"Nay!" Angus protested at once. "Why we ken her as well as--"
"But she doesn't ken us, Angus," Galen pointed out firmly. "Aye, we learned a lot about her while traveling here. But she was feverish, she recalls nothing of the trip, and she recalled none of us when she awoke. We told her she was married now, and we were her people and that was that."
"Aye," Angus nodded slowly, then raised a confused face. "That would explain her not knowing yer name, me laird, but what of her trying to leave the castle after Robbie had explained about yer not wanting her to leave?"
Sighing, Galen shook his head and continued down the stairs once more. "Do ye remember when ye took the sword in the side by that Lynsay last year?"
"Aye." The pain of recollection was obvious in his voice.
"Well, as I recall, after a week in yer sick bed, nothing on God's green earth could keep ye from making yer way out into the bailey for a bit of fresh air."
"Aye. I was fair going crazy locked up inside all that long time--Oh! I ken! Yer saying she was suffering the same thing."
Nodding, Galen led him out of the keep. They were both silent as they crossed the bailey. It wasn't until they entered the stables that Angus asked, "Still, if the lass isn't daft, why would she be foolish enough to run off again? Doesn't she ken that the MacGregor could try to steal her back?"
"Did ye tell her that?" Galen asked dryly after ordering the stable master to fetch his mount.
"Nay."
"Well, neither have I," he admitted, then sighed. "There is much I haven't said to her that I should have." Shaking his head in self-disgust, he moved impatiently down the row of horses to take over the chore of readying his mount.
"Surely ye talked to her some yestereve? She must have had a question or two when ye went above stairs?" Angus queried, following his laird's lead in preparing his own mount.
"Nay. I had things on me mind other than talk yestereve," he admitted. "'Sides, I fear I...Well, in truth I think I have been avoiding talking to her at all...I didn't want to know it if she was daft."
"Then how did ye learn she didn't ken yer name?"
"Robbie told me. Aelfread told him today."
"Ahh."
About to mount his horse, Galen paused and glanced at the other man suspiciously. "What does that mean?"
"Women," Angus answered with a shrug, mounting his own animal. "They always seem to ken things ere we do. I often think that if they were running things--"
"We'd all be wearing skirts and running in circles trying to understand each other rather than killing each other."
Angus blinked at that as Galen mounted his stallion, then started to laugh. "'Twould no' be so different I suppose...Except, less men would die."
"Which would mean more mouths to feed. Death serves as much purpose as birth in this life, me friend, and never doubt it." On that note, he whirled his horse toward the entrance and set it moving before glancing back to shout, "I'll check the beach. Ye start at the dock and make yer way back."
Chapter Twelve
"'Tis lovely."
"Aye," Kyla agreed on a sigh. Standing in the waist-high water now that her body had adjusted to the temperature, she started wading farther out into the ocean. She had been quite surprised when Aelfread had come upon her on the beach. Having left her friend at the cottage not that long ago, Kyla had thoroughly expected the woman to still be there. She had even considered going there to pour out her woes, but realizing that Robbie most like would have headed there after Galen had dressed him down and dismissed him, she had headed for the beach instead. She had not been there long when the other woman had arrived, an empty basket over her arm and the flush of anger on her cheeks.
They had spent quite a bit of time relating what had happened since leaving each other and commiserating on the stupidity of men. Then they'd decided to forget all about it briefly and relax in the water with a swim.
"Damn me."
Kyla whirled in the water at that exclamation, her face reddening as she saw the shock on the other woman's face. She had worn one of her older undertunics today. One Morag had been trying to get her to throw out for ages, but it was one of Kyla's favorites and she wore it often. Too often. It was worn near threadbare and was no doubt as useless as wearing nothing at all when wet. It was obvious now by the other woman's expression. She sighed at her decision that morning not to bother having Morag bandage her back, so that it could get some air. Aelfread had obviously just got her first look at the scar she knew crossed her back. The woman confirmed her suspicion with her first words.
"I had heard 'Twas a vicious wound, but good God! It looks as if they tried to slice ye in two," she exclaimed, wading through the water toward her.
"'Twould be straight across my back, not from shoulder to waist, were that the case," Kyla murmured uncomfortably.
"Aye, but..." Pausing beside her, the other woman took her arm and urged her around so that she could see it again. Kyla turned reluctantly, uncomfortable in the silence that followed as Aelfread examined her injury through the cloth of her tunic. She was more than relieved when she finally had seen enough and waded back around to face her. "It still looks raw."
Kyla shook her head. "It bothers me little so long as I do not rest directly on it." She watched the other woman's face closely, then asked, "Is it very ugly?"
"Ugly?" Aelfread appeared surprised at the question, but considered it seriously before answering, "Nay. No' ugly. No' pretty either. 'Tis just there."
Kyla frowned at that response and tried to rephrase her question. "Aye, but do you think Galen would be repulsed were he to see it?"
Her eyebrows rose at that. "Were he to see it? Surely ye ken he has seen it already? Ye told me yerself that ye had consummated the wedding last eve."
"Aye. Well, this is the first time I have been without my bandages and he has not seen it yet."
"I see," she murmured, then said, "Robbie told me the laird helped tend ye on the way here and when ye first arrived, my lady. He has seen it many times." Pausing uncertainly at Kyla's suddenly stricken expression, she asked, "What is it?"
"You called me 'my lady.'"
"Aye." She tilted her head in bewilderment. "And so ye are, me lady."
"Aye, but--" Kyla began, then paused as the other woman's glance suddenly shifted past her. The stiffening of her body and tightening of her lips told Kyla that they were no longer alone. She turned swiftly to see Robbie coming down the path. He had nearly reached the beach itself when Galen suddenly appeared on the path behind him on horseback. Hearing him, Robbie paused and awaited his laird. They spoke briefly, then Galen dismounted and the two men continued forward together.
Recalling the state of her clothing, Kyla bent her knees, lowering into the water until only her head stuck out.
Her own tunic made of far sterner stuff, Aelfread remained standing, her hands raising to prop themselves on her hips as she watched the men pause on the shoreline.
"I thought I'd be finding ye here." Robbie's rumble rolled across the water to them with little effort.
Aelfread gave her head a shake that sent her long, damp tresses flying over her shoulder. She glared at him, unimpressed. "Well and bully for you, husband."
Irritation flickered on the man's face briefly, then he shifted where he stood and tried a smile. "Come out of there. 'Twill be time for sup soon."
"'Tis no' me who cooks yer sup. Whether I be here or no', 'twill be ready at the same time since ye insist on eating at the keep every night."
He looked terribly disappointed at that response and quite suddenly took on the appearance of a great mountain of a little boy. "Will ye no' join me fer me repast, wife?"
Kyla stared at the man in amazement at the sudden transition, then toward Aelfread who was obviously softening. Shifting where she stood, the other woman hesitated briefly, then tilted her head and asked, "Did ye tell him?"
"Aye." He looked so proud and angelic as he said that, even Kyla felt her heart soften toward the man. No small feat
that. She had found his very size intimidating since first meeting the giant.
"Well...all right then," Aelfread muttered, then glanced toward Kyla. "'Twill be all right, Robbie has straightened Galen out," she reassured her quietly. "I'll come up to the keep on the morrow and help ye take the servants in hand."
She waited until Kyla had nodded, then started out of the water.
Robbie was waiting on the edge of the water, plaid in hand to wrap about his wife as she walked out of the surf, but rather than help her into it, he simply bundled her up and lifted her into his strong arms before turning away. "I'll tell Angus ye've found her," he called as he disappeared up the path with his wife.
Calling out a thanks, Galen watched the couple out of sight, then turned to survey Kyla where she still knelt in the water. "Well?"
"Well what?" she asked warily.
"Do ye intend to stay in there all night, or are ye coming out?"
Kyla peered at her plaid that lay on the beach where she had left it, then back to her husband. "Will you turn your back?"
"Do ye no' have the courage to come out before me? I am yer husband."
Kyla hesitated briefly at that, then unbent her knees until she stood straight and proud before him. She couldn't help but blush, however, when his gaze immediately slid hungrily down over her body beneath the now-diaphanous gown. Goose-bumps seemed to be springing out all over her body beneath the combination of his hot gaze and the cool breeze, but she raised her chin defiantly and strode out of the water, slowing when he stepped into her path on the edge of the water.
His eyes were shining with more than admiration as he gazed at her. Now that they were only two feet apart, she was sure that she could almost feel his gaze burn across her skin. She managed to stay still for a moment under that intense stare, but her eyes were drawn to his throat when he suddenly swallowed.
"Beautiful."
The word was a mere whisper on his lips, but Kyla caught it and felt her cheeks flush brighter. Dropping her gaze self-consciously, she saw what held him so enthralled and stiffened. The ties of her undertunic had come undone in the water and the bodice of the thin gown now hung open, revealing one breast.
Gasping, she started to raise a hand to adjust the material, but Galen immediately caught her hand. "Nay!"
Startled by the harshness of his tone, she glanced at him sharply and was fascinated by the need on his face.
"Ye don't remember yer first day here, I know. But I do," he murmured, drawing her one step closer, but no more as he said, "Ye were burning up and needed to be cooled down immediately. I carried ye to our chambers to strip ye down and bathe ye. Ye were lying naked in the tub and I was washing ye down with the cold water and there was a drop of water just there...As there is now."
His gaze was focused on her naked breast and Kyla glanced down at herself, shivering when she saw the clear drop of liquid that dangled from her swollen, rosy nipple.
"I wanted so bad to lick that drop away, to taste ye like that." His eyes raised to her face now as he admitted, "That vision has haunted me ever since."
Kyla stared at him, amazed to feel a flicker of heat pushing through her embarrassment and a sudden tension sliding through her. She stood as still as stone, afraid to move or even breathe lest she stop whatever was coming.
"I'll have that taste now." Sliding to his knees before her so that his face was level with her breast, he opened his mouth and licked the drop away with one slow precise lash of his tongue.
Kyla nearly jumped out of her skin at that. He had done some amazing things to her last night, but none had raised as shocking and abrupt a fire in her body as that one lick did just then. Raising her hands instinctively, she braced them on his shoulders and stared down into his face as his tongue slid back into his mouth and he closed his eyes. He stayed like that for a moment, seeming to savor that one drop of liquid, then opened his eyes again to peer up at her solemnly.
"'Tis as I feared. One taste just isn't enough," he murmured, then leaned forward, his tongue sliding out to lave the aureole again before it swirled around the engorged tip and drew it into his mouth where he suckled it hungrily.
Groaning, Kyla clutched at his shoulders, the chill damp air forgotten as he set to heating her up. When his hands finally left their lax position at his sides to grasp her by the waist and draw her closer, she went willingly, leaning into his mouth as he alternately nibbled and pulled at her flesh with his teeth.
When he raised a hand to tug at the lacings to make the gap in the front of the gown wider, she helped him, undoing them and tugging the damp cloth aside until both breasts were open to his view. The moment that was done, he dropped back onto his haunches and drew her down on the sand, urging her forward until her knees were on either side of his legs, then he slid his mouth hungrily from one excited breast to the other before drawing away and raising his head to kiss her. It was a long, hungry kiss that sent her head spinning as his hands gently urged the skirt of her short tunic up her hips. She was so excited and enraptured by that kiss that she nearly bit his tongue off in surprise when his hand slid between her legs.
She tried to draw away then, but he merely deepened the kiss, his tongue delving into her mouth as he plunged one finger into her body. Kyla stilled against him, her resistance dropping away like a well-used cloak as she began to move her body. It wasn't until he began to turn her to lay her on the sand that she put up any resistance. She began to struggle at once then, but it wasn't until she managed to tug her lips away and gasp, "My back," that he paid her any attention.
Unable to stop that abruptly, Galen turned at once so that rather than the two of them coming to rest on her back, they fell half on their sides, half on his back. Pausing then, he peered at her with concern. "Is it all right?"
"Aye." She flushed slightly under his concerned gaze, then explained, "But 'tis not bandaged any more and I thought 'twould not be good to get the sand on it."
He frowned at that, but nodded. "Aye, perhaps yer right. 'Tis good one of us is thinking," he added with a bit of self-derision, then suddenly turned to lie fully on his back and caught her beneath the arms to draw her up on top of him.
"There, that should do," he murmured, reaching down to urge her legs apart and down so that she sat straddling him.
Unsure of this new position, Kyla eyed him nervously as she braced herself with her hands at his chest, then glanced about the beach. "Mayhap we should--"
"'Tis nearing the supper hour," he assured her, his hands sliding to cup her breasts as they swayed before him. "No one will come."
Her gaze slid reluctantly back to him as he caressed the flesh of her breasts, and she shifted her hips to find a more comfortable position, eyes widening slightly when she felt his hardness beneath her. As stiff as a sword, it lay flat against his belly, rubbing across her flesh as she moved.
"Oh, aye, loving, that feels good," Galen murmured, reaching down to urge her to move against him again.
Feeling awkward and unsure, Kyla shifted herself back, then forward again, swallowing as she felt his manhood rub against her once more. She did that another time or two, still too concerned with the doing to enjoy the feeling, then Galen caught her by the shoulder and tugged her down for a kiss. She sensed his hand moving down between them then, but was too caught up in the kiss to pay much attention to it. When he finally released her from the kiss and urged her back, it was to find his manhood not resting flat against his belly beneath her, but sliding into her as she moved.
Seeing the way her eyes widened as he slid into her, Galen smiled, one hand releasing the breast it held to dip down to touch her. "That's it, loving," he whispered encouragingly, his other hand leaving her breast now to move to her hip; it urged her to continue moving. "That's it."
Her movements awkward and even a bit jerky at first, Kyla began to ride him as he had done her the night before, her body eventually finding a rhythm she was comfortable with as she arched into his touch. It was an odd feeling being on top
and in control, but it mattered little since her body was quite happy and was urging her not to stop.
It took a moment for the keening to catch her attention, then a moment more to realize that it was she herself doing it. Embarrassed, she paused in her movements and Galen's eyes opened at once.
"Nay, loving, don't stop," he gasped, the hand between them shifting to grasp her other hip, urging her to move again as he surged into her. After two more thrusts, he saw that he need not urge her on anymore and his hands moved to cup her breasts again, squeezing and kneading her as they moved together.
Kyla missed the caress between her legs at first, then found if she moved just so, she got almost the same sensation without his fingers. Her movements becoming quicker and more urgent, she pushed herself upward until she sat upright and shifted her hands to grasp his wrists. Holding him there to help her maintain her balance, she threw her head back and ground down into him, her mouth opening on a gasp of surprise as he thrust violently upward and stiffened as he erupted inside her. Shifting against him as he cried out, Kyla found her own release, her nails digging into his wrists as her body convulsed around him. Then she released her breath on a gasping sob and dropped to lay atop his chest.
Shifting sleepily atop her husband, Kyla yawned, then raised her head to peer at his face in repose. She had dozed off for a bit and was not sure quite how long it had been that they had lain there in shameless splendor, but the sun was setting now, bringing the day to a close.
Grinning at the smile on her husband's face as he lay beneath her, she reached out to smooth a strand of fiery red hair behind his ear, stilling when his chest rumbled under her. "Me name is Galen."
Kyla's eyes shot to his to find them open now and intent upon her as he awaited her response. "Aye, my lord. Aelfread told me."
"She shouldn't have had to."
"Nay, she should not have had to," she agreed quietly, her gaze dropping to his chest. "But then ours was not the average courtship."
When he remained silent after she said that, Kyla peered up at him curiously, her eyebrows rising slightly when she saw the frown of uncertainty on his face. Then he pointed out carefully, "We didn't have a courtship."