Chapter 29
After eating a light meal in her chamber, Elsea bathed.
The maids washed and styled her hair and helped her put on clean clothes.
Cat and Dani had visited for a few minutes, and she'd told them everything that happened since she'd left with her brothers.
They were thrilled that Brodie's curse was broken and that he'd confessed his feelings for her.
They left her to rest. Elsea had to admit she was bone tired, but still too excited to sleep. She wanted to see Brodie again. Was he finished talking to Gavin and Torr? She must check on him and see if he was hungry or in pain.
A few minutes later, she knocked at his door.
"Come."
She opened it and peered in, finding him alone and sitting on the chair by the table where a tray of half-eaten food sat.
He smiled at her warmly, just as he used to when they'd first been betrothed. It filled her heart with joy and love.
"You're up." She entered and closed the door behind her. "I'm glad you feel well enough to eat. Are you dizzy?"
"Nay much." He reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles. His warm lips sent tingles up her arm. "Ruskin helped me finish cleaning up and put on fresh clothes, then he brought this food. How are you feeling?"
"Braw," she said, mimicking his earlier word.
A broad smile crossed his face. "You look beautiful, lass." Propping his hand against the table, he stood.
She grabbed his arm. "Should you be standing?"
Lifting his hand, he tugged at the cord around her neck, which held the sapphire ring. "Take this off."
He didn't want her to wear it? Saints! He wanted it back. "Why?"
He tilted his head. "You're nay supposed to wear a ring as a pendant."
"I can if I want."
He gave a brief laugh. "You are so stubborn."
"And you're not?"
He immediately dropped to one knee, surprising her.
"What are you...?"
"If you give me the ring, you will see."
Oh, he meant to.... She stilled, her mouth hanging open.
Waiting patiently, he grinned at her. She fumbled with the cord, pulling the ring upward from beneath her dress.
Her hands shaking, she gave it to him. With his fingertips, he loosened the looped cord, removed it from the ring, and tossed it aside.
"Now, Lady Elsea MacAuley." He gazed up at her, a slight grin on his face. "My wee warrior, I'm asking you, once again, if you would do me the grand honor of becoming my bride... at long last."
Her vision blurred with tears. "Oh, my sweet Brodie. Aye. With all my heart and soul, aye."
He slid the betrothal ring onto her finger, then rose. Pressing his hands gently to the sides of her face, he kissed her with tenderness. "You will make me the happiest of men when we say our vows." He swayed a bit.
Startled, she caught his arms. "You should lie down," she urged him toward the bed.
He sat on it, then lay down and scooted back. He held out his hand. "Come."
"I cannot. What if someone should walk in?"
He shrugged and smirked. "Mayhap they will force us to marry immediately. What could be better?"
Her face burned, but she could not resist climbing onto his huge bed. 'Twas soft and comfortable.
"Never thought I would wish to have a fierce warrior in my bed, but with one who's as beautiful as you, how can I resist?" he asked.
She chuckled.
"By the way, thank you for saving my life. You're the bravest person I know."
"Nonsense," she hissed. "What about you, Gavin, and Torr? You're all far braver than I am."
"But you do nay have all the heavy male warrior muscle we have.
You're a wee female who is far stronger than anyone would guess.
And you charge in without hesitation. You're protective of those you love, but also of those you've never even met.
" He kissed her forehead. "I am the luckiest man on earth. "
"And the sweetest," she whispered and kissed the corner of his lips.
"Well, only you can bring out such despicable, un-warrior-like behavior in me."
She laughed.
"I'm deeply sorry I was so vile and rude to you before. The insulting things I said." He shook his head. "Can you forgive me?"
"Of course. I understood why you were so angry."
"And I must apologize for taking you so brutally in the cave. Saints! What came over me?" His eyes were dark and troubled.
"Are you jesting?" she asked, growing heated from the memory.
He shook his head. "In truth, I hope you were nay injured from it."
"I loved it. 'Twas one of the best experiences of my life, and I want to do it again."
He stared at her in disbelief, searching her eyes, then a slow grin quirked his lips. "That can be arranged, my lusty lass. Just give me a day or two to rebuild my strength."
"Of course... and after we're married."
He scowled. "A sennight is too long to wait."
She giggled.
He tugged her against him and kissed her gently. "In the meantime, we can have our fun in bed like regular people. I hope I can hold your interest."
"You definitely do." She stroked her hand down his shirt-covered abdomen toward his plaid. His hard body tented the front of the material.
"How shameless you are, m'lady," he purred, his grinning lips kissing her lightly.
"I am. I admit it." She tugged his kilt upwards and slid her hand underneath to take hold of him. She stroked his silken skin and stone hardness.
He groaned. "Keep doing that, and I'll nay be responsible for my actions," he warned.
"But, m'laird, you are injured and not able." She blinked her lashes with faux na?ve innocence.
He snorted. "We both ken the solution to that, do we not?" He winked, then pulled her on top of him.
She gasped, pretending shock, then leaned forward and kissed him, unable to get enough of his lips.
His hands caressed her derriere through the material of her dress, increasing her need.
He tugged up her skirts by slow degrees until his hot, roughened hands were gently stroking her bare skin.
He dipped his fingers downward across the sensitive, wet center of her. She gasped.
He moaned and ground himself against her, through the material. "Ride me, lass," he hissed.
Raising up, she finished moving his plaid and her petticoats out of the way. Fascinated by the hard, silken feel of him, she stroked.
"Elsea," he grated, eyes dark as midnight. "You're torturing me."
She positioned him at the entrance to her core, gasping at how amazing he felt.
"Guide me inside you." His jaw clenched hard, a fine sheen of sweat on his stubble-covered skin.
She pushed down on him, and he slid in a few inches. She gasped at the stunning and beautiful feel of him.
With a harsh groan, he thrust his hips, imbedding himself deeper.
She cried out at the incredible pleasure.
"Shhh." He chuckled, a rich, deep sound. "They'll come running, thinking I'm murdering you."
Her face blazing, she laughed. "I should've barred the door."
"Too late for that now," he growled. "I'm nay leaving your body until we're both spent."
She propped her hands beside him on the bed, then lifted and lowered herself on him, allowing him to glide easily.
His eyes grew even darker, if such a thing were possible, and his lashes lowered halfway as he gazed into her eyes. "Aye, lass. Harder," he gritted out between his teeth. "Faster."
She tried to, but she was no expert. She wanted him to take control, if he was able.
"Is that hard enough?" she asked, teasing, knowing it wasn't.
"Nay. Ride me like that damnable horse you're so fond of. Pretend you're galloping across the moor."
She gasped in uncontrollable laughter.
"Saints! You're killing me, lass, with your gentle...."
He grasped her to him and flexed his hips, driving up into her hard over and over, capturing her lips.
An overwhelming magnitude of pleasure stole her mind and her thoughts. She was immersed in the stunning ecstasy of Brodie. Crying out, she spiraled through a stunning climax that took her breath, not once but twice. On the second one, Brodie growled with his release.
In the aftermath, they both breathed hard as if they'd been racing up a hill. He muttered a few amazed curses. "Unbelievable. Every time with you gets better and better."
"Oh, aye," she agreed, lying on his chest.
"Ruskin saw us, but we're fully covered by your skirts."
"What?" she gasped, heat washing over her. Lifting up, she twisted to stare at the closed door.
"He's gone now, but he opened the door. Probably heard all the shouting and groaning and wondered if we were dying."
"Bollocks." She covered her burning cheeks with her hands.
Brodie guffawed.
"'Tis nay funny," she whispered.
"He'll keep it a secret."
"Are you certain?"
"Nay." Brodie shrugged. "But after we're wed, he'll hear a lot of screaming and groaning if he lurks outside the door."
"Goodness. I wish I could be quiet."
"Nay," he said fiercely. "I love it when you scream in pleasure."
She laughed, burying her face against his chest.
He wrapped his arms around her. "Mayhap I can make you scream a few more times this day."
"Argh. If you were not injured, I would punch you."
He rolled her over and gave her a wolfish grin. "I'll get on top this time."
"You're not well enough."
"We'll see."
***
THE CHILLY WIND OFF the sea gusted through the bailey a week later as the guests dismounted. Brodie greeted his foster father, Lunn MacTavish, a hearty, muscular man in his late fifties. Will, Corran, and Kieran had traveled with him, along with Elsea's maid and several more servants and guards.
"Welcome." Brodie shook their hands. "How was your trip?"
"'Twas snowing harder farther inland," Will said.
"Good to see you're recovering," Lunn said, his silvery hair and short beard blowing in the wind.
A week ago, before they had left Glenhaish, Gavin had talked to Will, asking him to go inform his father of the events leading up to the Earl of Talnaroch's death. Lunn was the former MacTavish chief, and some of the privy council members were his allies and friends.
"How did it go with the privy council?" Brodie asked.
"All is well, lad," Lunn said. "We explained how the earl had kidnapped all the women from one of the island clans. A battle ensued, and he was killed while fighting."
"If they wish to question everyone, we'll simply tell the truth," Will said. "No man can get away with such heinous behavior."
Brodie nodded. "I thank you."
"Our messenger informed Chief MacRae of his sister-in-law's demise," Lunn said. "And the location of her burial. I doubt he will wish to exhume her remains. He kens of her curse and witchcraft."
"I watched the guards bury her near the wood at Glenhaish Castle," Will said. "They placed three heavy boulders and horseshoes upon her grave."
Would that prevent the witch from escaping her grave? Brodie hoped she was well and truly dead.
"Looks like you have recovered from your injuries," Lunn said. "How are you?"
"Braw. My head is healing. They're stuffing me with haggis and black pudding."
Lunn laughed.
"What is happening here?" Will asked, glancing around at all the people. "Looks like a celebration."
"Oh, it is. A wedding." Brodie smiled.
Will frowned. "Whose?"
"Mine."
"And who are you marrying?"
His grin turning devilish, Brodie tilted his head. "I think you ken."
Will's glare intensified and his jaw muscle flexed.
"Your sister," Brodie stated firmly. "Whether you approve or not."
"Och. Indeed, chief? Without even speaking to me about it?"
"No need. I spoke to your father about it more than two years ago." Brodie lifted a brow. "When you betrothed her to the earl, 'twas illegal, because our betrothal agreement was never nullified."
Will appeared confused and taken aback. He glanced around as if searching for the answer.
"Now, was it?" Brodie pressed.
"I suppose 'tis still in my desk somewhere. You truly wish to marry her, after the scandal, the betrayal, and everything she did?"
"Of course." Brodie scowled. "You think me incapable of forgiveness? Besides, the witch manipulated her. Elsea did it for me, to keep me from being murdered. I've loved her from the moment I saw her years ago. And I will protect her with my life."
Will studied him for a long moment, as if considering everything, then held out his hand. "Well, then. Welcome to the family, brother. You have my blessing."
His annoyance sliding away, Brodie shook his hand, then shook Corran's and Kieran's hands.
"I'm glad this is finally happening," Kieran said, smiling.
"We all are," Brodie said.
His closest selkie friends arrived next.
Kenneth had taken a galley out to the island to bring them to Farspag.
Brodie shook the hand of Chief Scarth, bowed before Lady Una, and thanked them for coming.
He then greeted Harcus, Arabella, Ronin, Daavar and his rescued wife.
Brodie was thrilled to see them smiling and happy again.
The bagpiper began in the bailey, the shrill notes of "Càilin mo Rùin-sa," my dearest girl, echoing.
Aye, for a certainty, Elsea was his dearest girl. He smiled.