Page 120 of Edge of Yesterday

Chapter Twenty

Julianna slipped down the rear stairs and reached the garden unnoticed. She sunk onto the stone bench near the herb beds and turned her face to the morning sun that managed to peek through the clouds. She felt a sense of wonderment, a fluttery lightness inside her. She was well and truly married. Strange, this unexpected marriage to Cailean felt somehow more real than had her marriage to Walter. Perhaps it has something to do with the wedding night. Walter had been considerate. He tried to please her and Julianna believed he loved her—and she had loved him. But she hadn’t realized something was missing.

The passion.

The delicious way she shivered each time her Cailean looked at her. How aware she was of him, almost as if her skin tingled and her blood caught fire simply walking beside him. Her heartbeat quickened around him, and deep in her belly she warmed and melted. Aye, as she’d guessed, such was a woman’s need, her craving.

Or was it more?

Was it possible to speak of love so early? She had met Cailean but a week ago, yet he’d stirred feelings she hadn’t known existed—and pleasure she hadn’t known possible. Why did the memory of his hands flexing on the back of her neck cause her to flush? And when he touched the sensitive place between her legs--she shivered. Heaven help her, just the thought of him made her want him. Nothing Walter had done to her made her shiver as she had last night.

“Julianna.”

Julianna snapped her eyes open at her father’s call. He stood beside the bench. Heat crept up her cheeks.

“I knew I would find you here.” He sat on the bench beside her. “This has been your favorite place since you were able to walk.” His brow furrowed. “Are ye well?”

She smiled shyly. “I am.”

“He treated you well?”

He had asked the same question with Walter.

Julianna nodded. “He is kind.”

“Is that all?”

Her face heated again. “Is that not enough?”

“Not if ye can have more.” He looked at her, his gaze going deep. “Are you happy?”

She nodded. “Aye.”

“We know nothing of him.”

Guilt surfaced. “The marriage was my doing.”

He lifted a brow. “Did ye tie Cailean to your bed?”

“Nae, but—”

“No buts,” he cut in. “He is just as culpable as are you.”

I invited him to my room, seduced him, she added silently.

“Dinnae blame him, father,” she said.

He smiled gently. “How could I? Any man in his right mind could not deny you.” He tweaked her nose. “And ye know that.”

She had no trouble finding suitors, despite the rumors that the Ravenstone family had made a pact with the devil or was cursed. Money—and beauty—overcame many ills.

“I am sorry,” she said.

His brows lifted again. “I know ye too well, Julianna.”

She shook her head. “Nae, father, I would not have him put his life in danger.”

Her father’s expression darkened. “Crowe overstepped his bounds.”