The Highlander's Accidental Marriage (Marriage Mart Mayhem) (13 page)

His cousin, Duncan, slapped him on the back. “’Tis a day I never expected to see, lad. Ye always had yer nose stuck in a book, and busy pondering them ancient
Sluagh
. Didn’t think the lasses interested ye.”

“Oh, the lasses interested me all right. I was just holding out for the right one.”

“And ye think Sarah is? I understand the lass tied the knot with words tossed about in public and before ye kenned it, ye were shackled.”

“Aye.
’
Twas pretty much that way. But
’
tis not sorry I am. She’s a fine lass and I think we will do well together.”

“Good luck.” Duncan moved away as he was summoned by an elder aunt.

I think we will do well together.

Right now that was more a wish than a certainty. She hadn’t spoken to him since Liam had laid down his edict about them having a wedding ceremony. She’d immediately left the room with her sister in tow. The rest of the day had been spent with crowds of people surrounding them. Each time he’d tried to catch her eye, she had turned to speak to another.
On purpose?

Since that was only last evening, he couldn’t honestly say she was avoiding him, but at breakfast this morning, she and Sybil had their heads together, which his sister-in-law advised him were wedding plans.

Braeden had been more than a little annoyed when Liam informed him he would not be allowing Braeden to sleep with Sarah until the priest had come and gone. His only consolation was Liam’s tale of how Sybil’s brother, Drake, had not permitted Liam anywhere near Sybil until the ceremony, even though the lass was already increasing.

“’Tis time to gather.” Liam stood at the front of the large hall that had once been three times its size before the laird had divided the space into a dining hall, smaller family dining room, a parlor, and a library.

A few members of both the MacBride and the McKinnon clans were present, mostly those from the MacBride clan since many of them worked at the castle. His mum and da made the short trip with his brother, Evan, and his sisters, Fiona and Morna. His other two brothers, Morgan and Fraser, had been unable to attend on such short notice.

Braeden moved to the front of the room with Evan at his side. Mumbled voices behind him told him that Sarah had entered the room. He turned and his breath caught. Even though she and Sybil were twins, Sarah was so much more beautiful to him. Her gown of pale yellow flowed from underneath her plump breasts to the tips of her deeper yellow slippers peeking out.

Her silky brown curls, interspersed with a white ribbon, were pulled back from her sweet face to tumble down her back. With Sybil next to her, the two of them joined him and Evan. He took her ice cold hands in his and gazed into her eyes. Eyes full of uncertainty.

“’Tis all right, lass.” He said as he bent to brush the words next to her ear.

Her slight smile turned into tightened lips, which confirmed his belief that she was angry at being forced to stand here in front of friends and family and acknowledge their accidental marriage.

It only took a matter of minutes for them to complete the ceremony, which left Sarah appearing unsettled. Despite her reluctance, he bent and kissed her, happy she didn’t pull away or turn her head.

Liam’s cook, Mrs. MacDougal, provided a hearty breakfast that all the guests enjoyed. While Sarah wasn’t exactly friendly toward him, she at least didn’t stab him with her fork, although he did keep a keen eye on her knife.

“Are ye coming home tonight, lad?” His da stood with the other members of his family as they took their leave.

“I’m not sure. I think Sarah would like to spend some more time with her sister, but there are things I need to take care of at home. Did ye notice a letter for me from the Royal Society of Edinburgh?”

“Nay. Ye have a bit of mail at home, but I dinna remember anything with that name on it.”

Braeden shook his father’s and brother’s hands and kissed his sisters. “I will be home as soon as I can wrestle my wife from her sister. They haven’t seen each other in quite a while.”

“A lovely lass, yer Sarah is. I think she will make ye a fine wife.” With those departing words, his mother kissed him on his cheek and joined the rest of his family in their wagon.

As he watched his family ride away, speaking lively with one another, he again felt the sense of isolation that had been part of his life since he’d been a lad. He was so different from the rest of them. They were all hard-working, respectable, and honest. “People of the Land,” his da often called them. He, on the other hand, was not happy unless he was delving into ancient tomes and losing himself in libraries and museums.

Mathematical equations and scientific explanations were far more interesting to him than crops and sheep illnesses. Thankfully, his parents had allowed each and every one of their six children to follow their hearts. But he was the only one who hadn’t followed the rest of them. Nevertheless, he loved them completely and respected his parents and their life. It just wasn’t his.

He headed back to the main hall in search of Sarah. She stood with Sybil and Liam, speaking with Lady MacBride. Liam’s two sisters each held a bairn, with their mother providing oversight. He loved the story Liam had told him of how his mum had been against him marrying Sybil and had caused quite a bit of trouble for the two of them before she took Sybil under her wing. It was nice to hear there were some happy endings.

“Lass, I’d like to leave for home before it grows dark. The laird has offered the use of his carriage.”

Sarah chewed her lip. “May I speak with you in the library?”

“Of course.” She swept past him, and he followed her out of the hall and down the corridor to the library.

She opened the door and turned to him. “I asked Liam if it would be all right for us to talk in here.”

He frowned as she twisted her fingers. So she’d been planning this, since he hadn’t seen her speak to Liam. What did the lass have in mind now? She walked behind the settee, obviously not wanting them to be seated together. All right, if she would stand, so would he. “What did ye need to say to me that we had to have a private place to speak?”

“I want to stay here with Sybil.” Once the words were out, she seemed to relax as if the words themselves were as unwelcome as her intent.

Not one to rush his answers, he thought for a moment, noticing she grew uneasy as he continued to study her. Before he gave a hasty answer, he asked, “Why?”

“Because I came all this way to visit with my sister, and spend time with her and the babe. Well, babes, actually. I didn’t know she’d had twins. I know from my mother that twins are a lot of work, and even though she has a nanny—”

“Yer blathering, lass. Make yer point.”

“My point is I hadn’t planned on marrying, and even though we have—married—I don’t see any reason why I should change my plans. I did come all this way to see my sister.”

“Aye. That ye did.” He walked around the settee, both amused and annoyed when she edged her way behind it, so they were still separated by the piece of furniture. “And how long do ye think ye need to stay here with yer sister?”

Sarah shrugged. “I don’t know. A few weeks, perhaps.”

“A few weeks! Ye expect me to leave and have ye stay here for a few weeks? Lass, ye have to reconcile yerself to the fact that whether ye intended it or not, we are married. I expect ye to pack yer belongings and go with me to Dundas Castle where I keep a room until I hear about the expedition I hope to secure.”

She stuck out her chin. “And then what?”

The lass had him there. He had no idea what the answer to that question was. What would he do?

“That has yet to be decided. Right now I’d like to know why my wife is so reluctant to be married.”

“And what exactly does that mean?”

Before she could react, he grabbed her arm and tumbled her into him until they both fell on the settee, her sprawled on top of his body. “Now this is the position I want us to be in.” He raised his head up and took her lips in a searing kiss. She struggled a bit, but then sighed and relaxed.

Her softness against the hardness of his body woke up his neglected manhood. He shifted to get more comfortable, so they were side by side, the blood racing to his erection with lightning speed. His hands roamed over her body, making circles on her back, growing closer to her bottom. His fingers worked her gown, edging the hem up until he reached the soft skin above her stocking.

Moving her slightly, he continued his journey, his hand sliding upward, until he reached her warm, moist center. “
Ach
, lass. Yer ready for me,” he whispered into her mouth.

Sarah moaned, her fingers delving into his hair. “We can’t do this here. Someone could come in.”

“Aye. I agree with ye.” He rose, taking her with him. The hem of her gown fell to her feet and she stared at him with half-lidded eyes. “We’ll retire to yer bedchamber and take up this discussion tomorrow.”

When she looked as though she would argue the point, he swept her weightless into his arms and strode to the door.

He bent to open the latch, then entered the corridor, heading toward the stairs. Taking the steps to the next level two at a time, he stopped at the top of the stairs. “Which way to yer room?”

“Third door on the left,” she murmured.

Deciding it was best to keep her occupied so she didn’t overthink the situation, he reclaimed her lips, crushing her to his chest. A young maid was just exiting the room Sarah stated was hers. She scooted out of the way and continued on, leaving the door ajar, making it easy to enter the room and kick the door closed with his foot. He proceeded directly to the bed, tumbling Sarah onto the mattress and following her down.

“Let me help ye out of yer gown, darlin’.”

“My maid—”

“Just left. I’ll be yer maid.” His stiff fingers unfastened her gown and untied her stays in record time. Soon she was left in her stockings and nothing else except the white ribbon in her hair. He propped himself up on one elbow as he ran his hands over her naked form, stopping to tweak her nipples, then moving down to her nest of dark curls.

His wife. The words resonated in his brain. No worries about not taking their time, or about making noises.
’
Twas his wedding night, and he had many things planned for his bride. He hoped to have her wholly scandalized and thoughts of staying with her sister gone. He would make slow, sweet love to her until she cried his name and begged him to grant her release.

He would take her, over and over, until the sun crept beyond the horizon and he had made her so completely his that she would follow him anywhere.

Chapter Thirteen

S
arah lay on her side, her hands tucked under her cheek as she stared at her husband lying on a pillow next to her. He was sleeping peacefully, looking younger with his spectacles sitting on the table next to the bed.

Memories of last night, and the several times they’d made love in so many different ways, caused her heart to thump madly. Both with passion and fear. If she spent more nights like that with this man she might very well end up in a family way, which would bring a halt to all her plans and dreams. Leaving her right where she swore she would not be. However, since he was expecting to leave the country for two years once he received the acceptance she was certain he would obtain, she only had to hold him off for a short time.

Once he was on his way to Rome, she could wait here with her sister until she received word from her publisher. She’d be able to enjoy her niece and nephew and finish the next book. She sighed and rolled over to stare out the window at the beautiful summer day. Scotland was truly a lovely place, and in some ways she would be sorry to leave it behind.

The mattress shifted, and then warm lips settled on her nape, alerting her to Braeden’s readiness to resume where they’d left off the night before. She closed her eyes and edged away. The best time to start detaching herself from him was now. “I am a bit sore. Perhaps I need to send for some warm water.”

“Of course,” he murmured. “I don’t want to cause you any pain.”

She left the bed and shrugged into her dressing gown before summoning a maid. They’d sent a carriage for Alice yesterday, but it would be a week or more before she could expect her to arrive.

Braeden threw off the covers and stood, running his fingers through his hair. Sarah’s breath hitched at the sight. The sun streaming through the window highlighting his form left her mesmerized. He could pass for any statue in the museum of Greek gods. Except he was human, and all warm flesh and sinewy muscle. His unfashionably long wavy black hair covered his ears and fell in disarray over his forehead. She darted her eyes away, not wanting him to see her admiring him.

“I will head back to the room Liam relegated me to and dress.” He pulled on his breeches and tugged his shirt over his head. He hesitated as if wanting to say something and then merely nodded and left the room.

Sarah let out a deep breath. So far, so good. Now to convince him he should return to Dundas and leave her with Sybil. Her water arrived and she washed, using the warm cloth to ease the tenderness between her legs. Touching herself brought back memories that had heat rising to her face.

How Braeden had used his mouth and tongue in places on her body that had scandalized her. Although it had felt wonderful at the time. He’d told her there were many other ways he could pleasure her.

Best to forget those.

Liam, Sybil, Lady MacBride, Catriona, Alanna, and Braeden were sitting at the breakfast table when she arrived. Sybil grinned in her direction which once again brought heat to Sarah’s face. They didn’t have to be twins for her to know why Sybil was grinning.

Sarah filled her plate from the side table with a boiled egg and toast. It was easy to pass up the porridge and haggis, something she was sure she would never favor. The little bit of food and several cups of hot tea restored her and prepared her for the confrontation with Braeden.

Braeden wiped his mouth with his serviette and placed it next to his empty place. “Lass, we need to depart today.”

Apparently, yesterday’s conversation hadn’t worked too well. She decided to try a different tactic. She took a deep breath, then gritted her teeth as she took a submissive demeanor. “I would like permission to stay with Sybil for a while. I had planned to spend time helping and enjoying her babes, and I still want to do that. At least for a little while.”

She ignored her sister’s snort at her little act as Braeden sat back and regarded her. A flash of annoyance ran through her at the grin he tried to suppress. Obviously, he found her submissive demeanor not only unbelievable, but humorous.

He shook his head, and his grin grew wider. “Permission, lass? Aye, I can understand that. ’Twould be unfair of me to insist that ye leave when we’ve only just arrived.” He continued to study her while Sarah held her breath.

“I wish I could stay here with ye. Unfortunately, with all the preparations I need to make for the expedition, and research and correspondence I am far behind on, I am in need of Duncan’s extensive library. ’Twould be time consuming to travel back and forth each day.

“If the laird agrees, ye can stay for a bit to visit with yer sister. Perhaps I can take some time to visit with ye.”

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, reminding herself this was precisely why she didn’t want a husband. Why should she have to ask permission to visit her sister?

Now if she could stay here until Braeden’s letter arrived, she would be safe. He would go off on his expedition, and she would stay at Bedlay until she received word from her publisher.

B
raeden could not deny how annoyed he was at the relief in Sarah’s expression when he agreed that she could stay with her sister. Last night, he’d been able to distract her from her intention, but tossing her over his shoulder now and hauling her upstairs in front of her family for a repeat was not the best idea.

This marriage was not starting off well. He understood the lass’s sense of betrayal. But the right opportunity to tell Sarah what she’d done hadn’t presented itself until they’d arrived two days ago. For whatever reason, she was reluctant to be married and was having some problem adjusting to the idea. So very different from how he’d viewed her since they’d met.

She’d been strong, and able to handle situations that most ladies of her station would have been wailing and swooning about. Her stamina was one of the many things about her he admired. But she had fallen completely apart at the news of their marriage. Yet he kenned she was attracted to him, and enjoyed their conversation and banter. Neither could her passion in the bedchamber be faked. A conundrum to be sure.

“Aye, the lass is welcome to stay for a visit,” Liam said. “I know my wife was looking forward to spending time with her sister.” He looked affectionately at Sybil.

“In that case, I best be on my way.” Braeden stood and held out his hand. “Walk with me to the door, love.”

He took her hand as they made their way to the entrance hall. He felt as if leaving her here would somehow put a wedge between them that could prove insurmountable. On the other hand, insisting she go with him when her journey had been for the intention of spending time with her sister and the new bairns seemed cruel. He just wished she didn’t seem so happy to see him leave.

They walked into the scant sunlight and down the pathway. Braeden turned and rested his hands on her shoulders. “As I told ye before, I keep a room at Dundas for my use when I’m not at university. If my time here is longer than I hope it will be, I will secure a house for us to live in until I receive word about my expedition.”

She bit her lower lip and gave him a small smile. When she didn’t speak, he added, “I hope ye enjoy the visit with yer sister and her bairns. I will let ye know when the letter from the committee on the expedition to Rome arrives.”

“What will we do then?”

He didn’t know, so he said, “I will decide when the time comes.”

“
You
will decide?”

“’Tis my work that we’re discussing here, lass. ’Tis verra important.” He should have bitten his tongue. Sarah’s eyes flashed, and her shoulders stiffened. Before she could lash out at him, he leaned forward and took her mouth in a gentle kiss. “Dinna fash yerself, lass. Have a good time with yer sister.”

Tapping her lightly on the end of her nose, he turned and walked away.

“Are you walking to Dundas?” Her voice sounded bleak to his ears, but that must have been his imagination. Or wishful thinking.

He turned around but continued to walk backward. “Aye. ’Tis only about a two hour walk. ’Twill give my muscles some exercise after all that travel.”

She wrapped her arms around her waist and nodded. With a small salute, he turned and never looked back until he passed the rise where he knew he could no longer see Bedlay. Then he let out a huge breath.

Dear Sarah,

When I arrived home there was a letter from the Royal Society of Edinburgh. A second candidate has been nominated for the Rome archeological position, so they have asked me to be patient while they research the man’s background. In the meantime, I have a number of things I am taking care of while I have the time.

I miss your laughter and our conversations. Once again I am reminded of how different I am from the rest of my family.

I hope all is well with you and your family.

Braeden

S
arah sat rocking Andrina as the babe fussed. The poor little mite seemed to be having difficulties with her tummy. She would draw her tiny legs up and howl. Sybil had tried walking and then rocking her, but Sarah offered to take over when the new mother looked as if she were about to drop.

Lady MacBride and the girls had gone to the village, leaving only the nurse who was busy with Donald wailing his own misery. It amazed Sarah how much time dealing with a little babe took and how many hands were needed when there were two of them.

Three days had passed since Braeden had returned to Dundas. During that time she’d missed him so much it hurt. She couldn’t help but wonder how receptive he would be to her plan to return to London while he traveled to Rome. But her work was just as important to her as Braeden’s was to him.

Perhaps she should have told him about her book, but she was afraid he would laugh and dismiss her dreams. His scorn would hurt more than anything he could say. That she wanted his approval annoyed her; but the fact of the matter was, she did. She had a great deal of respect for the man, and she didn’t want to see laughter in his eyes at something that meant so much to her.

For now, it was best to keep it to herself. Even if he didn’t laugh, she doubted he would understand her need to gain recognition for her hard work. Why did men have to be so male?

Thinking of his very male hands on her body and how he brought such pleasure to her with those hands and his mouth had her squirming in her chair. It was extremely annoying that he’d left her with those memories. And desires. Life would have been much simpler had she not met the man. She could have had a fulfilling life without all that passion. One could not miss what one never experienced.

“Hey sweetheart, it looks like your troubles have passed.” Sarah gazed at her niece, who had settled down, her eyes slowly closing, her lips moving as if feeding. A sense of peace descended on the sitting room outside of the laird’s bedchamber, where Sybil had gone to rest.

“Now that you’re nice and quiet, maybe your mama can sleep. You and your brother are wearing her out.”

Sarah continued to rock, the babe falling into a peaceful slumber. The child was soft and warm and smelled as only a new baby smelled. How wonderful it would be to hold her own child.

She quickly pushed that thought from her mind. Motherhood was not part of her plan. In order to have a child, she needed a husband, and the one she had she was trying her best to avoid.

Dear Braeden,

The babes seem to grow more each day. Lady MacBride and I try to do as much as we can for Sybil, and Liam is very helpful as well. I went for a long walk yesterday and found a four-leaf clover. Isn’t that supposed to bring good luck?

The beautiful countryside reminded me how much I enjoy picnics. We’ve never gone on a picnic.

Sarah

B
raeden closed the thick book and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked around Duncan’s library where he’d been ensconced for two days. He spent too much time with his head buried in a book, behind closed doors. After a lifetime of that, it amused him that now he felt the pull of the outdoors. Perhaps Sarah’s note had prompted the new feeling.

True, he and the lass hadn’t gone on a picnic. They also hadn’t done anything young couples do when they are courting. Maybe she would be more comfortable with their wedded state if he made an effort to woo her.

He grew excited at the idea of a picnic, as well as seeing Sarah again. He’d loved talking to her. Due to her education, she thought more along the lines he did. His parents had attempted to make him feel like part of the family, but the divide between them was even wider since he’d gone off to university.

Perhaps if he fetched her from Bedlay and even managed to make love to her on the soft grass, she might remember she was a married woman and belonged with her husband. Although his family hadn’t said anything, it was obvious from their vague comments that they thought the separation of a newly married couple odd. But they’d always thought he was odd, anyway.

“There he is, always reading.” His eldest brother Morgan entered the library, tugging off his work gloves. “Yer head is going to explode with all that knowledge in there, lad.”

“Aye, there are times I believe ’tis true.”

Morgan rested his work-roughened hands on his hips. “I have a way for ye to get some exercise for yer body instead of yer head.”

“What?”

“I have a few sheep I need to chase down, and I could use another hand. They wandered through a hole in the fence and scattered. My boys are with the rest of the flock on the southeast pasture. And with Moira in a family way again, I can’t ask her to help out.”

Morgan kept his wife, Moira “in a family way” on a regular basis. At only thirty-four years, Morgan was already father to six bairns. With another on the way.

“Aye, I think I could use a bit of exercise.” Braeden placed the book on a small table next to him and followed his brother.

Dear Sarah,

Aye, ’tis a shame we’ve never gone on a picnic. I spent time with my brother, Morgan, rounding up sheep yesterday and realized I need more time outdoors. The fresh air cleared the cobwebs in my brain.