The Convenient Bride (Lions of the Black Isle Book 2) Read online

  She forced a sedate walk until she reached the adjoining aisle. Then she turned swiftly and collided with Emilia. They tumbled into the straw covered ground, Fiona on top of Emilia.

  Fiona shoved back onto her knees.

  Emilia pushed to a sitting position. “Ye have ruined my gown!” she cried. “I should have known.” She tried to stand, but her dress caught under her knees and she fell forward onto Fiona.

  “Good God,” Emilia snapped, and scrambled backwards. “You clumsy ninny.”

  Fiona narrowed her eyes. “I am no’ the one who just fell on me.”

  “You rammed me,” Emilia snapped. “I can imagine what Liam faced bedding you last night.”

  Fiona’s face flamed.

  Emilia stilled. Then understanding formed in her eyes. “He didnae bed ye.”

  She yanked up her skirts and jumped to her feet. In the back of her mind, Fiona registered the pounding of boots on the ground. Emilia cast a malicious look at Fiona, then started toward the bend. On impulse, Fiona stuck out her foot. Emilia fell forward. She threw out her hands to catch herself and hit the ground, her face landing in a small pile of straw. Her cheek grazed horse manure. From the corner of her eye, Fiona glimpsed Liam racing down the aisle toward them. Emilia sputtered, shook her head, then slowly turned angry eyes onto Fiona.

  “How dare you?” Emilia shoved to her feet as Liam’s three brothers and the other warriors appeared around the bend. The men skidded to a halt beside them. “I heard that Liam slipped away last night and avoided the wedding night tradition.” Triumph shone in Emilia’s eyes. “Now I understand why.”

  Liam reached them and stopped.

  Emilia pinned him with a glare. “You chose a woman ye couldnae bear to bed over me?”

  His expression darkened. “You and I broke off years ago, Emilia.”

  She reddened and pointed an accusing finger at Fiona. “After ye met her.”

  Fiona stared at Liam. Was this true?

  ”I am well and truly married,” Liam said in a cold voice. “Leave.”

  “Well and truly married?” she repeated. “If we check the wedding bed sheets will we will find blood?”

  “By God, Emilia, have ye no pride?” he snapped. You are only embarrassing yourself.”

  She tossed her head. “I am no’ the one who will be embarrassed.” She started away and the men parted to let her pass.

  Liam grabbed her arm and swung her around to face him. “Stay out of my affairs.”

  She gave a vicious laugh. “I think Lady Fiona’s father will consider it his affair that his daughter is not truly wed to the man he entrusted her to.”

  Fiona gasped. Her father would be furious if he heard gossip that Liam hadn’t consummated their marriage. Liam’s gaze swung onto her.

  He cursed, and grasped her arm. “Come. Aidan, bring the witch with ye, and dinnae let her leave until I give the command. Everyone else come as well. You will all be witnesses as my wife and I repeat the wedding night.”

  Chapter Four

  If not for the witnesses, Liam would have throttled the bitch. This was his reward for restraining himself last night with his new wife. If he’d done what all other newly married grooms did and bedded his wife, none of this would have happened. But that was a lie. The mistake he’d made was taking Emilia Rose as his mistress three and a half year ago. The second mistake he’d made was allowing her to trail him after they left his brothers. She’d thrown herself into his arms, then swore retribution when he rejected her advances. The woman was mad. Mad enough to go to Fiona’s father and claim that their marriage was null. By now, the maids would have seen the sheets and the lack of proof that he’d taken Fiona’s maidenhead. Her father would demand that he and others witness the consummation.

  Liam reached the small, empty stall halfway to the door and stopped. “Stay here,” he commanded everyone, and pulled Fiona into the stall. He closed the half-door and backed her into a corner. Her eyes went wide.

  With a silent curse, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “This is my fault. I am sorry. I will make it as quick and painless as possible.”

  She would hate him after what he was about to do to her. Should he take her to their chambers and let everyone wait outside while he made love to her? Nae. The time required to ease into lovemaking would only fuel Emilia’s tongue.

  “Will ye trust me?” Liam whispered into Fiona’s ear.

  She nodded, and he closed his eyes and gave thanks.

  Then he kissed her neck. She started.

  “Easy, lass,” he murmured.

  Gently, he pulled her flush against him. Her lush breasts pressed his chest and his cock begin to lift. He silently laughed. There had never been any doubt she could arouse desire in him. Liam drew back a little, then kissed her lips. For three heartbeats, she didn’t move, and he feared the ruse was up. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck. Liam tightened his embrace and cupped her chin with his free hand. She lifted on tiptoe and pressed closer.

  She wanted him.

  He pressed her back against the wall and covered her breast with his palm. She drew in a deep breath. Liam flicked her mouth with his tongue. Instantly, she opened for him and he plunged inside. He’d lain awake countless nights wondering what she would taste like. Sweet as honey. Need to drive into her, prove she was his wife, to claim her heart, body and soul thundered through him. He forced restraint.

  Liam broke their kiss, then tugged down her bodice. Perfect breasts worthy of a goddess spilled free of the fabric. He drew a sharp breath.

  “That good, is she, lad?” a man called.

  Men’s laughter followed.

  Liam stilled. He didn’t recognize the voice—and he wasn’t certain he recognized the laughter, either. God’s Blood, who was the newcomer—and how many more men stood outside their stall?

  “Hush, Robert,” a woman snapped. Brighid, his eldest brother’s wife.

  Liam shifted his attention to Fiona’s face. She met his gaze. He shrugged and she nodded. Liam grinned. She was a bonny brave lass. He swung her into his arms and gently laid her on the straw. He came down on top of her, his erection nestled between them. He grimaced at the very real possibility that he would embarrass himself by spilling his seed before he had a chance to sheath himself in her tight warmth. He hadn’t felt such compelling need since he’d been nineteen years old.

  Again, he drew her bodice down. The perfect pink nipples hardened under his scrutiny. He flicked his tongue against one marbled bud. Fiona gripped his arms. Was that good? He flicked his tongue again. She gasped. Aye, that was good. Encouraged, he gently closed his mouth around the nipple and suckled. Fiona arched into his mouth. This was very good.

  He continued to suck, and levered up enough to pull her skirt up to her stomach. He yanked up his kilt, then gently spread her legs with his knee. She complied and he settled between her soft thighs. Blood roared through his ears. Gently, he probed her opening with his cock. He began to slide easily in. His head spun. She was so wet.

  Fiona shifted beneath him. He released her breast and kissed her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Liam slid his mouth to her ear and said, “Hold tight, lass. The pain will last but an instant.” He covered her mouth again and surged inside her, hard.

  He swallowed her gasp. Her arms locked around him. Liam stilled for three heart beats, then gently kissed her again. She melted beneath him. With care, he pulled out of her, then thrust. Her eyes flew open and he nearly laughed at the surprise on her face. He thrust again and again. Her mouth parted and formed a small ‘oh.’ In moments, she lifted her hips to meet his rhythm. Pleasure tightened his bullocks in exquisite discomfort. Liam covered her breast with a palm and kneaded the soft flesh.

  She moaned. Something rustled outside the stall, but he could think of nothing but the beautiful, responsive woman beneath him. He pumped into her faster. She tugged on his hair. He drove deeper. She arched and the walls of her channel closed around him. His r
elease rippled through him. He groaned, thrust again, then slower and slower until he collapsed on top of her, heart thundering.

  Liam buried his face in her hair and whispered. “Are ye well?”

  She nodded.

  “Well done, lad.”

  Liam snapped his head up and looked over his shoulder. Robert MacKenzie looked over the door at them. Two other men stood behind him, grinning.

  “Get out before I kill ye,” he roared.

  They were yanked away from the door. Liam pulled out of Fiona, then stood, pulling her to her feet. He wanted to lay her back down in the straw and take her again.

  In their bed. He would take her to their chambers and make love to her the way he should have last night. He pulled her bodice up to cover her breasts, then plucked straw from her hair.

  “I will be finding straw in my hair for the next week,” she said with a laugh, and he wanted to kiss her again.

  So he did.

  Liam took her hand, then led her from the stall. Emilia was nowhere in sight.

  “Where is she?” he demanded.

  “She left a moment after ye sequestered yourself in the stall,” Aidan said.

  “I doubt she’ll be back,” Brighid said. She looked at Fiona. “Would ye like to go wash up, lass?”

  Before Fiona could reply, Liam said, “In a little while, Brighid. I have something to show my wife. Take these reprobates to the great hall and fill them with ale.”

  Chapter Four

  Liam led Fiona past the crowd. The warmth of his fingers laced through hers sent tingles clear to her toes. He had just had her in the most intimate way a man could hold a woman, yet the very touch of his fingers melted her. How was that possible?

  They reached the great hall and he continued to the stairs. He glanced at her as they started down the steps rather than climbing them.

  “Where are we going?” she asked

  “You will see, sweet.”

  Fiona blinked, the endearment startling her. “Do these stairs not lead to the cellar?”

  “Aye.” He chuckled, a torch in the stairwell showing her the flash of his smile. “He led her down. They reached the bottom and he drew her into the vast, high-vaulted space. “Do you see the table over by that pillar, all the wood piled about?”

  “I do, but…” Fiona felt her eyes widen as they neared the workspace. Tabletop and floor were littered with wood shavings and crudely-cut shapes that looked like…

  Lopsided hearts.

  “What is this?” Her heart thundered. “They look like hearts.”

  “Ye are kind, lass.” He slid an arm around her. “They were meant to be hearts, but I am no’ a skilled craftsman.”

  She glanced up at him. “You made these?”

  “I did.” He smoothed her hair. “Been working on them for nigh three years.”

  Fiona felt the floor dip beneath her. “What are you saying?” Emilia had accused him of ignoring her after he and Fiona had met. Could it be?

  He smiled gently. “Can you no’ guess?”

  She shook her head, unable to speak.

  Liam scooped a piece of wood from the floor. “You can see the shape, eh?” She nodded and he smiled. “There are a lot of them. More than I thought I’d need. I am still no’ finished.”

  “I don’t understand,” she managed, trembling now.

  “I wanted one of these as a wedding gift for you.” He set the heart on the table and drew her into his arms. “A heart to fix to our bed’s headboard, inscribed with our initials and the date.”

  “Oh,” she breathed.

  He lifted a brow. “Is that all ye can say?”

  “Why did you do this?”

  “Because I love ye. You should know” –he pulled her close– “I am a light sleeper. I hear even when I snore.”

  Fiona’s heart stopped. “Oh, dear.”

  He smiled. “It would seem we both lost our hearts in your father’s hall.” He hugged her close for a long moment, then started to lead her back upstairs.

  She tugged him to a stop. “Must we return to the great hall?”

  “What else” –he broke off, and grinned.

  In the next instant, he swept her into his arms and carried her to a small couch overlaid with plaids. He lowered her to the couch, then stretched out beside her.

  “Ye are sure you would not rather go to our warm bedchambers?” he asked.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “What better place than surrounded by your hearts?”

  He flashed a sheepish smile. “They are no’ very fine, lass. I’ll keep at it until—”

  “They are perfect, every one. But the only heart I need is the one beating here.” She flattened her palm against his chest. “I love you, Liam Munro.”

  “I love you, too, sweet—I always have. I will prove to ye how much, every night we live.”

  He lowered his head to kiss her. Fiona sighed, her heart splitting. She wasn’t convenient at all…

  She was blessed.

  ###

  The Forbidden Bride

  How can a Lion of the Black Isle choose between duty and love? Duty will save his family…love will save his soul.

  Chapter One

  A wise man knows duty counts for little in affairs of the heart.

  Connor never believed himself to be an ogre. Then his bride began to cry.

  “Merciful God, save me…” The lass pleaded over and over as her father shoved her into place beside him on the steps of Kernwith Castle’s chapel.

  Connor no more wanted to marry her than she did him, but their families had allied to secure the Munro and Allison borders. Not to mention, her wealth would fill his family’s rattling coffers. Love alone could do neither, however sweetly the bards sang of its glory.

  “Ye cannae force me to marry you,” she wailed.

  “Shush, lady,” Connor whispered. “I willnae touch ye this night. I’ll leave you be so long as it suits ye.”

  A hiccup and fresh flood of tears answered him.

  Father John, cleared his throat. “As God brings us together, here before the good people of Clan Munro and Clan Allison, let us rejoice in the sacred union of Lady Joan Allison and—”

  Lady Joan swooned. Connor caught her as she slumped. God’s Teeth. How many fainting spells lay in his future? Her eyes fluttered open, then widened as she pushed away from him. She swayed, and he feared she would faint again. But the lass steadied herself and began shaking her head.

  “I am no’ a beast, lass,” he said. “Have done with this—”

  “I love another.” She hiccupped again.

  As do I, he almost blurted, but chivalry stayed his tongue.

  Father John began again to recite the marriage benediction. For a beat, Connor considered throwing himself on the floor, rolling about, and trying to froth at the mouth, for crazed souls were forbidden to wed. But such a show probably wouldn’t thwart her father’s intentions. Baron Allison wanted this alliance with the same determination his daughter did not.

  Connor caught her tear-filled glance at a young warrior on the fringes of the crowd to her left. The man’s fury-filled gaze swung onto Connor and Connor startled at what he read in the warrior’s eyes. Like Connor, he felt the injustice of losing the woman he loved to another man. Connor’s chest tightened. Rumor claimed that Lady Sophia’s father was considering a score of excellent offers for her hand in marriage. Suitors who would barter for her hand as he had Lady Joan’s. Men who would never love her as he did. Connor met the warrior’s gaze squarely. Connor would never love Lady Joan as this man clearly did.

  Someone jostled his arm and Connor yanked his gaze right. His eldest brother Aidan had edged closer. Their two other brothers now stood behind Connor, clearly positioned to block any retreat. Their pinched faces reflected their thoughts. Dinnae even think about Sophia Guthrie. Do your duty and be done with it.

  Five minutes ago, Connor was resigned to do just that. Now…

  He looked at his almost-bride and g
rinned. “Be well, my lady.”

  Connor seized her shoulders and propelled her into the arms of her lover. She cried out in unison with a chorus of protests. His older brother’s hand clamped down on Connor’s shoulder. In one mighty burst of strength, Connor twisted free and lunged past Lady Joan and her warrior.

  “Take care of her, lad,” Connor shouted as he leapt over the low stone wall that encircled the chapel.

  His feet landed on the ground and he glanced back to see his brothers surge after him. His bride’s warrior set her aside and barreled into Aidan as Aidan leapt over the stone wall. Aidan and the warrior collided with Connor’s two other brothers and dropped to the ground in a tangle of muscled legs and arms.

  “God is merciful!” Connor shouted, then raced for the stables—and the happiness that awaited him on the far side of the Black Isle.

  NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER ON AMAZON

  Edge of Yesterday

  Men are disappearing in the Highland crofting village of Heatheredge. The authorities suspect foul play, but without signs of violence—or bodies—they can’t prove a thing.

  World champion swordsman Cailean Ross is living the fantasy of a lifetime as the victor of Heatheredge’s medieval reenactment Gathering. But when the fantasy turns into reality, swordplay becomes a fight to the death and he finds himself among the ‘missing’ statistics.

  Julianna Mackay flees a man she fears is an evil wizard and literally runs into handsome Cailean Ross. Cailean defends Lady Julianna from her attackers. Together, they set out in search of the key to a six-hundred-year-old curse that can only be broken in medieval Scotland.

  When the veil of time is lifted, Cailean and Julianna find that love may not be enough to save them or those they hold dear.

  EXCERPT

  She preceded him into the kitchen and stopped at sight of Cailean, hip leaning against the heavy oaken table where Sue pounded bread.

  “Ye are a rogue, Cailean.” The dark-haired girl laughed a husky, sensual laugh.