1
God save him, she smelled of a field of roses and tasted sweeter than port wine. Drawing her hands over her mouth Charlotte gasped. “Hugh. How did we end up on the bed?” “ I think we must have floated, ” he whispered.Amy Jarecki
2
Steeling her resolve, she stepped further into the study. “Regardless if I have your blessing, I have made up my mind. I love Hugh Maclain. It is he whom I will wed.” Pap guzzled the remaining dregs. Slamming the bottle to the table with a belch, his gaze wandered to the hearth rather than to Charlotte. “No.” He drew the word out and it hung in the air and chilled like death. “You cannot marry a corpse. .Amy Jarecki
3
He pulled her into his arms. Closing his eyes, he savored every inch of her small frame. God, why did she have to be the daughter of the Governor of Fort William? Why could she not be a simple lass from his clan. “Och, mo leannan, what am I to do with you?” She took in a stilted gasp. “Love me.Amy Jarecki
4
She held her finger to his lips. “We have a lifetime to reveal our secrets.” In a bold move, she took his hand and led him to the bed. Ever so eager to follow, Hugh’s mouth suddenly went dry. Hell, he couldn’t even manage a swallow. “Are you ready, my love?” he croaked. Licking those delectable lips, she nodded. “I want you more than the air I breathe.Amy Jarecki
5
Would you like to see where I will build your house, m’lady?” She grinned. “You mean our house?” He mirrored her smile. “Aye.” Taking her hand, he led her along the path to the mouth of the River Coe. They stood on a curved peninsula high above the river where it would be free from floods. Hugh spread his arms wide and looked across Loch Leven. “The hills of Glencoe will be our backdrop, the river of the Coe will be our music, and our galleys will sail through the water of the Leven to Loch Linnhe and out to sea. Mark me, my love, Clan Iain Abrach will rebuild, and will once again rule these lands.” He looked into her eyes and saw joy there. “And you will be my queen.Amy Jarecki