“You’re backearly,” I pointed out.
“Is that a badthing?” He took one of my feet and lifted it to his lips, placingkisses along the inside of my ankle.
“No, just anobservation,” I replied and felt my nipples harden as his lipsclimbed the length of my leg. “I got you something to wear.”
“Did you,now?” Henry answered mindlessly, preoccupied with the pink skin ofmy inner thigh.
“Yes, black,your favorite color,” I said cheekily.
“You know mewell.” His fingers traced the creases around my hips and upperthigh.
“D-dideverything go alright with the wine barrels?”
I felt hismouth grin against my skin at my falter.
“Yes, the tidewas on our side and we rowed quickly.” My leg returned to thecomfort of the warm water as Henry shifted and moved closer,positioning himself between my thighs, face only inches from mine.“But I reckon if I knew I had this waiting for me I would havejumped overboard and swam back.”
I grabbed holdof his face and closed the few inches between us, touching myforehead to his. “If I had my way, I never would have let you go inthe first place.”
“Everythingwas fine,” he assured me. “You’ve got nothin’ to worry about.”
I grabbed holdof his jaw and forced his gaze upward. “You swear? I have nothingto be concerned about? Nothing from your past that I shouldknow?”
“Nothing frommy past matters anymore. Not now. Not ever. So long as I’m withyou.” His eyes urged me to believe. “I swear it.”
In response Irolled my hips upward. “Good.”
Henry moanedin delight, and my body felt the vibration of that deep, throatygrowl. “It’ll be over soon. All of it. And then we can spend therest of our lives in bed together.”
Even thoughthe very thought was silly, I joined Henry in the fantasy. Anchoredin the moment, it was just him and I. My writhing body, his ablehands, and the subtle splash of hot water in the silence of ourcandlelit room.
***
It was wellpast eight o’clock and I worried that Wallace would be displeasedwith us showing up late. But I quickly reminded myself that she’dhave to understand, given the short notice she’d allotted us to getready for such an event. Considering we’d only had a few hours tofind proper formalwear, I think we done alright.
I twisted andturned in the long mirror of my room, admiring the way the stunningdress flowed to the floor in a thick curtain of red silk, and theway the altered black corset curved above my pregnant belly andhugged what little torso I had left. Madam Guthrie took someliberty with the neckline and altered it to a plunging dip whichshowed off my heaving bosom. That woman really could work magicwith those boney fingers of hers.
From my velvetsatchel, I fetched Henry’s mother’s ring. All day I’d been dying toshow him, to see that joy on his face. I knew we’d be wed soon, butI also knew how desperately he wished for his mother’s wedding ringon my finger.
Suddenly, thedoor opened, and Henry peeked in. “Are you ready to–”
His handslipped from the handle and I relished in the way his eyes widenedat the very sight of me.
“Christ,” hesaid in a whisper of awe and entered the room fully. He lookedpainfully good in the outfit I chose for him. “You’re stunning,Dianna. That dress. You’re a vision of a goddess.” Henry stopped infront of me and gleamed down at my warming cheeks. “I’d be a smartman to not let you out of my sight tonight.”
The ringpressed against the skin of my clenched and nervous palm. “Tonight?Or forever?” I asked him, preparing myself to reveal the treasureI’d found.
“Forever is agiven, my pirate queen.”
He tipped mychin and placed a soft, sensual kiss on my quivering lips. God, theman sure knew how to fill my head with clouds. I fought through thefog as he pulled away and opened my mouth to speak but wasinterrupted by the abrupt opening of the door.
“Aye, bloodChrist!” Finn spewed loudly. “Is we goin’ yet, or what? My bellycraves the heavy weight of wineand good grub.”
“Finn,” Isaid, forgetting the initial annoyance I felt at his intrusion as Itook in the dapper sight of him. Decked out with the Artair tartanand outfit I’d gotten for him, Finn looked like a proper Scottishgentleman. If a thing ever existed. “You look so handsome!”
He gave a mockexpression of gloating as he tugged at the collar of his emeraldjacket and smoothed the freshly cleaned hair of his long, redbeard. “That’s Sir Finn Artair, to ye poppers.”
He dropped theact and we all shared a lighthearted laugh. But my friend’s facequickly turned serious and those big green eyes glistened withappreciation. “Thank ye, Captain. ‘Tis been many years since I laideyes on me clan’s colors. It fills me heart with pride to wearit.”
“Well, itlooks great on you,” I told him.
“Is everyoneready to go?” Henry asked.
“Aye, readyand waitin’,” Finn replied dutifully and waggled his big, redeyebrows. “Let’s clean this wench out of French wine and delight inthe feast, for tomorrow is another day and we’ve got ourselves adevil to catch.”
I inhaleddeeply and exchanged a glance with Henry before we followed Finn tothe stairs. Yes, tonight may be filled with yuletide celebration,but I would truly celebrate once I put a stop to my sister. Tonightwas a matter of obligation, to keep the peace with Wallace as wesearched for Maria. A fact that never truly left my mind. OrHenry’s, I realized from the way the look in his eyes seemed tomirror mine.
I had to havefaith that my wish was conspiring with the universe to work itsmagic. That I’d eventually be brought to Maria and save my motherfrom the dark fate that chased her. I wondered, as I descended thestairs to the tavern below, if Mom knew her what her daughters weredoing. That one hunted her down while the other fought to save her.Was she tucked safely away with the Celtic witches? Or did shereside somewhere out in
