Gillian turned her head to look at Mary but her eyes only met Iain’s broad chest. She didn’t want him to think that she was trying to look at him that would lead to an utterly embarrassing moment. Even if she did like looking at the man, course she couldn’t be blamed. She had never seen any man with such muscular planes, it made her hands itch. She wanted to touch him, see for herself how he felt underneath her fingers.

Oh Lordie, the man was making her daft.

Gillian wiggled back blushing, looking once again at the front; her brain had definitely taken leave of its senses, how could she harbour such improper thoughts. It wasn’t like her to even notice such attributes, let alone dawdle time thinking about it. There could be only one reason for the same; she had too much time on her plate...what with sitting on Iain’s lap. Oh my god, on a man’s lap, well, her husband to be but still and wait didn’t she think she would try to find a way to lay off the marriage. Then, where did the acceptance of Iain as her husband to be come from? This literally doing nothing was surely not something she would recommend other women to take up; it made her feel all dippy. But maybe she was a bit tired, what with all that had happened throughout the day.

Oh leave it, all she simply wanted to do was see for herself if Mary was doing alright especially after her bout of swooning, she had to feel a bit feeble. Perfectly tolerable!

She lifted herself yet again and sighed, if the man could just have a slender chest but then again, Gillian frowned looking at his powerful build; this suited him better. All this time Iain was looking at her trying to make sense of her purpose. She looked beautiful to him, fresh from the wind blowing into their faces, giving her a rosy hue.

He simply wanted to swoop down and kiss her. But that wouldn’t do. Not with his men riding alongside.  The spontaneous show of affection wasn’t what Iain was used to and he wouldn’t, more like couldn’t start that now, warriors had better things to think about like keeping his bride to be safe.  

Gillian finally caught a glimpse of Mary finding her comfortably seated, smiled and  fidgeted yet again, adjusted happily against Iain as they galloped through his homeland.

The man Gillian realized did indeed smell nice.  The warmth of his skin made her want to snuggle in closer. Sensing her she leaned back, finding herself oddly at ease when her back was pressed against his chest burrowing in his warmth.

It had been a glorious day. She had got an adventure of a lifetime, if there wasn’t this worrisome thought of getting married to a Scot, it would have been near perfection.

Gillian shook her head, trust a Scotsman to ruin it all.

She glanced up at him and scowled.

Iain dropped his gaze down and finding her glowering at him wanted to ask her the reason for the same but truly he was really enjoying the unexpected peaceful journey and did not want to break his good luck which the angels themselves seemed to have provided him with by asking her to break her silence. Heavens knew, she could chatter up a storm. His ears really needed rest, along with his mind. Looking at the way the day unfurled itself was a proof enough, he had ventured out of his land to meet his friend Quinn MacIntyre securing an agreement on joint support for their King’s plan of ‘Resurgence’. 

Least he had expected to find himself laden with a bride. A beautiful lady but ‘his’ unwanted bride nonetheless.

And hell, he was having a tough time gauzing his own reaction to her. Iain shook his head, he was sure it was nothing more than an aloof interest. Aye, she had no control over him; she was merely an inconvenience that had fallen in his lap.

Just then Gillian whispered something that the wind carried with itself, hushing the words in its ferocity.

“Speak up, lass,” Iain’s gruff voice reached her.

When his voice reached her, she could feel his chest move. It was quite a different feeling to be so close to a man that it enabled her to feel his words. What was happening to her? She wanted to hear him speak, wanted to feel the words seep through her. But why was he angry?

Gillian frowned at the tone, ”Iain, you’re not supposed to speak with me in that tone.”

He simply grunted in response.

She let out an audible sigh as she faced him, “Because it hurts my delicate sensibilities.”

Iain did not respond, even a grunt would have been better than the silence, Gillian mused. But before she could showcase her displeasure, he squeezed her waist telling her he had understood her. Gillian smiled happily. Gillian let her pleasure know by touching his arm and smiling up at him which made Iain forget his notion of not speaking with her and forcing him automatically to smile back.

Gillian thought, maybe the Scotsman did not like to speak much. Oh, it didn’t bother her much. After all, she definitely had the capability to speak for the two of them. Talking for her was as important as breathing but she no way was a chatterbox. No, that place of recognition had been reserved for her sister, Lydia. Just remembering her siblings, her mother, her father made her homesick. Gillian realized she even missed the young evil, her brother, Michael. 

But she soon cheered up, there was a purpose for this journey and she would also be able to make them meet Iain, she knew Michael would definitely love him. Men like him who looked like gods caught the fancy of young men. Yes, she would enjoy the meeting.

The thought vastly improved her mood and she decided to engage in a conversation with Iain McGregor.

 “Would you like to know what I wanted to ask before you took that rude tone with me?” Gillian asked him.

Iain grunted. Taking the grunt as a yes, well aware of his ways now, she regaled tales about her life in England. It became soon clear to Iain that the lady was loved in her household and much to his dismay realized she was well versed in holding one sided conversation with deliberate ease.

“Gillian, why don’t you tell me the reason as to why you took this journey?”

“But I don’t want to talk about that right now. Did I tell you about the time when Lydia poured water on Michael and…”

Iain smiled it was apparent Gillian wasn’t abused in any manner and the fact immensely pleased him but then why did she leave her household, what was the reason that compelled her to run away.

“Gillian,” he interrupted.

“Yes, Iain.”

Why couldn’t he just listen to her for once, men had no patience. She had so much more to tell him, how else would he come to know about her family, about her life. She couldn’t peg it why but it was very important for her.

 “ But before you interrupt can I ask you something?”

Iain prayed for forbearance, “Aye.”

“Did you really mean it?” Gillian suddenly blurted out.

“Mean what?”

She took her time pondering over the reply and Iain had to nudge her for an answer, “When you wanted to trade the carriage for me?”

Iain wanted to laugh out loud, wasn’t it clear that he had not paid two hoots to the carriage that the carriage wasn’t of importance. “No.”

Gillian smiled, satisfied,” Thank you, Iain. Pray tell me, what would you like to ask me?”

He let out a sigh,” Why did you leave your house at night, Gillian?” Iain did think he deserved an award for showing such unnatural patience. If he had to deal with this woman daily, she would definitely drive him crazy.

 “Fine, I will tell you,” Gillian conceded.

Iain rolled his eyes in muted thanks, he dared not voice his opinion which he was sure would lead to yet another debate and the main question here would be soon forgotten.

“I really have two reasons for my journey,” she began,” and they’re both equally important to me. The first involves my desire to let my father know he cannot not listen to me. You should be aware of my one big flaw, Iain. It wouldn’t be right for me to hide it from you.”

She continued on, as Iain held a branch off with his one hand, to enable their horse to pass off smoothly. And tightened his hold on her waist. The feel of his broad hand that nearly encompassed her waist made Gillian utterly giddy. She couldn’t even remember what it was she was talking about.

“I….I”

“Gillian?” Iain questioned her stammer.

“Well, your touch made me forget the topic. Would you be kind enough to refresh my memory?” She looked innocently at him. Iain couldn’t stop himself; he swooped down and laid a quick kiss on Gillian’s lips which made her blush prettily.

“You cannot do that whenever you want to, Iain,” Gillian spoke in a shy voice.

“Aye, I can,” Iain let her know, he was a master of her actions. “Gillian, Your flaw.”

“Oh yes,” she folded her hands together,” I am a determined woman, Iain. And it is high time, my father recognized the fact.”

Iain let his exasperation show,”And.”

“He should know I don’t want to marry the hard headed Baron Robert Sutton,” Gillian cried out. “I won’t marry him, not now, not ever. You don’t know him Iain, he is the vilest creature and I don’t like him, not one bit. You don’t even know..”

Iain interrupted her as he grasped her chin in his hard hands, waiting till she met his gaze; he spoke slowly and clearly,” You belong to me now, lass.” He kissed her forehead, letting his lips slide over her soft, satiny skin.

Gillian felt very safe; she leaned forward and spontaneously hugged him feeling closer to him ever before,” Thank you, Iain.”

Iain brought her closer to him, brushing his chin on her curls, revelling in her closeness. Her smile made him feel like a hero, worthy of his position than he had felt in any of the wars he had won. Without letting her say anything, Iain grunted as he pushed her head on his shoulder. He couldn’t very well tell her that a simple hug had affected him so powerfully. It simply wouldn’t do.

“Iain I don’t intend on sleeping,” Gillian whispered as she raised her voice.

“Sleep, Gillian.”

“But..”

“No buts.” He spoke in a firm manner.

“Why should I sleep?”

He looked into her eyes and smiled,” Because you’re weak.”

Gillian’s huff of protest was lost in the flurry and she soon found herself tucked neatly in his arm once again.

It was getting chilly; Gillian wanted to ask Iain for a plaid but she knew she could hold onto it. She definitely did not want to shiver as she would not allow Iain to think she was a weakling. She tried hard to maintain her stoic posture. No, she would not give in to the temptation and lean back against his warm as hearth chest. She had her dignity to maintain and a point to prove.

She was not so fragile, she had the capability to stand up for herself but was it cold…why did it have to be so cold. She shivered out of her own accord.

“Gillian, are you cold?”

“No, I am not,” she folded her hands under her breasts.

Iain looked at the back of her head in amusement; his bride to be was really stubborn. He lifted his plaid and engulfed her in warmth.

“Iain.” She began but then hushed up.

Curiosity got better of Iain but before he could question her, she spoke.

She looked at him,” I wanted to thank you for agreeing to send my letter to my father.”

Iain nodded.

Just then they stopped. Iain spoke,” Lass, we rest here for the night.” He looked around the surroundings finding it to be safe enclosed within trees and a small stream flowing nearby. The men started getting down their horses.

Iain jumped down the horse and assisted Gillian down by holding her by her waist, holding her close to him, he leaned yet closer, his face inches from hers. He didn’t want to put her away from him just yet. Unwilling to relinquish her intimacy. Her nearness had been a sort of comfort.

He brought his mouth close to her ear and whispered,” Rest now, lass.” His warm breath sent tingles in her body. She didn’t want him to let go.

Just as he let her go, letting his fingers linger on her waist making her breathless and started to walk away, Gillian spoke,”Iain?”

“Aye?” Iain turned.

“When you called me weak. Did you by any chance mean ‘women’ were weak?” She asked him, her gaze resting on him.

Iain smiled as he took hold of her shoulders,” Nay, lass. Women aren’t weak.”

“Then why did you call me weak?” she let him see her confusion.

He flicked her chin showing affection and turned letting his voice reach her,” Because you my ‘bride to be’ are English.” He let out a chuckle hearing his hellion gasp.

****

Hello! *waves*

I am so very sorry I am a little late *opens arms for a big hug* but really I have an excuse. Blame the weather. *Glares* It’s been just too cold. *shivers* I need spring and rainbows. I don’t want to know how but club them together and give it to me NOW. Right now. *sighs and shivers*

Forgive your beautiful author; I know you love me…you want to know why I am so utterly sure of it.. because…I love you more!! *cuddles*

And please do comment, it’s the comments that always make me smile like a dippy, lippy fool. Thank you. I love you!

Warmest Regards,

HIndia150