Laird of the Game (28 page)

Alex and Melissa found Amber and Sean, drinking tequila shots at the bar. Because the night was cool, Alex retrieved Melissa’s shawl from the house to keep her warm. She was shivering in the short skirt and pearl beaded tank top.

Alex left Melissa’s side for a few moments and met up with Iain at the bar.

“Are ye happy, Alex?” Iain asked the question but already knew the answer.

“Iain, I am ecstatic.” Alex smiled again. “And ye look happy too, little brother. Where’s Evan?” He leaned against the bar.

Iain pointed him out. Evan was having an argument with Beth, his girlfriend, and they saw her slap him.

“Ewww, that had tae hurt.” Alex chuckled.

“I am happy, by the way,” Iain responded. “Bonnie wants me tae finish school. We want tae build a home in Scotland.”

“It’s a good thing I bought that piece of property several years ago,” Alex agreed. “We can build an entire village where the river runs under the trees and still have room for our children tae grow up.”

Alex looked for Melissa. He found her leaning up against Daniel who had an arm around her and Rebecca. They laughed and hugged each other while Daniel introduced Rebecca.

Melissa hadn’t stopped smiling for hours and was delighted to meet the woman she had heard so much about. “I am so delighted to meet you, Rebecca. I have heard so many wonderful tales about your training. Please consider training me to properly ride. I tried it once, and they laughed themselves sick.”

“I thought ye did verra well,” Daniel argued. “Ye saved Iain’s life!”

“I don’t know how to ride, Daniel. Not like you all do. Rebecca, I understand you are a graphic artist, too! I can’t wait to get some time to talk to you.”

Rebecca couldn’t help but like Melissa a little. “I am an artist and would be happy tae teach ye how tae ride.”

Melissa went in search of another glass of champagne and found Cynthia, the woman who planned the party and the banquet. Melissa congratulated her on the party. It was a smashing success and Cynthia was delighted to meet Alex’s new wife.

Melissa reached out and took Cynthia’s hand. “Please tell me that dinner won’t include mutton.”

Cynthia laughed. “I think every one of the MacKenna boys have warned me that if there is one ounce of mutton, you will be quite ill.”

“Oh, thank you.” Just the thought was enough to make Melissa queasy.

They also got a chance to cut their wedding cake, and Alex nibbled the icing from her lips. He was soon pulled away to settle an argument but he sent William to take care of the incident.

Alex found Melissa on her way to the bar and danced her out to the middle of the floor. There was a loving glow in his eyes. They played a slow song, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He bent and lifted her up against him, nearly crushing her to him while her feet dangled a foot off the floor.

William took his position seriously, they all noted, when he asked for the music to stop and commanded their attention.

“As my first official announcement, I would like tae congratulate my brother, Iain, and the lovely Bonnie on their wedding day.” There were lots of cheers for the groom and his lovely bride.

“And my second official announcement is to congratulate my brother, Alex, and the lovely Melissa on their wedding day.” There were several groans from those who had hoped until the bitter end that she would become available. “There are hearts breaking all over the
Balquhidder
tonight,” William said fondly.

Agotha appeared at Robert’s side, and they intercepted Bridget at the champagne fountain.

“It’s Bobby MacKenna!” Bridget was staggering.

“Ye’ve had enough tae drink, Bridget.” Robert was amused. “Time tae call it a night, lass, and sleep it off.”

William walked by and noticed Bridget was drunk. Melissa caught up to her sisters, and they headed for the house to find a bathroom.

“Nooooo!” Bridget held a glass of champagne in one hand and a bottle in the other. “Oh, please, Billy. Let me dunk Melissa’s head in the champagne fountain just once? It will make me feel better,” she pleaded with a smile. The beautiful blonde was broken-hearted.

Robert looked at William. “She’s your Personal Assistant now William. Perhaps ye should put her tae sleep on the couch in the study? I canna hit a woman.”

William shrugged “I canna do it either.”

Bridget had other plans. She stumbled forward and tried to dump the glass of champagne down the front of Melissa’s top. “He was mine!”

Melissa gasped and stepped back a pace. The champagne missed her by inches. “Not any more and I’m not a sharing type of lady. He’s mine, ye ken?”

Robert and William were clearly impressed.

Amber punched Bridget on the chin, and she fell into William’s arms.

“Ye go’ a hell-of-a punch there, Amber darlin’. I’m verra impressed,” Robert said casually, as if they had to knock out drunk and disorderly women every day.

William draped Bridget over his shoulder and addressed Robert. “She’s going back tae London on the next chopper.”

“Smart
mon
,” Robert said. He wanted to get Agotha alone for a few minutes and remind her how much she loved him.

Grandfather dropped by to find out what the ruckus was about but only nodded as Bridget was hauled away.

He offered Amber the crook of his arm. “’Tis a pity we canna put ye into the game, lass. Tha’ was a good punch! Ah well, it’s time for champagne.”

“I’m going with you,” Amber insisted.

Melissa and Sarah picked their way through the crowd. There were well over two thousand people in the area. Torches were lit on the hills, and smaller groups were cloistered into family bands. Children ran through the crowd and played mock warrior games like their powerful fathers.

It was mayhem! There were warriors dancing to a wild Highland gig, and encampments sharing kegs of beer! Melissa and her sisters were introduced to groups as they made their way across the field.

Alex was getting worried that she had been gone too long. He found her talking to the wives and mothers of the warriors and reassuring them the warriors were absolute gentlemen during the game.

“Excuse me, ladies,” Alex bowed low. “I’d like tae dance with my beautiful wife.”

Melissa laughed. He could be so bloody charming when he wanted something.

Daniel and Amber made a special announcement. “We have a song just for Alex and Melissa.”

Alex dipped her down and kissed the base of Melissa’s throat. That got cheers from the party. The music was Carlos Santana and the song,
The Game of Love
. Melissa got her third thrill of the evening. Alex dipped her, spun her, and held her so close she could feel the muscles in his thighs against her legs. He could dance in the same powerful, seductive way he made love to her, and it was playing havoc on her senses.

 “I want you to promise me something, Alex.”

“Anything,
A Grá
.” He caressed her back.

“Promise me that beautiful, wonderful things happen now. This is only the beginning and what happens next is truly amazing.”

Alex could feel his throat tighten, and his eyes stung in unexpected emotion. She had repeated back to him what he had said to her their first night together. “I promise.” He thought about trying to soothe her fears, but his voice was gone. He loved her more than he could ever comprehend.

Somewhere out beyond the fairy mounds, a bagpipe played a haunting melody; and on the ridge stood a loving couple that watched only a moment longer, and then disappeared into the magical mist of Scotland.

For a sneak preview of Laird of the Night, the sequel to Laird of the Game, please visit Lori’s website at
www.lorileigh.com
.

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