Eight Hunting Lyons (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Chapter Twelve

E veryone’s spirits revived when they neared Castle Lyon.

Beatrix gasped when the road took a sudden curve, and she caught sight of the magnificent castle and the sea beyond. The twilight sky was an incredible shade of dark pink and lavender that reflected upon the waves. “Look, Lottie. The sun is setting over the water. Have you ever seen a more beautiful sight?”

Her stepmother opened her red-rimmed eyes, for she had been crying most of their journey, and managed a cheerful smile. “Yes, Beatrix. It is quite lovely.”

The castle was breathtaking, too.

The massive, stone manor house stood atop the cliffs overlooking the town of Stonehaven. “It is a mighty fortress with walls thick enough to withstand a battering ram,” Lucas said. “The original fort was built when the Romans first landed in England. They never made it up this far, but our ancestors were not taking any chances. It was fortified centuries later when the Vikings invaded. They were never successful here, so they moved further south and conquered much of England. We have since successfully defended against the Sassenachs, as well. No one has ever defeated the Lyons of Mar.”

Since Beatrix found the family history fascinating, he continued. “The old iron gates are gone now. Whatever ye see is merely decorative. The moat was drained not so long before our time. I’m sure we lost one or two ancestors who fell drunkenly into the water after a night of revelry in town. There were nights when my brothers and I would have suffered the same fate after drinking a dram or two too much.”

Beatrix smiled as he spoke. To Lucas, the term “not so long ago” probably meant over a hundred years ago.

“We have no’ touched the parapets, though. Do ye see the arrow slits along the stone, Beatrix?”

“Yes, I think so.”

Lucas had been raised here and obviously loved the place. He had told her once that Castle Lyon was in Cheyne’s soul and not his. But she did not think it was quite true.

The dukedom of Mar, the family history dating back over a thousand years, and the battles fought here were all part of who Lucas was.

No wonder he strutted around like an arrogant warrior.

He leaned closer as she stared out the coach’s window in utter fascination. “I’m glad ye like it, lass.”

The cliffs and the water reminded her of the beautiful spot where Lucas had given her a first kiss. “I do. Very much.”

“It’ll be dark soon, so there is no’ much we can do other than dine and go to sleep. I’ll show ye around tomorrow and even take ye down to the infamous beach where we take our annual swim.”

She laughed. “I would like that.”

There was a flurry of activity as Cheyne’s staff rushed out to greet them and take in their bags. Beatrix was touched by the love in Cheyne’s eyes as he proudly introduced them to his wife and newborn son.

Jenny, who was about the same age as she and Danielle, greeted them warmly and made them feel right at home. “I am delighted you are all here. The women finally outnumber the Lyon men. Hurrah for that,” she said merrily, leading them into the summer parlor for refreshments. “Weather permitting, we’ll have tea in the garden tomorrow afternoon. It is beautiful, and I love it out there. But all of Stonehaven is beautiful. I cannot imagine ever living anywhere else.”

Cheyne, now holding his sleeping son, could not hold back his smile. “Jenny’s done a wonderful job of making this heap of stones a home for us.”

Beatrix and Danielle exchanged grins, for Cheyne had transformed from a serious and sober duke to a doting husband in the blink of an eye. He had eyes only for his wife and seemed unable to soak in enough of her, even though the pair could not have been apart for more than a week.

This is how it should be , Beatrix thought.

She studied Cheyne as he held his son and knew this man would never push this child away, as her father had done to her. This was also why these Lyon men had grown up so confident. Their parents had loved them fiercely.

When she moved to the window to look out on the cliffs and the sea, Lucas came to stand beside her.

He wrapped her hand in his.

She smiled up at him. “No wonder I fell in love with you. I don’t think I stood a chance, for you have the castle, the surrounding Highlands, and the mighty sea in your heart. It is a proud heart. You are as strong in character as these mighty cliff rocks, but you can also be soft as the sand upon the beach and quietly powerful as the waves lapping the shore.”

“Lass, ye flatter me too much. I hope I am all of those things. Mostly, I wish to be a good husband to ye.”

“You will be. You Lyons know how to appreciate what you have. I am almost tempted to abduct my father and bring him here to observe what a man should be to his family. I try not to ache for all the joy we have missed as a family because of his grief. But I might never have met you otherwise, so in the end, it has worked out.”

They all retired not long afterward.

Beatrix lay in bed and eagerly awaited the start of a new day. She had kept her drapes open, hoping to feel the sun on her face come morning and be wakened by it. As the sun rose above the horizon and light began to filter into her bedchamber, she eagerly arose and hurried to the window to peer out of it.

Lucas had mentioned sunshine was not a common occurrence since it tended to rain quite often here. But these past days had been filled with blue skies and gentle summer breezes. The weather pattern did not appear about to change today.

She turned back to don her robe that was set out at the foot of her bed. Her bedchamber was not opulent but quite charming and cozy. The bed was large and comfortable, the drapes were of a sturdy damask in a pale blue print, and the woodwork throughout added warmth to the room. She even had a small balcony overlooking the castle’s garden and the sea.

“Good morning, Beatrix,” Lucas said, waving at her from his own balcony, which was only two chambers down from hers. His appearance was scandalously delicious, for he wore only his breeches and nothing else to cover his muscled form. His hair was windblown, and he had a sleepy look in his eyes that she found wildly attractive. “Are ye enjoying the view?”

She nodded, for she was heartily enjoying her view of him…and the garden and sea were pleasant, too.

“Unlatch yer door, lass. I’d like to give ye a morning kiss.”

“I…” She was going to refuse him, but where was the harm? They were betrothed. He was going to marry her whether they were caught in a compromising position or not. “All right. But do try to be discreet.”

He grinned and then disappeared back into his bedchamber.

She heard a light knock at her door a moment later and hurried to open it.

Her eyes widened in surprise as he stood before her, for he had not bothered to toss on any additional items of clothing. Up close, he was stunning. These Lyons were big men, and Lucas himself was so exquisitely muscled. “Oh, my.”

He entered and closed the door behind him, giving it a gentle nudge with his foot as he swept her into his arms and gave her a scorching kiss. “Good morning.”

She slid her hands up his chest and clung to his broad shoulders, left breathless by that kiss.

His skin felt warm to her touch, his body, sinewed and hard. The mix of his sandalwood soap and male heat had her in a heady spin.

Before she knew it, he had slipped the robe off her body and the front laces of her nightrail had fallen loose. “I’ve longed to touch ye like this, lass,” he said, his voice raspy as he slid his hand beneath the light fabric and cupped her breast.

She gasped, closing her eyes when he began to tease it and keeping them closed to better absorb these new sensations. She almost expired from the pleasure when he replaced the gentle stroke of his thumb with that of his tongue. “Lucas!”

What was this magic he was working?

She clutched his head to her bosom, her eyes still tightly closed as wild sensations coursed through her. She was turning to fire wherever he touched her; it made no difference whether it was with his hands or his lips.

Her blood flowed through her body like molten lava.

He seared her with his hot kisses.

A knock at her door brought an abrupt halt to her fiery pleasure.

Her nightrail was now completely undone in the front, leaving nothing to the imagination. Her hair was a wild mess, and her body surely had steam rising from it.

Lucas had the presence of mind to quietly secure the latch back in place so no one could walk in. He still had one arm around her body, and that smoldering gaze of his simply burned her through and through.

“Who is it?” she asked, barely able to breathe as she quietly struggled to draw the nightrail over her bosom.

Lucas was not helping. He appeared to be having far too much fun watching her scramble and did not at all mind their predicament.

“Danielle,” came the muffled response. “I hope you are not too angry that I disturbed you, but Matthew and I are going for an early morning walk along the beach. We rarely get such beautiful weather, and it is a shame not to take advantage. The beach is splendid at this time of day. Would you care to join us?”

Lucas nodded when she turned to him for guidance.

“Yes, that sounds lovely. Give me a few minutes, and I will meet you downstairs.”

“Perfect. Matthew is going to rouse Lucas, too.”

“Lucas is already roused,” he whispered naughtily, now nibbling her neck and managing to find the most sensitive spot.

“Um, don’t worry about Lucas. I am sure he is sleeping like the dead.” Oh. My. “I’ll just toss on a gown and…” Heavens. “I’ll be right there. Yes…oh, yes…right there.”

“Beatrix, do you want my help?” Danielle rattled the door latch.

“No, I am completely fine.” If swooning in Lucas’s arms counted as that. “Just sorting out what to wear. Looking for my walking boots. Um…should I bring a shawl? It feels blazing in here.”

“Yes, bring a shawl. It will be cooler by the water. Take your time. I did not mean to rush you. You sound a little breathless. Well, I shall see you downstairs.”

Beatrix playfully swatted Lucas on the shoulder once Danielle’s footsteps had died away. “You wretched man! You almost gave us away. And now your brother will not find you in your chamber.”

“Your face is as red as a cherry in flames.” He was grinning at her again, looking so incredibly appealing with the sexy curve of his lips and the wicked hunger in his eyes. “I’ll sneak back to my room by hopping across the balconies.”

He started to toward her balcony, then turned back, brought her up against the hot length of him, and kissed her again. “See ye shortly, love.”

He made it back to his room in an effortless trice.

Beatrix rushed to her door and opened it to peek out just as Lucas opened his door. He and Matthew both looked down the hall and nodded to her. She shut her door again and leaned against it for a moment to steady her rapidly beating heart.

Goodness, he had called it a good morning kiss.

A simple kiss to greet the day.

What would he have in store for her on their wedding night?

“I hope I did not keep you all waiting too long,” she said, finding Danielle and the two Lyon men already in the entry hall when she rushed down several minutes later.

She had donned one of her sturdy travel gowns, a dark blue muslin trimmed in lace at the collar and sleeves. Since she hadn’t had time to pin up her hair, she left it down and simply drawn back with a ribbon that matched the color of her gown.

Lucas’s openhearted smile revealed his pleasure in her appearance.

He also looked quite fine in his casual attire. Neither he nor Matthew had bothered to don cravats or jackets, instead wearing only breeches and shirt. Neither of them had shaved yet, and each had the shadow of a day’s growth of beard on their chin that ought to have made them look scruffy but made them look ruggedly handsome instead.

They walked out through the summer parlor since it had an overlook onto the back of the castle and its splendid garden. “There’s a shortcut through the garden,” Danielle explained.

Beatrix paused a moment to breathe in the aromatic scent of roses which were sweetened by the morning dew that still covered the ground and glistened off the flower petals.

“Take my hand, Beatrix,” Lucas said, guiding her onto a narrow lane that led down a hill and straight to the beach. Matthew and Danielle were walking ahead of them, which gave him the opportunity to speak quietly to her. “I canno’ get yer lusciousness out of my mind, lass.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I am relieved you find me to your liking.”

“I truly had meant to give you a polite morning kiss. But ye have a way of addling my senses and turning me into a ravenous beast. Would I be rushing ye if I made arrangements to marry ye tomorrow? The ceremony can be held after we men of Stonehaven take our infamous swim.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” she teased him. “That depends. Do you intend to dress for the wedding ceremony? Or will you and your brothers show up…how did you put it…as the good Lord had you enter the world?”

He tugged her into his arms. “Ye are a cheeky lass. I’ll show up however ye wish me to dress…or undress. Ye’re the one who is modest, not I. What do you say, love? Will ye marry me tomorrow?”

She nodded. “Yes, with pleasure. With all the love in my heart.”

“Thank ye, Beatrix.” He kissed her deeply, his lips warm and wonderful against hers. Once he was done, they ran down to the beach to catch up to Danielle and Matthew.

“We wondered what had happened to you,” Danielle said, winking at Beatrix.

They spent the next hour darting in and out of the waves, their boots off, and the ladies with their gowns hiked up to the knees while the men had their breeches rolled up to the knees.

The water was cold but bracing.

When first stepping in, a chill had shot through her entire body. Beatrix could see how a male’s…no, it did not bear thinking.

She concentrated on the glory of the day instead. The sun was now well above the horizon and warmed the sand. She curled her toes in it and sighed. “What a splendid start to the day.”

They waved at the fishing boats sailing out of the harbor, the fishermen all recognizing the Lyon boys and calling out cheerful greetings.

It was a little after eight o’clock in the morning by the time they returned to the castle and readied themselves for the day in earnest. One of Jenny’s maids had come to help Beatrix change out of her beach attire and don a more fashionable gown, one that could not simply be tossed over one’s head but had to be intricately laced up the back. The maid, a lovely lass by the name of Mairi, also helped to style her hair in a casually soft upsweep. “Master Lucas will not be able to resist ye,” she said, eyeing her handiwork with satisfaction.

“Thank you, Mairi. You’ve done a beautiful job.”

The girl bobbed a curtsy and left to tend to Jenny since she was her lady’s maid but had been working extra duty to assist Beatrix this morning.

Beatrix now hurried downstairs to join the others for breakfast. To her surprise, Harriet and Lottie had come down as well, instead of having something brought up to their bedchambers, as was their custom. Posy, of course, was with Harriet. However, he immediately jumped onto Lucas’s lap when he sat down.

“Oh, for pity’s sake,” Harriet said with a shake of her head. “I fear Poseidon will not come home with me when I return to London. He has taken such a liking to you, Lucas.”

“Fortunately, so has yer niece,” he said, tossing Beatrix a steamy grin.

He then turned to everyone seated at the table, which now included Cheyne and Jenny, who had just taken their seats. “Beatrix and I would like to wed tomorrow. I know it gives none of us time to plan, but we have talked it over and are in agreement. We dinna require anything more than having our loved ones by our side. Would ye have any objections?”

Everyone seemed pleased by the notion.

“We are hosting a tea for all the townspeople the following day and preparing like mad for this party anyway,” Jenny said. “We can turn that into an official wedding celebration for you. A quiet ceremony tomorrow afternoon and the larger celebration the day after.”

Lucas nodded. “Sounds perfect to me. What do ye think, Beatrix?”

She nodded. “I love the idea. Thank you, Jenny.”

“I’ll walk down to the church with ye after breakfast to arrange it with the minister,” Cheyne said to Lucas.

Matthew set down his cup of coffee. “Count me in. I’m not missing this. The last of the Lyons tamed…or should I say, our Mouse has been caught in the parson’s mousetrap?”

When the meal was over, Cheyne took Beatrix aside. “I dinna want to ask in front of everyone for fear of putting ye on the spot, lass. But would ye take offense if I stood in place of yer father? I know he should be here for ye. I wish I could make it happen. But it would be my honor to give ye over to my brother.”

Beatrix’s eyes turned misty. “Yes, most heartily. Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Och, dinna be formal. Cheyne is fine among brothers and sisters.”

“Then thank you, Cheyne. I can think of nothing more perfect.” Truly, these Lyons were a unique and wonderful family. Despite her happiness, she could not help but ache for her father’s absence. Not for herself, for she had grown used to his disappointing her.

She felt sad for Lottie.

And for her father, who was so caught up in himself that he missed out on these treasured moments.

While the three brothers went to speak to the minister, the ladies spent the morning shopping in town. Lottie was more cheerful than she had been yesterday. Beatrix supposed it was due to the wedding plans.

Weddings cheered everyone.

Lottie and Harriet were determined to fuss over her, which Beatrix took in good stride. Lottie had been a loving stepmother to her. Harriet had been her savior and a second mother. She wanted both of them to participate in her wedding and its hasty planning, wanted them to understand how important they were to her.

She also wanted to buy something special for each, something meaningful to show her appreciation for all they had done for her. But she hadn’t the funds to purchase any gifts. Nor could she purchase anything for her soon-to-be sisters, not so much as a simple token.

There was also Cheyne to consider. He and Jenny were not only providing the castle and its grounds to host them, but he had kindly offered to stand in for her father.

What could she do for any of them?

When the men met up with the ladies after making arrangements for the ceremony, Lucas immediately sensed something was troubling her. “Pardon us. I am taking Beatrix away with me for a few minutes. I promise to return her to ye shortly.”

He quickly led her down the street toward the harbor. “What’s wrong, love?”

She told him about the bride gifts. “I hardly have enough in my reticule to buy a loaf of bread, much less a brooch or necklace for any of these ladies.”

“Buy whatever ye need. Have the shopkeepers put it on my account. We will sort it out later.” He cast her an endearing smile. “I could tell ye not to worry yer pretty head about it, that I’ll be taking care of ye and all yer needs from now on. But I think ye would punch me in the face.”

She laughed.

“I know ye want to do this on yer own, lass. I know yer father’s keeping ye ignorant of what ye possess financially is grating on ye. However, there is nothing we can do about it for the moment. I think this is the best compromise.”

“Thank you, Lucas. I am going to pay you back once my situation is sorted out. This is important to me, and I appreciate your understanding.” She cast him a smile filled with all the affection she felt for him. “I will gladly accept anything else you wish to lavish on me, but I hope you know it is your love that matters most. You may lavish as much of that as you wish, and I will never tire of it.”

“I know, lass.”

As they strolled back to the others, she asked, “Were the plans made for tomorrow?”

He nodded. “We’ll marry in the late afternoon if that suits ye.”

“It does.” He had no idea how eager she was to be his wife, to share a life with this wonderful man. Her heart was as full as she had ever remembered it to be.

“Och, dinna look at me like that, or I’ll be kissing ye indecently in front of everyone.” He bowed over her hand and kissed it. “I’ll see ye back at the castle. I’m going to set up yer accounts with the merchants first. Which shops do ye want me to start with?”

“Mr. Henkel’s shop first,” she said, giving him the name of the jeweler where she had spotted some lovely brooches and necklaces on display. “I’ll get all my gifts there. We were browsing in there earlier, and I know exactly what I would love to give each of the women.”

“Then come with me now. If ye’re that certain, just point the pieces out to me, and I’ll take care of the rest while ye rejoin the others. It’ll only take a few minutes, and they’ll never suspect.”

They greeted the jeweler, who was more than pleased to see her return, especially when Lucas opened the account for her.

Beatrix quickly pointed out the brooches she wanted for Harriet and Lottie and the necklaces for Jenny and Danielle. “I’m not sure what to choose for Cheyne,” she said while the man was taking the other items out from behind his locked display cases.

Lucas nodded. “Ye leave my brother to me. I know what he likes, and I’ll pick out something nice for him. Something with a mouse on it,” he said with a laugh, “so he’ll know it came from you and me.”

“Don’t you dare. No mouse. Nothing with ears or a tail on it.” She reached up and bussed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Lucas. I know you’ll choose something beautiful. I’m off to catch up to them at Madame Pouissard’s tearoom. Join us there when you’ve finished your errands.”

He watched her leave and waited for the door to firmly close behind her before he turned to the jeweler. “Mr. Henkel, there’s one more gift I must have…and Lady Beatrix is not to know about it. I wish it to be a surprise for her.”

The man could hardly contain his glee as he said, “Aye, my lord. What did ye have in mind?”