She lay on her stomach across the large poster bed with her head propped on her hand. Intently watching him get dressed.
"Do we really have to go?" she asked pouting.
She watched as he dressed in clothing that was nothing compared to male clothing of her time.
He turned slowly to look at her. With a slow smile he came closer and sat by her side. She turned on her back to look up at him. He lovingly smoothed away a loose lock of hair from her forehead. Tilting his head to the side he took in the gorgeous rich tone of her skin and captivating color of her eyes.
It's been 3 months since her breakdown and since then she has been slowly recovering. In that time he has tried his best to make it up to her. To calm her and make her feel at ease. It terrified him to no end and he feared she would never be the same.
The bone chilling account of her seeing her mother was a wake up call for them both. She was on deaths door that night. Willing to give up. And he was greatful it did not come to that. To loose her...He didn't want to think of it. He couldn't.
He smiled and she sweetly raised her fingers to his cheek.
"We have to go. If we are going to do this we must do it now. And the sooner the better. So that you and I can get married." he said.
She smiled then mockingly rolled her eyes.
"Are you sure you want to marry me. I am a pain," she huffed.
"No more than I," He grinned.
"I snore," she added narrowing her eyes.
"As do I," he inched closer.
"I hog the sheets and I am very cranky in the mornings," she lifted her chin.
He nodded with a chuckle. "I know."
With a gasp she giggled and shoved his chest until he fell back and she climbed above him.
Looking down at him, her hair fell forward creating a silky dark curtain around them. The sweet floral scent of her engulfed his senses and he inhaled it all. He tucked a few locks behind her ear and pulled her closer to him.
"There is nothing you can say or do that would change my mind Tara. You complete me and I want nothing more than for you to be my wife, bare my children and for me to grow old with you." he whispered.
His words warmed her and sent her heart racing.
She lowered her lips to his and what began as a sweet and tender kiss, slowly grew passionate and hot.
He pulled away from the kiss to stare deep into her eyes.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," she whispered back.
In no time she was beneath him as he showed her just how much he really loved her.
*******
Idle fingers got slapped away lightly following his chuckle as they got dressed.
"Behave Duncan," she chastised him with a laugh pulling out of his reach.
His hungry gaze turned into a wicked grin that followed while he untied her hair and delved his hands into its lush softness inhaling the scent that drove him wild.
"Look Mr. Sticky fingers if we continue this way we are not going to make it out of here," she giggled.
He chuckled and turned her to face him. He cocked his head to his side.
"Can we not indulge a little more." his velvety smooth voice brushed over her.
"No... ," she smiled playfully placing the palm of her hand against his chest to hold him at bay.
With a breath filled sigh he gave in placing a kiss on her forehead.
They were soon in the courtyard surrounded by fifty of his guards waiting as they bid farewell to his father and the servants.
**********
They had ridden out through the beautiful countryside taking in its lush terrain. After sometime of there ride, he pulled her above his horse and sat her before him. He lovingly nuzzled his nose and lips against her neck and pointed out the wonderous expanse of his lands and the bordering lands of Maularde that were a bit smaller than his.
Happily, she asked about the livestock that grazed the lands stopping briefly to pet the horses that idly walked about eating grass.
They continued on until finally they were met with the beginning flanks of a porticullis that lead way to Marlaudes keep. Duncan's banners were raised high enough for the guards to see them and know who it was as they slowly approached.
They finally crossed and stood waiting for it to open as they were lead through to his courtyard and to the front doors of the greathall. Curious eyes of peasants and workers watched them as they stepped down off of their horses.
A large burly man stood by the entrance with a few guards and a tall girl. Tara summized it was Marlaude and his daughter Erica as they approached them and greeted them.
"M'lord t'is a pleasure to meet you," Duncan stepped forward and held out a hand.
Immediately Marlaude outstreched his own arms pulling him into a hearty bear hug.
"Lad, you have grown," he chuckled.
Stepping aside he motioned for his daughter to step forward and watched as she coyly curtsied and addressed him in a sweet manner.
She was taller than her by mere inches. Where her hair was a reddish brown and long down her back, Taras was Dark brown in bouncy shinny ringlet lay cascaded down her shoulders and back she had icy blue eyes where Taras was hazel.
Tara quickly snapped out of her musings as Duncan announced his reasons for visiting and asked for an audience in private with Marlaude.
He nodded and hurried everyone into the greathall and instructed Duncan to follow him to his solar.
Tara, Duncan and Aidan entered along with Marlaude and his daughter. He sat down and offered them to sit as well.
In that instant he stood up, Marlaude narrowed his eyes and caught sight of Tara. His eyes twinkled with criousity at the bewitching girl in Duncans company.
"And this beauty, Duncan. Don't tell me that ruddy old man of your father had a daughter." he chuckled heartily slapping Duncan roughly on the back that he nearly pitched forward on his face.
With a grimmace of some discomfort he straightened up and cleared his throat.
"No....M'lord. I would like to introduce you to Tara Michaels." without hesitation large calloused hands eagerly pulled her palm forward and bowed over them to kiss them lightly.
"My fiancé," Duncan finished.
Tara stood before the burly man that stiffened holding her hand. Slowly his head rose to peer up at her.
The silence in the chamber that followed stood the hairs on her back and a shiver down her spine. Immediately, her eyes caught the surprised look of his daughter that slowly turned to contempt.
He stood slowly straightening his back and still silent he turned to face Duncan. Straightening to his full hight he flexed his hands behind his back waiting for what was to come.
Their gazes clashed as Maularde stepped closer towards Duncan.
"Your Fiancé?" he hissed.
Smouldering eyes clashed with one another as they stepped closer.
"Yes, my fiancé," Duncan confirmed.
"How can this be?, When you are betrothed to my daughter?" he stepped closer glaring at Duncan.
"That was an arrangement between you and my father. One he did not tell me of and I was not aware of."
"So be it, it was an agreement," Marlaude spat.
"Yes an agreement when boardering lands were in conflict. There is no legality to this arrangement. No papers were signed," Duncan held his ground.
Marlaudes jaw clenched and his fists tightened at his sides.
"Your father and I made that promise. I made good on my word. It was a promise we both swore to uphold," he shouted
"One my father has long since forgotten. He is not well. He barely remembers where he is at times to recall such promises," Duncan insisted.
"So you used his illness to your advantage?" Marlaude accused.
"Like I said, I knew nothing of this until your messenger appeared with your missive."
An uneasy silence followed.
Marlaude angrily turned his back and began to pace furiously.
"I came to tell you before hand. I can not marry your daughter. I am already betrothed to Tara."
He watched as Marlaude turned to look at her. His gaze narrowed from her then to him.
"So your father went behind my back and made an arrangement with another?" he shouted.
"No....my father made no arrangements." Duncan yelled back.
"I do not believe you. Why would you marry her but not for an alliance of some sort?" he scoffed.
"Is she the daughter of some Earl, or wealthy Baron? Tell me girl did your father promise an alliance or lands as part of a dowery?" he whirled to face her with a stern glare.
Tara shrunk away from his heated gaze. Not able to answer.
"She has no family here nor lands," Aidan held her close as she began to tremble.
A large vein pulsed at Marlaudes neck as his gaze flicked back and forth between Duncan and Aidan.
"You have made a very big mistake boy," Marlaude warned between clenched teeth.
"Do not threaten me," Duncan stepped closer.
"No. I dont make idle threats," Marlaude grounded out in a low tone.
Duncans nostrils flared and an icy coldness came into his eyes. In a quiet, dangerous voice, he leaned forward and replied with an equal tone of his own. "Than what are you implying?"
"For this insult...I will have your head." Marlaude warned.
*****
Helllooo my Peoples
Sorry this chapter is so shortbut I had to give you guys something while I plot the next juicy chapter.
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