“I’m sorry, James, for … what happened at Marshall’s keep. I’m relieved you’ve healed.”
He turned and drew her in his arms. “Let us not speak of unhappiness. Nothing will make this day unpleasant.” James pulled the lovely gown she wore over her head. She wore a cream-colored shift that barely hid the hue of her nipples. He groaned, knowing it would be his downfall, for she had the loveliest breasts. He leaned in to kiss the tautness. Her curls were tied in a perfect coif, of which he’d never seen her wear. He liked her better with her curls flowing freely and undid the bounds, letting it fall to her shoulders.
“You are the most bonny woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
She giggled when he forced her back to the bed. “I wager you say that to all the lasses you want in your bed.”
James maintained a serious gaze, one he was sure was filled with his intent. “Nay, there’s only one lass I want in our bed.”
She pulled him forward, and he set his face against her neck, breathing in her scent. Nothing smelled akin to Emlyn, and he kissed the sensitive spot beneath her ear. She tried to pull away and giggled.
“How I've missed you,” he said, as his lips continued to hover over her skin. Without hesitating, he entered her body. It was always like this: his heart raced, his blood heated, and his impatience ruled him.
“I love when you’re inside me. Oh, that feels nice.” She gasped when he purposely moved with deliberate thrust. “Harder, my love.”
James swore he’d lost his mind, for he couldn’t focus. The feeling of being with her, that of her hands moving over his skin, and the way she shifted her hips to meet him, all caused his thoughts to scatter. He concentrated on pleasing her and used his hands to caress her in return. His mouth moved over her breasts until he reached her throat, where he sucked at her skin.
Emlyn took hold of his face and pulled him in for a deep kiss. Her sweet mouth suckled his tongue and caused his moan. He knew the moment she culminated, for her body shook and James helped to support her legs. She squealed as her release took complete control over her. James grinned, for he liked nothing better than looking at her beautiful face when she was in the thorough of her climax.
He continued to move his body and within seconds he joined her. His sanity fled in that moment and he gave over to the culmination, and groaned in unadulterated pleasure. James fell beside her, content to hold her, and he closed his eyes.
“My love, are you well?” She petted his chest and leaned on her elbow, watching him rasp from his exertion.
“Never better.” James’ breath calmed, and he pulled her into his arms. He was happy to have her beside him. “I have imagined you here in our home a hundred times and here you are, finally.”
“Our home? This is ours? How?” Emlyn set her hand on his abdomen and lightly caressed him.
“Grey gifted it to me for my service. Bree furnished it. I deem we could be happy here. Would you mind raising our family here?”
She gasped a light sound and tilted her face to look at him. “You want to have a family with me?”
“Aye, and we shall wed at the harvest celebration. If you’ll have me.” He took hold of her face and smiled. “For nothing else matters but you, Emlyn, only you.”
“Of course I’ll have you, James. Nothing would make me more contented. We shall discuss this family you’re wanting. How many children are we speaking of?”
James laughed, knowing he was about to astound her. “Plenty. Enough so you’ll have your own army.” He took her in his arms when she bolted to a sitting position. “Or at least a good-sized regiment.”
“I concede to two or three at the most,” she said, and a settled next to him.
He gave her a light kiss on her temple. “Then we have an agreement.”
Epilogue
Highlands Scotland
September, 1225
It was a perfect autumn day for a wedding. James rose early and noticed Emlyn had already left the cottage. She liked to be on the field before any of the lads. He hastened to the small kitchen in their cottage and set the flame to the logs that sat in the small hearth. Taking a small pot in hand, he began mixing a pottage to break his morning fast. As much as he was hungry, he only made a small amount for himself.
This day was going to be filled with happiness, for he would finally make Emlyn his wife. James thought the day would never come, especially given what they’d gone through to get to this event. They both decided they wanted everyone present when they bespoke the sacrament, all the Gunns, some of the McInnish clan, the Ross’, and unfortunately because the king was attending Donal’s keep about some issue he was having with a clan, Alexander himself. With all the duties of the harvest complete, all would attend the gathering.
Before the ceremony and feast, they also needed to swear in the new guardsmen James had selected. Grey wanted it done this day, and James hastened to get them ready in time.
The door opened and Emlyn strode inside. She set her sword and other training objects near the door. “It smells good in here. What are you making?”
“Pottage.” James added more mixture to the pot and stirred it. He’d been given the recipe from Sean, who used it whenever he traveled and had no cook to attend him. “You’re back early.”
“Aye, I let the lads go since they’re took excited for the day’s events. Duff released the seasoned soldiers as well.”
“The question is, are you excited?” He laughed when she sat wearily in the chair at the table.
“I am, ‘tis just … are you certain you want to wed me? I cannot cook, cannot mend a tunic. I’m useless as a wife."
James let out a bellowing laugh. “Not completely useless. And we can always find someone to cook for us and mend our tunics. You will say aye, this day, when Father Geoffrey asks the questions.”
“I will, worry not, James.”
They ate their morning fare in silence and Emlyn rose. She kissed him on the side of his face. “I must be off. Bree wants me to ready for the ceremony at the keep. I will see you later.”
“Wait, I shall walk with ye.” James closed the cottage door and took her hand. He walked with nary a limp and it rarely bothered him. The day had gone from chilly and misty to sunny and bright. He was glad they’d have a fair-weathered day for their wedding and the harvest celebration. When they left the lesser-known path, James released her hand. “This is where I leave you. You promise not to change your mind?”
Emlyn laughed. “Nay, I will be there. I do love you, James Gunn, and nothing will keep me from becoming your wife.” She kissed him passionately and when her lips left his, she smiled. “Now go and worry not.”
He turned and headed toward the stables and decided to ride out to exercise his horse. The white needed a strong hand to lead him for he was as wily as his soon-to-be wife. James laughed to himself for they both tended to need a strong hand. He had begun the horse’s training, but still had a ways to go before he could trust the horse to do his commands. When he approached the stables, he saw many had arrived given the amount of the horses within, and poor Jonny, who led two horses away, seemed to be out of breath.
James was able to get in and out without being seen. He led his horse by the reins until he reached the outside. Without saddling him, he mounted him and headed toward the gate. Grey approached on his horse and said nothing as he sidled next to him. Before he knew it, Duff, Kenneth, Colm, and Sean joined them. They rode silently along the trail outside the keep toward the sea.
“Seems we all had the same idea,” Grey said.
“Aye, you’re all here,” James said, as he looked at each of his comrades.