Enticing Her Highlander by Hildie McQueen Page A

as possible.  The last thing he wanted was a bride who detested the thought of lying with him.
    Out of the corner of his eye , Dugan studied his new wife. The lass was breathtaking with long blond hair that she'd worn down for the wedding flowing past her rounded shoulders down her back. The golden tresses battled for attention with the hue of her ivory skin. Her pink lips were made for kissing and her pale blue eyes for looking into while making love. She straightened as if sensing his regard and turned to him. "How much longer before I am forced to lay under you?"
    Dugan choked and sputtered, the ale in his throat going down the wrong way. "A while yet. I would like to spend a bit longer here doing something I do enjoy."
    Her gasp made him smile, but when he caught his new father-in-law's questioning gaze he forced a stern look. He leaned toward her and once again allowed his lips to curve. "Don't worry, fair Elsbeth. I know your words were meant to discourage me, but you see, I didn't need to be. I too do not look forward to the marriage bed. Not with a reluctant wench, at least."
    "How dare you." Although her voice remained low, her eyes narrowed at him and lips pressed together into a disapproving, albeit tempting , line. "You are not a gentleman."
    "In that you are correct , wife. I am not in anyway gentle."
    She went to retort, but was cut short.
    "To the happy couple! To bed!" Someone in the crowd cheered and Dugan raised his glass toward them. The people in the room began to chant and he grimaced.
    "Well , it looks like they have decided it's time." He groaned as the men neared and surrounded him intent on carrying him up the stairs to the marriage chamber.
    Elsbeth was already being hurried up the stairs by the women, no doubt to put her in some ridiculous white bedding garb.
    "One last toast . To the union of the McNeil and McDougall clans. May together we conquer many battles." Dugan raised his glass and once the cheering ended, continued to talk of the many clan conquests on the battlefield, a sure way of distracting the men. It worked, but for only a short while.
    Finally Calum placed his cup down with a loud thud. "Enough, it is time for the groom to see about his bride."
    The McNeils seconded the order and then the insufferable man brought up his hand. "Proof of the consummation is in order, of course. My daughter comes to the marriage bed an innocent and I will see that proved."
    "Aye, aye," the others called out and before Dugan could say another word, his shirt was ripped from his body, his britches loosened and he was hoisted on shoulders and marched out of the room.
    He'd promised Elsbeth he'd not hurry her, but now he found himself cornered with no other option than to bed the lass. Her father would not be rebuffed.
    T o do so would tear a rip in the already fragile relation between the two clans.

 
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Elsbeth suffered the good cheer of the McDougall women surrounding her. Were it a different situation she'd be quite content to be there with the warm ladies of clan McDougall.
    The laird's wife, Meagan, touched her cheek and leaned to kiss her good night. After which the other two women, Cailyn, the laird's sister and Victoria, the laird's brother's wife, did the same.  Her mother had retired early, as she tended to do after expelling so much emotion for the wedding, she was exhausted. Elsbeth suspected, she wanted to avoid the bedding ritual.
    Meagan lingere d after the others filed out. A stunning woman, with hazel eyes and auburn hair, she'd been the ideal of many a Highlander before her marriage to the McDougall. Kindly eyes met hers. "On my wedding night, I was as terrified as you. It's odd isn't it? To be brought to a new home, to different people. It is terrifying to start a life that is decided upon by our families."
    Elsbeth nodded and fought not to tear up. "Aye, I thought myself prepared for this, but it seems I am not. Not in the least."
    "Dugan is a good and