She giggled in response. “May I ask something of ye?” She brushed the tiny hairs on his arm with her nails.
Alex stiffened. “Aye.”
“I hope when ye share my bed that your only purpose isnae to get me with child.” She didn’t dare look at him because he paused. In fact, there was a heavy moment of silence and she thought at one point he may not even respond.
“’Tisnae the only reason I share your bed, Ella.”
And that was all he said. Nothing more. Nothing less. The next thing she heard was a snort in her ear as her husband slept. She rolled onto her side and faced him. Placing her head to his chest, she breathed in the scent of him and sighed.
“Oh, Alex. Tha gaol agam ort.” I love you.
Sixteen
Sybella’s unruly locks tickled Alex’s nose. He wiped them away and then opened his eyes. This was most definitely not a dream. His bonny temptress of a wife lay nestled into his chest. For a moment, he did not move and simply watched her. She looked peaceful, like an angel who’d spread her wings and embraced him, touching his very soul.
She stirred in his arms. “Are ye awake already?”
He rubbed her shoulder tenderly. “Shhh…Go back to sleep, Ella.”
She draped her arm over his waist and sighed. “Ye feel so warm and wonderful.”
“As do ye.”
“Do we have to leave this bed?”
He chuckled in response. “I love the thought of keeping ye here all day, but I’m afraid there are things to which I must attend.”
Sybella groaned. “I suppose Aunt Iseabail would wonder where we were.” She lifted her head and smiled. “Madainn mhath.”
His finger traced her jaw. “Good morning to ye as well.” He kissed her tenderly and then sighed. “Ye know ye do make it nearly impossible to leave this bed.”
“Then donna.”
“Ye tempt me too much, Wife.”
She buried her face in the corded muscles of his chest. “I do?”
Alex suddenly had the feeling that the bonny siren lying in his bed had a burning desire, an aching need, for another kiss. “Thig an seo,” he growled. Come here.
“What?” Her voice was a mask of innocence.
Alex pulled her up, sliding her body against his. Parting her lips, Sybella raised herself to meet his kiss. His mouth continued to explore her soft ivory flesh. She was so incredibly tempting. He seared a path down her neck, her shoulders. He nibbled on her earlobe. And then he pulled back and gave her a peck on the top of the head.
“If I donna stop now, I will keep ye chained to this bed all day. I really enjoyed being with ye, but I must get dressed and prepare for travel.”
She raised herself up on her elbow. “For travel? Where? When?”
“Your father has arranged passage for me to Lewis—in three days.”
Sybella paled.
Three days. Sybella had three days to find that bloody stone.
Fear and anger knotted inside her. If she didn’t discover that dreaded rock by then, she would be forced to tell Alexander the truth. He was entering into a war that was not his own, caused by her father, no less. Not only had her sire made an attempt on Alex’s life, but now her husband would be marked as an enemy of the MacLeods for killing their chief—who had never tried to kill her to begin with.
God help her. Alex would never trust her once he learned the truth. Frankly, she wasn’t sure what he’d do, and for the first time in her life, she was afraid. Her only hope was to find the stone, deliver it to her father, and pray the man would do the right thing and stop Alex from going to Lewis.
She rose from the bed and wrapped herself with a blanket. “I will do anything I can to assist ye.”
Alex stood and donned his kilt. “Thank ye, but there is naught ye can do. I must meet with John and MacGregor. While I travel to Lewis, MacGregor will stay behind. He will see to your welfare.”
She walked around the bed and faced him. “I donna want Ciaran to look after me. I want ye.”
“Ye flatter me, lass, but I have nay choice. I must travel to Lewis.”
All Sybella could manage to do was nod.
“Donna look so troubled. I will return before ye know it.” He sat on the bed and put on his boots. “As ye said, I am a fierce Highland laird.”
She smiled but knew the smile did not quite reach her eyes.
He moved in an instinctive gesture of comfort. “Ye worry overmuch. I will be fine. Why donna ye take a walk to the loch? I am sure my cousin and Aunt Iseabail would love to go with ye.” He bent his head and kissed her lips. “I shall meet up with ye later.”
She watched her husband close the door and then she pivoted on her heel. Sybella practically ran into her chamber, splashed cold water on her face, and dressed. For a moment, she thought about not breaking her fast, but she knew that if she didn’t show up, someone would come looking for her. She would just eat quickly and resume her purpose. Curse her father and brother. In truth, she wasn’t sure how many more times she could.
Sybella walked to the great hall, running over her mission in her head. She’d already searched the library, the study, and the bedchambers, and she still needed to continue her search in the ladies’ solar. At least she had an idea of where to start.
As she entered the great hall, everyone was seated for the meal. Her husband rose in a gentlemanly fashion and pulled out her chair.
“Ella.” His voice was low and deep.
She lifted her brow. “Alexander.” She sat down next to Rosalia, who held Lachlann on her lap. The boy smiled when Rosalia kissed his rosy cheeks. “How do ye fare? I see ye live,” Sybella said.
Rosalia giggled. “I am well. And ye?”
“The same.”
Rosalia nodded to Ciaran. “I donna think we got ourselves into too much trouble last eve, did we?”
Ciaran’s hand froze midair as he was about to take a drink from his tankard. “I think MacDonell and I agree ’tis the last time we leave your seanmhair to watch over the two of ye.”
Aunt Iseabail’s eyes widened. “Whatever do ye mean?”
“Ciaran…” Rosalia warned.
He leaned forward, resting his arm on the table. “It seems our women entertained themselves last eve by getting knee deep in their cups and then practicing swordplay in the ladies’ solar…with their daggers.”
Aunt Iseabail gasped and held her hand over her heart. “Truly? I must admit I am a wee bit surprised at the two of ye. Why would ye want to scrape up your daggers? I would’ve grabbed the swords from Alex’s study. After drinking three cups of ale, I was somewhat astonished I made it to my own chamber last eve in one piece.”
Alex rubbed his brow. “Ye too, Aunt Iseabail? For the love of God, ye women must stop encouraging one another.”
“Ye are far too serious, Nephew. ’Tis a good thing to have a lighthearted attitude every once in a while. It cleanses the soul. Ye might find it would even do ye some good.”
Ciaran grunted. “Aye, MacDonell. We should get in our cups more often and then practice swordplay…in the ladies’ solar.”
Rosalia elbowed Ciaran in the ribs. “Cease.”
Sybella finished her meal and tried to keep her mind still, a hard task when Alex was so close. Although she’d thoroughly enjoyed last eve, she couldn’t afford to be distracted by romantic notions. And God help her, the man’s nearness made her senses spin.
Finally, Alex stood and then bent and nuzzled her ear. “I will see ye later, Wife.”
As she watched him walk away with MacGregor by his side, memories from last eve started to flood her. She mentally chided herself. She needed to quit dreaming and make her escape.