Page 72 of Forever My Lass

“Ye truly are one of the fae, Madeline Whitworth. The next three weeks will seem like an eternity before I can show ye every night and morning how much I love ye.”

“Three weeks?” she exclaimed. “Are you going to be gone that long?”

“Nae, mo leannan, but once I have ye in my bed again, it will nae be easy tae let ye leave me in the morn. And I’ll nae sneak about in my own home.”

“I’ve already done that,” she murmured as she stretched her neck so her lips could kiss the sharp, angular line of his jaw.

“Aye, but I dinnae think ye would be comfortable about the arrangement, especially where Ainslie and Grace are concerned. Your reaction when I mentioned they dinnae need tae ken was enough tae tell me that.”

His thoughtfulness and understanding made Madeline’s eyes water again. Iain shook his head slightly and sought her mouth once more in a teasing kiss before he raised his head with a look of regret.

“But I will nae deny that it will test my will power for the next three weeks not tae steal down the hall tae make ye mine in every way I can think of.” The rueful note in his voice emphasized he was not looking forward to the next three weeks. Madeline felt the same way. As he released her hands, she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck.

“Perhaps a midnight picnic in the trees near the pond would ease your appetite,” she murmured and smiled as his expression brightened.

“Aye, a blanket is all that would be required, because I could feast on ye for the rest of our lives, and still not have enough of ye.” The wicked gleam in his eyes made her laugh, before her fingers caressed his face.

“I love you, mo ghràdh.” Madeline winced at her poor pronunciation. The Gaelic endearment sounded nothing like what Iain had said. He laughed at her look of disgust, and when she glared at him, he gave her a quick kiss.

“It was a good first effort, mo bhòidhchead fuilt dorcha. I’ve nae doubt ye will improve, and I ken the girls will enjoy helping ye learn the language.”

“Enjoy poking fun at me, you mean.” Madeline shook her head with amused disgust.

“Aye, that they will, but they will love ye all the more for trying. Shall we tell them the news now or at dinner?”

“Now,” she said with a smile. “Then we can ask Mrs. McFayden to make something special for dinner, to celebrate.”

“Then prepare yourself for shouts of excitement and joy, mo leannan. Grace and Ainslie love ye almost as much as I do.” With a smile, Iain pulled her along behind him as they left the study to find his daughters.

Chapter 21

April 1897

“Damn it to hell,” Madeline muttered as she stabbed her finger with the needle.

She was grateful the girls had gone riding with Ethan. The two of them had started a money jar that required her to drop ten shillings into it every time they heard her use a foul word. In the six months since she and Iain had been married, the twins had already earned ten pounds off her.

The first time Iain had dropped her first payment of coin into the jar, he’d arranged for her to have a monthly allowance. When she protested, he’d laughed and said he was certain most of it would wind up in the jar. He’d laughed even harder when she’d insulted him for teasing her, then had kissed her until she couldn’t think straight.

She shook her hand as if it would ease the stinging then examined her finger for blood. Seeing none, Madeline winced, then scowled at the needlepoint that was supposed to be the beginnings of a decorative pillow. Somehow, she was going to have to convince Eileen that needlepoint was something she would never excel at.

Outside, the sound of hoofbeats coming up the drive from the main road whispered through the air, and Madeline lifted her head in surprise. Had the girls returned already? A second later, her heart sank at the more likely explanation that someone had come to call. Immediately, she wished Iain was home. He’d gone to Belgium on business five days ago, and wasn’t due home until the day after tomorrow. The thought of entertaining a stranger was not a pleasant one.

The first several weeks after the banns were posted and their marriage, neighbors had descended on the house to extend their well wishes. Madeline was certain some had paid a visit simply to inspect her, especially several of the younger women who’d accompanied their mothers. If looks could have drawn blood, she would have died bleeding to death on the floor.

With a sigh, Madeline rose to her feet and walked to the parlor window. Fingers pulling back the sheer curtains, she drew in a sharp breath of surprise and happiness. Iain was home sooner than he’d said he would be. Madeline whirled around then froze where she stood. As much as she’d longed for Iain’s return, Madeline had dreaded it as well.

For the past two days, she’d tried to think of a way to tell him about the baby. Accidents happened, but Iain had made it clear in word and action that he didn’t want her to have a baby. Madeline bit down on her lip as she hurried toward the salon doorway eager to see her husband, but dreading the moment she told him she was pregnant. As Madeline entered the main hallway, Iain strode through the door.

Happiness lit up his face as their eyes met, and he closed the distance between them in three quick strides. A moment later, strong arms wrapped around her, and Iain swept her off her feet and swung her around in a circle. Laughing as she looked down at his rugged features, her heart expanded as if it might burst in her chest. Despite her troubled thoughts, being in Iain’s arms again filled her with a joy she’d never dreamed possible before she’d arrived at Muchalls Hall. The moment he set her down, he kissed her deeply then lifted his head.

“Did ye miss me, mo bhòidhchead fuilt dorcha?”

“Yes, terribly,” she whispered as she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him again.

Teasingly, the tip of her tongue slid along the seam of his lips until he parted his mouth, and their tongues mated in a passionate dance. Lost in the heady male scent and taste of him, Madeline’s heart skipped several beats, as his hand slid up over her waist until his thumb was rubbing the underside of her breast. Eager for his touch, she thrust her hips forward, and she was satisfied the moment she felt his erection pressing into the apex of her thighs. A dark rumble rose in his chest, and he quickly pushed her away from him.

“Ye are enough tae drive a mon mad, Lady Glenburnie.” Iain ran his thumb over her bottom lip, his eyes dark with the same hunger stirring inside her.