Then Katie filled the Scottish Quaich, a two-handled silver bowl, with whisky and passed it around for the wedding party to sip. It had taken Alasdair some time to find the traditional bowl on such short notice, but he’d turned one up from a villager who’d been more than happy to share his family heirloom with them for the wedding.
As a final tribute to tradition, Katie sat on a chair as an older married woman of the Stirling clan sat on a stool and washed and dried her feet.
Evan was quite anxious to be done with all the traditional celebrating and wanted to hurry his wife upstairs to his bedchamber. He had ideas for his own celebration that involved a fine bottle of wine he’d found in the basement, along with candles and soft linen sheets.
He was growing hard just thinking about it, and if he dinnae find a way to bring his body under control, he wouldn’t be able to walk across the room with her. But Katie seemed to be having a good time, dancing with her brother, then Alasdair, and then a few of her kinsmen. And then a few of the MacDuff kinsmen.
’Twas not jealousy he felt as he watched her, cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling as she danced with one of the Stirling lads. However, no one else should see her thus—her lovely breasts swaying with the music.
The Stirling lad passed her along to another mon he didn’t ken, and a new song started up. Evan growled in frustration.
“Why dinnae ye join the others and dance a bit?” Alasdair sat alongside him, wiping the sweat from his face. His brother had always enjoyed these events, while Evan had tried his verra best to avoid them. But a mon couldn’t avoid his own wedding celebration.
“I did dance.”
Alasdair took a swig of ale. “Aye. Ye marched Katie around the room and then tried yer best to haul her upstairs when ye passed the staircase.”
“She appeared tired. I thought she might do with a nap,” he groused.
Alasdair’s laugh could probably be heard in London. “Aye, yer right. The lass does look a bit peaked.” He gestured in the direction of the dancers.
Just then, the man dancing with Katie picked her up by her waist and swung her around, forcing her to cling to his shoulders. Meanwhile, the man’s thumbs were a wee too close to Katie’s breasts.
“That’s enough!” Evan stood and strode passed the revelers and snatched Katie from the man’s arms. “My wife looks a wee bit tired. I think ’tis time for us to retire for the night.”
“Night?” Alsadair called from the table. “’Tis no more than four in the afternoon.”
Katie looked exactly how he wanted to see her in his bed. Flushed, panting, her eyes shining with excitement. No one should put that look on her face except her husband.
“Actually, I am a wee bit worn out. I dinnae sleep a whole lot last night.” She slumped against him, her breathing still erratic. “But I want to say good night to Gavin before we depart.”
“Aye. I’ll go with ye.”
Gavin was off in a corner with some of the other lads who were playing some sort of a ring toss game. The lad seemed much more at ease with other children since he’d arrived. Evan had taken him riding a few times and was even teaching him how to use a dirk. Gavin was a fast learner and eager to acquire skills that the other lads seemed to have learned from their das.
“Gavin, the laird and I are retiring for the night.”
Gavin nodded at his sister but never looked up.
“Gavin.” She leaned in and pinched his chin. “I’m speaking to ye.”
“Ach, sorry. I was watching the game.” He glanced briefly at Katie, then returned his attention to the game. Katie shook her head and straightened.
“Gavin.” Evan’s deep voice drew the boy’s notice.
“Aye?” Abruptly the lad shifted his position and looked at Evan, his shoulders straight.
“Yer sister is speaking with ye, lad. ’Tis not a monly thing to do to ignore a lady when she speaks with ye.”
He ignored the snort that came from his wife.
“Aye. ’Tis sorry I am, Katie.” He looked directly at his sister, but his eyes kept returning to the game.
“Ach. ’Tis fine, Gavin. Enjoy yerself. We will see ye in the morning.” Katie kissed the top of the boy’s head and took Evan’s outstretched hand. “Will Alasdair be watching him?”
“Aye. I reminded him earlier that he’s to keep a watch on the lad. ’Twill be a good thing when we’re on our way.” They made their way across the room, ignoring the calls for them to have a bedding ceremony. Most of the men were drunk, and if they attempted to carry him up the stairs, as was the tradition, he would probably land on his head and have no wedding night at all.
Once they reached the top of the stairs, Evan bent and scooped Katie into his arms. He strode to his bedchamber and kicked the door open, shutting it with his foot. The short walk to the bed was long enough for him to enjoy a taste of Katie’s sweet, warm mouth. He dumped her on the bed, and she bounced a few times, giggling like a wee lass.
Evan grinned as he began to unbutton his shirt, staring at her as she raised herself up on her elbows to study him. “Now ’tis time for my celebration, lass.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Katie snuggled closer to the warmth at her back. As she slowly came out of her slumber, she felt sore between her legs and realized she was naked. Her eyes snapped open. Except for the night in the cottage, she’d never slept without a nightgown before. Confused for a moment, she frowned and turned toward the source of the warmth.
Evan.
Her husband.
He slowly
