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Catriona breathed a smile before she pulled him for another steamy kiss. “I cannot contest you there,” she breathed.
His feisty wife yielding to a command of his? Well, miracles did happen. Once in a blue moon, at least. He was not complaining, far from it.
Fingal lifted the feminine frame onto the desk, making her lie on the piles of papers, unconcerned. Skirts bunched up, she cradled him between satiny thighs as he bent over her.
Forgotten, the key fell to the carpet with a muted thud but neither minded.
“You promised to bend me over the desk,” she taunted for his aggravation.
His expert hands had pulled down her underdress, baring her bosom to proceed to kiss, lick and suckle the skin that came uncovered. “Yes, later.” The hot growl left no doubt about the accumulated craving. “I need every inch of you fastened to me first.” His lips feasted on a breast. “I missed you like hell!”
“So did I.” She clutched him with all of her as they embarked on a journey of desire and love.
EPILOGUE
One Year Later
Dear sister mine,
Your last letter filled me with so much joy. It’s superb to hear how well you took up married life. I cannot believe your stable master put Debranua and Fiadhaich in the same stockyard before your wedding. And now you have a foal running around as elegant as you describe.
Your happiness shines all through your words. And your happiness means mine as well in more ways than one, as you may guess.
Stanley and I are expecting. Can you imagine it to happen so fast? Alright, so we have been, you know, tempting destiny and other parts of our persons long before the bans were put. Oh, Catriona, I love him so dearly! We did not even try to resist. To become the Countess of Arleigh proved to be a pale boon compared with our married bliss. He’s the utmost gentleman, everything I ever dreamed of in a husband. And I have only you to thank. Meeting and marrying your Highlander savage—sorry for that—gave us the chance to live out our love. I’m sure you don’t mind it, do you? As for me, I don’t mind you choosing that man in the least! Much on the contrary, I must confess.
I hope you consider a visit to us soon. I did not forget you do not care for town, but I will so much enjoy having you here. Do it for me, please. I will use my condition as an excuse not to travel to the wilds of the country where you made your home. Even if you miss me so much as you state. And I believe you when you say so.
Send news soon!
Your beloved sister
Anna
Catriona folded the paper with a wistful smile. In the drawing room, the watery late afternoon sun tinted the carpet with smooth colour. Anna and Tremaine tied the knot six months ago, to her father’s exasperation and her sister’s utter elation. They were no doubt the perfect match, fond of London and its dubious entertainments. But if that was what Anna wanted, Catriona would respect her wishes.
Debranua foaled a few months ago, Craig having confessed he had facilitated it even while Catriona and Fingal were working with the stallion. Embarrassed, he admitted that he thought both would produce a magnificent breed. He was right. They named the little one Samhradh, summer, to remember when she and her husband met.
A movement in the room told her the nanny brought Ava to her mother. The three-month old baby displayed a tuft of dark hair, but the eyes were still undefined, dark brown probably. Catriona took the girl and gave a break to the nanny. Anna had been so effusive when she came to know of her niece. Aunt and niece had yet to meet.
But her father saw his granddaughter.
After Anna’s wedding, he sat with Drostan and accepted he could do nothing about how his daughters ignored his designs. So, the alliance between the McKendrick and the McTavish had been validated much to everybody’s satisfaction and Catriona’s relief. A rift between the clans served nobody, though Fingal demanded Angus apologise to his elder daughter for his behaviour when they last met. At Marie’s coaxing, the McTavish acquiesced.
The presence of Ava made it all easier, however. Catriona’s parents melted at the sight of the little girl. Fortunately, they did not live nearby, or they would spoil her rot.
Mother and child approached the window to watch the butterflies as Catriona rained kisses on the girl’s rosy petal cheeks.
Two fierce arms enfolded them, accompanied by the scent of horse and man. The love of her life. Her head rested on his broad shoulder with a contentment that spread itself warm and soothing inside her.
“How’s this little hoyden doing?” The throaty voice asked as a masculine finger feathered his daughter’s chin. The big hand caressing their girl brought tears to her eyes. How could such a giant be so heart-melting towards the baby? The sight of them together always filled Catriona with overflowing emotions.
A tender smile reflected on the glass pane back at Fingal. “Drowsy. She’s just awoken.”
“Five minutes for the hurricane to start,” he teased while his head bent for him to brush her temple with his mouth.
She laughed. “You impossible man.”
His arms tightened around them. “Since I met you I’ve dreamed we’d make a baby daughter just like you.”
