Highland Hellion (Highland Weddings #3)(79)
There was more than one gasp in response. Katherine had never been more grateful for her time in the training yard because it allowed her to not react to the blunt words. She’d heard such before and only offered William a mild expression.
“Now.” William looked over at Anne, as he patted the girl’s hand. “A prize is meant to be enjoyed, and I must admit, I would certainly enjoy fucking the fabled MacPherson hellion.”
There was a round of coarse snickers from some of the men even as Ceit started to gesture some of her younger maids toward the doors.
“So keep her, me son, and enjoy her,” William stated firmly. “Anne will be yer wife, and her dowry will fatten our coffers, while her father will pledge his friendship toward us. The hellion will be yer slut, to do all the things a wife has no business knowing men crave.”
William slapped his hand down on the table. “Done. Mistress is a fine position for a hellion. No doubt the MacPhersons never made her a match because they couldn’t find a man willing to risk bedding her. Ye should be grateful.”
William ended his speech by looking straight at her. “And I am a bit jealous of me son. Perhaps when he tires of ye, I will let ye suckle me cock.”
Katherine pushed her chair back. William flashed her a pleased look, but she denied him any outpouring of words. She looked at Rolfe and lowered herself, making it clear whom she deemed worthy of respect before she left the hall.
Conversation started immediately, voices debating their laird’s correctness.
She didn’t care a bit for their opinions.
Only for the fact that Rolfe had said nothing.
That hurt her deeper than anything ever had.
*
Rolfe came into their chamber earlier than she expected.
Much earlier. Only an hour later, he was there.
Katherine eyed him uncertainly. Her husband offered her a grin before he pulled a hand around in front of him. He set a pitcher on the table between them.
“Is that meant as some sort of apology for sitting there silently?”
She really hadn’t wanted to ask the question. Her pride seemed to think she should leave it all up to him to explain, and yet she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
“It is,” he answered. “I know I should have said something.”
“Indeed.” Her English accent was back again.
Rolfe held up a finger. “But I needed to see what he was getting at. Me father enjoys planning things. It’s always best to let him bluster a bit before charging into the trap he’s laid for ye. Besides, I was looking at Anne and wanted to see what she was going to make of it all.”
Katherine ended up thinking about what he’d said for a long moment. Rolfe cracked a grin, which annoyed her, and she sent him a glare.
“She likely thought you found it all to your liking.” She shook her head at how it must seem.
Rolfe merely shrugged.
“Well, in this case, me father miscalculated how strong ye are, lass.”
“Is that a fact?”
Rolfe nodded. “As for Anne, she was begging Adwin for an escort home before me father finished his supper. Claimed she would not marry into a family with such an unchristian nature.”
Relief touched her like a welcome breeze on a July afternoon. “I suppose talking about sucking Satan’s cock might be considered unchristian.”
“Coupled with me sitting there saying nothing against the idea of keeping ye both.”
“That was unkind of you.” Katherine twisted her knuckle against his breastbone in reprimand. He flinched, but didn’t back up.
“Why do ye think I brought the pitcher with me?”
“It would serve you right if I did hit you with that.” She meant every word, and yet her tone betrayed how touched she was by the offer. “And Helen hit Marcus in the great hall, so this is hardly an even exchange.” She gestured around the chamber.
“Aye,” he countered. “However, I am no’ trying to force ye to wed one of me men.”
“Only expecting me to stay where I am not wanted.”
“Ye are wanted here, Kat.” His tone went hard. “By me. Ye are hardly the first bride to encounter a cantankerous father-in-law.”
He’d moved toward her. She felt her belly flutter in response and let out a little sigh. “How can it be so very…perfect when you are near, and yet so horrible when you are not?”
“Ye are no’ the only bride who faces such.”
He came close enough that she felt his presence looming over her, sheltering her. His scent teased her senses as he stroked the side of her cheek. Pleasure rippled across her skin, raising a smile on her lips.
“Feuds have been settled for years in the Highlands by weddings,” Rolfe explained.
“That does not make it easier.”
He stroked her cheek again. “Nae.” He slid his hand into her hair and cupped her nape. It made her very aware of his strength, of the fact that he could crush her throat if he cared to. The fact that he held her like an egg made her feel cherished.
So unexpectedly tender.
He leaned down and kissed her, and she stretched up onto her toes to press herself against him. Desire began to pulse through her. Inside the chamber, she could give it free rein. It took him longer to disrobe, since all she had on was her dressing robe.
“Ye are so beautiful…” His voice was full of awe. He stood back for a moment, sweeping his eyes over her from head to toe. Words paled next to the way his eyes narrowed and his lips thinned. It was the sort of compliment no words could truly express. It was there in his expression, and Katherine felt her insides tightening in response.