The Faithful Heart (35 page)

 

 

“You could never do that,
a stor
,” Ruairc declared, before
kissing her passionately.

 

 

At length he lifted his lips. “I can’t wait until tomorrow!”

 

 

She put her hands up to her throbbing lips. He had never kissed her
like
that
before. “Nor can I, Ruaric," she said truthfully.

 

 

With a final caressing pat on her shoulder, he went to supervise the
changing of the guard.

 

 

Well, at least she had her answer. He desired her more than ever, it
was plain to see from his response to her suggestion. He had loved
her enough not to put any pressure on her, to allow her to come to
him in her own time.

 

 

Except now that she had, she had no idea what to do next.

 

 

Morgana spent the rest of the day and night nervously wondering what
she should do, what she should wear.

 

 

But in the end, all her fears proved groundless, for as Ruairc had
reminded her over and over again, they had always had a great deal
in common from the time they were young.

 

 

From dawn until dusk the following day, Morgana and Ruairc worked
side by side tending the animals, getting the meals, and seeing to
the crewmen, who were now able to come up and down the stairs for
their meals and helped around the village. Some were even well
enough to work in the fields and go out to hunt. Morgana was
optimistic that despite all the setbacks, in time her clan would be
even stronger than it had been in the past.

 

 

Ruairc had set the men able to return to service some drilling and
target practice with the guns and pikes they were producing
continuously in the blacksmith’s forge. Many also helped with
salting and curing meat and fish for the castle in preparation for a
siege.

 

 

Morgana went though her usual chores throughout the day, but always
Ruairc was by her side. He did everything she did willingly, without
complaint. She noticed with relief that with the exception of Mary,
most seemed to accept Ruairc’s presence in the castle as completely
natural.

 

 

In the evening she sat in her study going over the books for
Lisleavan.

 

 

“I can’t believe this is the same impoverished estate I arrived at
two months ago. The animals, the lambs, wool, stores, you’ve
prospered in everything you’ve done. I'm very proud of you,
a
stor
.”

 

 

“I did have money and help from the O’Donnells,” Morgana pointed
out, though she was inwardly delighted with Ruairc’s praise.

 

 

“And you’ve kept us out of the usual hostilities the summer campaign
season brings by trading with the other neighbouring families, and
coming to an agreement with the O’Neills about tanning their hides
and shipping them. Very impressive.”

 

 

“We will need as many allies as we can if your brothers or the
O’Reillys decide to attack. It was a small price to pay, and Con
Bacagh O’Neill isn’t as much of a monster as everyone says.”

 

 

“I think it was your womanly charm that won him over, my love, but
you could tell he was impressed with your abilities,” Ruairc said
proudly.

 

 

“Now, it’s time for supper, and I have taken the liberty of
organising a special treat, so if you will go to your room, Madame,
dinner will be served shortly.”

 

 

“But, Ruairc, I never....”

 

 

“For tonight you shall have the luxury of a repast in the privacy of
your own chamber, with me right by your side to wait on you hand and
foot. No arguments. I wish to do this to show you how much I
treasure you.”

 

 

“All right, if you’re sure,” Morgana agreed at length. She strolled
down the corridor to her own room, where she set up a table and two
chairs, and then moved to find her chess set.

 

 

Ruairc reappeared about ten minutes later with a huge tray bearing a
succulent stew of venison and vegetables, with plenty of good wine
and new bread. He served Morgana first, and then put the tray aside
as he sat across from her and tasted the food.

 

 

“Delicious, if I do say so myself,” he remarked as he chewed his
forkful.

 

 

Their conversation never halted until near the end of the meal, when
there was a knock at the door. A huge tub was brought in by several
of the men, and gallons of hot water were poured into it by the
kitchen servers.

 

 

“But Ruairc, the men having to go to all that trouble!” Morgana
scolded, though she could see he was only trying to give her a
special treat.

 

 

“You shouldn’t have to take your bath with all the other women in
the kitchen, Morgana. You are chief, after all, and with that title
come certain privileges. Now, I shall turn my back and set up this
chess game, and read to you if you like, while you soak in the tub.”

 

 

“Really, Ruairc, it isn’t proper,” Morgana protested.

 

 

Ruairc shook his head.

 

 

“The servants won’t gossip. They like you too well for that. And if
we are to be married, my treasure, you are just going to have to get
used to this sort of pampered treatment, for I will not allow any
wife of mine to permit anyone to see her naked except me,” Ruairc
threatened playfully. “Now get into that tub, and I shall help you
wash your hair and scrub your back.”

 

 

Morgana hesitated a moment longer, but since all the hot water was
already there, she decided she might as well get the benefit of the
bath after all.

 

 

She stripped off her doublet and hose, and then made sure Ruairc’s
back was turned before taking off her shirt and plunging into the
scalding tub.

 

 

She lay against the back of it, and safely hidden under the soap and
a clean cloth draped over the tub to keep in the steam, she began to
unplait her hair.

 

 

“Here, let me,” Ruairc offered, as he pulled the long braid of hair
free of the tub, and began to loosen it. Then he took a ewer of warm
water, and poured it over her auburn tresses, before picking up a
thick cake of lavender-scented soap he had brought her in order to
lather her hair.

 

 

Morgana sighed contentedly as his fingers worked their magic, and
she scrubbed herself idly with a sponge as she began to feel drowsy.

 

 

Ruairc carefully poured another ewer over her hair to rinse it,
carefully wiping away any suds which threatened to get in Morgana’s
eyes. Then he washed and rinsed her hair all over again, before
commanding, “Sit up!”

 

 

Morgana did as she was told, and Ruairc wrapped her long hair in a
towel.

 

 

Then Ruairc scrubbed her back in long sweeping caresses with the
sponge, and Morgana sighed contentedly.

 

 

“This is wonderful,” she breathed.

 

 

“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to wash your hair, and
soap you all over. I think it’s marvellous myself,” he admitted, as
he dropped the sponge and began to stroke her bare skin with his
hands.His hands slipped around to the curves of her breasts, and
Morgana sat up straight in the tub.

 

 

“I’m sorry, I’m going too fast for you,” Ruairc said regretfully, as
he saw her startled response and moved away from the tub.

 

 

“Yes, no, I mean, it’s just so surprising,” Morgana sought to
reassure him, when he saw the disappointment on his face.

 

 

“No, you’re right, finish your bath in peace, but can I help you
brush your hair?”

 

 

Morgana nodded, and lay back down in the tub for a while longer,
trying to quell the trembling in her limbs. The surprise had not
just been his touch, but the way her body had responded to it so
eagerly. She wondered if she was wanton in nature to want him so,
but what woman could fail to be impressed with his handsome face,
wonderful disposition, and manly attributes.

 

 

She watched his muscles ripple with his every move as Ruairc brought
her towels and her bedgown, and then turned his back as she rose
from the tub. She dried herself quickly, and secured the fastenings
at the front of the garment securely.

 

 

Then she sat by the roaring fire Ruairc had built up for her, and
began to comb out the tangles in her hair. Ruairc was a great help,
and in the end she gave him the comb. He was able to eventually run
it down the full length of her hair without tugging or pulling. Then
he brought the chess set over to her, and with her hair spread out
to dry they played a game by the fire.

 

 

Morgana noticed that the easy flow of conversation between them had
suddenly dried up, but oddly she did not feel nervous. Somehow,
Ruairc being with her seemed completely natural, and when he moved
to touch her or looked at her, she did not draw away.

 

 

At length, Ruairc emerged victorious, and asked teasingly, “What do
I get for my prize?”

 

 

“Can we start with a kiss and see where it takes us?” Morgana
suggested softly.

 

 

Ruairc stood abruptly and pulled Morgana straight up into his arms.
His mouth swooped down over hers as he kissed her deeply, until her
lips parted and their tongues mingled. Morgana clung to his
shoulders for support as the now familiar sensations in the pit of
her stomach began to burn.

 

 

His mouth slanted across hers, giving him fuller access to her
mouth, while his hands slid down over the silky fabric of her gown
until he cupped her buttocks with both hands and pressed her hard
against his maleness.

 

 

Morgana’s eyes flew wide, but she could feel herself burning with an
inner fire which brooked no denial.

 

 

“Ruairc!” Morgana gasped against his questing mouth.

 

 

He pulled away to showered her face and throat with tender kisses.

 

 

“I’m sorry, Morgana, if I shocked you. I can’t help it, and I won’t
lie to you. I yearn for you so badly, I feel like I’m going to
explode,” Ruairc confessed, as his fingers ran through her auburn
locks lovingly, his cheek nuzzling hers.

 

 

“Then love me, now, Ruairc, please?” Morgana asked, despite her
fears.

 

 

Ruairc paused for a moment, and then looked down into her violet
eyes to see if she were completely sincere. The last thing he wanted
was Morgana to offer herself up to him out of gratitude or pity.

 

 

But the light that shone within her violet orbs mirrored his desire
and longing too, and Ruairc sighed in relief. But he wanted to hear
her tell him of her need with her own lips, so that there would be
no regrets on the morrow.

 

 

“You can still change your mind, Morgana, my love. I will
understand,” Ruairc whispered, running his thumb along the curve of
her lower lip, now swollen with his kisses.

 

 

“No, I can’t,” Morgana sighed, as she caressed his face. “Not unless
I wish to regret not loving you for the rest of my life. I need to
know what I’ve been missing all these years I’ve denied myself,
pretended I didn’t want you, when all the while my desire for you
has sung in my veins.”

 

 

Overjoyed, Ruairc swung Morgana up in his arms, and laid her down on
the bed. He began to undress her slowly, lovingly, like a delicate
flower coming out if its bud. As the front of her gown parted,
Morgana boldly reached up to tug at his belt, and then began to undo
the fastenings on his doublet. In the candlelight, they watched each
other longingly, as gradually their bodies became fully revealed.

 

 

Morgana answered the unspoken question with another assent, as
Ruairc stripped away the last of his own clothes, and lay down
beside her, and soon he felt her silken limbs entwine around him,
sending his senses reeling.

 

 

“Morgana, I would be gentle and patient with you,” Ruairc groaned as
she kissed him back with a passionate abandon he had only dared
suspect might lurk under her calm surface, “but you are making it
difficult for me to hold back.”

 

 

“I have promised all of myself to you, without fear or restraint,”
Morgana sighed, planting kisses up and down his neck and chest.

 

 

He nearly fainted as her hand moved up to cover him, and for the
first time she pulled away and blushed, though eventually she
glanced downwards shyly.

 

 

“It’s impossible,” she breathed, wide-eyed.

 

 

“It will be impossible for me to control myself if you do that
again, but no, it is fully possible, with patience, and some
coaxing. Do you trust me?” Ruairc asked earnestly.

 

 

Morgana nodded and answered with complete honesty, “I do trust you.
You have never willingly hurt me, Ruairc. I know you will be
gentle.”

 

 

“You’re not afraid?’ Ruairc murmured against her rosebud lips.

 

 

“Nay, though I’m convinced I’m on fire.” She smiled pertly, and
Ruairc’s heart turned over.

 

 

“I love you, Morgana, always.”

 

 

“And I you, Ruairc. God help me, but I’ve never stopped loving you,
even when I tried to tell myself I hated you,” Morgana confessed
candidly.

 

 

“Hate is very close to love, my dearest girl. I’ve hated you for all
the nights you’ve made me sleep alone without you by my side,
convulsed in an agony of unsatisfied desire. But all you have to do
is smile at me or say my name, and I fall in love with you all over
again,” Ruairc said, his longing shimmering in his emerald green
eyes.