April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 02 (16 page)

Jacqueline grabbed on to the back of his shirt pulling and yanking as he caressed her breast. Strange and wonderful sensations ran rampant throughout her body as his hands began to explore. She wondered how she would feel with his hands gliding along her bare skin. Her breathing became unstable the more he caressed and kissed upon the bare skin of her exposed neck and cleavage. Propping himself up on his elbows, Ewan looked down at the beauty beneath him. “Ye are so beautiful.”

Jacqueline smiled and shook her head in disagreement. “It is you that is beautiful, not I.”

Placing a kiss upon her nose, he stood up and reached out to her to grab his hands. Not knowing what game he was playing at, she took them and allowed him to help her stand. As soon as she stood, blood drained too quickly causing her to become lightheaded. Jacqueline gave Ewan a curious look and wondered how he had made her feel that way.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“It is time fer us to eat.”

“Eat?” Jacqueline said disappointed. “But I thought that we were…um.”

“We will, my lady. I have all night to be wit ye and I want to take my time, but I ken that ye had no’ to eat all day and that ye must be starving, as am I.”

Jacqueline took a deep breath feeling as if she needed a dip in a cold lake to bring down the heat that Ewan had intensified within her. Feeling a little frustrated she thought, how could he be thinking about food now? She was already nervous about the whole ordeal and just as she was becoming comfortable, he was making her wait.

“I need to find the privy to freshen up before we eat. I can meet ye downstairs.”

“My lady, I am no’ leaving ye out of my sight until we are at Dunakin.”

Jacqueline smiled and slightly shook her head at her over-bearing Highlander, but knew that he made a promise to protect her and that was exactly what he was doing. She only hoped that he would ease up a bit once they did reach Dunakin. Heaven knows that Jacqueline enjoyed her space and if her husband was insistent upon not leaving her side or not allowing her to do things, this marriage was going to be a bit of a challenge, for
him
.

“I will not argue with you, husband,” she teased.

Ewan raised an eyebrow in regards to her response, unsure how he should take it. Pacing the hall, he waited impatiently for his bride. As he got to the end of the hall emerging out from the dark empty corridor, his bonny bride appeared out of the darkness. The emerald dress she wore shimmered by the flicker of candlelight hung on the walls. Her long blond hair was up in perfected strands of braids and curls that twirled around the side of one shoulder.

“Ye are so beautiful,” he said as he held his arm up to her to escort her down the stairs.

Jacqueline blushed by his remark and without word, placed her hand upon his arm and began walking down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, Jacqueline felt an uncomfortable pair of eyes closely watching her from the side of the room. Casually glancing around the room, Jacqueline spotted Father Modine in the corner with a group of Robert the Bruce’s soldiers staring at her intensely. Squeezing onto Ewan’s arm a little tighter, she quickly looked away and allowed Ewan to direct her to the head table.

Since she had been reunited with Ewan earlier today, she had not mentioned to him Father Modine’s role in her kidnapping and how she came to be out in the woods. She knew as a man of the cloth that his deeds were not pure ones and was unsure whether he could be trusted. She looked up at Ewan wanting to tell him but knew that if he found out, Father Modine’s consequences would be severe. He was a traitor hiding behind holy robes. Jacqueline thought that at least Robert needed to know. As she and Ewan sat down, Father Modine excused himself and slipped out the side door.   

Robert stood and addressed the men within the room. He spoke of their losses and defeat against Edward and his desire to retaliate. In spite of all of the dreadful reports, he spoke of hope for the future as Ewan and Jacqueline’s marriage was a testament of new beginnings.

The servants began exiting the kitchen with trays of food in their hands. Lamb and chicken, stews and breads filled the table in celebration of life and of death. Ewan filled his plate but noticed that Jacqueline had only snatched a small piece or two. He assumed that she was nervous about the bedding but hoped that earlier he had eased her mind. No, it was something else. Something that was bothering her.

Ewan leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Are ye alright, my lady? Ye dinna look so well.”

“I must speak to the Bruce at once. I fear he may be in grave danger.”

Ewan looked in her eyes and knew that she spoke the truth. Unaware of what news she had, he stood up and walked over to Robert and whispered in his ear, urging him to meet him in the hall.

“Can no’ this wait?” Robert asked.

“I am afraid no’, My Laird.”

Robert pulled his chair away from the table and stood up. Nodding his head, Ewan walked back over to Jacqueline and grabbed her hand. The three of them took off out into the hallway to speak in private.

“I apologize, My Laird but my wife has something urgent to tell ye.”

Jacqueline’s jaw dropped as she had not expected the meeting to come so quickly. She did not mean for Ewan to interrupt his meal. Not wanting to waste anymore of his time, she spoke up.

“My Laird, I thought it was of great importance to tell you that you have a traitor in your midst. As you know, I was under the protection of the abbey when two men took me away.”

“Aye, I am aware of what had happened to ye lass, and I apologize that ye were no’ well-protected while under my supervision.”  

“What you may not know, My Laird, was that the two men paid Father Modine a healthy sum of coins to keep quiet.”

“I thank ye, my lady fer telling me this. I had my suspicion of the mon the moment he stepped foot within my castle some years ago. Now I have the evidence that I need. Again, I apologize that ye were caught in the middle of his scheme. It seems Lady Jacqueline, ye have been our savior twice now. I dinna ken how to repay ye. Come, let us finish our meal as the night comes to an end. I will deal with Father Modine,” Robert said.

Glad the confrontation was over; Jacqueline filled her belly with the delicious meal, licking the butter and grease dripping off her fingertips. After they had finished, Ewan escorted her to their chamber.

Chapter 16

“What will happen to the priest now that Robert knows that he is a traitor?” Jacqueline asked Ewan. “Surely a man of the cloth would not face a severe punishment.”

“He will be removed from the church and sent elsewhere. Robert does no’ believe in killing a mon of God. But he does believe in ridding himself of those who are no’ to be trusted.”

“Are you a religious man?”

“Aye. It has been a while since I have made confession. No’ since Alexa died.”

“Do you not repent your sins?”

“The sins I carry, my lady, I fear that even God can no’ wipe ‘em clean. I can only hope that I make better of myself.”

“You are a very good person. You are loyal and kind. I cannot see God turning you away because of your past faults.”

“My lady, I have a dark past. One I may never be able to share even wit ye.”

“Well, I can only hope that you grow confident in me enough to share your burdens. I am your wife now.”

“Aye, that ye are. But first, we must consummate this marriage fer it to be official,” he said unable to hold back his smile.

Jacqueline looked around the room, nervous about what was going to happen next. She had learned enough from the women in the kitchens when she was young, but still a part of her did not feel ready to lose something as precious as her virginity.

The bedchamber was beginning to cool as the fire started to die down. The covers on the bed were folded downward and two feathered pillows rested at the head of the bed. It was obvious that the staff knew what was to occur within this chamber tonight.

Jacqueline fiddled with her hands as she nervously stood by the fire keeping the goose bumps at bay.

“Ye dinna have to be nervous,” Ewan said as he came to stand next to her.

“Will it hurt?”

“Aye, but only fer a wee bit. The pain goes away.”

“Have ye had many woman?”

Ewan was unsure how to answer her rather blunt question. Not sure if she would be mad by his answer or if she was looking to him for comfort. To spare her feelings, he replied, “Aye, a few.”

Jacqueline closed her eyes and could feel the heat from Ewan’s breath as he stood in front of her. In the middle of his chest was a small patch of hair that covered his bronze skin. Jacqueline hesitantly raised her hand and ran her fingers across his chest. His skin was much softer than she had imagined. The muscles of his stomach were flexed and strong under the light pressure she applied as she allowed herself to freely glide her hand across his broad shoulder and down to the thickness of his upper arm.

Ewan lifted his hand to her shoulder and pivoted around her, kissing onto the backside of her neck from behind. Crossing his arms over her waist, he held her close as they gazed into the smoldering flames.

Jacqueline’s heart started beating faster as she felt his hand drop down to her side. She could feel the tug of the laces on the back of her dress as he began to loosen them from the knot. Sliding his other hand from her waist, he covered one of her small supple breasts in his palm and began to rub along the tiny bud hiding beneath the fabric of her dress.

As the laces gave way, Ewan lowered each side of the shoulder straps down to hang around Jacqueline’s waist exposing her breasts. At the cool contact of the air, her nipples hardened. Ewan walked around to her front and nipped Jacqueline’s bottom lip teasing her to open. When she willingly complied, Ewan swept his tongue deep inside her mouth. Lifting one of her small breasts up, he took it into his mouth and began to kiss and lick around it in a circular motion. Jacqueline moaned loudly at the contact. Her moan made Ewan stiffen wanting to indulge his pleasure by being inside of her.

Dropping to his knees, he trailed kisses down her rib cage to her stomach and her upper pelvic bone. In one quick movement, he yanked onto the sides of her dress causing it to drop to the floor and pool at Jacqueline’s feet.

“Ne’er have I seen anything more beautiful than ye,” he said as he kissed down her hip to her inner thigh.

Jacqueline jerked from the strange sensation as Ewan’s kisses became closer to the apex of her thighs. She knew what happened between a man and a woman behind closed doors but this was not part of the coupling she had heard of.

“I promise I will nay hurt ye. I only mean to please ye, my lady.”

“That is not how a man and a woman couple,” she protested.

“Nay. It is only the beginning, my love,” he said as he reached out for her. Lifting her up off the floor and into his arms, Ewan carried Jacqueline over to the bed and gently laid her down. Kicking off his boots, he untied the laces of his trews, allowing them to drop to the floor as her feet dangled over the side.

Jacqueline gasped at the sight of his fully erected manhood and quickly looked away feeling shameful for staring. Ewan noticed her reaction and smirked. Bending down to sit on his knees, he lifted one of her legs and kissed the top of her foot slowly making his way to her calf, then her knee, just stopping before reaching her sensitive mound. Her skin felt like velvet under his rough leather-like hands. He enjoyed touching her and hearing her moan.

Adjusting himself between her thighs he placed his large hand onto the shallow part of her stomach and inched his fingers down to the opening of her womanhood. Spreading her womanly folds, he found her delicate nub and nudged it with his nose.

Jacqueline squealed at the touch. She marveled at how his touch made her feel as if her body was exploding with mind-blowing sensations. She could feel the heat of his breath on her most private area which caused an ache deep within her belly that she could not describe. Still she wanted more, she wanted him. Sitting up, she grabbed underneath both of his arms, lifting him up onto the bed so that he was completed hovered over her.

Unconsciously, she grinded her hips up and down his stiff appendage. Pulling him down towards her, she kissed him with fervor and passion. Ewan pressed the tip of his member against her wet and creamy folds and slowly pushed his way past her virginity until he was fully deep inside of her.

Jacqueline bellowed out from the pain. Her moans only intensified Ewan’s desire. He had not had himself many virgins before. As her pain subsided and Ewan could feel her inner muscles begin to relax, he began rocking his hips back and forth pounding faster and harder.

Jacqueline’s breath became heavy as she felt tremors shatter throughout her body. Jacqueline yelled out every time Ewan had thrust his groin deep inside of hers. She felt like a wildcat, scratching her nails down his back from the sensation. 

Sweat dripped from Ewan’s forehead as Jacqueline called out his name as she trembled, reaching the height of her climax. Trying to catch his own breath, Ewan planted several soft kisses onto her exposed skin.

Ewan began to slowly pull in and out wanting this to last the entire night through. Her tightness and wetness made it almost impossible to hold back his own climax. As her hands moved down to his back side pressing him deeper against her, he couldn’t hold himself any longer and with one final thrust, he emptied his seed deep within her.

“Ye feel so good, lass. I can nay get enough of ye,” he whispered out.

Feeling elated, Jacqueline asked, “Is it always like this?”

“Nay. It gets even better. It will nay hurt the next time.”

Ewan kissed her forehead and got out of the bed. Reaching for a cloth, he dipped it into a basin of water and wiped himself down. Handing the cloth to Jacqueline she did the same, nervous at first when she saw the blood.

“Tell me about your home. Do you think they will accept me as easily as you have?”

“Aye. The people of my clan are good people. Ye have nothing to worry about. If they do have issue, then we will leave. I will no’ allow anyone to disrespect my wife.”