Highland Heather - Highland Heather Part 71
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Highland Heather Part 71

"And it would make me very uncomfortable."

His voice grew soft.

"Will you tell me why, Brenna?"

She swallowed.

"There are those who will think I--sold my favors for a handful of jewels."

"I care not what others say. Nor should you."

She studied the jewels in her hand.

"You are too generous, Morgan.

These must be worth at least a king's ransom. "

"Or a Scots chieftain." He took the necklace from her hand and fastened it around her throat.

"These were given to my father by a grateful King Henry. They were my mother's favorite pieces."

Brenna touched a hand to the jewels at her throat.

"Then I shall treasure them, my lord."

"Not nearly as much as I treasure the woman who wears them."

"But I would prefer not to wear them until after we are wed."

"And I would prefer to see you wear them tonight."

He brought his lips to her throat and felt the need rising. As she affixed the earrings he allowed his hands to move slowly along the slope of her shoulders.

"How soft you are. How beautiful." He felt her shiver beneath his soft caress.

"Would the queen mind if her host was late to sup?" he muttered thickly against her neck.

Brenna laughed.

"You cannot be serious."

He turned her into his arms and stared down at her with a look that left her no doubt as to his meaning.

"All day I have thought of nothing but you."

He bent his head and nibbled at her throat. With a little sigh she arched her neck, loving the feel of his lips on her skin. "And tonight I fear the queen will linger below stairs long into the night. Unlike us, she has no reason to hurry to her bed."

"Though the evening will be unbearably long, what can we do about it?"

"This." His hands moved to the buttons of her gown.

"Morgan." As he slid the gown from her shoulders, she stifled a gasp.

"The queen will be furious if we keep her waiting."

"Aye. But we will be so happy, love. And we will only be a little late."

When he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed, she pressed her lips to his throat to stifle her laughter as they once more tumbled into a world of exquisite pleasure.

"I am jealous," the queen said, staring at the jewels that adorned Brenna's throat and earlobes.

"Your jewelry outshines even mine."

"I am told they were a gift from your father." Selfconsciously Brenna touched a hand to her throat as she took a seat beside Morgan at the table.

"Aye. And though I have heard about the splendid Grey jewels, I have never before had occasion to see them. They are magnificent. You must please Morgan very much," the queen added slyly.

Brenna felt the heat rise to her cheeks.

To cover her embarrassment, Morgan said, "Brenna did not wish to wear them tonight. She thought them too opulent for her taste. But I persuaded her to wear them for just this one night to please me. Then they can be put away until our betrothal."

Across the table, Lord Windham studied Morgan and Brenna through narrow, hate-filled eyes. It was obvious that these two had become lovers. They flaunted their intimacy in his face. In the face of everyone in the room. How he hated Morgan Grey. All his life he had had everything he had ever wanted. The most beautiful women. The most exotic jewels. This fine estate. But the day was soon coming when Grey would see everything in his life turn to ashes.

"I am disappointed by all this rain," the queen was saying. As they enjoyed a late supper, she stared out at the gloomy sky.

"I had hoped to hunt."

"The weather is the one thing in England that does not obey your command," Morgan said.

"Her Majesty will find a way to bring even that errant subject to its knees," Charles said with a laugh.

"Would that I could." Elizabeth tasted the tender young duckling and felt her mood lighten.

"If we cannot hunt, then we must find another means of entertainment.

Richard, did I not see a chess set in the library?"

"Aye, Majesty. You did." Beside him, Adrianna sat quietly, content to have her hand held firmly in his. They thought that the table linens hid their hands from view. But everyone at the table was aware of the way they sat, shoulders brushing, gazes darting at one another.

"Then I challenge you to a chess match after we sup."

"I accept your challenge. But be prepared. Though I am your loyal subject, I will not deliberately let you win."

"If you did, it would be no challenge. But I warn you, my handsome friend, I do not know how to lose."

Richard's eyes crinkled with a smile.

"Perhaps tonight you shall have your first lesson in losing, Majesty."