At least there she could gaze at the stars and watch the water lap at the side of the boat. The evening was cold to be sure, but her insides relaxed once she got outside. Fifteen minutes later, she heard the soft lap of oars slicing into the water.
Squinting into the night, she could see it was a lone oarsmen and soon she recognized Blair’s broad shoulders.
She suppressed a yelp of excitement as she crossed the deck to meet him as he climbed aboard. He swallowed her into a hug the moment his foot had reached the planking. “It’s good tae see ye.”
“How did it go?” she asked breathlessly.
“They’ll be here first thing in the morning to see to the cannon and take statements from other people aboard the crew,” he said. “Apparently it isn’t their first run-in with McKenzie.”
One corner of her mouth turned down. “I’m not surprised. McKenzie thinks he’s above the law,” she said. “Will they prosecute?”
“Tough to say.” Blair brushed his hand down her arm. “But we’ll get out from under his influence one way or the other.”
She reached for his hand. “Have you eaten?”
“Aye, lass. Thanks.” He followed behind her, his hand coming to her waist.
“Let’s go to bed then.” She turned her head to give him a long look. She wanted a great deal more than to fall asleep.
Her heart hammered in her chest as several emotions clogged her throat. She was elated to be married to such a man, but worried that he’d grow to resent her sooner rather than later. Despite what Will had said, she didn’t think he cared enough for his affection to last. She was frightened of what McKenzie might do, and excited for what the future could hold without such a man in this province.
Fortunately, as they made their way to their quarters, Blair’s lips found the shell of her ear. It would be so much easier to lose herself in her husband’s touch than to allow these thoughts to continue swirling about. Much as she wanted to talk, she wanted to forget more.
“How did your day go?” he asked.
“Fine,” she answered turning to place her arms about his neck. She wanted to be close to him.
He placed pressure at her waist. He wasn’t pushing her away but he was holding her back. “Ye paid the men, they’ll return?”
“They will,” she replied.
He squinted down at her. “What’s wrong? Why are yer answers so short?”
She gave a little sigh. “I just…I want to touch ye. Something about this morning. Watching you…” Heat filled her cheeks. “I really missed you today.”
“I missed you too.” He stopped holding her back and instead pulled her to him.
Their touch was heated, filled with their excitement over the day and the newness of their relationship. By the time they were done, Elle lay spent on Blair’s chest. Her new favorite place.
“Elle,” he called, his fingers softly stroking her hair. “What did ye mean today when ye said that ye won’t regret marrying me?”
Her eyes popped open as surprise rippled through her. “Just that I’ll do my best to be a good wife.” That was mostly true. It wasn’t the whole truth, of course.
He gave nod. Then gathering her closer, he whispered, “I’m lucky to have ye.”
She lifted her head then. “Blair,” her voice caught. “How can ye say that? Ye deserve a woman who is a real lady who understands the fine things in life. Not one like me. Broken and beat down.”
He sat up, taking her with him so that she was perched in his lap, their faces close together. “Is that what ye think?”
She turned her face to the wall. “I’m nothing but trouble and I’ll bring it right to yer door. I meant to be alone. Only rely on myself. It was only later I realized that by staying alone, I was sparing any suitors from harm. I didn’t mean tae do this tae ye, but I’ll try to make up fer it.”
He dropped his forehead to hers. “It’s me who should be making up tae ye. That wedding was no woman’s dream.”
Wrapping her arms about his neck, he shook her head. “It wasn’t yer fault, it was mine. I’m sorry yer stuck with me but I—”
“What?” He tightened his grip about her waist. “Ye think that I am stuck with ye? Ye are the one who didn’t want to marry.” And then he was kissing her, madly, deeply.
She might have been shocked or indignant but twined toget