Love Wild and Fair Read Online Free PDF Page B

ever so slightly, and his thumb reached out to rub the tantalizing pink point into hardness. He heard her gasp softly, and a smile spread across his lips.
    He bent to kiss her, and heard his cloak fall to the floor as she wound her arms about his neck. Carefully he pulled the shift off her lovely body and dropped it on the cloak. He stroked her satiny skin. Though she trembled, she murmured contentedly and clung to him. Suddenly he stopped, and she protested.
    “Please, my lord! More! I am not afraid.”
    But the earl was afraid, for his own desires were fast mounting. He knew he would soon have to stop, or he would take her there and then.
    “Cat! Sweetheart! Listen to me. I am beginning to want you very much. If I dinna send ye away now, I may not be able to deny myself the pleasure of yer sweet body.”
    “Please, my lord, I want ye too. Take me now!”
    Had she been anyone else he would have eagerly complied, but this was Cat, his innocent betrothed, who was just awakening to the joys of love. “Nay, hinny. In the light of morning things will look different. If I stole yer virginity now ye’d hate me for it later on.”
    Sighing, he slipped the shift back over her head. He carried her back to her own bed and tenderly tucked her in. “Good night, love,” he whispered as he closed the door behind him.
    Cat Hay lay still in the warmth of her bed and listened to the winter night. The fire burned with soft sounds. An owl hooted and was answered by a wolf. She now understood what her mother meant. But she also understood Ailis, and had more sympathy for cousin Fiona. She let her mind wander back over the last half-hour. Her breasts grew taut, and she flushed. For the rest of the night, Cat Hay alternated between restless sleep and restless wakefulness. He young body ached for Patrick’s touch.
    When they met to ride in the morning he greeted her in his accustomed manner. She followed his example until they were safely away from the castle. Then, turning slowly to him, she said. “I regret nothing of last night.”
    He smiled at her intensity. “There is nothing to regret, Cat. We but kissed and fondled … the innocent pastime of lovers since time began.”
    “I will come to ye again,” she said.
    He chuckled. “You will stay in yer own bed like a good girl,” he commanded, “or I’ll nae be responsible for my actions.”
    She pouted at him. “I willna stay away.”
    He stared at her and realized, to his utter amazement, that she meant it My God, he thought! She’s a tigress! He said sternly, “If ye disobey me, I shall take a hazel switch, and beat your pretty bottom. I mean it!”
    She appeared in his room again that night Handing him a hazel switch, she shrugged her cloak off. She was naked. He threw the switch in the fire and, catching her to him, kissed her deeply. He allowed his fingers to stray between her legs. She moaned softly, and did not stop him.
    The Twelfth Night festivities ended and the cousins departed for their own homes. The earl insisted that Catriona return to Greyhaven for a few weeks before coming back to Glenkirk for their wedding. Cat had not wanted to go. But she had been coming to Patrick’s room each night, and he felt that if he didn’t get some respite from the torture she was inflicting on him, he would do something they would both be sorry for.
    Two weeks before the wedding she returned, bringing her dowry of clothing, jewels, linens, and furnishings. To Patrick’s dismay she was moved into the apartments of the Earl and Countess of Glenkirk, of which his bedroom was a part. There had never been a lock on the door between the bedrooms. For him to put one on now would cause much talk. The first night of her return he stayed up late talking with Adam, hoping she would be asleep when he retired.
    Finally he bid his brother good night and went to his room. The door between the rooms stood open. He listened, but there was no sound. Quickly and quietly he stripped his clothing