Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
T he next evening, there was a grand supper in the dining hall. The castle was buzzing with the news of all that had happened. Everyone was in good spirits. Earlier that day, Maddie did as promised, showing the tunnel entrance at low tide. The Laird now had to figure out a way to guard it or close it off.
The celebratory supper was also to welcome the children and feel the relief that the thieving mystery had been solved. All was set right again at the Keep.
The fire roared in the hearth in the dining hall. Tin cups and plates clattered while people ate heaping helpings of roasted meats, roasted fish, and vegetables. The mead flowed freely, and stringed instruments played in the corner. It was a lively affair as always, and everyone was in good spirits.
The children had been bathed and given new clothing. Their hair had been cut and washed appropriately. They ate heartily and played in the corner of the dining hall with Mary and the other children, running back and forth, jumping and dancing to the music.
Danielle made eye contact with Maria, who sat in the middle of the high table with the Laird, and raised her glass to her, nodding. Maria raised her glass back and smiled, and Danielle knew Maria and the Laird appreciated that all had been brought to justice and the children were saved in the process. She also knew that Maria had gained respect for her.
The Laird stood and raised his tankard. As he did so, a hush came over the clan, and the music stopped. They all quieted to hear his words.
“I want to say that these children here are a reminder that there are many among our clan who do not have the wealth we take for granted. Many others in our territory are in hardship, and my wife, Lady Maria, is starting a way to help ensure that children are not starving on our lands.”
The hall cheered and applauded.
Then the Laird continued, “But my words are not all good tidings. I want to address something very disappointing among my Guard. We are all guilty of it, even myself. Before we discovered the true thief among us, we were quick to judge those who had newly pledged their fealty. We blamed Graeme and Danny MacMillan simply because of their past. Who here among us has not done something unsavory, and yet managed to change for the better? We all have. We were wrong to treat them unjustly. My sincerest apologies to you both. And on that note, I forbid any more harassment of Graeme and Danny based on their past. They are Guards, just like many of you, and they will be treated with the same respect. Anyone caught mistreating or harassing them based on their past will be brought to me immediately. Is that understood?”
There were groans of agreement. Danielle watched as their detractors were shamed into silence. Even Brody, who was convinced Danny had stolen his lucky coin, lowered his eyes in shame.
“Now, let us eat, drink, and be MacLeods!” Cameron shouted.
“MacLeod!” the hall roared.
Danielle and Graeme grinned at each other.
“There, you see? You have lived to see those who mistreated you to be wrought with humiliation,” she whispered.
“It is satisfying I must say,” he said, “but do you know what would satisfy me more?” he growled huskily in her ear.
Danielle flushed, knowing exactly what he meant.
“Now?” she said.
He did not answer with words. He simply grabbed her hand and led her out of the hall and toward her chamber.
The two madly groped and kissed outside of Danielle’s bedroom. They could not get enough of each other.
“I love you so much,” Danielle said.
“I love you, lass,” Graeme said as he opened the door to her chamber, and they moved inside.
Then he stopped and stepped back.
“I cannot imagine my life without ye, lass. I know I have nothing. I know I used to be a criminal with a dark past. But you are everything to me.”
“I don’t care about your past, Graeme. I know you now. You are a good person with a good heart who cares for his family. My heart is yours,” she said.
“Then would you consider being my wife, Danielle?” he asked.
Danielle gasped. “Yes!” she shouted, then jumped into his arms.
“You make me very happy with that answer, lass.” He lifted her in his arms and kissed her.
Danielle was spinning. She knew it was insane, but it also felt more right than anything in her life. She could not believe that not too long ago, she was deep in her career. She was betrayed by her ex-boyfriend and her assistant, and so much more. She had been unhappy with her position as a criminal lawyer and felt unsatisfied. Now, she was living a different life.
She had never been happier.
“Kiss me,” she moaned.
“Yes, my soon-to-be wife,” he replied.
He kissed her deeply.
“My God, lass. How can you be real?” He greedily took in the sight of her as she undressed.
She smiled. “Now you,” she said.
He disrobed until he stood naked before her.
“Take me to bed, soon-to-be husband,” she said.
Graeme moved to her and picked her up in his arms. He laid her gently on the bed and pressed his strong body on top of hers. He moved his hand between her thighs and stroked her center. His kisses moved over her skin and onto her breast. Danielle moaned, arching her back toward him. Her hands twisted the sheet underneath her as she was flooded with need.
“Yes. Yes, I love you, Graeme,” Danielle whimpered louder and louder.
He kissed down her body, moving down until his face was between her legs, with his scruffy beard scratching at her inner thighs.
“Oh, Graeme,” she moaned.
His tongue pressed against her wet core and flicked there, making her wild.
“Yes! Oh!” she cried louder, feeling her orgasm building.
Graeme moved his tongue faster with gentle amounts of pressure. Danielle shouted in release, so loud that she knew the whole castle must have heard her. She was glad for the celebrations going on in the dining hall to drown out her pleasured screams.
Danielle looked at her handsome Scot as she still shuddered in his arms, waiting for him to fill her with his throbbing cock.
“You are so beautiful, lass,” he said.
His thick Scottish accent was so sexy to her.
He moved up her body and set himself between her thighs as he slid into her. They moaned in unison.
He covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply.
He moved slowly and sensually, drawing out the pleasure of each stroke.
Danielle opened her thighs wider, wanting to feel all of him. She clung to his back, digging her hands into him.
She licked his chest, allowing her tongue to move over his hard ridges.
“My Danielle, you are mine. My wife-to-be,” he whispered groaning wildly.
His words moved deep inside, reaching her soul. She loved hearing him call her his wife-to-be; it was all so right. Nothing to be feared.
He continued to move in and out of her slowly, but as their pleasure built, he moved faster and faster. She felt the sensation of another orgasm building and was ready to explode. And then, she tumbled over the edge, crashing into a cloud of ecstasy. She looked into his startling green eyes, lost in them as he made love to her.
He moved faster, swaying his pelvis back and forth until he, too, found release. He groaned as she came once again on the tail of his, shattering in his arms.
He collapsed on top of her, pressing her into the mattress.
“I love you,” he whispered to her.
“And I, you, my strong warrior,” she said.