Chapter Eight
The man had clearly lost his wits. And the range of emotions over the past few hours were inexplicable.
She much preferred the smiling, lighthearted William who rode alongside her now to the brooding one from earlier.
What had brought about all these changes in him she could not say as she had been exploring her own thoughts and feelings.
The kiss had been anticipated but nothing could have prepared her for the feelings he’d stirred in her.
She’d felt desire for him, but this was so much more.
No silk shift could produce this tingling and ache from deep within her as though she craved something she did not yet understand, leaving her unfulfilled and wanting more.
When they finally arrived at Inverness Castle, she was glad for the brief reprieve to be attended on in her chamber but found herself feeling empty without his nearness. So much so that when a knock sounded at the door signaling the evening meal, she practically leapt at it.
On the other side was a neatly trimmed and well put together William holding out a single bluebell for her.
She’d opted to change into her favorite plain blue velvet gown which was more comfortable than the complicated gowns gifted her by the queen.
This one was squared off around her neckline with long floor-length sleeves that were fitted to her elbow and then cascaded downward.
She debated between her linen shift and the silk one and in the last minute decided on the latter.
She hoped the garment would not prove too distracting.
He on the other hand seemed dressed to perfection with his hair pulled back and tied at his nape wearing his shiny black tunic, perfectly set over a fresh white leine. He wore leather trews and tall boots with his clan’s sash across his chest. She felt far less formal.
“Are we dining with the king and queen this eve, my lord?” she said with a smile only partly jesting.
“Nay, my lady. But we do have cause to celebrate.”
“Do we now?”
“Aye.”
“And what are we celebrating?” she asked taking his arm as they strolled through the hallway toward the great hall.
“You shall see,” he said and placed his hand atop hers giving her a little squeeze.
Any part of him that touched her sent shivers racing through her body. She became aware of the heat and strength in his hand and now regretted the silk. She would not survive this night without wanting to straddle him and kiss him until they were both breathless.
When they entered the hall, her breath caught.
The table had been adorned with bunches of fresh flowers and tall candles with dancing flames.
The hearth with its ornately decorated stonework depicted a stag head staring hard out from within as though the beast had gotten caught inside while trying to escape.
The walls were covered with various tapestries depicting battles and more stag’s heads than she’d ever seen. The table was set for two at the far end. She looked up to William to find him grinning down at her.
“Is all this for me?”
“Aye, Agnes. Will you enjoy a meal with me?”
She answered by moving to the chair she assumed was meant for her which was to the side of the head of the table.
William helped her onto her seat just as servants entered with platters of fish and rabbit and boar. Bread platters followed by pastry and cheese taking up about a quarter of the table.
“Are all the king’s guard joining us?”
He laughed. “No, it is just us. The family are away and the servants are under strict orders to treat us well. The Gordon and I go back a long way. Standing orders at Mugdock Castle as well.”
“A little warning would have helped, my lord. I feel underdressed for this elaborate display,” she said as she pointed at some perfectly prepared trout when prompted by a servant.
The fish was complemented by cheese, bread, and a savory blueberry duff.
The meal was fit for a king, but she’d happily take it.
She was not accustomed to feasts like these as an everyday occurrence.
“Would you prefer ale or mead?” he asked.
“Mead, please. If I drink ale with this food, I will be asleep on my trencher.” It was true she did not prefer ale and even mead only on occasion. She much preferred the light wines her father had brought over from France on a regular basis. The other beverages were much heavier than her liking.
Once the meal was finished, he asked, “Would you like to sit by the fire with me, Agnes?”
She noticed a comfortable bench had been brought in that wasn’t there when they’d entered.
“I would enjoy that, William.”
He pulled back her chair and reached out his hand to her.
She placed hers in his and together they sat on the thickly padded wide bench facing the hearth.
The fire wasn’t overly large considering the warm summer weather, but it did keep the air from gaining a chill from the stone walls. The ambience was comforting.
Everything about the evening had been perfect. And how here she sat, with the handsome earl and no place in the world she would rather be.
“May I ask you something?”
“Aye, William, you can ask me anything.”
“Earlier today, when I kissed you,” he said.
Her belly fluttered and her pulse quickened at the mere mention.
“Aye?”
“Did you enjoy it?”
She searched his expression for any hint of condescension or jest, but there was none.
“Aye,” she whispered. “I did.”
“Would you let me kiss you again?”
He’d said ’twas too dangerous. And he’d been right. She was an earl’s daughter and meant for a great marriage. She could not give herself over to her desires, just because a man was handsome and a damned fine kisser.
“William, you said earlier that wasn’t a good idea. Have you changed your mind?”
She was aware she’d worded that awkwardly. Did she want to kiss him? Aye, that and more, but she had to be sensible about it. She had a real sense of where it would lead.
“Something has changed, aye.”
“Tell me what has changed.”
He leaned toward her and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “By God, no one has ever captivated me the way you have.”
That wasn’t new; he’d told her that before.
William cupped her face with his hands and touched his nose with hers before holding his lips inches from hers. “Tell me you are as stirred as I am,” he whispered.
There was no doubt about it. “I am.”
“Tell me you want me as much as I want you.”
“I do.”
Her brain would not let her form more flowery words than the simple truth and in that moment, she did not possess the strength to push him away.
His lips crashed into hers unleashing all the pent-up tension within her over the past days and weeks.
She curled her arms around his neck and gave over to her body’s craving.
She did exactly what she wanted to do and took everything he offered.
His hands were in her hair, then on her back pulling her closer so that her breasts were tight to his chest. She could feel his heart beating through his chest. The hard thumping made her nipples tight and hard.
“I have one more question for you,” he said breaking the kiss and holding her head, staring deep into her eyes.
Agnes nodded. Words were not forthcoming.
“Will you be my wife?”
The shock of the words made her breath catch in her throat. His wife? Marriage to him? The most eligible man in Scotland and the one who had just kissed her like she was the last woman in the world?
“William, are you certain?”
“Aye, Agnes. I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
“Then the only answer I can give you is, aye, William. I will marry you.”
With that he pulled her into his arms and kissed her so profoundly she was sure her grandchildren would feel it.
Moments later he pulled away saying something about an early rise and she must be rested.
Before she could recall her clan’s motto, Commit thy work to God, she was in her chamber alone and staring at the closed door.
Had that really just happened?
*
William paced as he waited for his instructions to be carried out.
He’d written several letters to be dispatched immediately in several directions including Stirling Castle, Mugdock Castle, and Girnigoe.
The last had been the hardest. To ask for what he needed without giving the impression his daughter still held her virtue proved difficult and delicate.
In the end he was satisfied with his letter and couldn’t wait to see what the results would be once they arrived.
Over the next several days, William stole kisses from Agnes whenever he could, but was careful not to let himself become too aroused as to risk their passion ruining their wedding night. It was to be perfect; he had left not one detail out in his letter to her father.
They’d made haste through Grant, Ross, and Munroe lands for obvious reasons, but the haste worked well in his favor as he would that much sooner claim her as his bride and spend his life pleasing her.
Now just a couple miles from her home, he was nervous for the first time in quite a long time. Not even when he had to address the clan for the first time or met the king and accepted his title could compare to this moment.
Soon they were trotting down the long pathway toward the tall tower with the sea in full view beyond. He could understand her belief in mythology having now seen this view firsthand. The castle was not overly large, but sat atop a cliff that seemed to hang out over the sea.
They passed over a bridge and through a stone archway to enter the inner courtyard. The outer visage was deceiving, for what lay inside was much larger than he had anticipated. Properly stocked, this castle would be safe haven for months if needed.
He dismounted first then helped Agnes to the ground. Before he could form another thought, a deep voice sounded behind him.