The Strange Tale of Samantha Ravenwood (Highland Legends Book 5) by Connie C. Scharon

Author:Connie C. Scharon [Scharon, Connie C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The Earl of Carraig intercepted me when I made my way back through the great hall. He sat in a soft-cushioned chair by the fire. When I walked in, he called to me. “Lady Samantha, I hope you didna take offence to my remarks. You will find I am a painfully truthful man when it comes to my family.”

I walked over and stood beside him. “And I am to be part of your family.”

“Aye, I have wanted John to marry for some time. He couldna find a woman to suit him. I can tell by the way he looks at you he is quite smitten. I only sought to warn him of possible dangers.”

I dragged over a small stool from the corner and sat at his feet.

“Milady, use a proper chair,” he chided.

“Let me sit close and keep this conversation private,” I said. He gave me an affirming nod. “Milord, I love John. I would never do anything to harm him or you.” I brushed an errant strand of hair out of my face. “Since you have been painfully honest with me, I would do the same with you.”

“Lady Samantha…”

“Please, listen to me.” I licked my lips. “You saw me with John. What were we doing?”

The earl raised a dark eyebrow. “I didna expect you would want to know the details. Would you deny my charge? You asked if your maid betrayed you and admitted he took you.”

“I know what I did. I want to know what you saw.”

“You sat astride him on a sheepskin by the hearth. At the moment I looked in, both of you were lost in the passion of mating.”

I smiled. “The desire that races through us rages out of control when we touch. I have given myself over to him heart, body, and soul, despite the shame that would fall on me if anyone discovered my dishonorable behavior. I want to be his wife.”

“Did he deflower you last night?”

I shook my head. “No, we were together earlier. The night you threw Laird MacDougall out, he took me to his bed.”

“John took advantage of your innocence.”

“No, Milord, I wanted him to take me. The hours he spent caring for me left us with a bond that could not be denied.” I dropped my head and then looked up at the earl. “When John found out what happened to Gwen and her true feelings about the marriage contract, he felt free to be with me.”

“And you couldna wait for marriage vows?”

“I couldn’t remember anything about my past. I didn’t know if I could become John’s wife, and still I gave myself freely. I love him. I wanted to be his with or without vows.”

He leaned forward and laid a gentle hand on my shoulder. “We will make this right, Milady. The vows will be spoken and all will celebrate your union. You and I will plan the wedding together while John is gone.”

I put my hand over his. “Perchance you can find it in your heart to trust me as we become more familiar,” I said.

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