The Highlander's Lady Knight (Midsummer Knights #2) - Madeline Martin Page 0,56
my love.”
He pressed a kiss to her brow and noticed Matilda slip from the room, drawing the door closed behind her.
“I love you, Cormac.” Isolde curled her arms around his neck, and her lips found his once more.
He pulled free the ties of her gambeson, and the tip of her tongue grazed his lower lip. Desire slammed into him. He desired her, desperate to show her with every part of his body how much he loved her, worshipped her, needed her.
His heartbeat quickened as he slid her gambeson from her shoulders, revealing the thin linen beneath. A band of white binding had been wound around her breasts.
The energy from the battle still coursed through his blood, hot and ready. His prick stirred with longing as he drew off her linen sark.
She gave him a languid smile that made his cock even harder. “What are you doing?”
“Planning to show ye how much I love ye.” He loosened the end of the binding around her chest and slowly unraveled the linen from around her bosom.
Her only reply was a soft moan as she melted against him and worked at the ties of his chainmail.
Isolde was not plagued by fear as their horses came to a stop in front of Easton Castle. Her brother had come out to greet them, having no doubt been notified of their arrival by one of his soldiers. The sun cast a brilliant glint of gold that day, forcing Gilbert to squint up at her where she remained on horseback. Pip had been trotting alongside her and now gave a low growl at the earl.
Gilbert tossed the dog a sneer of disgust, then shifted his attention back to Isolde. “I hope you’ve come to beg my forgiveness for what you’ve done.”
“Ye should be begging for hers,” Cormac said from where he sat on his horse behind Isolde.
“I’ve come to return your armor.” She slid off her steed and eyed her brother. Pip immediately settled protectively in front of her. “But I will offer no apologies for what I was forced to do by your cowardice.”
Gilbert’s mouth opened to protest, but Isolde continued speaking, “’Tis you who has greatly wronged not only me, but also our country.”
His eyes narrowed. “How dare you speak to me with such impertinence?”
Cormac leapt down from his horse to stand beside Isolde. “How dare ye speak to her with such condescension after everything ye’ve done to her?”
The earl squinted up at Cormac. “You forget yourself, Brodie.”
“I’m no’ Brodie,” Cormac replied.
Gilbert stepped closer and peered up at Cormac, lifting his palm to shield the glare of the sun. “All you Scotsmen look alike,” he muttered. “Where is Brodie, and who is this man?”
“I’m Cormac Sutherland, Chieftain of the Sutherland clan,” Cormac replied. The note of authority and confidence in his voice made Isolde’s back straighten with pride. He looked at her and took her hand in his. “And husband to Lady Sutherland.”
Gilbert’s beady stare bounced between them, his confusion evident. “What has happened? Where is Brodie?”
“Brodie is dead,” Isolde replied. “And whatever arrangement you worked out with him should be stopped and buried with him. I know exactly what you’ve done.”
Her brother glanced around nervously. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re speaking of. Come inside so that we might have a proper conversation.”
Isolde turned her attention to the castle whose interior was as cold as her brother’s affection for her. Any happiness she’d had in her life prior to Cormac had died with her mother. There was naught inside for her but disappointment and lies.
“I will never step foot in Easton Castle again,” she said. “We will speak here for a moment more, and then we will be on our way.”
Gilbert huffed a pout of frustration. “You don’t get to—”
Cormac stepped forward and crossed his arms over his chest. “Mind how ye speak to my wife.”
“You won’t see a single coin of her dowry.” Gilbert put his hands on his hips, his demeanor as petulant as his voice.
Pip gave a low growl and shifted his weight from one paw to the other.
“We’re married.” Isolde smiled at her brother sweetly. “You haven’t a choice. Father put a stipulation in his will regarding my dowry— it goes to my husband without question.”
Gilbert’s lips pinched together. He knew well there was little ability to protest on his part. He could delay, of course, but given the fearful stares he cast up at Cormac, Isolde did not think it likely. Especially when her brother lacked a steel spine.