My motives are pure, I promise ye.” Then he couldn’t resist and gave her a lingering kiss. It was a mistake, and he swallowed a frustrated groan. “Being with ye addles my brains, and that’s a fact.”
“Ye’re meant to be showing me the hidden passages in the castle. I can’t be left in ignorance of such things.”
“I’ve no intention of leaving ye in ignorance.” He wasn’t certain if she was serious or not, but she didn’t seem very amused. They went through to the master’s chamber, and he took her to the corner nearest the door where a chest stood. “Stand back,” he told her, before shifting the chest aside and rolling up the faded rug that covered the trapdoor. “See? I had no nefarious purpose for bringing ye into our bedchamber.”
She stepped closer, frowning as she stared at the trapdoor set in the floor. “Where does it lead?”
“I’ll show ye.” He pulled open the trapdoor before taking a lantern and holding it over the hole where the steep steps leading downward looked suddenly ominous. “’Tis a bit tricky. The main thing is ye know of it. It leads to—”
“Tricky,” she scoffed, peering into the gloom. “Ye didn’t see the secret places in Sgur Castle, and I can assure ye, they were far trickier than this.”
“Maybe so, but I’ve no wish for ye to fall and break yer neck.”
She laughed at that. “I can’t tell if ye’re serious about my lack of balance or merely jesting. But just so we’re clear, ye’d better not be serious.”
He had been serious, although not for the reason she’d stated, but it was likely wiser to keep his counsel on that. “I’ll go first. If ye slip, I’ll save ye.”
“I won’t slip.”
He eyed her before stepping into the stairwell. She flapped her hand at him in a shooing motion, and with reluctance he went down a few steps to give her room to follow him.
