Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series (26 page)

“Oh indeed! Would not see a lady dishonoured would you? Well aren’t you the chivalrous gentleman?”

“Aye, I am. You know I was a virgin on our wedding night,” he said, but the gleam in his eye suggested there wasn’t likely much truth in his statement.

She cast her eyes downward. What if she never recovered her memories?

“What is it?” James asked.

The concern in his eyes made her heart twist.

“I want to remember,” Aileana said.

James tightened his hold on her and she lost herself in his embrace. The scent of his skin, the feel of his hard body, even the steady thud of his heartbeat calmed her.

“Well, maybe I wasn’t exactly a virgin,” James said.

When Aileana looked back at him it took a split second before they both burst into a gale of laughter. James spent the rest of the night recounting every moment they had shared together, answering questions until they both fell into a deep sleep entwined in one another’s arms.

* * *

James intended to make the journey back to Inverness-shire a slow one. He would not consider putting Aileana or their child at further risk for one moment. When they left Peebles, it would be to travel to Edinburgh for a night or two before proceeding further north. James was bent on ensuring Gawain would remain imprisoned this time and planned on pulling a favour from the king. Gawain Chattan would never see the light of day again if James could help it.

His thoughts shifted to the king. As it turned out, the MacDonald’s were indeed responsible for the attack on the MacKenzie clan. They had devised a plot with the Sutherlands to do the deed, but it grew more complicated from there. James had learned while the king had been imprisoned in England, Alexander MacDonald had gained much support in the north. It was even suggested that years earlier, opportunities had arisen to return James Stewart to his rightful place as monarch and the Duke of Albany and MacDonald had interfered. In the end, MacDonald had fronted a good deal of the ransom. Who could guess w
hy he later turned on the king?

King James had unravel
led the Duke’s involvement and the MacDonald’s had been quick to provide their reason for targeting MacKay as the villains. MacDonald’s younger sister, Elizabeth it turned out, was Fergus’s widow.

The only part of the plot that he still wasn’t clear was the MacKenzie as the target for the attack. Also, while it was true the MacKay-Sutherland mutual hatred was legendary, how had the MacDonald managed to secure
Artair Sutherland’s allegiance?

James’s head swam with questions. In the end, it didn’t matter how the plot had evolved. What mattered was that his friend Fergus had been acquitted, Gawain was locked away for a long time, and he and Aileana
could go on with their lives together. His biggest worry was how well she would readjust to her former life.

James had secured a carriage for their travel and watched her rocking body, curled up across from him. Her hair cascaded down across her body like a golden blanket. He longed to touch her again, but he would not take advantage of her that way. Aye, he wanted her so much it was painful, but he wanted all of her, not the just part that only somewhat remembered him. He needed her to remember their love first.

Six months ago, he would have bedded just about any woman on their first acquaintance if she were willing. His Aileana had released him from that unfulfilling life. She had saved him, loved him. He was determined to spend the rest of his life spoiling her far worse than her uncle had. Cherished girl, indeed. His precious wife would never want for anything.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chattan Castle, near Inverness, Scotland, August 1430

Aileana laughed at the commotion Sheena caused. She understood the woman’s wishes and demands, but was surprised at James’s reaction. Aileana had been home for a fortnight. Her memories of her intimacies with James had returned, though she hadn’t found one spare moment with him to let him know.

She’d arrived at Chattan Castle to her beloved aunt bursting with questions and suggestions. James had taken immediate exception to her
behaviour stating it wasn’t good for the natural return of Aileana’s memory to have so many thoughts pushed at her.

“Pig’s p
oo! The lass needs to be reminded of all the things she’s forgotten and then she’ll remember!”

James and Sheena had battled it out and came to a mild compromise to go easy. When James wasn’t around, however, Sheena produced an old doll or garment from Aileana’s childhood.

Aileana was not as affected by all of that as much as she was affected by her home. She had remembered various bits and pieces of her life and was satisfied, for the time being, at the pace of her returning memory.

A sennight ago Aunt Sheena had made a suggestion that even James admitted was sound. She suggested he and Aileana exchange their wedding vows again, hopefully sparking the right kind of memories.

James said he would marry Aileana every day for the rest of her life if it would help her and so he agreed. Aileana needed a little more convincing, though, so James tried to bribe her with a surprise. He’d kept her waiting for ages in their bedroom and made her close her eyes before he entered with it.

When Aileana opened them, the beautiful wedding gown from her visions lay across her bed. She gasped and asked him where he’d found it.

“We were married at Linlithgow Palace, you see, and the young seamstress there made this for you at the queen’s request. When I left she insisted I take it with me. It is yours after all.”

Aileana walked toward the exquisite gown and grazed her fing
ers along its luxurious fabric.

“It’s not that delicate, believe me,” James said in a husky voice.

Aileana pulled him towards her and sealed her mouth over his. James’s hands went around her waist and pulled her body close. He hardened against her, causing her insides to coil in anticipation.

“I know I want you. I don’t want to wait any longer,” she said.

“Please don’t. We’ve been over this. I will not make love to you until you remember. I would feel like I was taking advantage of you and I won’t do that. Please understand.”

Aileana did understand, she loved him all the more for it, but it didn’t change the intensity of desire that flowed through her body every time he was near.

Watching Sheena and James fuss over where the flowers should be placed on the table, Aileana knew she loved them both more than she ever had, or at least more than she ever remembered.

Gwen collected her to dress. They linked arms and walked to Aileana’s room to begin the process of putting her into the gown.

“I remember helping you the first time,” Gwen said.

“So do I.”

“What?”

“I said so do I. I remembered this morning. Yesterday I remembered my wedding night and this morning I remembered preparing for it. Please don’t tell Aunt Sheena her plan worked. We’ll never hear the end of it.”

“So why are you still going through with this? You and James can, you know, disappear and be a married couple again.”

Aileana had remembered enough of her previous relationship with Gwen to be comfortable with her usual
candour. Both women benefited from it.

“If you could relive the happiest day of your life again just one more time after losing it entirely, wouldn’t you?”

“Well, what did your husband say when you told him you’d remembered?”

“He doesn’t know. I shall consider it a wedding gift to him.”

Gwen smiled at her friend as she continued to help Aileana into the dress.

The women finished their task and proceeded to the chapel near the side of the castle. Gwen walked in first, as maid-of-honour for her dearest friend she positioned herself to the right of the clergy to make room for Aileana
.

Many faces passed before Aileana’s eyes, memories of people congratulating them on their betrothal, listening to them as they told of raiders nearby and sitting at a feast in a lavish palace miles away.

Aileana saw so much in her mind’s eye as she walked up the aisle toward her husband. At last, only one face, the one in front of her—her past, her present and her future. James placed his hands on hers and they exchanged vows.

As they walked back to the castle to where the feast and all her guests waited
, James whispered in her ear.

“Thank you for marrying me again.”

“Thank you for my dress. And especially for having the buttons stitched back on the bodice.”

James stopped and stared into her eyes. She beamed at him.

“There’s no way you could know that unless you remembered it.”

“I also remember how the buttons were removed in the first place,” she said. “I remember taking the dress from you the next morning and what followed. I’ve been deprived of those, and any new memories like them, for far too long. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like my husband back please. All of him.”

James and Aileana linked arms and entered the dining hall to address their guests. Perhaps they could skip the meal. She was hungry, but not for food. Sheena intercepted them and insisted they be seated before James had a moment to speak. The food was served and any chance they may have had to sneak away was delayed.

She was polite, but her body was taut with anticipation. When the music started, Aileana knew her chance to escape with her husband was near. They moved to the dance area, took position and moved together. One form made of two bodies. Free flowing heat move from his hand to hers. This was no memory and it turned her blood to fire.

When the dance ended, a wonderful soul in the back cheerfully called out, “Take ‘er upstairs!”

James didn’t hesitate. He scooped Aileana up in his arms.

“I believe I shall!” His declaration was loud enough for all to hear.

The crowd applauded.

James removed his wife from the staring eyes, up the stairs and to the master chamber formerly occupied by Aileana’s uncle and decorated for her and her husband; the Laird and Lady of Clan MacIntosh.

James walked through the doorway and kicked it shut with his foot. He carried her toward the bed and set Aileana on her feet, turning her around to begin the process once again of removing her from her gown. James was about half way through unfastening the tiny buttons when Aileana lost patience.

“Oh, for Heaven sake! Just rip it off!”

He sucked in a breath. “But my love, the servant who made it worked so hard on it. We do her a disservice if we destroy it.”

His teasing served to increase her urgency. Reaching around, she grasped the top of the bodice on either side and pulled hard. Satin buttons flew to and fro across the room. She slid out of the rest of her clothing and focused on removing his.

The sight of his naked body stirred her passion to great depths. She was self conscious because her breasts were fuller and her belly slightly rounded from the bairn she carried. James’s expression smouldered as he drank in every inch of her. He finished removing his clothes in one sweep and gathered her up to carry her to the bed.

He kissed her jaw, moving down her neck to her breasts, his mouth skimming her heated flesh. He seemed to want to go slow, but she would have none of it. Her body writhed under his, urging his heat closer.

“Will we hurt the babe?” he asked.

“Certainly not. But if you’re worried, Gwen told me I can ride you.”

James coughed and gasped.

“Ride me?”

Though his words sounded shocked, Aileana watched his body’s eager response. His hands were already moving to grasp her hips.

“Aye, ride you like a horse.”

He chuckled and kissed her hard on the mouth. She loved the way he touched her new curves. She would never love any man like she loved this one. She might never remember all the moments they’d shared, but she was satisfied that she remembered enough for them to move forward and make new memories.

They moved together as he entered her, clinging to one another as if they were the last people on earth. Their unleashed passion wasn’t satisfied until many hours later.

They lay together as the sun rose, gazing into each other’s eyes. A tear slid down her cheek.

“What is it?” James asked.

“I want to meet her.”

“Who?”

“Our daughter, the little girl in my dream, I want to meet her.”

“I’m sure we will.” As he spoke his hand moved over her belly.

“But what if this is a boy?”

“Hmmm. Let me think. What could we possibly do if we have one child and want to have more?”

She sm
iled. “Aye, but how many more?”

“Well, if you insist, we will make love and have babies until you get the little girl in your dream.”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise. We can start right now if you like.”

She was shocked he was ready again considering the night they’d shared.

“But I’m already pregnant.”

“Well we have to be sure we’re doing it right for when you’re not pregnant, don’t we?”

She grinned and climbed on top of him.

“Can I ride you again?”

James’s body jerked in response.

“You can do anything you want with me,” he said. His voice was husky and thick.

“Do you promise?”

“I promise to love you as long as the sun rises and sets.”

Later still, she woke to find him staring at her. She shifted her head to view him better and grinned. “My lord, is something amiss?”

“There was.”

“Oh, and what was that?”

“Me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I was so blind when your uncle first approached me. I thought the answer to my future lay with the king, but instead I have been given a kingdom by a wee lass with golden hair who is as strong as any chief I’ve ever known.”

“James.”

“I expect you by my side, Aileana.” His smile disappeared. “And I look forward to hearing your thoughts and sharing my responsibilities with you. My parents had a special partnership. I’ve always wanted that, but never knew such another woman could exist. Until I met you.”