A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,53
though she was yet to become Lady Campbell. From the uncertainty in Brodie’s voice, she realized he didn’t understand that the reason she wore it was because she’d already decided she would marry him.
“You sound worried that I won’t agree,” Laurel said as she ran her hand over the wool across his chest.
“I haven’t wanted to press you,” Brodie admitted.
“Brodie, I’m sorry I wasn’t clearer.” Laurel offered an encouraging smile when Brodie’s face fell. She cupped his jaw. “I’ve worn your plaid since the day you gave it to me. I thought you understood that meant I’d already agreed. Why would I dress like Lady Campbell if I never intended to be her? Why would I suggest we couple if I didn’t want our betrothal to be a binding marriage?”
Laurel sucked in a deep breath that made her ribs expand as she watched Brodie’s handsome face turn into the most attractive sight she’d ever beheld. She was awestruck once again that he’d chosen her as his wife. He was both braw and kind, and she marveled that a man so wonderful accepted a risk like her. It made her want to try harder to be gracious and kind in return. She squeaked when he picked her up and twirled her around, his booming laughter eliciting another giggle from her. She’d laughed more in the days she’d known Brodie than all the years at Stirling Castle. When he lowered Laurel so that her arms could wrap around his neck rather than her hands resting on his shoulders, she snagged his mouth in a kiss that made Brodie groan.
She’d grown more confident and more eager to lead their exchanges as she grew more comfortable with Brodie. She pressed her tongue against his lips and sighed when it slid past his teeth. She twirled hers against his, before luring his tongue into her mouth. The first time she’d lightly sucked on it had been a kiss goodnight. It was the one time Brodie returned to her chamber. He’d nearly torn her arm from her shoulder as he dragged her into the room, then kicked the door shut, and came within a hair’s breadth of ravaging her.
As Laurel tempted him this time, Brodie maintained control by his fingernails. He wanted to sink to the ground and lay with Laurel beneath him. He’d encouraged her to speak aloud what she wished to know, what she wished to try, and after a few prompts, she’d whispered the things she imagined doing with Brodie. He wanted to fulfill each of those dreams in the very meadow where they stood. Eventually, the kiss calmed to soft pecks until Laurel rested her head against Brodie’s chest.
“I never imagined I would find a happier place than being outside in the Highlands, but I have,” Laurel said as she leaned back. “Can you guess where it is?”
“Is it with me?” Brodie smiled wolfishly.
“You were supposed to say you couldn’t,” Laurel huffed as she playfully tapped his chest. “I was supposed to tell you.”
“I’ll happily listen if you did.” Brodie cocked a teasing eyebrow before waggling both of them.
Laurel fingered the hem of Brodie’s plaid as an idea stuck her. “Brodie, being out here with you is the happiest I’ve ever been. I know there is still much for us to learn aboot one another, and I hope it brings us closer together. I also know that most people would say six days is but a moment in time to wait. But I really don’t want to.” Laurel reached down to where the two ends of her plaid overlapped with a brooch pinning them together. “We’re in the Highlands now, even if it’s not Campbell territory and still dreadfully close to Stirling. But we are both Highlanders.” Laurel paused to look up at Brodie, praying he wouldn’t reject her idea or her. “We could handfast. I want to handfast.”
Too choked up to speak, Brodie twisted Laurel’s sash until he could unpin it. He released a whistle that sounded like a birdcall, and Laurel watched the guards materialize after virtually disappearing in the tall grass. Brodie wrapped the wool around their wrists and cleared his throat.
“I want that too, thistle,” Brodie said solemnly.
“Is this instead of the kirk? Will it be a year and a day?” Laurel needed to know if Brodie saw this moment the same way she did.
“Nay, Laurie. This is but a prelude to our many years together. I will never repudiate you.”