Tarnished Honor by J. Lee Coulter Read Free Book Online Page A

uisge beatha. Her stomach rumbled. Ah! Now I ken why. Tis going from her empty gullet straight to her ravishing head. Connall chuckled as he shook his head in response.
    “Come, Brighde. Ye and Amy need to eat afore ye have anymore.” As he carried her to the table he felt a ge n tle touch stroke his bristled cheek. Startled, he glanced at her. She had never initiated tenderness betwixt them before. Her overture pleased him greatly. His shaft stirred in his trews, anticipating the eve ahead.
    “I like your beard in this fashion, husband . Tis soft and nae over-long.” Passion flared in her eyes as she, too, looked forward to this eve. Connall nearly dropped her as she raked her teeth lightly down his earlobe. Chills shot through him.
    “We are nae alone, wife.” He growled in her ear. She was driving him to distraction. Brighde swung her head around to find a large group of strangers staring at them. She blushed at her forwardness in front of them.
    “Who are they?” she whispered in his ear.
    “They are my clansmen, lass. They be yours now, as well.” He could not hide his amusement over her disco m fort.
    “Oh dear. I fear that I am nae making a good first i m pression. They must think me to be a wanton.”
    Connall’s lips brushed her delicate ear. “Nay, wife. They think ye are a tipsy lass who is smitten with her hu s band.” Brighde’s face flushed deeper. He gave her a r e sounding kiss then proceeded to feed her.
    * * *
    Brighde was drying her sable tresses near the fire by the time Connall was able to escape the well-wishes of his clansmen. She had not heard him enter, focusing intently on removing the snarls in her hair. He observed her from the shadows while removing his clothing for his bath.
    Connall never tired of beholding her beauty. She was a stunning woman . Her straight nose and pouty lips compl i mented her oval face. And her body! His shaft stirred as his eyes memorized the contours of her voluptuous curves.
    He tore his gaze away, stepping into the tub. The warm liquid was refreshing to his tired frame as it eased the te n sion that had been building since they left Urquhart. There was an uneasiness lurking in the back of his mind. Try as he might, he had been unable to shake it. Blacksword a t tributed it to his warrior instincts…trying to dismiss it. Still it lingered.
    As he dunked his head to remove the soap he reco g nized what it was that bothered him. Ross gave in too eas i ly! He said nae a word during the bedding, the we d ding…nor our departure. Tis nae likely that he would give up so readily after offering two hundred gold coins for the lass. The storm may delay him…but Blacksword was ce r tain that they had not seen the last of him.
    Connall felt the heat of her perusal boring into his backside before glancing her way. Her blue-green eyes had grown dark with desire as she observed her husband towe l ing himself dry.
    Brazenly, her eyes traveled across his wide shoulders past biceps too large for her to wrap her small hands about. His broad bronzed chest was supported by well-defined ri bs and a flat stomach. From that point, she followed a path of black hair that ended at the juncture of his increasing shaft. Brighde’s tongue flicked her dry lips, her attention riveted to that spot. Liquid heat pooled in her groin as passion flared.
    The Earl reached her in three strides…locking his eyes with hers. Neither spoke as he swept her into his embrace, lips fused together with desire. Tongues dancing to a tim e less mating ritual as frenzied hands explored each other’s form . Connall groaned. He must slow down for her sake. He broke the kiss, inhaling deeply to get himself under co n trol. Hands shaking with passion, he lifted her chemise over her head and tossed it to the floor.
    His eyes flared at the goddess before him. “Ye are beauteous, indeed, Brighde!” His deep voice rumbled with desire. He palmed her breasts in his hands, kneading them gently.
    She moaned at his