IntoEternity (30 page)

Brigitte had the ear of the king and knew his thoughts on every
clan under his reign. Her informants at court kept her a step or two ahead of
any intrigue that sprang up between friends or foe. The tight leash he had on
the Ross was proof Edgar could be ruthless in his dealings with the clan
leaders. Demanding the Ross marry a Sinclair woman before the end of the year
had Donovan Ross scrambling to find a likely candidate worthy of him. He
chortled at the thought of the young laird’s predicament and then quickly
glanced around to assure himself no one noticed his passage. He had more
serious plans for the evening once Brigitte gave him the information he wanted.
He needed to know if the feud between the Ross and the Sutherland clans was
over. The answer was imperative to his next move in his scheme to replace Edgar
as king of Northern Scotia.

With these thoughts clouding his mind, he didn’t even bother
knocking on her door before he let himself in. If forewarned, she would more
than likely refuse to let him in, or if she did, she would probably be waiting
with a skean to thrust through his heart. She was a feisty one, his Brigitte.

Only a small fire burned in the hearth, its flickering flames
creating dancing shadows on the walls. The sound of soft snoring came from the
draped bed. Bart walked quietly across the room, thinking to take her by
surprise as she slept. Maybe even encourage her to show him a little
appreciation for the gold he had spent on her in the last year. His cock began
to twitch and swell as a sudden surge of hot blood filled his shaft. He reached
down to adjust himself as he stopped beside the bed. The sounds coming from
behind the curtain became more distinctive and he realized it wasn’t Brigitte
who was snoring. With stealthy hands he drew back the drapery until the dim
firelight shined on the rumpled bed. Bart stood staring, filled with shock—followed
quickly by disappointment and disgust. Upon the mattress lay a very naked Brigitte,
entangled in the bedding with another man, a younger man, their bare limbs
entwined in their post-lovemaking repose.

Bart stood next to the bed for a long moment, gazing sightlessly
at the obviously sated couple as they slept. In his mind he saw himself twenty
years ago when he enjoyed being a young pup spreading his seed around without
discretion or care. His two daughters by the MacKay’s eldest daughter were the
only children he acknowledged—and he only claimed
them
because he
planned to use them to get his hands on that old man’s holdings one day.
Finally his slack jaw tightened, his firm lips clamping shut in displeasure. If
the little bitch wanted another man, so be it. He certainly had no problem
replacing her. He was an intelligent man—he needed no woman’s counsel. They
complicated things, adding their wants to his own desires, muddling his plans
and schemes. He could deal with Alexander Sutherland himself and in time he
would deal with all the other chieftains who would eventually fall beneath his
long reach. Bart Sutherland would gain all he wanted from life without a woman
hanging on his arm with all her wiles and trickery. The door clicked quietly
shut behind him as he left the chamber. He vowed from this day forward he would
leave all women out of his schemes. But this left him with a more personal
problem. His now aroused body still needed servicing. With this goal in mind he
went in search of a willing woman.

After the victory over the Viking intruders Alexander had
immediately petitioned Edgar for rights as a handfasted husband and the king
had agreed to uphold Alexander’s claim—especially since Gusty was with child. Edgar
had even given his personal blessing to their union. Malcolm Sinclair could do
no more than accept Edgar’s decree but her father defended his reasons for
interfering with her handfasting, saying he only wanted to see her happily
settled with a good husband. He gave his word that if Alexander Sutherland was
indeed his daughter’s choice in a husband, then he would give his blessing and
perpetrate no further interference. The meeting between the lairds had ended with
both parties swearing their fealty to Edgar and loyalty to each other.

Alexander demanded the best for his bride-to-be and with
Edgar’s blessing and the help of his servants and advisors, her husband set
into motion a whirling dervish of workers to prepare the great hall for a grand
feast and spectacular entertainment. He had personally interviewed Edgar’s
priest, Father Dominic, who agreed to have his chapel decorated for the
ceremony with greenery and candles. With a little prodding by Davin and the rest
of Alexander’s men, it was amazing how quickly the rest of the household fell
into a flurry of activity to prepare the king’s residence for a spectacular
nuptial ceremony in such a small period of time.

“We don’t need an elaborate celebration, Alexander. We can
make our vows before the priest and a small group of friends and family. It
would do just as well.”

They walked through the garden hand in hand. In the days
since he had returned with the majority of the king’s courtiers they were
rarely far from one another.

“Nay. This marriage will be celebrated properly.” He smiled
and lifted her hand to his lips to plant a warm, wet kiss on the back of her
wrist. “I want a grand celebration. A revel every bard and troubadour in the
land will praise in lyric and song for years to come.”

Of course his claim was outrageous. Gusty knew the real
purpose for this elaborate revelry. Alexander wanted to impress not only King
Edgar but her father as well. After Malcolm Sinclair’s machinations to get her
away from Alexander, he was out to show the mighty Highland laird that he loved
Gusty enough to throw her the biggest and grandest wedding celebration ever
held in the Highlands of Scotia. Even if the whole proceedings cost him a king’s
ransom, he was intent on going through with the celebration. Even Edgar was
sure to be impressed—and perhaps just a bit envious.

“I don’t need all this.” She waved her hand around at the
many gardeners who clipped flowers meant to cover the tables in the great hall.

“Humor me in this, my love. I want everyone to know how much
this marriage means to me. To you. This is but a small price to pay for finally
getting what I want.”

He glanced around at the crowded garden and with her hand
securely in his he pulled her toward a small terrace hidden within a maze of
high shrubs. A stone bench sat in the middle of the sanctuary.

“Sit with me for a while, my love,” he murmured, drawing her
down onto his lap.

Gusty lifted her lips to meet his. She sighed with pleasure
and lay back in his arms, accepting his impassioned kisses and moaning as his
hands found her breasts. His long, skilled fingers brushed over the swell of
her plump breasts.

“So beautiful,” he murmured.

His head dropped lower and she laced her fingers in his hair
as he followed his fingers with his mouth. He boldly pushed the bodice down,
pulled her arms out of the sleeves of her gown to allow it to pool around her
waist. He feasted on her freed breasts, licking and nibbling her distended
nipples and Gusty gasped.

“Oh God!” She whimpered. Her breasts were so sensitive that
every lick, every bite sent jolts of pleasure to her groin. “Alexander? We have
to stop.”

He ignored her and continued to make love to her out in the
open with only a false sense of privacy provided by the flower-draped terrace.

“I don’t think I want to. I can’t keep my hands off you.”
His mouth found the side of her neck and he began to suck on the tender skin
below her earlobe.

“I have to dress for the wedding. I don’t want to explain
why I have hickeys on my neck when Violet helps me with my bath.” She put her
hands against his chest and pushed him away. “Only a few more hours and I will
be all yours, my love.”

“Aye, that you will, my love,” he conceded, drawing back
reluctantly. He rose, setting her on her feet, and then helped straighten her
clothing.

“I did not bring you out here to ravish you,” he told her
with a frown.

She looked at him with disbelief.

“It is true. I had another reason for wanting to get you
alone.”

Gusty watched as Alexander began pacing before her, walking
several steps away only to return and look at her with a strange almost
embarrassed expression on his face. He opened his mouth to say more but then
shook his head and paced some more. His strange actions made her wonder what he
wanted to tell her and she began to worry.

“Augusta, it is no secret how much I want you in my life, in
my bed. I have made no secret about wanting you for my wife. I let this be
known to all who would listen. Even those who would say nay to my objective.”

He meant her father, obviously, and by extension the king.
He finally stopped pacing and dropped to his knees at her feet. He took her
hands and placed them against his chest just over his heart.

“It occurred to me that I never gave you the words. I have
acted on my desires, making you mine on numerous occasions, but I never came
right out and asked.” He paused for a long moment.

“Augusta Sinclair, will you marry me?”

Tears filled her eyes as she looked at the proud, gentle man
on his knees before her, asking her to marry him. Never could she have wished
for a more romantic proposal.

“Aye, Alexander Sutherland, I will marry you.”

* * * * *

Violet and her women took over the bride’s chambers and they
had Gusty bathed, perfumed and ready to dress for the big occasion. She was sitting
in front of her mirror while Violet put the finishing touches to Gusty’s unruly
hair when a loud knock sounded at the door. One of the maids answered and
admitted Duncan followed by Bernadine and Katherine in a flurry of excitement.

“This just arrived for you, Lady Gusty! A courier sent by
your lady-mother delivered it only moments ago!” Duncan hurried across the room
and laid a small wooden chest at her feet. He then stood back to stare down at
the undecorated box as if it held treasure. “Aren’t you going to open it?”

His whispered query brought her out of her stupor and she
knelt by the chest and untied the leather straps wrapped around it. Slowly she
lifted the lid and a gasp escaped the mouths of every maidservant in the room
who had gathered around her to watch.

“How beautiful!” Katherine breathed.

The chest contained a length of fabric so gorgeous it took a
moment before Gusty could bring herself to touch it. Carefully she smoothed her
hand over the material and then, grasping the edges, she lifted out what proved
to be the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. Made of a creamy white silk
shot through with threads of gold, the gown fairly sparkled in the sunlight
streaming in through the bedroom windows. More gold thread had been used to
embroider delicate rose buds and leaves along the neckline. It was an
exquisitely made kirtle.

“I have never seen anything so lovely!” Gusty held the gown
reverently against her breast.

Violet reached into the chest and lifted out a second
garment, which proved to be a gorgeous, full-skirted gown made of white linen
with long, narrow sleeves and a low neckline. Gusty assumed this was meant to
go beneath the beautiful overdress.

“There is more,” Bernadine explained and pointed.

Gusty glanced inside. A small scroll and a ring lay at the
bottom of the chest. She reached for both items and as she lifted them out, she
gasped with surprise.

“My ring!” The ring she had worn since her sixteenth
birthday, the one she’d thought she had lost in the forest when she had first
landed in this century. Somehow the piece had found its way back to its
original owner, her mother, Isabelle. Tears blurred her gaze and she wiped the
back of her hand over her eyes as she unrolled the small scroll.

Dearest Daughter,

I have not had the opportunity to know you for very long.

I grieved for many years that I was not at hand to watch
you grow from a babe into a young girl and then into womanhood.

At the first sight of you that day in my hospice I knew
you were a special young woman. When I discovered your identity, I was
overwhelmed and deliriously happy. My own daughter had finally been returned to
me and I was now a small part of her life.

Please do not judge your father too harshly for his
opinions of Alexander. He felt guilty for not being able to assist you when you
had to choose a husband. With that in mind he decided to give you some time at court
to look over an array of other young men. Unfortunately he had not anticipated
that all the younger men would be called away to war.

I realize you love your Alexander—I saw the way you gazed
at him and the way he looked at you. You are fortunate to have each other.

Please be happy and love each other long and well.

Your Devoted and Loving Mother, I.

Gusty’s hand shook as she lowered her mother’s letter. She
closed her eyes and with gentle strokes she smoothed the delicate fabric of her
mother’s wedding gift. Thank goodness the dress had a full cut to accommodate
her slightly rounded belly rather than a slim design A hand touched hers and
she looked up to find Violet nodding with enthusiasm over the lovely garment,
and judging by the maid’s motions, Gusty understood it was time for her to
dress for her wedding.

“My mother sent the gown. She sent her ring as well.” She
slid the ring on the third finger of her right hand and stared down at it for a
moment. “Thank you, Mother. I love you so much,” she whispered softly.

* * * * *

Gusty sat before the polished-steel mirror, watching as
Violet tamed Gusty’s unruly curls into a sophisticated style high on her head
then pulled down a few tendrils to frame her face. When Violet finished Gusty
stood up and patted the back of her head as she turned this way and that,
trying to see her reflection from every angle. She grinned, pleased with the
results. Only one more hour until she would be walking up the aisle in all her
finery. The thought made her more than a little nervous. She wanted to look her
best for Alexander.
And by God I do.

“Thank you, Violet. Your skills have turned me into a
fairytale princess. The gown from my mother is beyond lovely but what you have
done to my hair is incredible.”

The small woman smiled and nodded and patted Gusty’s hand.
The sound of the door opening behind them brought their heads around and Gusty
gasped with delight when her mother walked into her room.

“Mother! Oh, Mother!” Gusty nearly knocked the older woman
over with her enthusiastic welcome.

Her mother hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. The sight
of the tears in her mother’s eyes had Gusty tearing up as well.

“How did you get here? I thought you weren’t allowed to
leave the abbey.”

“Edgar sent word that I was free to attend my daughter’s
wedding. And here I am. Dear, dear Augusta, how beautiful you are. The gown is
perfection. I ordered the material with your wedding in mind as soon as I found
out you were to marry your true love. The good sisters and I have been working
on it day and night. I will be sure to tell them you were indeed the most
beautiful of brides.”

“It is beautiful, Mother. I love it. But I love you more. I
am so pleased you are here.”

“Your father was the one who came to get me. He admitted he
was not taking a chance on having another member of the family disappearing at
this late date.” She paused with a sad smile. “Your father loves you dearly,
Augusta. Find a way to forgive him his trespasses please. Malcolm Sinclair is a
good man.” Isabelle kissed Gusty’s cheek. “I will see you at your wedding, my
daughter.”

Isabelle stepped out into the hallway. “Malcolm.”

“Isabelle.”

The sound of her father’s voice from outside the door
brought Gusty’s head around. She watched as Malcolm took her mother’s hand and
placed a slow kiss in her palm. Isabelle blushed as he did so and she smiled up
at him.

“Talk to her, my love.”

Gusty had not seen her father since he had ridden away from
the abbey to put his schemes into motion. She had not had a good thought for
him since she learned what he had done to try to break up her and Alexander’s
handfasting. She did not know how to greet him now.

Isabelle turned and looked at Gusty and mouthed,
please
.

Gusty hesitated as she watched he parents together. They
were beautiful in their love for each other and her heart ached as she realized
it had taken a lot of courage for him to come, knowing how much he had hurt
her.

“Augusta.”

“Father.”

He stepped into the room and glanced around.

“May I have a moment of your time?”

Violet, who had been hovering in the background, slipped
from the room.

Malcolm cleared his throat a time or two before he spoke.

“I want you to know I am not sorry for what I did.”

Gusty glared and opened her mouth to give him a piece of her
mind but he held up his hand and she gritted her teeth to keep the hot words
from exploding past her lips.

“Oh, Malcolm,” Isabelle moaned.