Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 32223 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32223 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
I wish I could say I feel guilty about the lie, but alas, I don’t. Or, if I did, the guilt is soon forgotten with Lachlan’s mouth all over me once we’re alone.
Hours later, my body practically trembling, and my heart begging for a breather, we finally part ways before we’re to have dinner. And when I manage to put myself back together and regretfully put clothes on, I finally go down to meet everyone else for supper.
It’s the eight of us—Lachlan and I, Cat and Callum, Rhona and Tor, and Una and Hamish—and Lachlan has dinner laid out on a small terrace overlooking some of the back gardens. And where I might have been awkward, or blushing, or stewing in self-doubt and guilt before, now, it feels like I’m free of it all.
…Well, that’s not entirely true. I’m still blushing like crazy as my mind replays the ways Lachlan made me moan and whimper and come with his fingers, his mouth, and his cock all afternoon, to the point where I was literally begging him to take me right then, any way he pleased. But he just chuckled, shaking his head as he teased me some more.
“When we’re married, lass,” he’d growled. “Then I’ll be taking you, every which way.”
Mercifully, it’s dark enough with the candlelit dinner on the terrace that no one can see the heat on my face. But every time I look up to see Lachlan looking at me from across the table, or every time I feel his foot slide over and touch mine beneath it, I know he knows just how warm my face is.
There are toasts to the coming wedding—first from Hamish, and then Callum, and then even Tor does a traditional Norse cheer that involves pounding your cup on the table and yelling, which is frankly a lot of fun. Wine is drunk, food is enjoyed, and I’m smiling ear to ear as I look around at all my friends and the loves they’ve found. My eyes linger on Cat, and I know, even if I’m scared, that it’s going to be okay. I’m going to tell her, tonight. And I know she’ll understand.
Lachlan’s in the middle of pouring some more wine, when suddenly, there’s a commotion as some of his guards come charging out onto the terrace.
“My lord!” one barks breathlessly, and instantly, Lachlan’s scowling, his face turning serious.
“What is it?”
“Sire, there’s a wagon and accompanying guards at the front gates, demanding to speak to you.”
Lachlan raises a brow. “Who—”
“It’s the Lady Campbell,” one of the men says lowly. His eyes dart to the two other guardsmen with him before he clears his throat. “Your, uh, your former—”
“Darcy,” Lachlan growls, a shadow crossing his face and a twisting feeling clenches my gut.
I know there was nothing ever between them, least of all love. And I know he never shared a bed with her or touched her in any way the entire time they were married. But still, it’s an unpleasant feeling, and a sourness to this night having her show up like this, on the eve of my marriage to him. Like somehow, her infringing on this casts a sort of tawdry pallor of the whole thing, which makes me furious.
Lachlan’s eyes dart to mine, his jaw clenched.
“Let me deal with this, lass,” he growls quietly, his eyes saying a lot more as he rises.
“I’ll come too—”
“No,” he says gently, shaking his head. “I don’t want her…” he frowns. “Just, stay here, please?”
I nod, swallowing, our eyes locking. And again, more than the words he’s said out loud passes between us. That look says “I don’t want her to ruin what we both have here,” and I understand it.
“I’m coming with you,” Callum growls, standing as well, a dark look on his face.
“Aye, and me,” Hamish pushes his chair back, leaning over and kissing Una’s hand before he stands as well.
Tor sighs, giving Rhona a smile as he stands. “This witch sounds amusing.” He frowns, shooting me a look. “Apologies, my lady.”
I roll my eyes, shaking my head. “Please don’t. She deserves anything you have to say.”
He grins. “She sounds like fun. I think I’ll come along to watch this.”
Lachlan nods stiffly, turning to Cat. “Stay here, please. Let me go deal with this swiftly.”
He and the other men sweep from the terrace along with the three guards, storming away.
I groan when they’re gone, slumping in my chair and reaching for my cup of wine.
“Well, leave it to Darcy to lay a shadow over a wonderful night.”
Cat makes a face, getting up and taking what was Hamish’s seat next to me.
“I’m sorry, Iona. She’s…”
“Awful,” I mutter. “The word you’re looking for is awful.”
Cat smiles wryly, taking my hand. “My dad will take care of it. You know she’s just here because you’re about to destroy the Campbells’ hopes at shaking him down for coin and lands.”