Iain’s breath caught deep in hischest as he stared at his wife. Her pale blond hair framed her creamy face, andher eyes shone blindingly green like two luminous stones. Her red lips beckonedto be kissed, and her gown… He clutched the edge of the table as desire ragedthrough him. Her rich blue gown clung to her curves and pushed her breastsupward, invitingly and teasingly. He’d never seen a gown cut as low and tightas hers. Lust and jealousy seized him in an iron grip. He shoved his chair backand ignored Lachlan’s gaping stare.
Iain circled the table in onestride and stood before Marion in three more long steps. Holding out his handto her, he said, “Ye’re late.” Jealousy, which he rationally knew to bemisplaced, was there and getting the better of him.
Marion’s brows dipped together. Shereleased Broch’s arm while thanking him and slipped her arm into the crook ofIain’s elbow. “So you did see I was not here.”
“Of course,” he replied. “If ye’dnae appeared in a minute, I was going to go ensure ye were fine.”
Marion grinned.
“Come sit by me,” he said. “I’msure ye must be hungry.”
Marion eyed the seats at Iain’s table. All of themwere taken by his brothers. Broch was seating Bridgette at a table. There wasone seat empty beside her. The seats around Bridgette were occupied byCatriona’s sisters, Rory Mac, and a woman Marion assumed was Rory Mac’s wife,Alanna.
Marion took a deep breath. Thiscould be the perfect time to get to know Catriona’s sisters and extend an olivebranch. “I’ll sit by Bridgette.”
Iain frowned. “It’s traditional forthe laird’s wife to sit at the head table.” Iain’s jaw set with obviousdetermination, making Marion smile. She was pleased he wanted her near him. Ifit were not for the fact that she believed earning the friendship of Catriona’ssisters and cousin would ease her entry into Iain’s clan, she would have gladlytaken the seat beside him.
“All the seats are full,” shereplied.
“Cameron knows to move now thatye’ve arrived. They were simply telling me about what happened in the clanwhile I was away.”
“Iain, I’d like to sit with you,but I think it will help me with the other women if I can win the favor ofCatriona’s sisters and cousin.”
“Ye’ll never do that with Fiona andAlanna,” he replied grimly, but then quickly added, “nae by fault of yer own,though, ken?”
“Well,” she hedged, nibbling on herlip, “perchance I can prompt at least Elspeth to like me.”
He looked doubtful, but he nodded.“Possibly. Since Catriona died, Elspeth has been the most sensible.”
“Was Catriona very sensible?”Marion asked, pleased he felt momentarily comfortable enough to talk about hisfirst wife.
“Aye. Until the end when shedecided she was ready to die.”
He’d said it with no emotion, yethis eyes held a depth of pain and regret he’d not shown her thus far. Ittwisted her heart. She squeezed his hand, wanting to ease the hurt she knewstill throbbed within him. “Perchance she was weary of being ill?”
His eyes widened a fraction, and hestood in silence for a long moment. “Do ye ken, I never thought of that? Onlyof how she seemed to simply decide she was finished with life.”
Tears welled in Marion’s eyes atthe idea of how desperately weary Catriona must have been to welcome death.
Marion took in the powerful manbefore her, so battle-hardened yet with such a tender heart. Having been Iain’swife the short time she had, she knew with every beat of her heart, with everybreath that she took, that she’d fight death with all her might not to leavehis side. The revelation stunned her. It blossomed and moved like fire throughher veins, making her skin prickly and the hairs on the back of her neck standup. Everything around her disappeared. The noise faded, except for the faintsound of the inhalation and exhalation of the man facing her. The smells of themutton and freshly baked bread vanished, and all she could smell was Iain. Hisscent of pine, the sweat of his labors, and a faint trace of wood smoke andsweet wine surrounded her. She inhaled deeply.
ShelovedIain.
She stared at his strong jaw,chiseled face, and soulful eyes. She loved her husband. He’d captured herheart, though she’d intended not to give it to him unless he offered his own toher. He’d taken hers so quickly, she wondered if she’d ever had hope of keepingher heart as her own. She blinked and raised her hand to swipe at the tears atthe same time he touched his fingers to her face.
“What’s this?” he asked.
She swallowed. “I cannot help butthink of Catriona and how exhausted she must have been to desire the end of herlife. It makes my heart ache for her and for you.”
“Ah, Marion,” he said, his voiceragged and catching on her name. “The things ye say stun and please me.”
“I want to please you,” she whispered,aching with just how much, but not because she still worried she was unworthy.She wanted to please him simply because she loved him.
He brushed a finger quickly acrossher lips, a devilish twinkle coming to his eyes. “Ye do.”
She heated from her belly to thejuncture between her thighs at his obvious reference to what they had donetogether.
“Come,” he said, taking her hand.“If I keep standing here staring at ye and thinking on what we could be doing,I’ll throw ye over my shoulder and leave the hall, and that certainly will winye little favor with the women.”
