Page 39 of The Beast

Lifting the delicate looking glass, she smiled at her reflection and then opened the envelope that had been placed next to it.

It was a sweet note from Isobel, wishing her happiness. Her lips curved and she folded it neatly and slipped it back into the envelope. It would be a keepsake.

With little else to do, she began to pull items from her trunk that she wished to have out. Some of her clothes were already put away and Orla would see about hanging up the rest of her dresses. That left only for her to find a place for each of her smaller personal belongings.

She set her notebooks on a table next to a chair, then her set of quill and ink next to them. After Beatrice took out her current needlepoint and set it into a basket that she’d found by the hearth, she placed it on the floor by the chair as well.

Once that was done, she pulled a dark shawl out of a trunk and draped it over the same chair. Then, she took in the room. It needed fresh items, either fruit or flowers. She went to the window and peered out.

A large lavender field grabbed her attention.

“Oh,” Beatrice exclaimed, her lips curving. “Lavender,” she said in an awestruck tone. Then she inhaled deeply drawing the perfumed air into her lungs.

The sound of voices reached her, and Beatrice walked out of the room. Since it was probably Firtha and Orla, she took her time walking down the stairs.

Instead, when she reached the bottom step, Duncan stood in the entryway speaking to a man. The man’s dark gaze flashed to Beatrice, but then returned to Duncan.

“Aye, I understand fully,” the man said to Duncan and hurried back outside.

Duncan turned to her, his gaze sweeping over her sending tingles of awareness through her.

“Wife,” he said by way of greeting. “Are ye alone?” He looked around the room. “Where is everyone?”

“Orla and Firtha are about. Gara went to the village.”

He huffed. “I brought back four guardsmen. That one,” he motioned to the door with his head, “is to be the lead guard. They are to sleep in the room next to the storeroom.”

“Orla is cleaning the space now. However, I am not aware if Gara has returned as yet.”

“There is time,” Duncan replied. “The men must settle, and they will be content with a simple meal. Greer sent plenty of things for them to keep in their room.”

The entire time he spoke to her, his gaze kept moving to her bosom, but he did not move closer. Instead, he seemed discomfited.

Beatrice wanted to laugh. She took his hand and pulled him toward the study. “I wish to ask ye something about this room,” she purred.

His eyes narrowed. “The study?”

“Aye, it is quite dark do ye not think?”

When she pushed the door closed, the room became like a cave at night. She could just make out Duncan looking around the room. “It is Caelan’s problem, not mine.”

First one step, then another two, Beatrice moved closer. “It is a good private space to keep us from being seen, is it not?”

“Beatrice…”

“Kiss me, husband.” Beatrice lifted to her tiptoes and turned her face up to him. Immediately his mouth covered hers and Duncan pulled her close. His kisses were new to her, the feel of his mouth enticing, and the taste of him intoxicating.

Beatrice clung to him, not wishing to ever separate. When his mouth traveled down the side of her neck to her cleavage and he lifted her breast from its bindings, she gasped.

The warmth of his mouth over first the left and then the right nipple made her knees weak. Thankfully, he held her up and continued to devour the offerings.

With her in his arms, he turned and lifted her onto Caelan’s desk and pushed her skirts and shift up until fully exposing her. Then he fumbled with his own clothing, freeing himself.

“I have thought of nothing else but having ye again.” The huskiness of his voice against Beatrice’s ear made rivulets of heat travel up her body to between her legs.

Despite the desperate need to join, when Duncan prodded Beatrice’s first reaction was to tense. Letting out several breaths, she pulled him closer. Needing the distraction of his mouth, she kissed him. Duncan’s kisses had a powerful effect. His tongue pushed past her parted lips at the same time as he drove into her willing body.

Each movement was divine and the sounds he made like music to his ears. Beatrice cried out with each deep thrust. He stretched and filled her perfectly, their bodies seeming to be made for each other.