Beneath a Highland Moon (The Highland Moon Series 1) Read Free

bare skin, with only the moon to see. I've dreamt of naught else since you walked through the doors of Ravenskull a few days ago."
    Not wishing him to ken how his words had affected her, she turned and stared into the crackling flames. Jillian was much too inexperienced to ken exactly what he spoke of, but she knew enough to at least guess a part of it.
    " Och, now I've gone and upset you," he said, drawing her once again into the circle of his arms. "I care very much for you, Jilly, and I think you care for me. Am I wrong to believe so?"
    She placed a hand on each side of his face. "Nay, Kade, you're not wrong. I care very deeply for you as well." In fact, she cared so deeply that the thought of leaving Ravenskull the next day saddened her greatly.
    " Good. Then you'll not be minding if I ask your father, first thing in the morning, to allow us to wed. I want you beside me—and in my bed—for the rest of my life."
    Her mouth dropped open. Kade wished to marry her. Jillian wanted to jump for joy. "I wouldn't mind," she whispered, unable to contain her smile. "Any lass would be proud to be your wife."
    He kissed the tip of her nose. "Och, but I don't want just any lass," he said, kissing her on the chin. "Only you." He gently kissed her lips and when she kissed him back, he groaned against her mouth. He took her by the hand and pulled her up from the settle, hungrily devouring her lips. Then his hands slipped down her back and over her hips, pressing her against him.
    Jillian gasped as she realized his profound desire for her. She didn't ken much about such things, but she knew enough to recognize she was the cause, and shivered with delight.
    " My body aches for you, Jilly," he whispered against her hair, "I must have you as my own."
    His possessive words sent a wave of excitement through Jillian.
    " But I'll not be compromising you before we're wed. So as much as I regret doing so, I must send you back to your bedchamber. The longer you stay here, especially with you in naught but a shift, the weaker my will becomes." When they reached the door, Kade stopped and drew her back into his arms. "I promise you this, the next time I start making love to you beneath a Highland moon, I'll not be stopping." He kissed her soundly on the mouth before checking the corridor and sending her back to her bedchamber.
    ***
    The next morning, with the feel of Kade's breathtaking kisses lingering on her lips, and a night of very little sleep, Jillian quickly dressed without waiting for one of the ladies' maids to assist her. She still couldn't believe she was soon to become Kade's wife. Jillian couldn't keep from smiling to herself. She shivered as she tried to imagine what the physical aspect of being wed to him really entailed. Jillian could hardly wait to find out.
    S he stepped out of her bedchamber and met her mother waddling down the corridor. With the bairn due in a couple of months, her belly had become quite large. Even so, her steps usually had a spring in them, but not this morning. She ambled slowly toward Jillian, her hands on her back.
    " Good morn, Mother. I trust that you slept well?"
    " Aye, I did. But now my back is aching. I appreciate Lady Aggie's kindness and wonderful hospitality," she whispered, "but I'll be glad to once again sleep in my own bed. Much thanks for asking." She looked at Jillian for a moment, then smiled. "I cannot help but wonder, daughter, what has put that blush in your cheeks and that smile on your face this fine morn?" her mother said, raising an eyebrow.
    Jillian hugged her. "Och, the most wonderful thing has happened. Kade wishes to marry me and is going to ask Papa's permission this very morning."
    Her mother smiled, squeezing Jillian 's hand. "I don't think I need to ask how you feel about that, now do I, dear?"
    " I'm so very happy. Come, we must hurry," she said, barely containing her excitement as she ushered her mother toward the stairs. When they reached the lower floor, and started across