The Devil’s Laird by Brenda Jernigan
Chapter 12
By the time Siena reached the sickroom, she saw several women sitting around holding either their stomachs or heads, waiting for someone to take care of them. Elen was bent over a patient in the corner. Siena smelled the stuffiness the minute she stepped into the room. “Good day, Elen. How can I help?”
“I’m no so sure ’tis a good day,” Elen grumbled as she straightened up, placing her hands on the small of her back when she stretched. “Seems everyone is complaining about a bellyache.”
“I’ll be happy to help you, but I’d especially like to see Alva’s son Freddy. I promised I would take care of him.
“Over there,” Elen said with a wave of her pipe.
A small boy with sandy brown hair was curled in a ball on a blanket, clutching his stomach. His eyes were squeezed shut. He reminded Siena of a small puppy with his sad face.
Siena scooped Freddy up in her arms. He moaned as she placed him on a small cot. “This will feel better than the hard floor,” she soothed as she sat on the side of the bed and felt the child’s forehead. “Elen, he is burning up. If I had my herbs, I would know what to do for him. Any ideas?”
“My stomach hurts,” the child wailed. “My head hurts, too.”
“I know little one” Siena brushed the hair off the child’s forehead. “We’re going to make you feel better soon.”
“I’m thinkin’ ‘tis something they ate, and ‘twill have to work its way out of their system if ye ken what I mean.” Elen chuckled. “Ye’re welcome to use some of my herbs. The bottles are all labeled. Choose what ye will. I’ve been givin’ them barley water for now.”
“Do you have any sweet marjoram?” Siena asked. She stood and went to a bowl of cool water so that she could wet a cloth.”
“Aye. Found some at the end of last summer. Check the jars.”
After Siena placed the cool cloth on Freddy’s head, she went over to the shelves and scanned each jar until she found a green jar of marjoram. She opened the lid and smelled the sweet pine scent, then took out a pinch and placed it into a pan of water to heat. Once it had reached the correct temperature, she poured the liquid in a cup, then cooled it by blowing on the water. Next came a dash of honey which she stirred into the cup before giving it to Freddy. After soothing the child, she began taking care of the others until they had seen everyone. Only one woman named Ruby refused Siena’s help because the woman saw her birthmark. Ruby threw up her hands in front of her and made the sign of the cross as to ward off evil spirits.
“I’ll take care of the old bat,” Elen said under her breath. “It appears that yer sweet marjoram has calmed everyone down. I do appreciate yer help, lass.”
“I’m still learning my way around, but I’ll try and help you more. I promise,” Siena said, giving Elen a hug before she left.
Siena was still disturbed that people thought her evil because of her birthmark. She only hoped one day that everyone would think of her as a good person.
* * *
Later that night,Siena realized she was very tired. However, once she took her seat at the high table next to Roderick, her energy returned, and she felt the calmness that Roderick brought to her. A feeling she couldn’t explain, but one she liked.
“Have ye had a good day, lass?” Roderick asked, placing a hand on her arm in a tender gesture. “Ye know, lass. I think it’s time that ye started wearing my plaid.”
“I would have to have someone show me how to wear it.”
“That can be arranged. ‘Twill keep you warm since even our springs are cool.” He rubbed the back of her hand. “Now, tell me about yer day.”
Siena’s heart fluttered just being this close to her husband, and she wondered how silly she was that his slightest touch could make her feel warm all over and happy.
“We seemed to have a sickness going around, so I helped Elen all afternoon. And before I knew it the day had slipped by.”
“You must be tired,” Roderick said, but found that his gaze was drawn to Siena’s chest and the way her breast strained against the fabric of her gown. He was looking forward to teaching her lesson number two tonight since she had been on his mind most of the day. A thought that both pleased and irritated him at the same time. His mind should be on his men, his clan, and not this slip of a woman.
When she paused, he asked, “Did ye have any problems?”
“A few still don’t want any part of me once they see my birthmark. I try to keep my sleeve pulled down, but it slips up as I’m working.” She smiled and continued, “However, it’s amazing that if you’re really sick your opinion can change very fast. I could have horns growing out of my head and they wouldn’t care a bit.”
Roderick chuckled. “’Twill take time, lass.”
“Where are your brothers?”
“They have returned to their holdings. Next week I will go to the Dunham holding to see if I can help with a territorial dispute, but I won’t be gone long. There will be enough protection for Black Dawn.”
“Do you suppose that one day you’ll paint the walls of Black Dawn white again?” Siena asked.
Roderick sighed. “One day when I can put the past completely behind me.”
Siena gave him a small smile, hoping that one day the castle would once again be white and their awful past behind them.
They enjoyed the rest of their meal as they drank wine and chatted with others. At the end, Roderick leaned over and whispered, “Go upstairs, lass. Take off all yer clothes and wait under the covers for me. Tonight, is lesson number two.”
Siena cheeks burned at his words. She nodded and excused herself from the table, heading for their room.
Thankfully, Agatha was busy talking to Duncan and didn’t notice Siena’s red cheeks when she told Agatha to stay behind, that she would be fine.
* * *
Siena wasn’t quitesure how she felt as she lay naked under the covers, remembering the night before and how wonderful the kisses had been. She had a burning desire for another kiss. Heat rippled under her skin in anticipation, wondering what tonight would be like.
The door swung open and in the soft glow of the firelight she watched Roderick stroll over to one of the chairs where he sat down to remove his brown boots. He didn’t say anything as he slipped his shirt over his head, tossing it on the nearby chair, his gaze never leaving hers. Next, he unbuckled his belt, letting his kilt fall around his feet. She could see all his muscular body at one time as he strolled toward the bed, but she didn’t look away this time and she did remember to breathe.
Her husband was magnificent.
Roderick slipped beneath the covers and gathered her in his arms. The next thing she knew he was leaning over her, placing feathery kisses on her face. Siena sighed. Her arms slipped around him, and she pressed her body into his, causing a low growl to issue from Roderick. That pleased her.
“I see you remember lesson one verra wull, lass.”
“Aye,” she replied breathlessly. “I’m a fast learner.”
He kissed her ear, tugging on one of her earlobes, and then he moved lower as he continued to explore her soft flesh, placing light kisses on her neck. She went limp as shivers of desire ran through her.
Raising his mouth for a moment, he gazed into her eyes and saw her desire as he lowered his head to kiss her. His tongue touched her lips, urging them to part and the minute that she did he plunged his tongue into her mouth, mating with hers.
She was fully aware of the hardness of his thighs pressed next to her as his fingers stroked the back of her neck. This kiss was different and more demanding as if he were telling her he wanted more. She began to play with his tongue and was shocked at her own eager response. Her blood felt like it was on fire. His magnificent kisses were driving her crazy.
Roderick felt Siena moving restless against him. He had to admit that she had learned her first lesson well, and he was surprised how his body burned for her. A strange feeling that he couldn’t remember ever feeling before. He’d had sex in the year since his wife’s death, but it was just that, sex. This was different. A growl of satisfaction slipped from his lips. Then he reminded himself he needed to go slow. After all, this was her first time. He would teach her the second lesson and then on the third lesson she would be his. He trailed kisses down to her swollen breast where he took one of the red tipped buds into his mouth. He began to suckle, pulling and tugging until he heard her gasps of pleasure.
He lifted his head and smiled at her as he said, “Lesson number two.”
And then he was kissing her again and again until she couldn’t think straight. Passion rose in her like the hottest fire. She thought she would explode. The way he held her betrayed his hunger and she opened her mouth further. She needed to taste all of him. How in the world would she survive a third lesson? There had to be more. And she wanted it all. And that is when she moaned a single word, “Please.”
Roderick heard her. Blood pounded in his brain. His senses sizzled as her body sprang to life. There would be no other lessons. His wife was driving him crazy. He couldn’t remember wanting anyone as much as he wanted Siena. As he reached down and stroked her soft curls, she bucked against his hand and he felt her wetness. She was ready for him. He spread her thighs with his knee then slipped his hands beneath her hips to lift her up to receive him. Slowly, he slipped in and then withdrew. He needed to go slow but the blood pounding in his head pushed him on to feel her silken warm. He drove fully into her and stopped; his breathing ragged.
She tensed and cried out.
“Are you…” he gasped.
“I—I,” Siena trailed off as she moved her hips, wondering what was missing. She had felt a sharp pain, but it seemed to be easing. Surely this mating wasn’t to be painful. He began to move again slowly at first and then she could feel a pressure replacing the pain, and she wanted to shout thank God. Roderick moved faster and faster, plunging and withdrawing until Siena felt herself being washed away in a sea of desire as Roderick drove into her once last time. They soared with the intense pleasure exploding in their bodies until the peak of delight washed over both of them.
Roderick wanted to say something as he lay on top of her trying to catch his breath. He braced his arms so that he wouldn’t crush her.
He heard her whisper, “I--I don’t think I can stand a third lesson.”
Roderick chuckled, then rolled to his side and pulled his wife next to him, keeping her cradled in his arms. He was truly a satisfied man and he was happy for the first time in a long, long while.
“I think yer lessons are complete, lass.” He drew in another breath and said in a ragged voice, “Ye’re mine lass, completely.” When Siena didn’t respond, he tilted his head down to look at her and found she was fast asleep.
Roderick wasn’t too sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. At least she had a smile on her face.