Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
A fter breakfast the following morning, Domhnall had made his way to his study. Apart from wanting to read over the latest reports that were coming in from the scouts, he also wanted to ensure that everything was on track for the wedding.
In four days, he and Katherine would become man and wife. It was bizarre to imagine how much had changed in his mind from the moment she had arrived until then. Rather than an obligation, he now looked forward to their union, and from what he could tell, from Katherine’s own words and actions, she too, was now far more at ease with the arrangement.
Before all that had happened between them, he had imagined he would not care at all about his English wife. Now he wanted to spend the rest of his life being Katherine’s protector. Loving her, wrapping her up in a bubble, and letting no harm come to her ever again.
Finished with the reports and the organization of the wedding, he sat back in his chair and contemplated the recent attacks. The scouts were having little success in their endeavors, and thus, he was no closer to discovering who was orchestrating them, or to what end.
Missives had arrived from the guests he had messaged, all telling him the same thing. They were arriving for the wedding, and they knew nothing of any plan to try and overthrow his lairdship.
They’re hardly going tae admit it, if it is them.
His inquiry had been a long shot at best. All those invited were either close allies, friends, or strong acquaintances, none of whom had any reason or desire to inflict what he had experienced twice now. Besides, the fact that his attackers were English still niggled in the back of his mind. If it was an effort to overthrow him, and if the attacks were backed by any Scottish clan, it had to be an enemy. Who they were, however, was a mystery to him.
After some time considering the situation, Domhnall pushed himself from behind his desk and left the study. There was only so much time he was willing to assign to something that he could do little about. At least for now.
“Where are ye heading tae with such a determined stride?” Kai asked when they met in the corridor near the great hall.
“I’m in search o’ Katherine. Have ye seen her?”
“Aye,” Kai replied, nodding his head toward the entrance. “She’s out taking a stroll in the gardens with Enya, Thora, and Ava. They are discussing the Yule banquet.”
A teasing smile grew on Domhnall’s lips. “And how was yer journey with the delightful daughter o’ Laird MacDonald?”
Kai smirked. “Wouldnae ye like tae ken.”
Domhnall chuckled. “Actually, I’m nae sure I would. I ken ye too well.”
Kai grinned, and then, the smile slipped from his lips. “What word from the scouts?”
After Kai had arrived back last night, Domhnall and Magnus had apprised him of the situation. Kai had expressed guilt for not being there to help, but Domhnall had reassured him that his presence in the castle would have made little difference given the attack had happened outside the castle walls.
He and Magnus had then told Kai what they planned to do as the wedding neared. In fact, the plan had been implemented that very morning, for there were guards already dressed in commoner’s clothes, currently wandering around the castle grounds, alert and ready for anything or anyone that looked like they didn’t belong.
“Naething o’ any use so far,” Domhnall replied. “But I have faith we’ll discover something soon.”
Kai nodded. “Let’s hope that happens ‘afore another attack.”
After leaving Kai, Domhnall headed outside to find the woman who was soon to become his wife. The wind was bitter, but he hardly noticed. He had long become accustomed to the winters on the island he called home.
It didn’t take long to find them, all four women wrapped up warm in cloaks, hats and scarves.
“Good day tae ye all,” Domhnall said, greeting them courteously. “Ava, it is good tae see ye again. I was sorry tae hear yer faither, maither and sister will nae be able tae mak’ the journey.”
The young lass smiled and nodded. “They send their best wishes, me laird. Faither is ill, and hasnae been able tae get out o’ bed fer a week and me maither wanted tae make sure he’s all right. Lyla is visiting our family on the mainland.”
Domhnall frowned. “I am sorry tae here that. I will be sure tae write him a missive.” He then turned to Katherine. “I wonder if I might have a word with ye, Katherine.”
At his words, Katherine frowned, as though worried at his request. Her reaction surprised him a little, but wanting to reassure her, he said, “All is fine. Only, with our wedding in just a few days, I would like tae tak’ ye intae the village.”
That seemed to pacify her, for the frown dissolved, and, bidding her farewells to the others, she took his offered hand as he led her away.
“Why are we going into the village?” Katherine asked.
Domhnall gazed down at her with a knowing smile. “Ye’ll see.”
Once in the village, they dismounted, Domhnall taking the two horses and tying them to a post.
“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing here?” Katherine said, as they began to walk down the cobbled street.
“Ye’re as impatient as ye are stubborn, dae ye ken that?” he teased.
She smiled, but unlike the times before, her expression did not reach her eyes.
“There is something troubling ye,” he said.
Katherine looked surprised and shook her head. “The only thing I’m worried about is where we are going.”
He gave her a long look, trying to decipher if that was the truth, and then nodded. Of the many things he had discovered about her of late, her need to be in control was a high contender. After all, had she not been controlled by everyone else for the entirety of her life?
He turned down into another street and continued on, the creases on Katherine’s brow deepening at every step, which amused him greatly. Eventually, at the very end of the row of small cottages, he came to a stop.
Turning to her, he said, “Are ye ready?”
“That all depends on what I’m supposed to be ready for?”
He grinned again. “Ye’ll see.”
“Oh, my God, you are so frustrating.”
Domhnall only chuckled, and then lifting his hand, he knocked on the door, where a lovely Yule wreath had been hung.
James Boyd appeared from behind it, his lined face betraying his many years, his fingers blackened with ink.
“Good day tae ye, James,” Domhnall said.
“Me laird,” James replied, bowing reverently. “Please. Come in.”
Domhnall introduced Katherine and James to each other. With the pleasantries over, James then turned and led them inside. As usual, with these small abodes, Domhnall had to bend his head to fit through the doorways.
It was as they arrived in the main room, that he heard Katherine gasp, for before them sat all the tools of the old man’s trade.
“I am getting a tattoo?” she whispered with surprised delight.
Domhnall smiled. “It is the last thing on yer list.”
He watched her face as that same realization came to her, and then turning to him, she said, “I can hardly believe it. I have wanted it so much for so long, but I never imagined I’d ever get the opportunity to do it.”
“I always keep me promises, Katherine.”
“Please, sit,” James said, gesturing to the chairs beside them.
He then turned and began preparing his tools, while Katherine, who slowly lowered herself down while watching the old man, now looked more than a little terrified.
After another minute passed, James then turned to Katherine.
“Now, me lady. What image is it that ye’re looking fer?”
Katherine paused for a moment, glanced at Domhnall with a slight smile, and then turned back to speak with James. “I don’t want an image. I’d like a word. I’d like the word fire tattooed on my skin.”
“Very well.” James nodded. “And where dae ye want this word?”
Pulling her sleeve back, Katherine pointed to the inside of her forearm. “There.”
The old man nodded again.
Upon hearing her request, Domhnall felt a warmth travel through his body, a feeling of connection towards her that if asked to explain, he knew he could not put into words. When Katherine turned to look at him, her face glowing at her decision, Domhnall beamed a smile at her, the love he felt for her pulsing out of every part of him.
Of course, he knew why she desired the word. It was the reason he was experiencing the sensations that now flooded through him. He was reminded of that day they had spent in the cave, when they talked about their love being like the fire. But it was so much more than that.
She had expressed her intensity of how much she loved him, trusted him, and wanted to be with him. It encompassed the fierce passion they both shared for one another. But he was also aware that it symbolized the strength that had grown inside her since her arrival in the Highlands. Gone was the cramped and closed-in English lady. She had abandoned that hampering shroud and now lived with the knowledge that she was free from all the restrictions that had held her back her whole life.
Over the next half hour, Katherine winced and groaned as the needle pierced her skin over and over again. While Domhnall held her hand to try and comfort and support her, it took all his strength not to put a stop to it. The only thing that held him back was the knowledge of how desperate Katherine was to have this last item on her list completed.
Afterwards, when it was all over, Domhnall paid James, and even though she was still clearly in pain, Katherine landed a kiss on the old man’s cheek and thanked him profusely.
“You will never know how happy you have made me,” she told him, before they bid him farewell and left.
As they rode back, Katherine was still suffering.
“We need tae get Enya tae tak’ a look at that,” Domhnall said.
But Katherine shook her head. “I’m fine. The pain will pass.”
He paid her no heed, however, and as soon as they arrived back to the castle, Domhnall gave Katherine no chance to protest as he whisked her through the corridors in search of Enya.
When they eventually found her in the drawing room, his sister could not hide her surprise upon seeing Katherine’s arm.
“A tattoo!” she gasped.
“Yes.” Katherine nodded, smiling through her pain. “It’s what I’ve always wanted.”
Enya shared a glance with Domhnall who wisely remained silent. Upon getting no reaction from her brother, Enya sat Katherine down on a nearby chair and tenderly placed her hands upon the deeply reddened skin.
“Oh,” Katherine cried. “What a strange sensation.”
Enya beamed a smile. “Ye’ll get used tae it after a few times.”
To that, Katherine came back. “Well, I’m hoping I’m not so clumsy that I’ll need you all that often.”
When Enya lifted her hands, Katherine’s skin looked far better, and appearing astonished, Katherine could only gawk at it. Even though she knew of Enya’s gift, it appeared that the experience of being healed by her still amazed her.
“Thank you, Enya,” she said, after running her fingers back and forth over her tattoo.
“Ye’re welcome. And by the way.” His sister nodded to the ink. “It looks great.”
“Right. And now, we have other business tae attend tae,” Domhnall said, offering his hand to Katherine.
“We do?”
But Domhnall didn’t answer, and instead, led her out of the drawing room, through the corridors, up the wide staircase, until they finally arrived at his study.
Once inside, Katherine moved further into the room in the direction of the fire place, and in so doing, did not notice Domhnall locking the door.
“Actually,” she began, “it is good that we have this time together.”
She had her back to him while she spoke, but as Domhnall strode across the room towards her, he was not really listening. He had something far more pressing on his mind.
“There is something I need?—”
But sensing his approach, she spun around and suddenly looked terrified.
“Oh,” she gasped.
He gazed down at her, watching her wide eyes flick across his face. She then blushed, for she finally realized why they were there, and then, she smiled shyly.
Without a word, he held her face and lowered his mouth to hers, feeling her fall into him as she returned his tender kiss. But his desperation grew as quickly as his passion, and slipping his tongue between her lips, he lashed it about inside her mouth, tasting the sweetness inside.
And then, his hands fell to her body and he began tearing at her clothes. She surprised him in equal measures, for as he undressed her, she lay her hands on him and did the same.
His plaid fell from his shoulders, as her cloak was tossed onto a nearby chaise lounge. Stealing a passionate kiss, his shirt was tugged over his head, as he pulled at the ties of her corset. Their lips crashed together again while his trousers and her skirts fell to the floor at the same time. They still devoured each other while grabbing the others’ under garments, until eventually, their lips parted and they stood there, facing each other, panting in their nakedness.
Scooping her up in his arms, Domhnall lowered himself to his knees and lay Katherine on the thick rug in front of the fire.
“In my life, I dinnae think I’ve set me eyes on anything as precious and beautiful,” he growled.
And he meant every word, for though there had been lasses before her, none had lit a fire within him that burned so brightly, so deeply, and so hot.
Lowering his lips, he kissed her again. Katherine snaked her arms around his neck, but he gently took hold of her wrists and pulled her arms away. While she looked disappointed, Domhnall smiled.
“I have something else planned fer ye, me love.”
Starting at her collar bone, he dragged his lips across her soft skin, delighting at the sound of the light moan that emanated from her throat. Going lower and lower, his tongue found her pert nipple, and eliciting a loud gasp from her, he flicked his tongue over and over, feeling her writhing beneath him.
At the same time, his hand skirted the flatness of her stomach, and pulling her legs apart, he slipped his fingers between her thighs. At feeling her soft slickness, his stomach clenched, his manhood hardened, and he let out a long, low groan.
“Och, Katherine. I will never tire of feeling ye being so ready fer me.”
Gently, he teased her, dancing his fingertips across the soft folds of her most sensitive parts.
“Please, Domhnall,” she panted, her hands lightly pushing at his shoulders as her hips writhed against his touch.
“Ye want me tae dae it again?” he said, knowing she knew exactly what he meant.
“Yes,” she gasped. “Yes.”
“Are ye aching fer me touch?” he purred teasingly, his fingers finding her tiny flower bud.
“I am,” she moaned.
“Like this?” He stroked her so softly and gently, he was barely touching her at all.
“More, please Domhnall. More.”
Hearing the frustration mixed with desire in her voice, Domhnall could tease her no more, and instead, pressed his fingers a little more, moving them gently back and forth.
“Yes. Oh, God, yes,” she cried.
“Och, aye. Right there,” he said, knowing he now had the perfect spot.
His fingers continued to work against her, while her hands grabbed at his shoulders, her body writhed, and her breath entered her body at great speed. His teasing had heightened her senses, and he could feel her tensing already.
She was going to shatter for him far more quickly this time, and sensing how ready she was, he dropped his tongue back onto her nipple. His fingers and tongue now working in tandem on the most sensitive parts of her.
“Oh, oh, oh,” she cried, her entire body trembling.
Her moans only made his groin ache, and his manhood was now rock hard. In fact, the more she moaned, the more he struggled to contain himself.
As he brought her closer to the edge, Katherine could not help but cry out.
“Yes. Oh, God, yes.”
His groin ached so much, he thought he might explode himself, but holding back with all the strength he could muster, he felt great delight when Katherine suddenly shrieked, and her entire body spasmed.
But he could not wait a second longer, and moving swiftly on top of her, he glided into her tight, slick space, roughly thrusting back and forth. With her head thrown back, she continued to cry out with pleasure, but feeling himself building to a peak, he suddenly felt the rush of euphoria through his groin, and roaring, he emptied himself inside of her.