“Zara, help me.” Coira mouthed the words silently as Lance all but dragged her out of the great hall. Zara saw her from across the room and hurried after them.

“My lord, my lord,” Zara called out.

Lance stopped and turned, dropping Coira’s arm in the process. “What is it?”

“I wanted to know if I can help prepare Coira for the consummation?”

“Prepare her?” he asked, making a face. “Nay. I’ll take care of that.” He took Coira’s arm again and started to walk.

“I’m sure you’ll want to ready yourself, bathing to remove all that dirt,” Zara added.

Lance stopped at the solar door and turned around. “Aye, I suppose that’s a good idea. Take my wife to the adjoining solar and bring her back in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?” Coira suddenly felt like that wasn’t enough time to get her mind settled and prepared for her wedding night.

“All right, make it fifteen, but I’ll wait no longer.” He disappeared into the solar and closed the door.

“Zara!” Coira’s heart raced. “What am I goin’ to do?”

“You are going to prepare yourself to consummate your marriage to your new husband. Now, come with me. I can see you are far from being ready.” Zara pulled her into the room next to the solar, lighting a candle and closing the door.

“I canna possibly go to bed with him.” Coira clutched her neckline. “I dinna even ken the man. How can I be . . . intimate with him?”

“You’ve got to push your fear aside and find a way to relax, Coira. If you don’t, your experience is going to be far from pleasurable.”

“Will it hurt?” she asked, thinking about the pain and suffering she’d endured while hanging in a cage at this same castle six years earlier.

“Not unless you fight it.”

There was a scratching noise at the door and then the sound of whining. Coira crossed the room and opened the door. The little, brown dog lunged at her, surprising her and knocking her to the rushes.

“What’s that dog doing here?” asked Zara.

“It’s all right, Zara.” Coira sat in the rushes, laughing and petting the dog as it continued to lick her face. “This is my weddin’ present from Lance.”

“Hrmph,” Zara scoffed, putting her hands on her waist. “It looks like the kind of present he’d give you. I’m not so certain Sir Lance is the type that will give you romance, so don’t expect to find that in this marriage.”

“I’m no’ expectin’ it, Zara. All I want is a man who treats me kindly and doesna hurt me or put me in a cage.”

“Coira, that happened a long time ago. Lance isn’t going to put you in a cage. He is your husband! Get that foolish idea out of your head right now.”

“I suppose ye’re right, Zara. I just never got over that awful experience.” Coira continued to pet the dog.

“You’ve been through a tough time,” said Zara, resting her hand on Coira’s shoulder. “But it is time to put those memories behind you now. Tonight is your wedding night, and you need to concentrate on naught else but your time alone with your new husband.”

“Do ye think it will be enjoyable?” asked Coira, standing up and brushing the rushes off her plaid.

“Coira, you will never know unless you go to the solar. Now, Lord Lance is expecting you, so do not disappoint him. Let’s freshen you up a bit and send you on your way.

Lance dunked below the water and came up, smoothing back his wet hair. He’d scrubbed all the dirt from his body and wanted to look and smell his best on his wedding night. He felt bad he hadn’t presented himself in the best manner to his new bride, but he worked hard at cleaning up the castle and surroundings thinking she would be happy. Oddly, it made her seem fearful instead.

There was a quick knock at the door, and his squire walked in carrying the extra towels he requested.

“I have plenty of towels,” said Jack entering the room and leaving the door open. His arms were loaded down with towels, and in one hand he held a basket.

“Egads, I asked for an extra towel only,” said Lance. “That’s enough for the entire garrison.”

“I didn’t know what you’d be doing with Lady Coira, and wanted to make sure you had what you needed.” He put the towels stacked up on a chair and held out a basket to show him what else he’d brought. “I have wine and cheese and bread. And rose petals, too.”

“Rose petals? Whatever for?” He stood up and leaned over the tub for a towel, using it to dry his hair.

“For romance,” said Jack, with a dreamy look in his eyes and a silly grin on his face.

“Romance? We’re married. Why do I need romance?”

Jack frowned and his brows dipped. “Don’t you want her to like you, my lord?”

“I’m her husband. Of course, she’ll like me.” He stepped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist. “Won’t she?” Suddenly, he had his doubts. That bothered him. Coira did seem a little standoffish. Perhaps he should listen to his squire after all.

“I can’t vouch for that.” Jack put the basket on the table. “After all, she is a Scot.”

“Aye. So?”

“An enemy.”

“We’ve made an alliance. We’re not enemies anymore.”

“I hope she thinks so.” Jack went over to the bed and turned down the covers.

“Hello?” came a small voice from the door.

Lance spun on his heel to see Coira standing in the doorway with the old gypsy right behind her. She was dressed in a white nightshift and had bare feet. The gypsy held Coira’s clothes in her arms.

“Coira,” said Lance, suddenly feeling a little nervous. He stood there in only a towel while she wore naught but a thin night-rail.

“Well, go on in, or were you planning on consummating the marriage right out here in the corridor?” Zara pushed her gently by the shoulder. Entering the room after her, Zara hung Coira’s clothes on a hook by the door.

“Aye, come in,” Lance said, moving so fast his towel became loose. Coira gasped and covered her eyes with her hand. Lance quickly tied the towel.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, my lord?” asked Jack.

“Nay. Leave us. You, too, Zara.”

“Aye, my lord.” Jack left the room with Zara. But before he could close the door, Coira’s hound ran in and started barking.

“Get that thing out of here,” growled Lance.

“Aye, my lord.” Jack tried to catch it, but it ran to the other side of the tub.

“Nay, leave it. Please,” begged Coira.

“You want her to like you,” Jack whispered from behind his hand.

Lance let out a sigh. “Fine, leave the dog but everyone else out!”

Coira stood frozen to the spot, unable to move. The thud of the door closing behind her only made her heart race faster. She was all alone with her new husband who was standing in front of her in just a towel.

“Come here, Wife.” He moved toward her slowly with his eyes fastened to her. With every step he took toward her, she took a backward step away from him. “Coira, this isn’t going to work if you keep moving away from me.”

“I – I ken. I’m sorry.”

“Why are you so frightened of me? Have I done something to scare you? Or perhaps hurt you?”

“Nay,” she shook her head, trying to shake away her fear as well. “Ye havena, my lord.”

“Lance.”

“My lord?” she looked up in question, still clutching the neckline of her night clothes.

“We are married now, Coira. When we are together in private, you can call me by my Christian name. It’s Lance.”

“Aye, of course, my lord. Lance,” she said quickly correcting herself. Why was this so hard to do?

The dog ran up to her, jumping and putting its paws on her. She smiled and reached down with both hands to pet it.

“If only you would accept me with the same excitement as you do the dog.” He headed across the room to stoke the fire. Coira watched as he bent over, his towel riding up his long legs. His half-naked presence had her heart fluttering. The glow of the firelight illuminated his broad shoulders and large biceps. He had shoulder-length, dark hair that almost looked black now that it was wet.

She slowly took a step toward him, drinking in his physique. Never had she seen such manly beauty. Just as she approached him, he threw down the poker and turned around, catching her perusing him.

“So, you are interested after all, even if you pretend not to be.”

“I – I never said I wasna interested, my – Lance,” she said, getting him to smile.

“I like hearing you say my name. As a matter of fact, I like almost everything about you.” He stepped forward and placed his hand on her shoulder. Instant warmth spiraled through her body.

“Almost everythin’?” she questioned wondering what he didn’t like about her.

“I like your beautiful eyes that sparkle two-toned in the light of the fire like bright stars up in the sky.” He stared into her eyes when he said it, causing her to get lost in the swirling depths of his deep blue orbs.

“What else?” she asked softly, liking the way it felt to have a man complimenting her.

“Your nose.”

“My nose?”

“Aye, it is as cute as a button.” He reached out and tapped her nose with the tip of his finger. “And your mouth.”

“My mouth?” His gaze dropped to her mouth. As he moved closer, he gently pulled her into his embrace.

“Your lips look soft and full. Although I must say the kiss we shared at our wedding was quite different, indeed. Will it be that way every time I kiss you?”

“I – I dinna ken.” She shyly dropped her gaze. When she did, her focus was on his bare chest. Curious to know how it felt, she raised her hand to touch him, but decided against it and pulled back instead.

“How about we find out the answer,” he said, taking her hand in his and placing it against his broad chest. She felt muscles and a slight dusting of hair beneath her fingers. Her hand moved with his intake of breath. He leaned forward, raising her chin with two fingers and lowering his head to cover her mouth with his.

Coira’s eyes closed as she held her breath, kissing her new husband. His lips were bold and yet sensuous at the same time. His mouth against hers was so intimate that it almost caused her knees to buckle. Slowly, he pulled away.

“You can breathe now,” he said in a low voice, causing her to realize that she had, indeed, been holding her breath. She released it and, at the same time, the dog sighed from across the room. They both laughed and looked over at the hound. The dog was lying down with its nose between her paws, looking up at them with sad, wide eyes.

“I think the dog knows she won’t be getting any more attention from either of us tonight.”

“She willna?”

He shook his head, looking at her with hooded eyes. “This is our wedding night, Coira. Are you ready to seal our vows of becoming man and wife?”

Her fingers gripped at the neckline of her gown. She pressed her lips together, tasting his wonderful essence, and nodded slowly.

“Good. Then the first thing you need to do is relax. And stop gripping your night-rail as if it were a lifeline.” Reaching out, he unclasped her fingers, taking her hand and dropping it to her side.

“I am no’ sure how to relax,” she admitted.

“Then let me teach you.” He caressed the side of her face, lowering his head and placing kisses down her cheek and to her neck.

Coira’s head fell back as his strong arms held her securely, his fingers gently kneading her shoulders.

“Do you like that?” he mumbled into her hair.

“Aye,” she said, with her eyes still closed. His hands slowly moved down her back, stopping to rest on her rear. Then he gently cupped her cheeks and pulled her up against him. That’s when she felt his aroused form right through the towel. Her eyes sprang open. When she looked down, she realized he no longer wore the towel. Her gaze shot back up to his face. “Y-ye’re naked,” she said in a breathy whisper.

“Aye,” he answered in a seductive tone. “That’s a crucial part of consummating a marriage.”

“I suppose so.”

“Now, it’s your turn.”

Her grip shot up to her neckline again, but he grabbed her hand in his to stop her. “Nay, Coira. It is time. Trust me.”

She thought about it. He was her husband now and, sooner or later, she would be expected to consummate the marriage. He had been gentle and kind to her so far, so there was no need to believe he would act differently.

“I do trust ye,” she told him, dropping her hand to her side, letting him unlace her bodice and slip her night-rail down her arms.

In one motion, he let the gown fall to the floor, pooling around her feet, leaving her stark naked.

“That’s more like it,” he said, letting his eyes roam down the length of her body. “You are beautiful, Coira.”

“I am?” she asked, hearing her heart thumping loudly in her ears.

“Aye. You are.” He swept her up in his arms and carried her to his bed. Laying her back against the pillows, he covered her body with his, kissing her and making her forget she was frightened. His hands slid down to cup her breasts, and then his mouth took over, his tongue and lips bringing one nipple to a peak. A tingling sensation ran through her body, settling in between her thighs. “There you are,” he said, coaxing her to release her inhibitions and welcome this union. “Embrace it, Coira. This can be an extraordinary thing if only you will let it be.”

“I will,” she said, relaxing and coming to life all at the same time. His hand caressed her womanly mound, and she pushed up against him liking the way it made her feel. And after more kissing and touching, he asked her the question she did not think he would ever ask.

“Are you ready, Coira?”

“I am,” she told him, feeling now as if she wanted to continue to make love with her husband. In his embrace, she was no longer frightened. Instead, she felt comfortable, aroused, and, most of all, safe.

He slowly entered her then, starting out with gentle rocking. She welcomed him in, tensing slightly as his movements turned into thrusts.

“Trust me, and accept me,” he said in a gentle voice, slowing the lovemaking until she relaxed and accepted him. His hands slid down her body, curving around her hips. “You are my wife now, Coira. I want you to crave the consummation as much as I do right now. If I have to, I will wait.”

“Nay, dinna wait,” she told him, afraid he might pull away and they wouldn’t finish. “I want to be yer wife in every way. I accept ye, my lord . . . Lance . . . Husband.”

They moved together as one as the dance of love continued. Once Coira stopped being so afraid, she enjoyed it and felt a part of her longing for more. It didn’t hurt. It felt nice. And then something surprised her. She felt a new sensation flowing through her and heard herself release a moan of desire.

“That’s right. Let yourself enjoy this, Coira. Close your eyes and surrender to your passion.”

She decided to do just as he suggested. He was her husband now and she his wife. The thought no longer frightened her but instead made her happy. He brought her to life and made her feel special. Her body craved him now. Lust filled her. She moved her hips to meet him. Keeping her eyes closed as he suggested, she focused on the feelings he brought to life within her. Coira surrendered to her passion and no longer tried to fight it. She surrendered to her fear, and enjoyed making love with her new husband. And just as he found his release, the thought of the possibility of conceiving a baby with Lance made her so excited that she shattered in his arms.

The dog howled at the same time, releasing any possible tension that was left in the room, making them both laugh once again.

“We are now husband and wife,” said Lance, rolling on his side and pulling her closer. “With me as your husband, Coira, you will never have to be afraid of anything again.”

Coira hoped that was true. However, something in her gut told her that as long as she stayed at Liddel Castle, there was always going to be fear from the past lodged in her brain.