Page 71 of Forever My Lass

The moment the door creaked softly, Iain lifted his head and met her gaze. In seconds, he was up from his desk and striding quickly across the floor to pull her into the study and then his arms. As his mouth claimed hers, Madeline willingly gave herself up to his caress. Passionate and heady, his kiss left her breathless when after a long moment, he lifted his head to smile down at her.

“I have missed ye, mo ghràdh.” Iain brushed his fingers across her cheek, then chuckled as she opened her mouth to question him. “It means, my love.”

“I love the sound of it and its meaning. It’s beautiful,” she said with a soft sigh of pleasure. Iain kissed her lightly, then caught her hand in his and pulled her toward his desk.

“I have something for ye.”

Iain picked up a square jeweler’s box from where it sat on top of the desktop and opened it. Nestled inside the dark blue, silk-lined box was a silver brooch. The jewelry was a crown of rubies resting on top of two interlocking hearts.

“It’s beautiful,” she exclaimed with delight. Her fingers brushed over the silver jewelry as Iain lifted it from the box.

“It’s a Luckenbooth brooch. It belonged tae my màthair. My father gave it tae her when she accepted his marriage proposal.”

“Thank you,” she said softly as he pinned the brooch to her dress.

“I’ve already sent Cecil tae the church with my request that the priest post the banns. When I return next week, we’ll go tae Aberdeen and shop for a ring.”

Confused, Madeline stared up at him with a frown. She had no idea what banns were, and the mention of a ring instantly made her feel as if he were giving her jewelry like a man with a mistress usually did. With a shake of her head, Madeline drew in a breath and swallowed hard as she pressed her hand against his heart.

“I don’t need you to give me jewelry, Iain,” she declared softly. “I chose to stay because I love you.”

“I dinnae understand, mo ghràdh. Do ye nae want tae marry me, Madeline?” The question made her stare up at him in amazement.

“Marry…? Are you asking me to marry you?”

“Dinnae I just say my father gave the Luckenbooth brooch tae my mother when they became engaged?” Eyebrows arching upward, he shook his head.

“Yes…but, you said…I don’t understand,” she whispered as hope suddenly unfurled inside her heart. “You said you wouldn’t marry again.”

“Aye, but that was before I fell in love with ye, Madeline.”

“But… you don’t want…” The moment her voice trailed away, he narrowed his gaze at her.

“Children? Aye, I have nae changed my mind about that,” he said firmly. “We will use protection tae ensure ye dinnae carry a babe. I almost lost ye in the sea cave, I’ll nae risk your life with a bairn. But I intend tae marry ye, mo ghràdh. I’ll nae risk another man trying tae take ye from me.”

“Another man?” She laughed with a light heart as she realized Iain was giving his heart to her completely with his proposal of marriage.

“Aye, I dinnae enjoy how I felt when I read that doctor’s letter tae ye. I will nae let another mon have your heart. That belongs tae me, just as mine belongs tae ye, mo ghràdh.”

Tears blurred her vision as he verbally expressed her thoughts. Iain uttered a low sound of concern before he pulled her into his arms.

“What, mo leannan? Why are ye crying?”

“Because I’m happy,” she choked out before drawing in a deep breath. “I never thought I would hear you say such wonderful words.”

“And they’re true, mo ghràdh. Every one of them. It might have taken this stubborn Scot a few days tae come tae my senses, but I know it would nae have been long before I followed ye. And I would nae have allowed ye tae refuse coming home tae Muchalls Hall with me.” Iain grimaced slightly then chuckled. “And that is the last time I will admit tae being stubborn.”

“But you’re my stubborn Scot, and I wouldn’t have you any other way,” Madeline said softly as she pulled his head down to kiss him.

It was a gentle caress that slowly deepened as Iain’s arms tightened around her. Melting into the heat of him, her lips parted beneath his. Spice and evergreen scents brushed over her senses, and the tart, tangy flavor of cinnamon danced across her tongue as it tangled with his in a passionate kiss that made her sex tighten with anticipation.

Everything about him was hard male, and she reveled in the strength and fire of him. A large hand slid across her breast, and she moaned with need. Iain lifted her off her feet and turned her around to sit her on the desk. There was a hunger in his kiss that matched her own. Eager to touch him, her hand slid down and under his sporran to stroke his erection beneath the green plaid wool of his kilt.

A dark sound rumbled in his chest, and with a sound of frustration, he caught her hands and bent them behind her back. Iain’s mouth trailed across her cheek then brushed against her ear where he nibbled on its lobe.

“Please, Iain,” she whispered as she nipped at the side of his neck.

“Nae, lass. Nae here. I dinnae want someone tae interrupt us. I want ye in my bed with nothing between my mouth and your silky, sweet-smelling skin,” he murmured as he kissed her again. His mouth crushed hers in a fierce caress before he lifted his head and drew in a deep breath.