Page 52 of Highland Guard
Chapter 13
Macbeth’s Castle, Dunsinane
Several hours later, the newlyweds were in the guest chamber with ample refreshments to survive the night. Macbeth would meet them in the morning, but they had to remain in their chamber to make sure there was no doubt about the consummation of their marriage.
Macbeth sent a missive to Abbess Murdina to let her know Naomi would not be returning to the abbey and Dermid volunteered to deliver it.
Now it was evening, and they were settling in for the rest of the night.
“Kieran MacKenzie, you realize this is a marriage in name only. Why are you sleeping beside me in my bed?”
“I never agreed to that. This is our bed. Wherever you sleep is where I sleep.”
“But what if you need to seek an annulment? The Pope will not believe it.”
Kieran flipped Naomi over and he hovered above her. “I’ll never seek an annulment because I plan on making this a genuine marriage once you’re ready to admit you canna do without my braw body.” Naomi scowled, and Kieran grinned. “Now be quiet and go to sleep. It has been a very trying day for me.”
“For you? How has any of this been trying for you?” Naomi asked.
“Well for a start, Naomi MacKenzie, I woke up this morn, a free man with no mill stone about me neck and ended it leg shackled to a shrew. So quit your blathering and go to sleep.”
“No wonder no woman would have you. You’re a wretch. And do not add your last name to my first.”
“Haud yer wheesht, Mrs. MacKenzie. Your husband needs sleep if he has to put up with you for the rest of his life.”
“You shut up, you big ogre. I’m the one who has a lifetime of suffering ahead of me,” she replied, fluffing out her pillow and huffing when she turned onto her side.
Kieran waited until Naomi was settled, then he reached across and pulled her straight back into his arms. He tucked her head under his chin and pulled a blanket over them.
***
Bedded Bliss
NAOMI OPENED HER EYES; it was dark out and the moon was high in the sky as a solitary candle flickered beside the mantle. Her head rested in the crook of Kieran’s arm, and she was surprised to find him wide awake and gazing down at her. It was a heated gaze she had seen before and there was unrestrained lust in his eyes.
She gulped and asked, “Kieran, why aren’t you asleep?”
“Because you keep shifting against me and whimpering in your sleep. It is making me hard, lass.”
“Oh, I am sorry I will try not to—”
