Love Wild and Fair Read Free Page B

swallowed his frustration, for he was never alone in the evenings with his betrothed.
    Suddenly his luck changed. The night before the entire family was to descend upon them, he found her alone. It was late. His mother had retired early and, expecting the others to seek their beds, he had gone to the library to do some estate work. Returning late through the family hall he saw a figure seated alone on the floor before the fire.
    “Cat! I thought ye sought yer bed.” He sat down beside her.
    “I like sitting alone before a fire in the dark of night,” she said.
    “Do ye like Glenkirk, my love?”
    “Aye,” she said slowly. “I wasna sure I would. I remember it to be bigger, but I suppose I saw it wi a child’s eyes. It’s really a lovely little castle.”
    “Then ye will be happy living here?”
    “Yes.” Her voice was a whisper.
    They sat quietly for several minutes, then Catriona spoke.
    “My lord, would ye kiss me? Not like before, but a
real
kiss. I hae spoken wi both Mama and my Ellen. They say the kiss ye gave me to seal our bargain was quite proper, but—” she paused, and bit her lower lip—"but a real kiss has more substance.”
    She lay back, her leaf-green eyes glittering in the firelight. Slowly he bent and touched her lips with his. Gently, gradually, he increased the pressure, and then her arms were around him.
    “Ohh, my lord,” she said breathlessly when his mouth released hers. “That was ever so much better! Again, please.”
    He willingly complied and, with astonishment, felt her little tongue flick along his lips. A moment later she spoke again.
    “Did ye like that, my lord? Mama said the sensation is quite pleasurable.”
    It suddenly came to him that she was experimenting with the things Heather had told her about, but was feeling nothing herself. Chancing her anger, he caught her in his arms and, running his hand from the nape of her neck to the base of her spine, molded her to his body. Fiercely, his mouth took possession of hers. Using all his expertise, he gently but insistently forced her lips apart. Plunging deep within her mouth, he caressed her tongue with his, and rejoiced silently when a great shudder tore through her. He could feel her rising panic as she tried to struggle, but he held her firmly until it pleased him to release her.
    “Patrick,” she gasped, and burst into tears.
    He gathered her up and soothed her. “There, hinny. There,” he murmured at her while his big hand stroked her lovely hair. “Dinna greet, my love.”
    “Why did ye do
that?”
she demanded through her tears.
    “Because, my precious little bride-to-be, ye were experimenting wi me the things yer lovely, feather-headed mother has told you. Ye did them without feeling anything yourself. Never, my sweet Cat, never make love unless ye feel it yourself.”
    “I did feel it.”
    “What did ye feel?” he asked.
    “I felt—I felt—Oh, God’s foot! I dinna know what I felt then. I simply didn’t want ye to stop, but then I did. I was all churned up inside, and …” She stopped, confused.
    He stood and helped her up. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he looked gravely down into her face. “When I was a lad of thirteen years I was formally betrothed to a wee maid of but four. After the religious ceremony was over, we were seated in a place of honor, and a servant brought refreshments. The wench’s blouse was low, and I was just beginning an interest in the female form. I could not take my eyes from those fat white bouncing boobs. Suddenly, the child by my side poured her wine into the girl’s cleavage, and scolded me roundly. I fell in love in that moment, and I have stayed in love all these years.”
    She looked up at him. “I am forever hearing of your conquests. How can ye claim to love me when yer life is so full wi other women?”
    “A man has special needs, Cat. If he is unmarried and has no wife to satisfy those needs, then he must seek elsewhere.”
    “Do ye seek elsewhere