Mysty McPartland (6 page)

Tightly holding on to his temper, he tugged on her arm. “The table willnae be so crowded in a few moments and as I told ye she is nay my lover.” Not waiting for an answer, he kept walking, practically dragging his reluctant bride along beside him.

When they reached the
table, he glowered down at Devena. “Once again ye over step ye bounds, wench. Ye have nay been asked to sit with my wife and myself, or at my table now get yeself gone.” He ignored her venomous glare and waited until she removed herself. Turning to his bride he arched a brow. “Happy now?”

Not in the least bit pleased she gave her husband a slight nod, but still eyed him with disgust. Seating herself, she folded her hands in her lap and refused to look at him again.

Sighing heavily in displeasure, women, he thought they were such a troublesome bunch. Sitting down, he reached over and took one of her hands from her lap. His lips quirked at her struggle to deny him, but he held her firmly and waited for his clan to seat themselves.

Once everyone sat down, he stood forcing her to stand beside him. “My clan, my family I give ye my wife the Lady Trista McKay.” He raised his cup in salute and drank from it, he turned and glanced around the great hall and watched as his clan raised their mugs, but the cheer was less than enthusiastic.

With a swift peek over at Trista, he saw the unhappiness on her face, and let out a sigh. Dropping her hand, he wrapped his arm around her waist bringing her up tight against his body, he held the cup to her lips. “Ye must take a drink, my sweet.” When her eyes swung to meet his, he noticed the anger blazing in their depths.

Thankfully
, he did not have to force her and she took a sip. With a strength that surprised him, she moved out of his grasped and sat down. He raised a blonde brow in amusement, gave her a cheeky grin before he turned back to his clan. “Let the feast begin.” And when the roar of cheers came from his people, he sat down and turned to his wife. “Ye must smile, lass, and at least pretend to be happy.”

She was so furious she could spit. All she wanted to do was tear his eyes out, but instead forced a smile on her lips and pretended to enjoy herself. Her thoughts though were on what had she done, throughout the ceremony all she wanted to do was pick up her skirts and flee, however, it was far too late by then. Not only because he had held her gently but firmly, but where would she run to?

In a daze she felt
the soft touch of his lips brush against her own and she could only stare up at him in a muddle of confusion. When he smiled at her so tenderly, she forced herself to harden her heart against his tenderness. She was not going to let him bewitch her with the falseness of his caring attitude. No, she wasn’t about to let herself be so gullible again.

After all he was the Black Warlock and a deceiver
. It still made her blood boil every time she thought of his harlot. He must think she was a dimwit to believe his lie about the woman not being his lover. Ha, he was an imbecile if he thought she was taken in by his lie. 

Her gaze swept around the great hall and finally landed on the spiteful trollop who was glaring back at her with loathing and rage. She jerked her chin in the air and sneered distastefully back.
If her husband didn’t send the horrible cow away, she was going to kick the obnoxious woman out herself, be damned if she wouldn’t.

When the meal was placed in front of her, she ate mechanically and wondered if she could trust his word about not touching her later tonight. It was doubtful but she could only pray the he would keep his promise. From beneath her lashes she watched him enjoying his din
ner and frowned.

It was a horrible known fact that she did find him immensely attractive and she wondered not for the first time why him of all people? How could this man heat her blood and make her body crave his touch when so many men before him hadn’t stirred a single thing inside her? She signed in confusion and glancing away finished eating.

As the evening dragged on she was surprised though at the attention that he lavished on her at the wedding feast. He was attentive to her every need. His touch, whenever he caressed her was always gentle and it was far too often for her liking, it made her stomach flutter and increased her nervousness.

She was surprised h
e talked to her and listened to what she had to say in return, it was as though he found her interesting. He told outrageous stories, making her laugh and after a few hours, she started to grow relaxed and somewhat content.

S
o, it was a shock when Mary came to say that it was time for her to retire, and the memory of what this night was all about came back to her in full horrifying force. The smile died on her lips and a kind of panic started growing inside of her. She glanced down when she felt the large calloused hand take hers; she stared up into Rieph’s concerned face.

Disappointed, he watched his wife’s happiness fade. He glanced away so she wouldn’t notice his frustration. When she stirred beside him, he, gazed back at her and could not miss seeing the panic in her eyes. It took an effort, but he managed not to grimace. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Nay need to fret, sweet. Remember I told ye that I willnae touch ye. So run along and I will see ye later.”

He observed
the fear slowly subside from her eyes and saw her slight nod. He gave her hand a quick squeeze and let go. He watched her rise and leave the hall with Mary and a few other women. His gaze was riveted to the swinging of her hips and cursed when his body started to stir.

H
ell, he was a bloody fool for promising not to touch her. But he was a man of his word and he would not break his oath, no matter how tempted he was. He just hoped it wouldn’t take her long to come to terms with being his wife.

After his bride left,
he sat talking to Gabe and wondering how soon he could go to his bedchamber and his bride. He scowled blackly when Devena started walking towards him the seductive pout on her lips interrupting his thoughts. He sat stiffly in his chair and studied her through narrowed untrusting eyes.

All through the meal
Devena had been forced to sit among the soldiers and their wives. All evening, she’d glared her hate at the couple up on the dais. Seeing them both smile at each other fuelled her anger.

They would both pay and pay dearly. She would watch carefully and when the time was right, she would destroy both of them. A malicious smile lifted the corners of her mouth when she noticed Rieph
did not seem to be any hurry to join his bride.

S
he licked her lips, stood up and sauntered over to his table. Standing beside him, she placed a hand on his shoulder, leaned down and whispered in his ear. “Is there anything I can do for ye, my Laird. I see ye are nay eager to join ye child Sassenach bride. Mayhap I could entice ye into more exciting and experienced arms? After all, my love, we have enjoyed many pleasurable hours together, have we not?”

Teasingly she ran her hand over his shoulder on to his chest and leaned forward to press her ample breasts against his wide muscular arm. Hoping to tempt him into taking her to bed. Already her body was prepared to take him inside, she held her breath as she waited for his reply.

Enraged he gritted his teeth and sat perfectly still, a quick glance around showed that all eyes of his clan eyes were upon him. Damn the bitch, tomorrow she would be gone babe or no babe. He’d already warned her and twice now she flouted his warning. He reached up and took hold of her wrist in a tight grip.

Even k
nowing that he was hurting her, he didn’t care; he removed her hand and tossed it aside. “Nay there isnae a thing I want from ye and ye well ken it. I told ye earlier ‘tis finished between us and since ye willnae desist ye best be ready to leave tomorrow.” The words were harshly whispered and he did not even turn around to look at her as he spoke.

“
Ye will regret dismissing me so coldly, Rieph. Ye have nay right to treat me like this after all we have shared. But I promise that ye will pay for it.” Devena did not care if everyone saw how furious she was.

How dare he do this to her, he
didn’t have any right to toss her aside like garbage and to publicly humiliate her. Especially after all the intimate moments they had spent together. She glared at him once more before she spun on her heels and marched away, with her head held high she left the room.

A surge of distrust rose up in him as he
watched the woman rush from the hall. Only after she disappeared from sight did he let out a heavy sigh of concern. He didn’t take his former mistress’s threat lightly and knew she would try and make him pay somehow. His attention turned to his friend when he spoke.

“
Ye made an enemy there, lad. Ye publicly spurned her advances and nay lass takes kindly to that and that one most of all.” Gabe shook his head and grimaced, as he raised a mug and took along swallow of ale.

“
Aye I only let her stay because she said she might be carrying my babe. But I have my doubts about it being true.” He said morosely.

“
Ah, laddie, many a lad has been fooled by a vindictive woman. Does ye lass ken?” Gabe queried.

Rieph shook his head. “Nay about the babe, but she guessed that Devena was me lover and I had to threaten her to wed me.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Hell, he hadn’t been intimate with Davena for several weeks, surely she must have known it was over between them.

“
I dinnae think ye bride was a fool. But I am sure that ye can win her over.” Gabe chuckled, if he was to make a wager, he would say the lass would give the lad a hard and long run before she gave in. “When is Payne due back?” Gabe thought it would be better to change the subject and when he noticed the tension ease from Rieph’s shoulders, knew he’d done the right thing.

Relieved and f
eeling better at the change of topic, he relaxed and a slight smile sat on his lips. “Should be back by the end of the week. He is certainly going to be in for a surprise when he finds out I have finally married.”

Gabe’s laughter filled the hall. “Aye, ye brother will surely find it hard to believe. However, I’m thinking that he will be more than surprised when he sees ye bride.”

The smile died on his lips at the thought of how his younger brother would react when he sees Trista, or more to the point her reaction to Payne. He knew not many women could resist his little brother. “’Tis time I retired.” Without waiting for another word from Gabe, he stood up and with quick steps left the hall.  

Chapter Six

Rieph stood leaning against the doorframe of his bedchamber staring at the little lass sound asleep on a chair in front of the fireplace. Even in sleep, she was breathtaking. Her long black hair hung over the side of the chair and nearly touched the floor. With the light coming from the fire it showed auburn highlights glistening through the ebony tresses. The high neck white nightdress made her look as innocent as a babe, but he knew that she was far from being a child. He felt himself becoming aroused, his life blood stirred with desire and he silently cursed.

After breathing deeply for several minutes, he straightened up and unfolded his arms, closed the door and with silent steps, walked over to his sleeping wife. With tender care so as not to wake her, he lifted her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed where he lay her down gently. Smiling when she did not so much as stir, he shook his head. The lass was certainly a deep sleeper.

Quickly turning away, started undressing, once naked he went around and blew out the candles. The only light now left in the room came from the fire. He made his way over to the bed, threw back the covers and as gently as he could, he moved Trista in the center of the mattress and climbed in himself covering them both with the covers. His brow furrowed, he lay beside the woman who was now his wife and not being able to touch her was harder than he ever imagined it would be. He gritted his teeth until his jaw ached as be battled against the need to hold her in his arms.

D
amn, what a great fool he was to make such a promise. He turned on his side away from her and closed his eyes tightly shut praying for sleep. Sometime during the long night, he stirred awake, and wondered what could have woken him.

H
e glanced around and saw that it was near dawn and sighed with relief. It was amazing, somehow he actually managed to fall asleep and not attack his wife, he thought with some humor. He closed his eyes and grunted, lifted his lashes and frowned.

Suddenly he realiz
ed what actually woke him, his innocent wife had plastered herself up hard against his back. He drew in a long slow breath when he became aware of her breasts pressed against him. Her nightgown must have ridden up during the night, because he could feel her naked thighs pressed against his bare buttocks.