Chapter Eleven
The preparations for Beltane had been going on for what seemed like days. Beth had been forced to put up with Lady Chisholm during all the planning, decorating, and deciding on the food to be served, almost as if she was Lady of the Manor.
Louise, the chatelaine, had given up, literally throwing her hands in the air when Lady Chisholm interfered once too many times.
Beth and Daniel had been spending time together, mostly playing chess in the evenings. He had been out most of the days tending to problems with his clan. Although, she thought, he was merely avoiding Lady Chisholm.
Despite the interfering, annoying woman’s best efforts, Daniel had been able to get some time alone with Beth. His kisses left her breathless, and he’d taken a few more privileges that she should not have allowed, but she had a way of forgetting herself when he kissed her.
He was still trying so hard to get an “aye” from her.
Although she never said so to him, she was getting close.
There was no reason for her to continue to eschew marriage.
She knew by now that she loved the arrogant oaf and even though Daniel had never said the words to her, she was almost certain he felt the same.
He’d mentioned more than once that the advisors wanted him to make a betrothal announcement at the festival. She hadn’t asked him what he would do if she hadn’t given him the answer he wanted by then.
She knew he had no intention of accepting Lady Alice despite the lass’s mother’s constant barrage of comments on her daughter’s skills, good manners, virtuous demeanor, and ability to run a keep.
In all the time they’d been there, and despite Beth’s best efforts, she was unable to speak much with Lady Alice. Her mam was always by her side, almost as if she was guarding her. Could she be that concerned about the lass’s virtue?
How easily the woman had taken over the job of Lady of the Manor, making it obvious she fully expected Daniel to accept Lady Alice.
Beltane always included the entire village with a huge bonfire in the village green. Beth had thought it unnecessary to decorate the castle so much, but no one had the courage to go against Lady Chisholm’s dictates.
“I doona understand that woman,” Beth’s mam said as, arms linked, they strolled in the garden, mainly to get away from Lady Chisholm and the way she ordered everyone about.
“I ken ye and the laird have become friendly,” she glanced at her with a smirk, “so unless I am completely fooled, I doona think the laird plans to marry Lady Alice.”
“I can tell ye one thing for certain, Mam. Daniel does no’ wish to marry Lady Alice. And anyone with eyes can see they do no’ have an attraction to each other.”
“She doesna like anything he likes, she doesna talk to him, and doesna even look him in the eye. If there was ever a lass who let it be known she has no interest in a mon more than Lady Alice, I’d like to meet her.”
They continued to enjoy their walk, admiring the new spring flowers in full bloom and the warm air. Hopefully the weather would continue to cooperate that evening when the bonfire would be held after supper.
After a few minutes, her mam said, “Is there something between ye and the laird yer da and I should ken about?”
Beth glanced sideways at her mam and said, “Mayhap.”
Her mam burst out with laughter. “Mayhap?”
Beth grinned. “Aye. Mayhap.”
“’Tis obvious to yer da and me, as well as others in the keep, that the laird has a fancy for ye.”
Now it was Beth’s turn to laugh. “A fancy?”
Before she could comment on that, Lady Chisholm stood at the front of the garden and hustled toward them. “Oh, Lady Munro. We need yer help in here, if ye and Lady Beth are finished with yer walk.”
Beth sighed and muttered, “I swear the woman follows me. No matter where I am, she turns up. I expect to find her in my bed one night.”
Her mam mumbled, but Beth heard her say, “That better be the only one yer da finds in yer bed.”
They joined the woman and Beth, still reeling from Mam’s comment, decided to head to her bedchamber.
“Oh, Lady Beth. We would so much like yer opinion on some of the decorations. Lady Alice did so much of the work, but now ’tis yer turn.” Lady Chisholm waved her finger at her, a smirk on her face.
She wished there was someone here who had the daring to shove the woman onto her bottom. In the nearest loch.
“Aye. I would love to help,” Beth said as she glanced at her mam.
Beltane always included the entire village with a huge bonfire in the village green. Beth had thought it unnecessary to decorate the castle so much, but no one had the courage to go against Lady Chisholm’s dictates.
*
The Beltane festival was in full swing. The weather had cooperated and the night was clear and chilly, but the bonfire kept everyone warm enough. Along with the whisky and dancing.
Daniel and Beth stood side-by-side watching the antics of the revelers. Older men who should be seeking their beds were still jumping up and down to the music. Highlanders loved a party.
“Do ye think ye can do another dance?” Daniel asked her as he took a sip of his ale.
“I doona ken. I’m a tad warn out from all the dancing.” She shook her head and pointed to an older man twirling a young girl around. “I doona ken how they do it.”
Daniel grinned. “Fergus does it because he kens he will lay in his bed for the next three days, having his sons do all the necessary chores.”
Before she could respond, they heard the familiar, annoying voice. “Oh, there ye are Laird.” Lady Chisholm walked up behind them, dragging Lady Alice. “Lady Alice was hoping ye would dance with her.”
She shoved the poor girl, who stumbled and landed in Daniel’s arms. He quickly straightened her and backed up a few steps. Beth had to hide her grin at how quickly he got rid of her.
Being the gracious host and laird, he looked at the lass. “Lady Alice, would ye like to dance?”
She nodded, looking at her shoes. Her mam gave her another shove and this time Daniel caught her by the arms and they made their way to where the dancers were hopping, jumping, and twirling around the bonfire.
“Donna they make a great couple?” Lady Chisholm said as Daniel and Alice joined the dancers.
Refusing to give the answer the woman wanted, Beth merely shrugged.
“My Alice has everything the laird could possibly want in a wife.” Lady Chisholm placed her hands at her middle and sighed as she watched them.
Beth had to use all her good training to keep quiet at a conversation she had no intention of having with this woman.
“If ye will excuse me, I need to make a visit to the garderobe.”
Lady Chisholm reached out and grabbed her arm. Rather forcefully. “Doona plan on marrying the laird, lass. My Alice will be his wife.”
Beth pulled her arm free and walked off without comment. The woman was not only delusional, but frightening.
*
Daniel watched the brief conversation between Beth and Lady Chisholm, and then Beth’s quick departure.
He didn’t have to think too hard to imagine what that was all about.
He really had to get Beth to give him the answer he wanted so he could make his announcement and be done with the annoying and pushy Lady Chisholm.
Although the crowd was loud, Lady Alice made no effort to speak with him. He tried a few times, but was only rewarded with a nod or shrug.
Thankfully, the bagpipes, fiddlers, and flutists decided to take a break and he was able to walk Lady Alice back to her mam.
Without changing his pace, he turned on his heel and headed to the keep to find Beth.
He found her sitting on one of the stone benches in the inner bailey when he arrived.
“Are ye hiding from Lady Chisholm, too?” he said as he joined her.
“Aye.”
“The musicians are taking a break, but I asked them to play something slow so I can take ye in my arms.”
“Is that so?” she said with a smirk. “Suppose another mon has already asked me to dance a slow one?”
He leaned in close to her ear. “I will make sure the dance with ye is the last thing he does.”
Beth laughed, that tinkling sound he loved so much. He stood and took her hand. “Come, Old Noah is no’ kenned for taking long breaks.”
They rounded the castle walls, heading to the bonfire when Lady Chisholm walked up. “Laird. I’m so glad to see ye. They say the next dance will be a slow one and Lady Alice is so looking forward to a slow dance with ye.”
He nodded. “I am sure there is a lad who will be happy to dance with her, but I promised this one to Lady Beth.”
Lady Chisholm huffed and walked away.
Daniel took a deep breath. “I doona ken how much longer I can tolerate the woman.”
The music started up and Daniel swung Beth around and took her in his arms.
Perfect.
She fit him exactly right, just like in all the other ways. Their hearts beat as one, as they should. He tugged her closer and she laughed. But she didn’t pull back.
After five or more minutes, the music ended. He took her by the hand and led her away from the bonfire.
“Where are we going?”
He smiled at her. “Somewhere private. I need time with ye, lass.”
“I’m no’ sure this is a good idea.”
He shook his head and placed his finger over her lips. “Just for a few minutes. Things are simply too loud at the bonfire.”
After a few minutes, they were in a small glen with which he was very familiar. Even in the dark, the star-studded sky and bright moon highlighted the area. Dips and valleys in the distance gave the space a feeling of being on top of the world.
He turned and gathered Beth into his arms. He lowered his head and took her mouth in a searing kiss. No hesitation on her part, she responded with fervor. He pulled her close enough that they were plastered against each other.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and she slid her hands up his chest and encircled his neck.
The feel of her soft body against his almost drove him crazy.
He wanted her so much. Definitely in his bed, but also in his life.
She was perfect for him. He was growing nervous about Lady Chisholm and had to get a definite answer from Beth so he could see her father, and get the wedding date set.
No matter what it took, he would not lose her.
*
Beth had lost all reason. Daniel’s lips, warm skin, muscular chest pressed against her breasts brought strange feelings to her stomach. And lower parts.
He pulled away and began to nibble on her ear, leaving kisses in the trail of his mouth as he moved from one ear to the next, nibbling on her skin. “Ach, lass, ye’re driving me crazy.”
His hand slowly made its way down her shoulder to her breast, where he pinched the nipple begging for his touch. She gasped, and he covered her entire breast with his large warm hand, kneading, plucking, and bringing even more pleasurable feelings to her body.
“This is what we can do all the time if ye agree to marry me, sweetheart. There are so many ways I can bring ye pleasure, so many ways we can pleasure each other.” He moved his mouth to her ear. “Say ‘aye’.”
She tried to shake her head no, but he gripped her bottom and lifted her until she felt what she knew was his male part, which was very swollen.
No longer remembering what she was saying ‘nay’ to, she groaned and rubbed back and forth. Daniel sucked in a breath and moved his head to her neck, scattering kisses, nipping, sucking.
He pulled back and she slowly opened her eyes. “Say ‘aye’, lass.”
His eyes were black, his entire face tense with passion. Why was she saying nay? A lifetime of this kind of activity, of enjoying Daniel’s company, beating him at chess, and one day bearing a bairn who looked like a combination of him and her.
It might not be so bad having a bairn or two. It might even be fun.
Before she could answer, he said, “What can I do to get an ‘aye’ from ye, sweetheart?”
She’d always wanted a love match like her parents and sisters had. There was no doubt in her mind that she loved the arrogant oaf, but did he love her? Or was it all passion he felt for her?
She decided to be honest if that is what he wanted in a wife. “Do ye love me?”
He startled for a moment, then his face softened and he said, “Aye, lass. I love ye, and didn’t realize it until just now when ye asked. Of course I want ye in my bed, but ’tis much more than that I feel for ye. Ye are smart, compassionate, funny, and I love being in yer company.”
He pulled her to him with a kiss that set them both on fire. He pulled back, both of them panting. “We would be great partners, as well as lovers.”
She thought for a moment, then, after taking a deep breath, looked him in the eye. “Aye, Laird Daniel Mackenzie. I will marry ye.”