Page 79 of The Beast

“Sit down and talk to him. Come to an agreement that if he finds himself in a similar place in the future, he comes to ye first.”

It was much later that she finally sent Orla to find Duncan. She sat in a chair in the bedchamber, in front of the fireplace. The cheery fire did little to calm her nerves. What would Duncan say when she told him her decision? It was very possible, he would walk out of her life forever. It could come to pass that as soon as the weather permitted, she would be back in North Uist without a husband to call her own.

When he entered the room, she let out a steadying breath.

Duncan’s gaze studied her and then he lowered into the chair opposite hers.

“Where did ye go?” Beatrice asked, mainly because she was curious.

After a pause, he replied, “To a cabin where I had lived when I first was freed. An old man cared for me and allowed me to live there for many months. As payment, I did work for him. He died while I was there this time.”

“Why did ye not think to tell me ye were so troubled?”

“I was fearful of yer reaction to seeing me in a crazed state. The idea that ye would possibly be in danger was worse than knowing I was hurting ye by leaving. Now, I realize that perhaps if I would have shared with ye, it would have helped.”

Her heart broke for him and once again grief for his stolen years enveloped her. Of course, he didn’t know how to share his emotions or how to properly deal with them. He’d had to face hardships and emotional times alone for so long.

“Duncan, if we are to remain together, I have demands. If ye cannot agree to them, then I will return to North Uist, alone.”

There was cautious hope in his expression. “Tell me.”

“If I return to the estate, ye and I will share the same bedchamber. We will have a chapel built for our own personal time of prayer and solace. Lastly, ye will promise to speak to me about how ye feel regularly and are not to become cross when I ask ye about it.”

His brows drew together. “I agree to yer demands. They are reasonable and ye are kinder than I deserve.”

“Stop saying things like that. Ye are not less deserving than anyone else. I cannot imagine what ye have been through. I am sure others who have gone through the same have ended up mad or unable to survive with the shadows of the past in their mind.”

“Can I stay here with ye tonight?”

Beatrice’s lips curved. He looked so forlorn. Her huge beastly husband was so vulnerable in that moment.

“Aye, of course.”

“Duncan?”

His gaze met hers waiting for what she’d say.

“Would ye kiss me please? I have missed ye so much.”

In an instant, he closed the distance and pulled her up and into his arms. Their mouths collided. There was no feeling like being in Duncan’s embrace. The familiar taste and smell of him overtaking her senses with so much force, it was as if being wrapped in warm comforting blankets.

Beatrice raked her fingers down his wide back, as she kissed him back with all her might. Then she slipped her hands under his tunic, running her palms up the uneven skin. Despite the scarring, he was warm and soft.

A gasp escaped at the caresses of the one area no one had ever touched in such a way and he responded by tugging her dress from her shoulders and pushing it down until it flowed to the floor.

Not to be outdone, Beatrice yanked his belt free and pulled the rough fabric of his tunic up. Duncan helped her by pulling it up over his head and dropping it down next to the dress. The breeches and boots followed, and both stood before one another completely undressed.

“Ye are beautiful,” Duncan said and moved closer.

When he lowered her onto the bed, she took him in. Duncan was a sight to behold, fully aroused and although a bit thinner still quite magnificent.

“Come to me,” she said, arms outstretched. “Show me how ye feel.”

The weight of his body over hers was perfect. Once again, they kissed, Beatrice threading her fingers through his hair. The calloused palms brought shivers of awareness as he slid them over every curve before cupping one breast and then the other.

Duncan’s uneven breathing made her own hitch. “I want ye so much,” he whispered in her ear. “I cannot wait.”

When he pushed her legs apart, cool air hit her moist sex and Beatrice gasped at how much desire burned in her. “Take me.”