Once Upon a Plaid Read Online Free PDF

one’s youth,’” Katherine quoted, trying to keep bitterness from bleeding into her tone. “‘Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.’ That’s how it goes, isn’t it?”
    “Donald’s quiver is full enough.” Margaret patted her belly. “I’m praying this one’s a girl.”
     
     
    William burst into the bright sunlight, wishing mightily for typical overcast Scottish weather. The heavens seemed determined to remind him that he’d imbibed far too much whisky last night. He ignored the stab of pain behind his eyes and plowed toward Katherine and her sister-in-law.
    “Happy Christmas, good-sister,” he said courteously to Margaret. It would pay him to keep in her good graces. Katherine was devoted to Margie and a man never knew when he’d need a feminine ally.
    “Happy Christmas to you too, good-brother.” She smiled impishly at him and then tossed a wink to Kat. Will suspected Margaret knew more about the state of his marriage than he did. “If ye want me later, Katherine, I’ll be in my chamber with my feet up.”
    “Good,” his wife said. “Ye need your rest.”
    “Rest? Not likely with this one doing somersaults and squirming about.” She laid a protective hand on her belly. “The best I can hope is to keep my ankles from swelling.”
    When Katherine would have followed her into the keep, William caught her elbow. “Walk with me, wife.”
    “In the snow?”
    “There was a time when we’d brave drifts deeper than this to have a moment alone.” He brought her hands to his lips and blew his warm breath on them. Her fingers were icy. She ought to have worn gloves. “Of course, we could always go to our chamber.”
    “In the middle of the morning?”
    “Not so long ago that wouldn’t have mattered either.” He tucked one of her hands into the crook of his elbow and started walking, measuring the length of his stride so she could stay even with him easily. He led her up the steps to the parapet that topped the curtain wall. The view was fine from there. The edge of the loch was rimed with ice. Further out, the deep open water sparkled like jet.
    Will ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “I mind a time when folk said we were so uncommon close, it was impossible to slip a piece of parchment between us. We couldna keep our hands off each other.”
    The way her cheeks pinkened had little to do with the chilly weather. Making his wife blush counted as a win. He cupped her cheek, reveling in the satiny softness of her skin. “I miss those times, love.”
    She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. “I do, too, Will. So much.”
    He lowered his mouth to hers, intending to give her a soft, gentle kiss. But it had been so long since he’d had the comfort of her sweet body, the kiss turned dark and demanding between one breath and the next. Before he knew it, he had her pinned against the stone parapet, pressing his hardness against her. Need flared between them, white hot and relentless.
    Sweet Lord! She arched into him and he feared he might spend on the spot.
    If anyone had told him a man could be so bewitched by his own wife, he’d never have believed it.
    “Oh, Kat, my bonnie Kat.” He started kissing down her neck. God help him, he was ready to lift her skirt and tup her right there within sight of the bailey. It would be quick. Lord, just a thrust or two would send him right over the edge. Then he’d lure her back up to their chamber, where he’d strip off her Christmas finery and—
    Katherine wedged her arms between them and broke off their kiss.
    “Stop it, Will. Anyone might see.”
    “No one’s looking. Most of your father’s men are still asleep and the servants are busy with preparations for the Christmas feast.”
    Katherine used to be the adventurous sort. He remembered the breathless coupling they managed in the shadow of the portcullis one night as watchmen prowled the curtain wall above. She’d had to cover her mouth to keep from crying out as she came