Chapter Twenty-Three #2
“Oh, nay, I must be on my way. The king’s emissary will not await me for long. We must be on our return to Edinburgh. I just wanted to impart my news and… Will you give my regards to Laird Buchanan?”
“I will. Shall I walk you back to the bridge?”
“There is no need. I hope to see you in Edinburgh in the future, Milady, along with your husband. I am sure the king and queen will welcome a visit.” Edmund bowed to her.
“Take care, Edmund.” Eva walked him to the door.
Once it was closed, she leaned against it and felt coldness wash over her.
“Oh, Da, I should have been there…should have been able to say farewell.” She wiped at her eyes and shivered, overcome with the despair of losing her father.
But Eva wasn’t one to dwell with emotion.
After a long moment, she gathered herself, opened the door and stepped outside.
A good long walk would ease her and she ambled on the lane until she reached the bridge.
By the time she got there, the chamberlain and his men were gone.
She crossed the bridge and strode toward the torch.
The flame danced in the breeze, reminding her of how fleeting life was, flickering like a flame.
At least her father had lived a good, long life.
Others, like Marian, were not so fortunate and only survived a score of years.
She sat near the tree where Breckin had been attacked, where Marian had died, saddened by thoughts of those who departed from them.
But soon, her solitude was broken as noises came down the lane.
She recognized the tromping of hooves, horses’ snorts, the squeak of saddles and the clank of armor.
Eva readied to get to her feet as she spotted Breckin.
He dismounted from his horse before it came to a full stop. With a quick stride, he reached her and took her into his arms. Neither spoke but only embraced in the dimming light of the evening.
After a short time, Breckin pulled back and gazed at her. “I am sorry, love, about your da. Aymer told me that Edmund came to relate the news.”
“My da knew that he was going to die and he tried to tell me. I am just sad that I could not be there with him in his final moments.” Eva pressed herself against him and sighed.
“It was how he wanted it. That’s why he sent ye the missive and the coins. Do not blame yourself, lass, because there was naught ye could do to help him.” Breckin’s large hand caressed her back, solacing her with his touch.
“You should not hold guilt either.”
“Aye? I should not, och I do because…” He lowered his head and ceased his words.
She cradled his face with her hands and lifted it. “Neither of us were responsible for what happened to our families. We will honor them, though, and shall never forget them.”
“I deem it is time to douse the flame and have the torch removed.” Breckin tried to pull away from her and reached for the torch.
Eva shook her head and kept hold of him. “No, I think we should keep the torch here and add other torches for those who have passed…my da, your parents… We shall only light them, though, on special feast days or days to remember them.”
“That is a fair idea, love. Come, ’tis getting cold. We should return to the house. All were worried about ye.” Breckin held out his arm for her to take.
Eva linked her arm to his and together they walked along quietly. “I think we should perhaps talk about starting our family.”
Breckin stopped short. “Ye want to have a bairn?”
“I do.” Eva gave him a smile. “Children will bring us joy. We need joy, Breckin.”
He flashed a big smile. “Aye, we do need joy. Do ye know what would make me happy?”
She shook her head and giggled as she considered his answer. They crossed the bridge and several clansmen and women passed, offering greetings.
Breckin stopped in the center of the lane and pulled her against him. “Having ye naked in my arms again. Aye, for it has been too long since I was given such joy.”
Eva set her mouth on his and kissed him longingly before she pulled away from him and sprinted toward the longhouse.
Breckin followed her with a joyful shout, and when they got inside their home, she hurried to their bedchamber, thankful that the lads were still outside at the stable.
Breckin closed the door with a thud and marched to her.
She couldn’t disrobe fast enough. As soon as her garments were shed, she helped Breckin remove his tunic, belt, and tartan. His muscular chest beckoned to her hand and as she pressed her palm to his body, she gasped at the warmth of his skin.
“I am yours, Breckin, always.”
*
A marvelous erotic sensation awakened her from a deep slumber. She found Breckin between her legs pressing his silky tongue against her womanhood. Eva moaned as pleasure swarmed every part of her.
“What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.
“Ye wanted to make a bairn,” he said as he slid his nose over her torso and continued onward until his lips were but a breath from hers. “That is what I am doing. We will make one this day, this moment.” Breckin slid into her and sent more rivets of pleasure to her womanhood.
Eva succumbed to the exquisite torment and squealed as twinges of pleasure took her to an unknown place, in an aura of intense desire.
When she recovered, she pressed her hands on Breckin’s chest and kept herself from being shifted.
His thrusts were forceful, and she loved how he moved against her with unabashed passion.
With the pad of her thumb, she caressed the manly curve below his neck and felt the vibration of his moan.
Breckin fell against her, his breath rasping, his body tense, and his smile wide. “Lord, what ye do to me. Ye are the sweetest, most winsome woman I have ever beheld.”
She caressed the long strands of his blond hair and held him close. Eva didn’t want the encounter to end but he fell next to her and set his head in the crook of her neck.
After a long moment, well after their recovery, she gently turned his face to look at her. “You never did tell me what happened.”
“What happened where?”
“At the MacLaren holding. Did you war with them? Did you seek vengeance? I fear many were killed.” Her heart tensed because as much as she understood why her warrior husband wanted retribution, sometimes there was more benefit to diplomacy.
Breckin leaned upward. “Laird MacLaren had nothing to do with what happened. Apparently, Danella wanted William Stewart and she was willing to kill Marian to have him. She convinced her brother to go along with her plan. When she thought I’d show my wrath against her father’s people, she came to kill me first.”
“What a woman would do for love.” Eva almost groaned because she might have done the same if she was in a similar situation. “I wish she had not fallen over the ledge. We could have remedied the situation and talked to her, made her understand…”
He shook his head. “Nay, it was too late for understanding. She’d already murdered my sister and put her clan in jeopardy. When she tried to do away with us, she probably knew she was in danger of losing her life. Justice prevailed.”
“Aye, justice that took from many those who were loved. It is so sad, Breckin.”
“Aye. My sister trusted Danella and that her friend murdered her… I cannot even think about it. Marian’s final moments must’ve been torturous for her.”
Eva smoothed a hand over his shoulder and scooted down to lie closer. “We shall keep Marian in our hearts and be contented that surely God welcomed her in Heaven. She does not despair in Purgatory, or worse, in Hell. But so, I presume you did not go on a murderous rampage then?”
Breckin scoffed, then sobered. “Lord, I wanted to. It took great will to withhold my sword but some died by my ally’s hand and that of my men’s. That could not be helped.”
“Then we should go to Mass this morning to give thanks to God for intervening and pray for the lost men. Surely God played a hand in the MacLaren’s protection.
” Eva scooted from the bed and went about starting her morning ritual of cleaning herself, tidying the chamber, and pulling out clean garments for them both.
“Are you going to leave our bed this day?”
He flashed a grin. “I would rather not, och, I suppose I should see to my duties.” Breckin stood, and quickly dressed then waited for her as she pulled a heavy tartan around her shoulders.
“I wonder where the lads got to,” Breckin said when they entered the kitchen area.
“’Tis quiet. They probably left the house. Come or we shall be late for Mass.” Eva smiled when he took her hand and held it on the walk to the bridge.
Aymer called out to them as they approached. “Good day, Laird and Milady.”
Breckin nodded to him. “Have ye seen my brothers?”
“Indeed. They rousted early this day and went to the training field afore the sun rose.”
“Did they? Tell Gideon to keep them there. I will join them later,” Breckin said.
“Tell ’em yourself, Laird. He is standing yonder.” Aymer tilted his head in the direction where Gideon stood awaiting him.
Eva walked ahead of Breckin and on the other side of the bridge, she stopped.
Greetings for the day came from the women they passed and she returned the courtesy even though she was surprised by their kindness. When they reached Gideon, she moved to stand next to Breckin. The commander’s wife was not fond of her and Eva did not wish for awkwardness so she kept quiet.
“Milady Buchanan,” Deena said and leaned to the side to see her. “I want to thank ye for your aid of our lad Hamish. I understand ye saved him from that wretched boar in the woods near my ma’s home.”
Eva shook her head. “No thanks are necessary. In truth, he saved me just as much as I aided him. He’s a smart boy.
If he hadn’t had the slingshot and some rocks, I think we’d still be up that tree.
” She smiled at Deena, and was surprised to see her smiling back.
Her heart rose. Usually the woman was staid and taciturn.
Then she surprised Eva even further. “Will ye and our laird join us for supper on the morrow? I am making a large meal and wish to thank ye properly.”
Eva blinked. “I…yes, if Breckin…” She turned to her husband, hoping he agreed with her.
“We would be honored to join you,” Breckin said and nodded to Gideon. Then he eased her away by wrapping his arm around her back and guiding her onward. As they walked, he murmured, “Seems to me that you have won another heart. Deena is not one to make friends, but I think you have won her over.”
“Aye,” she agreed, and leaned her head against him as they walked.
Across the bridge, near the church, groups of people waited to enter.
Most smiled at them as they passed by. Eva entered the church and meandered to the front, near the altar.
She crossed herself and genuflected towards the altar, then slid into the pew, making room for Breckin to sit next to her.
Many followed, entering and filling the church.
Father Murphy arrived at the side entrance and began to sing a hymn.
Everyone rose and took up the hymn as he proceeded to stand in front of the altar.
As usual, Eva joined in the singing, and she smiled up at Breckin as she did. He began to sing as well.
The hymn ended and Father Murphy raised his hands to the congregation. “What a glorious day, Clan Buchanan. ’Tis joyful to see ye here this day in God’s house.” He made the sign of the cross over them. “Let us pray.”
Father Murphy performed a delightful mass and after the last prayers were spoken, all began to exit the church.
Eva smiled at the clergyman before she too left.
Outside, she found Breckin waiting for her near a group of women.
She took his hand and waited for him to move on, but he tilted his head at the women as if to give her a silent suggestion to speak to them.
His encouragement gave her the mettle to do so.
She gave him a smile and turned back to the women.
Deena stepped toward her. “Eva, the women asked me to ask ye… Would ye be kind enough to join us on the morrow? We take singing practice just after the noon meal at my cottage.”
“I would love that. You all sing so lovely.”
As she and Breckin continued on the path, he kept his gaze ahead and said, “Ye see, lass, ye are well-liked here amongst your clan and well-loved by me.”
Eva couldn’t hold back the joy that came to her heart at hearing him say such. She smiled and leaned into him because that was all she had ever hoped for—to be loved, liked, and cherished. My clan, my family, and my friends.