by Maya Banks
He touched his tongue to the nub of flesh just above her woman’s opening. She came off the bed, her hips bucking upward. Her hoarse exclamation rang out and her fingers curled into the furs she lay on.
He grew bolder, lapping gently, absorbing her scent and her taste. It was a heady sensation, like drinking too much ale. There was a roar in his ears and the room seemed to dim around him as he continued his erotic exploration of her silken skin.
“Graeme,” she said weakly. “ ’Tis happening again.”
Her legs had begun to tremble. Her thighs shook and she was arching her pelvis upward to meet his mouth. He knew she was ready and that now was the best time, but he hated the idea of what had to come next.
No matter how prepared she was, no matter how much she might want fulfillment, what he would do would hurt her.
He drew away and then ran a finger around the mouth of her entrance, testing the smallness of the opening. She was tight around just his finger, and he knew she would tear when he thrust inside.
With a resigned sigh, he pushed himself upward and then crawled between her legs. He kissed her again and then drew away so she could see his mouth.
“It will be painful at first, Eveline. I’m sorry for that. I’ll take care, I swear it.”
Trust shone in her beautiful blue eyes. She reached for him, putting her hands on his face. They felt small and delicate against his jaw, so much like her.
“I think it will be wonderful,” she whispered.
He didn’t tell her that he disagreed, but he was happy she wasn’t frightened. Carefully, he positioned himself at her entrance and pushed forward the tiniest bit, testing her resistance.
Her eyes widened and her hands fell to his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh.
He pushed harder, her snugness enveloping him until sweat broke out on his forehead. It was instinctual to bury himself as deep and as hard as he could within her. It took everything he had to hold back and not to obey the overwhelming urges that bombarded him.
Her face puckered and doubt crept into her eyes when he persisted and she began to stretch around him. Then she winced and at that precise moment, he pushed through with one forceful stroke, seating himself inside her.
Her cry of pain was like a knife to his heart.
He went completely still, allowing her to adjust to his invasion. He kissed her face, her forehead, her eyes and nose, any part of her he could touch.
“Shhhh,” he crooned, even knowing she probably wouldn’t see what he said. “I’m sorry, so sorry. It will be over soon.”
He rested his forehead against hers and sucked in deep, steadying breaths as his body raged at him to take her, to possess her, to make her irrevocably his in the most primitive fashion possible.
After a moment she stirred beneath him, moving restlessly as if trying to alleviate the pressure between her legs.
He reared back so he could gauge her expression.
Her brow was still wrinkled with strain and he touched his finger to one of the lines, smoothing his finger across her forehead in a gentle manner.
“ ’Tis all right if I move now?” he asked. “I won’t move until you say me aye.”
“Maybe just a little,” she said hesitantly.
He smiled and then withdrew the barest of inches. It was the most exquisite torture imaginable. Buried inside her and yet unable to do more than move the tiniest amount.
“Did that hurt?”
She shook her head. “Nay.”
He could tell she wasn’t telling the truth, but she was making such an effort to hide her discomfort that he didn’t refute her denial.
“Move with me,” he said as he slid forward once more. “Wrap your legs around me. Hold me close, Eveline.”
It came out a hoarse plea that he knew she wouldn’t pick up on. He sounded desperate, not at all like the solitary warrior he’d been for so long. In that moment he was glad she couldn’t hear, because he didn’t like the vulnerability in his own voice.
Tentatively she wrapped her legs around his hips. He closed his eyes and her hands slid warmly over his chest and to his shoulders. There was nothing more pleasurable than her touch. He needed it. Desired it more than anything.
He began to thrust, tightening his jaw to maintain control. After only a moment he was already in danger of spending himself and he’d barely begun.
Determined to make it as pleasurable as possible for the both of them, he forced himself to maintain a steady rhythm, but when she reached up to touch his face in a silent plea and he saw the need in her eyes, he was lost.
Over and over he plunged into her velvety heat. His muscles strained with effort. His entire body tightened unbearably until he was sure something would break.
“Eveline, Eveline,” he whispered as he lost himself in the sweetness of her embrace.
Slowly he melted over her body, his flesh conforming to hers as they both struggled to catch their breath. She’d reached her woman’s pleasure a second time, but he couldn’t even say that had been his aim at the very end. He hadn’t been able to register anything but the mind-numbing explosion that had wracked his body.
Now he collected her in his arms and rolled, holding her close. Their bodies were still connected and he was content to remain a part of her for as long as possible.
As she lay quietly beside him, nestled into his embrace, he stroked her back, caressing and soothing her trembling body.
So this was what it was like to be completely at peace, body and soul. To find solace with a woman who was more than just a warm, willing body to lie with.
He hadn’t expected such a thing. Never would he have imagined feeling this way about the bride who had been forced upon him.
As he glanced down at her golden head, he couldn’t imagine it any other way. He didn’t want to imagine being without her.
CHAPTER 27
When Eveline awoke the next morning, sunlight was streaming through the window and right onto her face. She opened her eyes, then rapidly blinked and shut them again before turning her face away.
Who had pulled the furs aside?
She soon had her answer when the bed moved. Eveline’s eyes popped open again to see Rorie sitting on the very end, her eyes brimming with impatience.
“There you are,” she said. “You’ve been sleeping for ages. I didn’t think you’d ever awaken.”
Eveline blushed and made certain the furs stayed tightly arranged over her very naked body. The truth was she hadn’t been sleeping for ages at all. Graeme had kept her awake most of the night with his hands and his mouth … She shivered in remembered delight.
The first rays of sunshine had begun to peek over the horizon by the time she’d drifted off to sleep. Graeme had kissed her and then had risen to dress. He hadn’t bothered sleeping since he was due in the courtyard at dawn.
After the first time he’d made love to her, he’d insisted that she would be too sore for him to take her again, but that hadn’t stopped him from pleasuring her the entire night.
She’d achieved release so many times that when he’d finally eased from bed, she’d been asleep before he’d fully left the chamber.
Yawning, she clutched the furs tighter around her and struggled to sit up.
“Why are you here?” Eveline asked Rorie.
Rorie bounced impatiently. “Graeme sent for Father Drummond this morning!”
Eveline smiled. “ ’Tis wonderful, Rorie. I know how badly you want to learn to read and write.”
“You’ll still study with me, won’t you?”
Eveline nodded. “Since you’re here, I’d like your help with something this morning as well.”
Rorie cocked her head to the side. “You want my help? You aren’t angry about last night? ’Tis part of the reason I came into your chamber. I wanted to again offer apology if I hurt you.”
“ ’Tis forgotten,” Eveline said. “And, aye, I need your help. I want to approach Nora. It’s occurred to me that Graeme expect
s his clan to accept me even though I am from an enemy clan. But ’tis the truth, I’ve yet to do anything to gain their acceptance.”
Rorie scowled. “It does not give them cause to abuse you as they have done.”
“Nay, it doesn’t. But I can’t very well wander around the keep as I used to do in my own, acting the simpleton so no one ever expects anything from me. I’m the laird’s wife and ’tis my duty to oversee the running of the keep.”
A look of unease crossed Rorie’s face. “Well, aye, ’tis true a laird’s wife is usually tasked with the running of the keep, but my brothers share in the responsibility of ensuring the keep is well run. Perhaps ’tis best if you leave it to them.”
“ ’Tis even more reason for me to step in,” Eveline insisted. “Graeme should not be bothered with woman’s work. Nor should Bowen and Teague. They have more important matters to attend to. Will you help me?”
Rorie hesitated and then said, “Aye, of course I’ll help you. I’m uncertain as to what you want me to do, but I’ll assist you in any way I can.”
Eveline beamed over at her sister-in-law. “Wonderful. All I need is your support. ’Tis shameful of me to admit, but I’m a coward. It will ease me to have you at my side when I speak to Nora in the kitchens.”
Rorie slid off the bed. “Well, then, you’d better rise and put some clothing on. You can’t be running about the keep as you are.”
Eveline blushed to her toes and groaned her embarrassment. Rorie sent her a cheeky grin and then went to one of Eveline’s trunks to pull out suitable apparel. A moment later, she returned to the bed and held up the garb.
“Well, come on. I’ll play lady’s maid today. Graeme really must assign one of the women of the keep the duty. We can’t have it said that the Montgomery lady has no maid.”
Her nudity evidently didn’t bother Rorie in the slightest so Eveline left the comfort and warmth of the furs and hurriedly pulled on the clothing Rorie offered. Afterward, Rorie helped her arrange her hair and then the two hastened down the stairs to the hall.
It was mostly empty and Eveline nearly lost her courage and opted to go outside with Rorie. Maybe go sit by the river and enjoy the day. But she knew she was being cowardly and it was time to stop hiding.
No one was going to give her a place in this clan. She was going to have to create one.
As it turned out, making a trip to the river was precisely what she and Rorie ended up doing. Nora was overseeing the washing of the clothing while a few of the other women washed their hair.
When Eveline was spotted approaching, work ceased and all eyes pointed in her direction. She stood a long moment before Rorie pushed her forward. She stumbled, righted herself, and then continued down to the bank, a bright smile on her face.
“Nora, is it?” she inquired of the older woman who was studying Eveline with a frown.
Nora’s frown deepened as she nodded. “So ’tis true. You can speak. Is it also true you’re not daft at all?”
Eveline’s cheeks heated, but she shook her head slowly.
“Then what’s wrong with you?” Nora demanded.
Eveline’s hand automatically went to her ear and she fiddled with the lobe and the shell, fingering it absently.
“I cannot hear.”
“What’s that? Speak up, child. I cannot hear you.”
Rorie pushed by her and angled herself so Eveline would be able to see.
“She cannot hear, Nora. So she doesn’t always know how loudly she speaks. Sometimes ’tis hard to understand her, but all you need to do is ask that she speak up.”
Nora’s eyes narrowed. Behind her several of the women put their washing down completely and hovered in the background, watching and listening to the goings-on.
“What do you mean, she can’t hear?” Nora said. “She understands what we say, that much is obvious.”
“I can read the words that are formed on your lips,” Eveline intervened. This time she made certain she spoke loudly enough. Perhaps it was too loud, because Nora took a step back, her eyes widening.
“How is that possible?” Nora asked suspiciously.
Eveline shrugged. “I have no desire to explain it. I can only say that I am able to understand when you speak as long as I’m looking directly at you.”
“And why wouldn’t you talk before now? Rumor is you haven’t spoken in three long years.”
There was a long pause as Eveline weighed just how honest she should be. There was little point in any further deception.
“Because I didn’t feel safe,” she said.
Nora looked taken aback. “Not safe? With your own clan?”
Behind her several of the other women were murmuring among themselves. Eveline’s declaration had surprised them all. Some even looked at her with sympathy. Sympathy always made her cringe. It was something she’d had to live with for a very long time. But coming from these women, it didn’t feel as smothering. They were horrified over the idea she wouldn’t have felt safe among her own kin and she wasn’t going to take the time to explain the entire story nor would she clarify the true reasons for her fear.
Another woman pushed in beside Nora, her brows drawn in question. “Yet you speak to us. Here, among the Montgomerys.”
Eveline smiled and nodded.
“Why?” Nora asked, obviously perplexed.
“Because I feel safe.”
Eyes widened all around at that.
Rorie, ever the impatient one, cut in. “Nora, Eveline wanted to ask your assistance in a matter.”
Nora glanced back at Eveline. “Of course. What is it you wish to ask for?”
Eveline took in a deep breath. “Everyone has a duty here … save me. Rorie has told me that the laird and his brothers oversee the running of the keep. ’Tis my duty as wife of the laird and one I take seriously. But I need the assistance of someone who is well versed in the duties and has the knowledge to instruct me on the way of things.”
Nora puffed up, her chin coming up a few inches. “Well, now, you’ve come to the right place, lass. Indeed, you have. You spend the day with me and I’ll have you running the place in no time.”
Eveline beamed back at her, excitement curling in her stomach. “Thank you!”
Rorie rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave you two to your women’s duties. I’m going to go straighten the accounting room for when Father Drummond arrives.”
Eveline waved Rorie off, too excited by Nora’s ready acceptance of Eveline’s request for help to worry over the loss of Rorie’s companionship.
It wasn’t complete acceptance. Eveline still had a long way to go. But it was a step in the right direction. If the women saw that she was willing to throw herself into the Montgomery way of life, then perhaps they’d eventually soften toward her, forget that she was Eveline Armstrong and eventually think of her as Eveline Montgomery.
CHAPTER 28
Eveline didn’t remember her mother ever scrubbing floors as part of her duties as a laird’s wife, but it was also true, Eveline had spent little time inside the keep. And when she was indoors, she kept away from the main social areas.
During the long winter months and seemingly endless nights, she’d kept to her chamber in front of a roaring fire. Brodie and Aiden often came to visit her, and she enjoyed their company, even when they were saying nothing at all or merely conversing among themselves and not including her in the discussion.
Nora had insisted that true leaders led by example and if she wanted acceptance from her clansmen, she had to show them that she wasn’t above a little dirt on her hands.
It all made sense when Nora explained it, but now, when Eveline was on her hands and knees, up to her elbows in soapy water, the idea didn’t seem so sound any longer.
Still, she was too stubborn to cry off once she’d begun the task. She knew they watched her, and she wouldn’t allow them to see her in a weak moment. She’d scrub the floor until it shone. Even if it killed her.
When she’d done the entire hall, she c
ould barely stand. Her back protested loudly when she straightened, and she was fairly certain she’d groaned aloud.
Wiping the hair from her face, she lugged the pail of now dirty water to the back entrance and tossed it onto the ground. In the distance, she saw a group of women playing with the children, and her mouth drooped. It would have been fun to be outside on such a glorious day.
She trudged back indoors and went into the small room just off the kitchen where many of the utility items were stored. Nora met her as she came out, an approving smile on her face.
“ ’Tis a wonderful job you did on the floors, lass. I vow all the women will think so.”
Somehow Eveline couldn’t muster any enthusiasm over knowing they’d approve of the task she’d performed.
Thinking she’d love a brief respite and that she would investigate what the women and the children were doing on the hillside behind the keep, she made mention of doing just that to Nora, only for Nora to frown.
“Oh nay, lass. ’Tis too much to be done to be thinking about play. What would the others think if the laird’s wife expected the women to work while she went off on a lark? Nay, ’tis not a good idea at all. Come and I’ll show you where there’s washing to be done. Mary has just finished preparing tonight’s meal of oatcakes and fresh bread. There’ll be a little stew leftover from last eve’s meal, but I’m sure she’ll have a pile of cooking pots and such just waiting to be cleaned.”
Eveline’s shoulder’s slumped, but the last thing she wanted was to appear to be beneath such work to the other women of the keep. If they could perform such tasks on a daily basis, then she certainly could and would as well.
She followed Nora into the kitchens where Mary and one other woman, who spared Eveline only a quick glance—she didn’t look very impressed with Eveline—were working and muttered an introduction in such a manner that Eveline couldn’t read the name on her lips.
Not wanting to admit to such, she smiled brightly and then watched attentively as Nora instructed her on what she was to do. Oddly, though, as soon as Eveline began to scrub at the large pots used for cooking, the other women disappeared from the kitchen.