Chapter 3

3

A s soon as she heard the telltale sounds of her father’s snoring, Gemma knew it was time to go. Their bedchamber was right across from hers, which she usually hated, but tonight it was a godsend. As she listened at the door, she could confirm that he was asleep enough that he wouldn’t notice her absence. When he snored like this, her mother stuffed rags in her ears so she didn’t have to hear it. With both parents in a state of sleep and deafness, Gemma was free to do as she pleased. She’d already sent Muriel to bed, too, so she was truly alone.

She was to meet Colin that night, down at the shore. The very thought of it made her giddy. Although she did not relish the walk in the dark or facing her father’s wrath when he woke, she knew it would be worth it. She just had to be careful. With her lantern in hand and her petticoats hiked up, she made her way down.

Their house was not far from the castle, but that did mean it was a little further from the seaside. She could still see the blue expanse from her window on a good day, but it was a substantial walk to get there. And the place in which they were meeting was a little further than just going down to the shore — it was the cove that she and Colin had played in as children. It was not exactly secret, but in the dead of night, it would be all theirs. During walks on the beach, she often saw small children playing in it, just as she had done several years ago. The sight always made her smile.

The moon reflected so beautifully on the surface of the water. It wasn’t a full moon, which had made navigating down to the water a little more difficult, but luckily Gemma had thought to bring a lantern with her. Colin’s letter had instructed her to meet him there at that particular cove. She’d waited until both her parents retired to their chambers before sneaking out. It wasn’t technically a crime to go down to the sea…but at night, to meet with a man? Well now, that was a different story. Her father would tan her hide if he knew what she was up to.

She’d taken a little extra care to make herself look as pretty as possible for this occasion. Her gown was a deep green wool, and she’d swept up her dark locks into a bun with pretty braided details on the sides. She’d even put a small wildflower at the top as a little extra garnish. After the kiss with Colin in the corridor, she knew there was no denying her feelings for him any longer. He was hers and she was his; she was sure of it. As she waited, she took the letter out from her bodice. Colin had written her a fine letter telling her to meet him there, saying he looked forward to gazing upon her beauty. It was a lovely letter indeed — and something she’d made sure to hide from Muriel and her own mother. Both of them knew everything that went on in the castle, so Gemma enjoyed keeping this little morsel to herself. If Muriel let it slip by accident, Gemma would surely be the object of all sorts of gossip. Colin would be too, but he was a man. It was easier for him to shake off ugly words. However, the same words stuck to women and followed them wherever they went. It would be so much more difficult for her if the gossip turned malicious.

There was a small ball of light in the distance, coming closer. It must be Colin , she surmised, so she folded up the letter and put it back in her bodice before perching herself on the rock next to her lantern.

Sure enough, Colin rounded the tall rock, his own lantern bobbing in his hand.

“I wasnae sure ye’d be here,” she teased.

“Och, I wouldnae miss this for the world,” he said, setting his lantern down on the opposite rock. Now there was enough light to comfortably navigate the tiny cove and nearby tidepool.

“Ye’ve brought some things, I see,” she said, pointing her head at the bundle under his arm.

“Aye, I didnae want ye tae sit in the sand, so I brought a blanket. And a few wee treats,” he said, the moonlight illuminating his wide grin.

“Ye didnae have tae do that!”

“Oh, I ken. But I wanted to.”

He would not let her help, no matter how she fussed. It was sweet to watch him do this. Colin took the utmost care to make it look pretty and comfortable. He spread the blanket out and held it in place with some large stray seashells, then took Gemma’s hand and helped her to sit down comfortably on the little wool blanket.

“This is so sweet, Colin. I dinnae ken what tae say,” she said as she sat down next to him, relishing the closeness of their bodies.

“Ye dinnae have tae say anything. I just wanted tae see that pretty smile,” he said, tilting her chin toward his with his fingertips. The simple action made her shudder, though not from fear or concern. No, this was a pleasant kind of shudder, the kind she’d felt when she’d seen him without his shirt while training. She’d only seen the sight once, but it had awakened something in her she did not realize was possible. All that to say…that was how she felt in that moment.

He spread out the little delicious treats he’d brought; some sweet bread, butter, jam, and a small flask of wine for the both of them. It was little indeed, but it was perfect. The fact that he’d even thought to go to all this trouble was sweet enough.

It was rather quiet as the two of them ate their little treats and drank the wine. But it was a beautiful night, so Gemma didn’t really mind. The sound of the waves crashing ashore while the half moon reflected on the shimmering waters was perhaps the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen, and there was no one she’d rather share it with than Colin.

As she chewed her sweet bread thoughtfully, she looked over at Colin. He too was looking up at the moon, his sharp jawline highlighted in its soft white light. He looked to be deep in thought, and she wondered what could have possibly happened for him to suddenly make him act so reserved. She scooted closer to him. If she scooted beyond that, she’d be in his lap, but the movement elicited the action she sought. Colin turned his face to hers and smiled. It was then that she saw the weariness in his eyes.

“Goodness, Colin. Are ye a’right?” she asked, reaching up to cup his cheek with the palm of her hand. At the contact, he held it close, covering her hand with his own.

“Tired, is all. ‘Twas a big day.”

“I would understand if ye wanted tae go back. Ye look like ye need a good night’s rest.”

“Och, I’ll be fine. Actually goin’ back tae the keep will make me even more tired. ‘Tis there that responsibilities await. I’d much rather be here with ye.”

“Well, dinnae let me keep ye if ye are not up to it,” she warned, but she still did not move. Instead, she rested her head on Colin’s shoulder and closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of the sea air and listening to the gentle crash of the waves.

“The moon is pretty taenight,” Colin observed.

Gemma opened her eyes to discover he was looking at her, as if asking her approval on whether or not the moon was pretty.

“Aye, it is. Oh! That reminds me!” she said, sitting up suddenly. Colin looked at her curiously, one eyebrow raised.

“What’re ye on about, lass?” he asked, a hint of mischief in his voice once again.

“The letter,” she said, procuring the piece of paper from the spot in her bodice. Colin looked away reverently. Such a good man. Although…she would not have minded if he’d peeked a little.

“Aye,” he said.

“In the letter, ye included a poem ye wrote. I…I read it, but…I wanted tae hear ye read it,” she said a little shyly. So far she’d been the bolder one, but for some reason, asking him to read the poem he’d written for her seemed almost too bold. Like she was too eager.

“What…oh. I…dear me, I’m not so good at readin’ aloud,” he said. She noticed how his cheeks reddened just a little at her request. She’d seen him flushed before, after an intense sparring session, but never blush. He was always so calm and collected.

“Oh, please? If ye read half as well as ye write, I…I’m sure it would be magnificent.”

Colin sighed, still blushing, but he took the letter from her anyway.

“Dinnae poke fun at me,” he warned. There was no teasing edge to his tone, and Gemma realized he was serious.

“I would never tease ye about somethin’ so sincere! Please, just read,” she implored, resting her hand on his knee.

His blush deepened. He cleared his throat, then he read the sweet poem.

Her beauty shines like lunar beams,

And casts a spell on all who dream,

Of a beauty that is pure and true,

And glows like moonlight through and through.

As the moon illuminates the night,

So does her beauty shine so bright,

And like the moon, she seems to bring,

A magic that makes the heart sing.

For she is like a full moon fair,

Whose beauty fills the earth and air,

And like the moon that shines above,

Her beauty fills my heart with love.

Gemma clapped when it was done, and he folded up the letter and gave it back to her. The blush was even deeper now; his face was as red as a beet.

“Ye’re talented! It’s so lovely. Do…do ye really think those things?”

“What things?” he asked, cocking his head.

“The moon…and me,” she faltered, suddenly feeling a little silly.

“I’m jokin’ with ye, Gemma. Aye, of course I feel those things. Although I can say with certainty…I think yer a right bit bonnier than the moon.”

His signature confidence was back, at least for a little, and Gemma grinned. She could not help it, he looked so handsome and no one had ever written her a poem comparing her to the moon. It was so sweet that she could not hold back. She leaned forward and kissed him, right there.

Before either of them could really enjoy it, she pulled back, suddenly all too aware that she’d acted improperly.

“Och…sorry, Colin. I dinnae ken what came over me,” she apologized profusely.

“Dinnae apologize,” he said, his voice low and a little husky. “Do it again.”

He did not have to tell her twice. She leaned forward and touched her lips to his, gentler this time. His hand came up to cup her jaw, pulling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. It was exhilarating, being held and appreciated like this. Sparks began to fly in her stomach when the two of them laid down on the blanket, still kissing through it all.

Gemma’s fingers flew to her bodice, and she began to unlace it quickly. Colin too began to take off his jacket, and he laid down next to her, kissing her face and her neck.

“Colin,” she breathed as he kissed the hollow of her throat.

Suddenly…his eyes shot open, and he stopped, sitting up abruptly.

“Colin, what is it?” she asked, following his lead and also sitting up. “Is everything alright?”

He swallowed thickly. She could see his Adam’s apple bob in the faint light.

“Are ye…ye sure ye want this? With me?” he asked. There was so much sincerity in his eyes, it made her feel a little guilty. There she was, ready to give herself to him, and still he thought of her honor and comfort.

“Aye, of course! What would make ye think otherwise?”

Colin cleared his throat awkwardly, running a hand through his reddish locks.

“I…I dinnae ken if there was another lad ye’d rather be with.”

The admission was shocking to Gemma. Had she not known him better, she might have slapped him.

“Colin Frazier, are ye suggesting that I’m some kind of…hussy?!” she nearly shouted, indignant.

“Nay, nay! I wouldnae think that of ye. I just…yer a bonny lass. Ye could have anyone of yer choosing.”

“I appreciate that, but I choose you,” she said emphatically. “Really, Colin, what prompted this?”

“Erm…well. Yer name came up taeday durin’ the hunt.”

Gemma’s heart thumped loud and slow in her chest. She knew that men discussed the women that they found attractive. Women did the same thing too — at quilting bees and in the kitchens, a lot of the talk centered around the men in their lives.

“In a good way or a bad way?” she asked.

“I still dinnae ken. But erm…Bryce mentioned yer name. Spoke highly of ye. An’ said…he might pursue ye.”

Gemma sighed and traced a little design in the sand with her fingertip.

“If that is the case, I wouldnae think much of it. Bryce is an honorable man, Colin. He would not betray ye, his friend, if he kent that ye an’ I are together.”

“I dinnae ken about that,” Colin said warily. “He’s the son of the laird. His privileges are different than ours.”

“But if it is a matter of love, I dinnae think he would do anythin’ tae dash it. There are other lasses. He can choose any of them. He willnae have me, because I’m yers,” she said, reaching out and holding his hand. She squeezed it lovingly in reassurance.

“Really, Gemma, if ye’d be happier with a laird, or anyone else, I would understand. All I want is for ye tae be happy.”

“Don’t say such things, Colin. Ye are kind, worthy an’ brave. Bryce is a fine lad, to be sure, but we dinnae have the same connection ye an’ I have. I think…I’ve loved ye ever since ye captured me that day in the courtyard,” she admitted, trying to put a little humor back into this very serious conversation.

“Oh, so the lady likes a villain, then?” he teased.

She giggled. “Ye are not a villain and ye never could be.”

“I’m glad tae hear ye say these things. I…I always worried my affections wouldnae be returned,” he admitted sheepishly.

“Well, worry no more. ‘Tis just you an’ I here. Kiss me an’ let’s be done with this,” she asked.

Clearly, he needed no further urging. They laid back down on the blanket again, kissing gently and passionately. The warmth of Colin’s large frame felt wonderful against her own. It wasn’t at all stifling, despite his height and mass. He was gentle and moved around her carefully as if she were made of glass. His hand came up to rest on her unlaced bosom, squeezing at the soft flesh there, and she nearly purred in adoration. If this was what love truly felt like, there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

The only one who could stand in the way of their love would be her.