eyes, added to her slow, sweet smile, unsettled him.
'Will it make you angry if I do?'
'Do what?'
'Question you.'
'No, I'll never get angry with you.'
Her smile enchanted him. 'I'm wed to the most amazing man,' she told him. 'You never get angry or lose your temper.'
'Dare you bait me, English?'
Alec's full attention was centered on her mouth. He wanted to take her lower lip between his teeth, wanted to sink his tongue inside her, to taste the sweet honey that now belonged to him. Her fingers were stroking the back of his neck, whether by intent or by accident, he couldn't discern, and her soft, full breasts were pressed against his chest.
A man could only take so much provocation, Alec told himself.
He slowly lowered his head toward her. Jamie met him halfway.
Her mouth was just as soft as he remembered, just as arousing. It was a tender, undemanding kiss, entirely too brief, and thoroughly frustrating in Alec's opinion. She wouldn't open her mouth for him and pulled away just as he was about to force his invasion.
She looked damned happy with herself, too. Alec didn't let her see how frustrated he was. For all her courage and remarkable beauty, she sure as certain didn't know how to kiss.
It would, of course, be his duty to instruct her. Alec smiled in anticipation.
'Thank you, Alec.'
'Why are you thanking me?' he asked. He lifted her onto his saddle, then settled himself behind her in one quick motion. Her backside nestled against the junction of his thighs. She moved, apparently trying to be comfortable. He grimaced in reaction. Alec wrapped his arm around her waist, lifted her high onto his lap, and held her tightly against him.
'Well?' he asked when she didn't immediately answer him.
'I'm thanking you for your consideration.'
He misunderstood her comment. ' 'Tis obvious you haven't ridden much,' he said.
'I'll instruct you in the proper way when we're settled in.'
Jamie didn't bother to correct him. If he wanted to believe she was uneducated, then she'd let him. He probably wouldn't believe she was really skilled anyway, or that it was the new saddle giving her trouble now. If she admitted that she liked to ride bareback, as some warriors did, he would naturally conclude she wasn't much of a lady. She would let him think what he wanted. Beak had been right, she decided, for Alec was being more patient with her. He certainly wouldn't be holding her in his lap if he knew she didn't need his help. Jamie smiled to herself and leaned back against her husband. It felt good to be pampered. In time, she promised, she would set him straight. For now, however, she'd let him take charge.
Wives were a nuisance, Alec decided, but this one… she smelled so feminine, felt so soft, so right in his arms. She kept trying to edge his hand away from the undersides of her breasts. He smiled over her timidity, certain that once he'd bedded her, she'd be rid of this shyness. He was suddenly eager to make camp.
Tonight he would take her, make her his; tonight she would give herself to him.
For a Scot, he certainly had a most appealing scent. Jamie had to smile over that daft admission. In the space of one short day she'd gone from hating the man to almost liking him. God only knew she felt safe enough with him. If her emotions continued along this illogical course, though, she just might let him kiss her again… in another day or two.
And if he proved to be all she wanted in a husband, well, then, eventually, after a long, satisfying courtship, of course, she might let him bed her.
It was a blessing Alec was such a patient man. She would simply explain her reticence and he'd agree to her terms.
And that was that.
Chapter Six
They made camp an hour later, near a deep mountain-fed pool of clear water.
While Daniel and Alec attended to the horses, Jamie unpacked the basket of food Agnes had thoughtfully prepared for their supper. Mary leaned against a tree trunk, watching her sister work. Jamie thought she looked quite miserable.
Jamie spread a small blanket on the ground. She sat down on one edge, folded her skirts so that not even a hint of ankle showed, and motioned for Mary to join her.
Both she and her sister were trying to ignore their husbands. Alec and Daniel had each taken a turn washing in the pool. It hadn't bothered Jamie much at all when Daniel came strolling back into camp without his tunic. Alec's bare chest was another matter altogether. When she glanced up and caught sight of him, her breath caught in her throat. His body was bronzed from the sun. The ripple of muscle in his shoulders and upper arms reminded her of his strength, and the dark gold hair covering his massive chest emphasized his raw masculinity. The hair tapered to his flat stomach, then disappeared beneath the waist of his black pants.
'I don't want Daniel to touch me.'
Mary's whispered fear captured Jamie's attention. 'It's only natural to be a little afraid,' she whispered, trying to sound as if she knew what she was talking about.
'He kissed me.'
Jamie smiled. Now she felt that she was on safe ground. She knew all about kissing. 'It's his right to kiss you, Mary. Alec kissed me, too,' she added.
'Twice, if you count the wedding kiss. I thought it was very nice.'
'Did he kiss you the way a man kisses a woman when he wants to mate with her?'
Mary asked. 'You know, did his tongue touch yours?'
Jamie didn't know what Mary was talking about, but she wasn't going to let her ignorance show. 'You didn't like it, Mary?' she asked, avoiding a true answer.
'It was disgusting.'
'Oh, Mary.' Jamie sighed. 'Perhaps, in time, you'll get to like the way Daniel kisses.'
'I might have liked it if he hadn't been so angry with me,' Mary muttered. 'He just grabbed me and kissed me. I still don't know why he's upset. He keeps frowning.'
'You aren't imagining this anger?'
'No. Will you speak to him, Jamie? Find out what has him so prickly.'
Daniel walked over and sat down next to Mary before Jamie could answer her request. She nudged Mary, then motioned to the food. Mary caught the silent message and offered a portion of the food to her husband.
Alec separated himself from the threesome. He sat on the ground with his back against a fat tree trunk. He looked very relaxed. One leg was bent at the knee, making the sleek bulge of muscle in his thigh all the more prominent.
Jamie tried not to look as nervous as she was feeling. Alec was staring at her.
She told herself she just wasn't used to being the center of anyone's attention, and surely that was the only reason she was feeling so awkward.
She motioned him over to join her. Alec shook his head, then ordered her to come to him.
Jamie decided to give in. He was her husband and she supposed it was her duty to try to get along with him. She gathered a large wedge of cheese, some crusty bread, one of the three leather pouches of ale, and finally walked over to Alec.
He accepted her offering without comment. Jamie started to go back to Mary's side, but Alec wouldn't let her leave. He pulled her down next to him, softening her fall by bracing his arm around her waist.
She couldn't help but notice how possessive his touch was. She kept her back as straight as a lance and folded her hands in her lap.
