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“You are no gentleman, husband,” she said, as if testing the word.

“Nor did I claim to be,” he said, their conversation cut off by the chieftain himself. He’d apparently just emerged from the chapel.

“I am sorry your brother did not join us,” the chief said to Avelina.

“As am I,” she said, clearly meaning the words.

They both looked at Niall, but he had nothing to add. He was only sorry for it inasmuch as it pained Lina. For himself, Niall was glad to be free of the MacKinlay’s presence.

“But now,” Tannochbrae said, turning to the crowd. “We celebrate the union of two clans, neighbors and allies of Tannochbrae, with a feast. All,” he shouted to the gathered crowd. “Are welcome.”

More cheers greeted his words after Niall finally remembered his manners. “I failed to tell you how beautiful you look today, lady wife.”

Her smile was Niall’s reward, and the only one he needed.

“And I’ve a surprise under this gown for you, my esteemed husband. But you must wait for this eve to see it.”

They looked at one another. “A surprise?”

“Indeed.”

“I think I will not wait for it,” he said, surprising her in return by scooping Lina into his arms as he’d done two nights before when carrying her to bed. This time, though he might not be able to whisk the woman into Tannochbrae’s keep and into her bedchamber, he had other plans.

“To the hall,” he said, the crowd clearly enjoying their display.

And though they followed, he had no intention of taking Lina directly to the hall. He’d see his wife’s surprise, one he’d discover now, and Niall knew precisely where to do it.

Chapter Twenty-Three

After calling back to the crowd that they would meet them in the hall, Niall turned toward the gardens where they’d had that first discussion. Though it was empty, when he put her down and looked at her in a way that left nothing to interpretation, Avelina shook her head.

“Nay, we cannae. Someone may come into the gardens and see us.”

He navigated them to a path behind the tallest trees in the gardens, but even so, they would have little warning were someone to come upon them.

“You are my wife,” Niall said, pulling her into his arms. “If they see us, so be it.”

Avelina looked to the entrance of the gardens. “What if—”

But her words were cut off when her husband’s mouth descended onto hers. His kiss, wild and demanding, was something she could not ignore and did not wish to. So, responding in kind, despite the threat of discovery, it was not long before Avelina wished for more.

Which was precisely when she realized her husband was using both hands to lift her gown. Remembering her surprise, she pulled away and then promptly helped him.

The seamstress had made the fine lace wedding garter as a gift, something Avelina had learned of only when getting dressed. And for which she was grateful. With no mother or family to speak of present, since her brother refused to attend, and without even her own maid, Avelina had been both nervous and a bit shy until donning the very sultry garter and ties.

Knowing her husband would like them, Avelina was proven right as her gown was properly lifted.

Groaning, he knelt in the graveled stone and proceeded to kiss each of her legs around the material. Her hands now in his hair, Avelina relished in the gentle touch, his fingers moving each bit of lace to the side to kiss underneath them as well. By the time he stood, her legs were shaking, Avelina remembering the other times he was between her legs.

He fixed her dress while Avelina used his arms to steady herself to stand. “As dearly as I’d wish to bury myself under your gown,” he said, “I fear ‘twould be noticeable, the disheveled state of your beautiful wedding finery, when we returned.”

“Or,” she said, “mayhap you wish to tease and torment me so that I might be shaking for you by the time the evening comes.”

Niall cupped her cheeks. “You are already shaking for me, love. And I do enjoy it very much. As I did enjoy my surprise. Though not as much as I will enjoy removing them with my teeth later.”

She had no opportunity to explore that visual in her mind before Niall’s lips were on hers once again. Avelina would have remained in the garden for the remainder of the day, but the thought of the hall filled with guests, without a bride or groom, had her pulling away.

“We should attend our own wedding feast.”