Medieval Ever After (81 page)

“Shall we race, my laird?” Maddie asked, raising one eyebrow. Without waiting to hear his response, she darted off, her laughter echoing behind her.

Alex smirked as she tore off toward the loch, noting how well she rode. He dismounted before she did when they arrived, and he reached up to help her dismount. He slid Maddie’s body down the front of him very slowly, waiting for her reaction. The way her eyes widened with surprise and pleasure made him cup her face and kiss her—not a gentle kiss, but a needy one. Possessing her mouth, his tongue briefly mated with hers. A soft sigh escaped from Madeline when he ended the kiss. That pleased him, but he set her away from him and reached for the basket. His intention was to give his betrothed the time she needed to adjust to his nearness. He did not want to push her away by moving too fast.

Madeline murmured, “Oh my!” She licked her lips and touched her fingers to her mouth as she gazed at Alex.

Chuckling, he spread one of his plaids on the grass near the edge of the water. “Maddie, you are a passionate one, aye?”

Madeline blushed and turned her head away.

“Come, sit with me and eat something.”

Maddie helped Alex empty the basket. Cook had packed fresh baked bread, cheese, and wine. There were also apples and ripe pears, and at the bottom, there were two wrapped pastries.

“Maddie, I planned this trip for a special reason.”

“What would that be, Laird?”

“Please, Maddie, call me Alex. I would hear my name on your lips.”

“Of course, Alex,” she replied, her innocent blue eyes gazing into his.

“I do not want you to be uncomfortable on our wedding night. I think it would best if you were to get used to me slowly. I want you to be accustomed to my closeness and my touch, Maddie. I will not have you frightened of me.” He brushed a stray hair from her eyes. She nodded her head slowly in agreement.

They ate and drank the wine as they casually talked about the wedding, enjoying the sun, the feast, and each other’s company.

“Would you like a pastry, sweeting?” Alex asked.

“Oh, yes, I love pastries,” she answered.

Alex unwrapped the pastry and held it to her mouth. She reached for it, but Alex pulled back and shook his head.

“Nay, you must eat it from my fingers. Do you trust me, Maddie?”

“Aye,” she whispered. She leaned forward and took a tentative bite from the pastry. She chewed it slowly, savoring the taste in her mouth, never taking her eyes from Alex’s.

“More?” he asked.

She nodded and leaned forward for another bite. Sweet juice ran over her lips as she bit into the fat pastry. But when Maddie reached to wipe it off her face, Alex said, “Nay.” He leaned in and licked the sweetness off her bottom lip. Madeline gasped, but did not move as Alex continued the gentle assault. He nibbled on her bottom lip and tugged on it to pull her toward him. The pastry crumbled to the ground as he pulled her down on top of him. He groaned as she timidly responded by touching her tongue to his. Eager for more of her, angled his mouth to kiss her deeper.

Alex cradled her face in his hands, enjoying the sweet taste of her. His hands ran down her spine and brushed her buttocks lightly to pull her in close to him. He was hard and did not want to frighten her, but she had to get used to him. He did not want to see any fear in her eyes on their wedding night.

***

Maddie’s senses were on overload. This was not a tender kiss. Alex was hot and demanding. And she liked it. She was a little embarrassed when she realized the high-pitched moans she heard were from her. He didn’t let up.

Confusion roiled in Maddie’s mind as sheer pleasure coiled in her belly. This was nothing like what had happened with Niles. Did this mean she would actually enjoy the touch of her betrothed? Would she be a good wife to Alex?

Alex rolled over, tucking her beneath him, and leaned his weight on his elbows. He kissed her cheek and trailed a line of kisses down her throat. A light sigh escaped her lips at his tender ministrations. Stopping abruptly, he drew Maddie to her feet with him. Where was he taking her?

“The loch, Maddie. Let’s get wet together.” He held his hand out to her and she grasped it. As they reached the edge of the loch, he reached down to untie the ribbons on her gown. What was he doing?

He coaxed her toward the lapping water. “Come in with me, the warmth is wonderful.” She nodded her head, trusting him completely. Alex drew the fabric of her gown over her head and tossed it to the grass. Then he unhooked the broach on his plaid and pitched them into another pile before removing the rest of his clothes.

Maddie’s breath hitched as she realized her betrothed was completely nude. Too stunned to move, she glanced down at herself and realized she was only clothed in a chemise, her taut nipples clearly visible. She glimpsed at Alex’s nude body again before gasping. What were they doing?

“Like what you see, sweeting?”

She could not help but giggle as he tugged her into the water.

“Alex, it’s cold!” When the water was almost to her shoulders, he stopped and pulled her in close, brushing his arms over hers to warm her.

“Remember that I will never hurt you, Maddie. If you ever want to stop, just tell me. I will accept it. But remember that married people do enjoy each other’s bodies. I need you to understand that love and marriage is about giving each other pleasure.”

Had she heard him correctly? Did that mean he really loved her? The thought sent waves of eagerness through her. Alex was to be her husband soon. He was right—she needed to get used to touching him and being touched. Their gazes connected and she was amazed at what she found in his eyes: pure desire.

Her courage grew. She ran her hands over his shoulders, loving the way his muscles felt under her fingers. Alex had his own aroma, and she breathed deep to savor it. The sensations he stirred in her were warm and wonderful—and she felt safe. She hoped they would always have these moments together.

Her body started to tingle in places she had never felt before as she stroked every inch of his hard body. It did not frighten her because it was Alex. Why had she always fought this part of their relationship? Exciting possibilities entered her thoughts. She had not expected to want his touch so much. The water was a little cool, yet she was hot. How could that be? He stopped for a moment and gazed into her eyes, and all she could say was, “Alex, don’t stop.”

He reached up to the front of her chemise and cupped her breasts. He kissed her hard again, and when he rubbed his thumb over her nipple, she groaned and moved into him, trying to get closer. As he continued his assault on her breasts through the chemise, she threaded her fingers through his hair and leaned back and moaned. She let go and floated on the water, letting the unknown sensations send delight radiating through the very pores of her skin.

Alex’s hands kneaded her inner thighs, working their way up her body slowly until he kissed her neck and whispered, “Sweeting, you are so soft. I need to feel your skin. I want to feel your skin against mine. Maddie, I want to see the rest of your luscious body.” He started to pull on the ribbons of her chemise to free her breasts.

And Kenneth interrupted her thoughts. “Nooooo, Alex! Please do not!”

Shoving against him, she bolted toward shore. Before leaving the water, she realized she was only clothed in the chemise, so she sank back into the loch. Still, she kept far away from Alex. She couldn’t let him see what Kenneth had done to her. Perhaps she would never be free of her tormenter. She slapped the top of the loch over and over as she thought of all her stepbrother had done to her.

***

Alex’s fists were clenched at the side of his body. He was still panting and tried to slow his breathing. By the saints, but she had felt so good in his arms. Would they ever work through this problem? Mayhap this was hopeless.

He stared at his betrothed across the water. Her movements erratic, and a moment passed before he realized what she was doing. She had seemed so afraid a moment ago, but now she was angry and swinging at the water. Somehow he knew he was not the focus for her anger. Mayhap it would help her to express her anger at her stepbrother and the Comming. Mayhap that was what she needed. He waited, giving her the time she needed to work through her feelings.

Her breath was still coming out in fast puffs, but she would not look him in the eye yet. She was in a different world, fighting someone. He was going about this completely the wrong way. But who could offer him advice? Who did he trust enough to confide in?

Before he sought advice, however, he needed to understand what she was going through.

“Maddie? Talk to me. I would hear your thoughts. Help me understand. We are to be married in less than a fortnight.”

***

Maddie forced herself to meet the gaze of the man she loved. How could she explain? She was so humiliated. Her arms wrapped tight around her middle. She hated Kenneth for what he had done to her. She knew God did not want her to hate anyone, but she could not help it.

And what would Alex say about this? She was aware there was a possibility he would be so disgusted he would walk out of the water and never return. Then what would she do? Her humiliation would be complete. Maddie buried her face into her arms and reached back with her hands to fist her hair. Everyone would hate her, just like Kenneth had always wanted. He had always been jealous of the affection and respect people gave her, and he had tried to ruin her in every way possible. Mayhap he would have the last laugh.

But if she gave up now, when she was this close to happiness, she would be
letting
him win. Alice had advised her to always be honest with Alex, and this was the time for honesty, even if it hurt.

“I need to tell you something,” she said, her arms still crossed in front of her.

Alex’s head dropped momentarily, but then rose to look at her. “I am listening.”

Madeline fought to keep herself from crying. “My stepbrother was very angry that I refused to marry the Comming.”

“I know that, Maddie,” he whispered. “I bore witness to his brutality.”

“I had refused him two times before the night you rescued me. Kenneth said if I would not marry the Comming, he would make sure and mark me so no other man would want me.”

She studied Alex’s face, trying to gauge how he was taking the news. He did not react to her words.

“Go on,” he said.

“He had a tool that he heated in the fire while he whipped me.”

Alex’s jaw clench and he closed his eyes for a moment, but she forced herself to continue.

“After he finished whipping me, he turned me around, and while his guards held me, he held the tool to the skin under my breast. He said he would do it each time I refused him, so that my chest would be completely scarred if I never relented.” She wrung her hands as she thought carefully.

Alex turned his face to the heavens and let out a deep breath.

“I was not running from your touch, Alex. I was afraid if you saw my scars, you would not want me anymore.” A single tear rolled down her cheek. Her hands shook as she reached up to wipe her face.

Alex held his hand out to her. “Come here, Maddie.”

She hesitated, but then walked over and placed her hand in his. Alex led her into the shallower water and sat in the pebbles, where the water reached his chest. He settled Maddie onto his lap, wrapped his arms around her tight, and rested her head on his shoulder. Maddie reached her arms around his back and leaned into him. There was nowhere else she would rather be.

***

Neither one of them spoke. Alex willed himself to rid the anger from his body. He knew Maddie needed him more. They held each other silently.

Alex, totally undone by the unfairness in the world, could not fight the deep sadness that enveloped his body. How could anyone be that cruel to a helpless woman? Although Maddie was not totally helpless, she could not fight the brute strength of three men. In some ways, though, his wee Maddie was stronger than all three men combined. Her strength was an inner strength, a strength of character. He was so proud of her. After all the pain she had been forced to endure, she still had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. She was wonderful with the bairns, adored by his sister Jennie, and she always held her head high. He knew many strong men who would let such constant torture defeat them. But not his Maddie.

“Maddie,” Alex whispered several minutes later.

“Yes, Alex?”

“Is there anything else you have not told me? I would know everything now, please.”

“Nay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Aye, Alex. They are not things I would ever forget.”

Another minute of silence followed. Alex rested his chin on the top of her head.

“Alex?”

“Aye?”

“Are you going to cancel our betrothal?”

“Nay, Maddie, I am no’ going to cancel our betrothal. But I must ask you something.”

“Anything, Alex.”

“I would see the scars under your breasts. I want no surprises on the day of our wedding. I know this is much to ask, but we need to put this behind us.”