The Eagle by Hildie McQueen

Chapter Twenty

“Lay still beneath him,” her mother said. “It will be over soon enough.” She blushed and patted Cait’s shoulder. “Ye are attracted to him and that will help.”

“Mother, ye act as if I am about to head to the gallows to be executed.”

Her mother’s eyes rounded and the other women in the room giggled.

“It should be very pleasant and enjoyable,” Beatrice exclaimed. “If it is not let me know. I will ask Duncan to speak to him.”

Ella laughed. “I believe we do not have to explain anything to her. Stuart has ensured she is well satisfied.”

“Ella!” Lady Mariel looked to Cait’s confused mother apologetically. “I am afraid my daughter has never been one to hold her tongue.”

There were knocks at the door and loud cheerful voices.

“We must go.” Beatrice and Ella pulled Lady Mariel and her mother out the door.

Moments later, Stuart was shoved in by a group of rowdy brothers, who laughed just a bit too loud.

Stuart’s eyes narrowed and he turned to glare at his brothers. “Go away.”

They exchanged a couple of crude barbs before finally being pushed out and the door locked behind them.

“Sometimes we act like lads.” Stuart smiled while shaking his head. “It is the first time we’ve had a proper wedding and I believe everyone is overly excited.”

Cait sat in the bed hugging her legs up to her chest. “Everything has been so wonderful, but at times it felt as if the celebration had little to do with us. I believe everyone celebrated personal victories and that is quite extraordinary.”

When he began to undress, she could not look away. She tried, but inevitably, her gaze would slide back. First, he sat and removed the boots, followed by stockings, and then his belt. He lowered his breeches and then sat down to pull them off.

Once that was done, he stood again. The pale linen tunic fell to just above his knees giving her glimpses of his muscled legs.

Stuart met her gaze. “I want to see ye remove that garment.”

“I was told this is what men prefer,” Cait replied, genuinely surprised. She had been led to believe, the man was always fully naked, and she would remain partially clothed.

“I prefer ye bare,” he said as his fingers curled at the hem of the tunic. As the fabric inched upward, she followed the progress.

His muscular thighs were enticing. Between them his sex hung, nestled upon a plump sack. She watched with growing anticipation as his flat stomach and wide chest were exposed. When Stuart pulled the tunic off, he stood before her fully bare.

“Come,” he held out a hand inviting her from the bed.

Cait obeyed, feeling a bit exposed despite wearing a night rail. It was made of fabric so thin, it was almost see-through.

“Ye are beautiful,” Stuart proclaimed, his gaze raking over her. “I am a very fortunate man.”

Taking a cue from his actions, Cait slowly untied the strips at the neck and pushed the garment down from her shoulders. It slid easily. Exposing her breasts. The dip of her waist. The flare of her hips.

Upon seeing her remove her nightgown, his sex hardened and lengthened. Breathlessly, Cait slowly pushed the night rail past her hips allowing it to slide down her legs to the floor.

There was something freeing when his gaze roamed over her body and she saw the arousal not only in his expression but the effect on his sex. It rose hardening before her eyes.

“I want ye so much right now,” Stuart said, and she smiled in amazement that this beautiful man was her husband.

They came together with desperate need, touching, kissing, and caressing one another. Stuart took her body and in that moment the bond between them felt tangible. Cait cried out when she crested, her body tensing under his. He shuddered moments later, losing himself completely.

They lay there panting, the giddy feeling of two people who’d done something utterly enjoyable.

“I must ask ye something,” Cait said, her voice sounding breathless. “Is this the only way?”

“What do ye mean?” Stuart lifted his head and gave her a curious look.

Cait shrugged. “Beatrice alluded to the fact that there were many ways to make love. I am curious.”

When Stuart grinned, she knew it must be true.

He sat up and then looked at her for a moment as if gauging how to explain it. “Turn over onto yer stomach.”

She did as he instructed, already feeling impatient to know what would happen next. He guided her to her knees and hands and moved to kneel behind her.

“What do ye think?” he asked in a husky voice.

Cait looked over her shoulder. “I am anxious to know what ye will do next.”

Trailing his fingers from the nape of her neck, down her spine, Stuart continued until finding the entrance to her sex. “I will enter ye like this.” He slipped a finger into her and she gasped.

She held her breath waiting to know how it would feel while he positioned himself and then slowly pushed in.

The intrusion was quite different, it was as if he was able to move deeper into her.

He then took her by the hips and began driving into her body over and over. Cait urged him to move faster, her mewls erupting of their own free will. She pushed back to meet his thrusts, enjoying the feel of his member so deep inside her. The sound of their skin slapping together was as erotic as Stuart’s deep grunts.

Cait looked over her shoulder at the muscles of Stuart’s shoulders and upper arms flexing with each movement. He watched where they came together, lips parted.

“Come for me, beauty,” Stuart said slipping his hand from her hips to between her legs. It only took a few strokes against her most sensitive part before she dissolved, feeling as if she splintered into pieces.

“Oh!” Cait cried out her head falling forward onto the bedding. Stuart was unrestrained, his fingers digging into her hips to hold her in place as he plunged in again and again. Cait was lost in the moment, her pliant body controlled by Stuart’s movements.

It was as if he’d lost control. He then turned her so that he could stand beside the bed and continued driving into her.

His breathing was harsh as he continued to take her harder, faster. Cait cried out again, she could not hold onto reality and finally lost control. As everything became dark, stars swirled around her. In the darkness, she heard Stuart’s growl and then felt heated liquid spill into her core.

She allowed the promise of darkness to pull her under as Stuart cradled her against him whispering soft words that were like tender caresses.

The next morning,Cait woke first. Her body felt like liquid and a bit tender in parts. Her legs were wobbly like jelly when she rose to relieve herself and her inner thighs showed light bruising.

The aftereffects of their lovemaking however made her smile. It was a delicious soreness that brought instant memories of what had happened between them.

She studied the slumbering man in the bed. He slept on his stomach, facing her. The dark waves of hair a tousled mess. The strands spread over the side of his face and shoulders. He was a sensual picture with the blankets pulled down showing her just a peek at his bottom. Though the wide expanse of his back was just as enticing. And the fact he was so evenly tanned, made her wonder how much time he spent outdoors devoid of clothing.

She slipped into the bed and pressed a kiss to his jaw.

Stuart’s eyes opened and he smiled at her. “Is it morning already?”

“It is,” Cait replied snuggling against him. “But I plan to sleep a bit more.”

Later that morningwhen Stuart’s hands slid over her, Cait opened her eyes to find him positioned between her legs. “We cannot possibly…” She stopped talking and took a sharp breath noting how aroused he was.

He made love to her gently. His movements so slow and precise he sent her into a place so glorious, she would never have believed it existed.

When they finished, they lay in each other’s arms until there was a soft knock on the door.

Stuart got up from the bed and wrapped his tartan around himself.

“I brought some ale and food for ye to break yer fast,” Cora announced. She walked in and quickly placed a tray on the table.

Thankfully she did not look toward the bed, but instead, turn and walked back out.

“It smells wonderful,” Cait said slipping from the bed. She tugged on a robe and went to sit next to the fireplace as Stuart added wood to it. It was strange to be alone with him for so long and at the same time she wondered how long it would be like this, so new and exciting.

He lowered to a chair and lifted a cup to drink. “What are ye thinking? Ye are so quiet.”

“It feels odd, to be alone with ye. I am so very happy right now.” She met his gaze and tingles traveled through her.

Stuart smiled. “I agree, it is different. Spending time alone together will ease us into our marriage.” He looked around. “Once we eat, what do ye wish to do?”

Cait giggled and looked to the bed. “We could sleep a bit.”

They slept until later in the day and once they woke, Stuart dressed and stood at the window. Cait brushed her hair while watching him in the mirror. “When do ye wish to return to… Do yer lands have a name?”

“Aye, Eilean Daes,” he responded with a wide smile. “Lovely Isle.”

“I like it. Yer mother says there is a huge loch nearby.”

“Loch Bee and a smaller one as well.”

“I wonder why Keep Ross was not built there?” Cait mused.

Stuart shrugged. “At one time, my great-grandfather and his brother split the isle. One living here and the other up there in the larger house.”

“Did ye ever live there while growing up?”

Her new husband shook his head. “No. My grandfather moved there eventually, giving lairdship over to my father. We visited on occasion.”

“Interesting,” Cait said.

Stuart stretched. “I never found out why my grandfather gave up lairdship. At times I wonder if my father had something to do with it.”

Cait had heard that the late laird was not well-liked and noted that the family rarely spoke about him. This was the first time Stuart mentioned him and she decided not to ask any more questions about him. “What should we do until last meal?” she asked.

Her husband turned from the window meeting her gaze. “I do not know.”

“What if we sneak out and go for a walk. It looks rather sunny outside.”

Stuart looked to the door, his lips curving. “We will be caught.”

“I find it hard to believe that as young lads ye and yer brothers did not have ways to escape without anyone seeing ye.”

His face brightened when a thought came.

“Come, I know a way to avoid the others.” He took her hand and they walked out of the room. Once in the corridor, Stuart guided her down to a dark corner. Then he pushed at what looked like a wall and it slid open.

“There may be some bad smells,” he warned, before pulling her into the darkness behind him. They crept down steps and he reached out for a torch. Moments later the flame lit their way.

“How did ye light it?” Cait wasn’t sure why she whispered.

“Flint,” he replied holding up a small stone. “It is kept here in case there’s need for a fast escape.”

Then moments later, the distinctive salty smell let her know they reached the sea. When Stuart opened a second door, they were in a small cave. He placed the torch into a holder as they no longer needed it and guided her past a pair of boats and out to the open field beside the house.

“I knew it,” Cait said with a smile. “I came here to the side of the house one day and saw the boats. I wondered if there was a hidden entrance into the house.”

“Who goes there!” a stern voice called out and moments later a pair of guards with swords drawn appeared. The men relaxed upon seeing it was Stuart.

One of them gave them a knowing look. “Escaping the confines of the marriage chamber so soon?”

“I required fresh air,” Cait replied.

“And the window is quite small,” Stuart said with a grin.

A fortnight later.

The packing wascomplete. Already a pair of wagons had left for Eilean Daes.

In the sitting room, Cait sorted through several baskets. “I cannot believe all these things are wedding gifts,” she repeated. “For us.”

Lady Mariel sniffed. “I cannot believe ye are leaving so soon. I will miss ye dear lass.”

As excited as she was to leave, Cait dreaded having to say farewell to the people at Keep Ross she’d grown so close to.

But after hugging Lady Mariel, Beatrice, and Isobel, she then went down the stairs to find Annis, Greer, and Finella. Every single one of them made her cry as they wished her happiness and a great new life.

She was almost grateful that Stuart sought her out and announced it was time to head out if they were to arrive by sundown.

Already her brother, Brice, had left with one of the wagons and a pair of horses he planned to breed. Her mother and Cora were already inside the carriage when Stuart helped Cait inside.

Eyes bright with excitement, her mother patted her leg. “Can ye believe it lass? We are to move once again. To start anew and this time to live a privileged life.”

Cait reached to touch her mother, noting her hand shook. “I am still waiting to wake from this wonderful dream.”

Stuart was to ride ahead of the party with three warriors, there were an additional four guardsmen behind the carriage and one on either side.

As they headed away, Cait stuck her head out the window to peer at Keep Ross. The beautiful structure became smaller and smaller as they rode away, and she sighed silently thanking it for the time there.

“Did ye see Torac?” Cait asked her mother. “I sent someone with a message, but he never came.”

“He is right there.” Her mother pointed to the opposite side of where she’d been looking. Cait slid to the other side and peered up to see that her half brother rode atop his huge warhorse beside the carriage.

Torac glanced at her and nodded.

“Is he to live at Eilean Daes as well?” Cait looked to Cora, who pretended to not be listening.

Her mother shook her head. “I asked him, but he plans to return in a few days. The reason he came was to ensure our safety. I am sure Brice asked him to come along. He has developed a rather strong attachment to his older brother.”

“Oh, Cora, how do ye feel? I know ye were looking forward to not seeing him daily.”

Her friend let out a long breath. “I suppose it will be only temporary. I will have to do my best to keep my distance from him.”

It was quitelate by the time they arrived at Eilean Daes. Cait and Cora looked out to the passing shoreline of a large loch on one side and the sea was visible in the distance on the other side.

The carriage slowed down as they traversed the uneven road to a path between tall trees. Upon arriving at a large clearing, a house on a hill surrounded by sheep, large planting fields, and corrals with horses came into view. There were several other structures that included stables, guard quarters, and a smaller house.

When they neared the front of the house, the driver pulled the horses to a stop.

“I can barely keep from throwing myself out the door and begin exploring,” Cait exclaimed clasping her hands together.

They remained seated in the carriage, until the servants finished lining up just outside the front door.

Torac opened the door and helped them from the carriage. Just as Cait stepped onto the ground Stuart joined them. He took her elbow and Torac took her mothers and together they went to the line of servants and were introduced.

Two women, who were the housekeeper and the cook, Maisie and Grace, beamed at her. “Finally, ye arrive Mistress,” Grace exclaimed with a bright smile.

“We have been anxious to meet ye,” Maisie said by way of greeting.

Other than the two women, there was only one other woman, Bree, who lived on the property. Bree was married to Stuart’s cousin, Dougal. Apparently back at Keep Rosss, they’d been living in the village, which was why Cait had never met her.

Bree was soft-spoken and seemed sweet. “I am glad that ye are here,” she told Cait.

There were several guards and a stable worker, as well as Brice, Anton, and Lyall that rounded out those who would live there.

Once inside, Cait was shocked at how beautiful the house was. It was spacious, with high ceilings and large hearths in every room. The great room was divided by a half wall with an arched doorway. On one side a gathering room, on the other a large dining room.

She allowed Stuart to take her to their bedchamber as Bree went with her mother and Cora to show them theirs.

The room was large with shuttered windows that looked out to what Stuart had described as a future flower garden. Currently, the soil was tilled but nothing was planted. In the bedchamber there was a large four-poster bed, a small fireplace, and in one corner there was a screen for privacy. Also, a large wardrobe dominated one wall, and her trunk joined his at the foot of the bed.

Two chairs with a table between them faced the fireplace and there was a small table on each side of the bed.

“The room is beautiful,” Cait said, and meant she it. “The house is well built and every aspect of it quite pleasing.”

She opened her mouth to tell him that she wished to have been part of it, to have helped rebuild the home back to its former beauty, but he hugged her close. “I did this for ye.”

Cait held her tongue as he took her hand to show her more of the house.

After she had a chance to wash up and change, they went to the dining room as Maisie and Grace were quite anxious to serve them their first meal.

They sat at a table with her mother, Torac, and Lyall. Cora chose to stay in the kitchen and Cait understood her not wishing to eat in the same room as Torac.

Moments after they sat and began nibbling from a platter of cheese and fruit, Bree and Dougal joined them.

The cooks bustled out to serve each a large bowl of rich stew with warm baked bread and freshly churned butter. The meal was wonderful and Cait informed the women that she enjoyed every bite.

“How fares Artair?” Stuart asked his cousin.

Dougal shook his head. “He is most anxious for ye to appoint someone else to the post. Says he cannot abide village life.”

“Tomorrow Cait and I go to the village. I will give her the choice of continuing to live here or there. The house there is most spacious.”

Cait gave him a curious look. “I cannot imagine living in a village. I can already tell ye that I will prefer to remain here. However, if there are duties to be performed, then I will go wherever ye decide is best.”

When he gave her a warm look, her insides melted.

“What about ye Bree?” Stuart asked. “How do ye feel about living in the village?”

Dougal gave Stuart an incredulous look. “Do ye mean for me to take over as constable?”

“Only if Bree wishes to live in the ostentatious house in the village.”

Bree giggled. “I must admit to finding the house quite out of place. Almost like a castle amongst shacks. It looks quite strange.”

“Can anything be changed about it?” Cait asked. “I would not wish to live in a place that would make those around me feel less than.”

“Quite so,” Bree agreed, then her eyes widened as she addressed her husband. “Would we live there if ye is to become constable?”

Everyone paused when Dougal shrugged. “I am not sure. What say ye, Stuart?”

“I will leave it up to ye. But it is a grand house.”

The interest was obvious when Dougal looked to his wife. “Would ye live there?”

Bree waved his worry away. “I would. However, we must find a way to make it more welcoming. Perhaps house orphans or something.”

“Off to find orphans then,” Dougal announced, and everyone chuckled.