One & Only (28 page)

“We
would be happy if you helped Gell in the kitchens, too. I know how much you
enjoy cooking, as do I.” For that offer, many of Grey’s guard gave her
irritated looks. She almost laughed, but knew she would hurt Anna’s feelings.
“Gell can teach you all he knows. I warn you, he can be somewhat cross.”

Anna’s
face lit with a smile. “I would enjoy that very much, milady.”

“Go
and return to your cottage, and on the morrow, I will introduce you. You can
begin your lessons straightaway.”

Grey
took her hand and squeezed it, giving her a look of approval. “We are glad you
have returned to the clan, Mannis.”

“Did
ye do right and marry the lass? Your father wanted ye to wed her. It was all
anyone could talk about before the betrothal feast.” Mannis set his arms across
his chest, giving a stern look to them both.

“Aye,
Bree and I wed. She is now Lady Gunn.”

“Well,
lad, I am right glad to hear that.”

The
family left the hall and Bree took the vacated seat next to Grey. She overheard
the discussion going on, while they had been welcoming back Anna and her
family.

“Damn
me! I should have killed that swine when I had the chance.” Alexander sat back
in his chair. “My apologies, my lady, I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Donal
was just telling me what happened. I didn’t think MacHeth would hurt you. No
man with chivalry would. He had no such manners and neither did MacWilliams.”

“Nay,
I don’t believe he did, sire. Have you sent someone to his keep? Many people
there looked to be starving. I felt badly for them.”

“A
load of supplies and a steward are on the way. All shall be put to right.”

She
nodded felling much better for MacHeth’s people, actual in reality, they were
Mackays. Bree would write her mother and let her know it was safe to return
home. “Ah, here comes supper.”

“Did
ye cook this meal, my lady?” the king asked.

“Nay,
but our cook, Gell is very good. Grey has kept me abed for weeks. I have only
just left it today.”

The
men around the table snorted and laughed.

Grey
didn’t like their profound jests. “She was injured and needed to rest, for
Christ’s sake.”

“Oh
aye, she did,” Donal said in a dismissive tone.

“Well,
I am sorry to hear you didn’t make the meal. When I visited Baron Thomas’, in
peacekeeping missions, she was there and oft cooked for us. I swear, my lady,
your cooking was the sole reason we were so amiable and signed the damned
treaties.”

“You
are being kind, sire.”

“I
have sent a message to John letting him know about you and what MacHeth had
planned. As much of a swine as John is, I am assured he had nothing to do with
Baron Thomas’ plan to unseat me. I am certain John will punish him.”

Bree’s
face brightened. She could feel the heat on her cheeks. “I hope he won’t punish
him too harshly, after all, he kept me safe from MacHeth all those years. Were
it not for the Champlains, I might have had to endure at MacHeth’s holding. I
know I would not have lived a good life.”

“I’ll
consider sending another message.” Alexander looked at her, and Bree could feel
his eyes on her face, her unsightly face. The king turned his attention to his
trencher.

She
knew she would have to get used to people looking at her in such a way. The
scar was gruesome. Bree wasn’t very hungry even though the meal looked
appetizing. She just wanted to retreat to her bedchamber with Grey. With a
telling look, she tried to convey her silent message.

“Alexander,
you caused Bree much hardship and injury.”

The
king held his arm up to stop Grey from continuing. “I know. All listen,” he
said, raising his voice so everyone could hear him. “I owe you much debt and so
I will uphold my father’s decree that you be betrothed.”

Everyone
in the room laughed.

The
king frowned at Grey’s guard, standing on the other side of the room. Bree
couldn’t help smiling either.

“What?
Did I say something humorous?”

Grey
pushed his chair out. He came to stand beside Bree’s chair. “Aye, very
humorous. I believe Bree and I will have our wedding night.” Grey lifted her in
his arms and hastily left the chamber. He took the stairs two at a time until
he reached the landing.

She
could hear the ruckus and laughter below.

No
sooner had they reached their chamber, Grey set her down. She started to
undress and went to lie on the bed. He paced the bed watching her.

“Are
you certain you’re not hurting? I don’t want to cause you any pain.”

“I
feel fine. In fact, I’m about to feel much, much better. Come.” She held her
arms out to him, but he shook his head. “I have missed you.”

Grey
began removing his attire, taking his good old time. Though she loved to watch
him undress, she was in quite a hurry for him to join her. His uncovered
shoulders rolled when he yanked his belt. The tartan around his hips fell to
the floor. He wasn’t wearing braises beneath it either. She sucked in a breath.

“’Tis
quite shameful. Husband, I cannot wait much longer.”

He
toyed with her, taking forever to undress. Finally, he was as naked as the day
he was born. Grey sat beside her, causing the bedding to give in from his
weight.

He
touched her face, gently caressing the ugly scar. “You are so bonny.”

“Nay,
not any more. I am not beautiful, Grey. You need not lie.”

“Because
of that paltry scar? Aye, you are bonny, Bree. I’ll hear no argument.” He
leaned close and kissed her scar and then proceeded to lightly kiss a row of
touches to her chin. “I was so scared, Bree. I thought I was going to lose you
again. I didn’t think I could bear it.”

“I
am sorry I scared you.” She in return touched his chest, sending a speckle of
goose bumps over his flesh. “You never did tell me how you got this scar.”

Grey
joined her on the bed and lay next to her. He kissed the flat of her stomach
and looked up at her. “When you went missing, I was but ten winters. I knew it
was my duty to wed you, but we had become friends. You made me laugh. I enjoyed
being with you.”

Bree
touched his hair, running her fingers over the texture. “Go on.”

“Donal
was proclaimed my champion and on the day of our betrothal he gifted me with a
dagger. I remember what he said. He said, ‘I gift you this dagger so you can
protect all that is yours.’ It was that dagger, the dagger Greer gave you …”

“Oh.
The dagger I used on MacWilliams. Did you get it back?”

“Aye,
but I put it in Greer’s casket. I thought it only right that I send it with him
to the hereafter.”

“That
was a kind gesture, Grey.”

Grey
set his forehead on her stomach and used his hands to caress her abdomen. He
then leaned up on his elbows and wore such a serious expression.

“I
searched for you for days. My ma and da were worried, but they knew I would
return. After three days, I went home and stood on the steps. My da came out
and we spoke about you. I told him that I failed to protect you and so I …”

“You
cut yourself?”

“I
was hurting. I thought it right that I should feel pain for my failure.”

“Oh,
Grey. That is … You were just a child. I don’t blame you for MacHeth abducting
me. There was nothing you could do. I wish you hadn’t harmed yourself.”

“It
actually kept me from thinking about you for some time. The wound got infected
and I had the fever for days. All thought I was going to die. When I got
better, I begged my da to take me to look for you.”

Bree
tried to pull Grey to her, but he wouldn’t budge. “I love you, Grey, and do you
know why?”

He
grinned. “I heard you say that to me before, aye when you were wee. I used to
call you honeybee.”

“That
is why I love you. You are everything to me.”

“Show
me.” Grey rolled on to his back and Bree giggled as she scooted down to lay
beside him.

“I
remember you saying that you would show me …”

Grey
reached out and cupped her breast, his lips moved close and his tongue darted
out.

“Oh,
I see what you have in mind.”

She
let him have his way. Grey kissed her every where, her arms, legs, stomach,
face, hands, and then he spread her legs and set his lips there. Bree almost
came undone with his mouth and tongue doing marvelously wicked things to her.
After much time had passed, mostly with him tormenting her with his hot tongue,
he positioned her and settled himself between her legs. He thrust hard and
moaned.

Bree
hugged him close and she couldn’t stop touching his arms and chest, wherever
she could reach. She kissed his face when he leaned near to her.

Someone
banged on their chamber door. They both glanced to it.

“Gunn,
you wed her without my permission?” Alexander’s voice boomed on the other side
of the door.

Grey
laughed. He sank into her and looked back at the door. He shouted, “Damned
right I did. Go away, damn you, we’re having our wedding night.”

Laughter
sound and then Alexander’s footsteps retreated.

Bree
squealed when he stiffened. She was happy that they both reached bliss
together.

“Aye,
you’re my one and only love, Bree.”

“And
you are mine.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kara Griffin was born
and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she grew up with a vivid imagination.
It’s no wonder she uses her creative muse to weave stories. She now resides in
New Jersey with her husband and three daughters. Big sports fans of all the
Philly teams, she and her family can often be found watching the games. She
enjoys reading, spending time with her family, chatting on various online
groups, and most of all writing.

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Or visit her website
at www.karagriffin.webs.com

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