The Highlander's Woman (The Reckless Rockwoods #3) Read Free Page A

intend to bed my wife in the privacy of our own bedroom, because once I start, I’ll no’ be able to let her out of our bed.”
    “Then I suggest we leave now, Mr. MacTavish, or I’ll be tempted to punish my husband by dancing the night away with as many men as possible.” The look of possessiveness that darkened Julian’s face made her laugh. “I take it you disapprove of my alternate plan of action.”
    “Aye,” he snapped as he pulled her back into his arms. “You are mine mo ghràdh , and do no’ you ever forget it.”
    “I won’t,” she said as she pull his head down and kissed him gently. The sudden echo of a cane tapping the flagstone patio made Patience jump, and Julian slowly released her.
    “Lady Patience?” The aristocratic notes of the dowager Countess of Lyndham’s voice filtered through the air. Patience moved out of the darkness followed by Julian.
    “I’m here, my lady.”
    “Excellent, someone said you had come out to the terrace,” the woman said as she lifted her lorgnette to inspect Patience’s appearance. “You’re flushed, child.”
    “Am I?” Patience touched her cheek with a small laugh of embarrassment.
    The stately dowager countess braced both hands on the top of her cane to study Julian who had moved to stand at Patience’s side. The woman arched her eyebrows as her gaze ran up and down him. With her eyes still focused on Julian, the elderly woman’s mouth twisted in a small smile of appreciation.
    “ Now I understand why your cheeks are hot with color, Lady Patience,” the woman said with a distinct note of amusement in her voice. Patience could feel her cheeks grow even hotter beneath the dowager countess’ amused look. With a laugh, she shook her head at the elderly woman.
    “Lady Lyndham, may I present my husband, Julian MacTavish,” Patience said with a distinct note of happiness in her voice. Lady Lyndham extended her hand, and Julian kissed the woman’s fingers with a small flourish.
    “I am honored to at long last meet the elusive Dowager Countess of Lyndham.” Julian’s smile was designed to melt a woman’s heart, and for a brief second Patience experienced a twinge of jealousy.
    “Elusive? Ha ,” the elderly woman said with an unladylike snort of laughter. “You might be able to charm all the women here, but I’m far too old for flattery, my boy.”
    “I can no’ believe that, my lady. A woman should never tire of being told how delightful her company is, no matter her age.”
    Lady Lyndham laughed again as she dismissed his flirtation with a wave of her hand, but there was a distinct look of pleasure on her face at Julian’s compliment. The dowager turned toward Patience.
    “My dear, might I borrow your carriage to take me home? My grandson is otherwise occupied, which is an excellent sign of his reconciliation with Constance,” the dowager said with a smile. “But I have no idea how long they’ll be, and I confess I am weary from all the excitement.”
    “Of course,” Patience exclaimed as she noted the sudden look of exhaustion that had settled on the elderly woman’s face. “We were actually about to leave as well.”
    “It would be our pleasure to take you home, Lady Lyndham.” Julian offered his arm to the woman. “Shall we?”
    With a pace that matched the dowager’s, Julian escorted the elderly woman back into the well-lit ballroom.
     
    § § §
     
    Patience’s eyes fluttered open as she covered her yawn with her hand. Dawn was barely peeking in through the bedroom curtains, and she smiled with happiness. Julian was home and all was right with her world.
    “You’re beautiful, mo leannan. I will never be able to have enough of you.” The husky words startled her, and she jerked her head in his direction.
    “You’re awake.”
    “Aye.” Propped up on his elbow, Julian cradled his head in his hand as he stared down at her. “I have been for some time now.”
    “And you didn’t wake me,” she teased as she remembered