EVENING COULD NOT come fast enough.

EVENING COULD NOT come fast enough. Fiona’s declaration had shot through his chest and continued south. ’Twas only a kiss she’d promised, but her eyes spoke of more. Something in her mind had changed, and he knew one kiss, one delicious kiss, could light the wick of her desire.
Back in their chamber, he washed and dressed at a leisurely pace, hoping she might arrive and forfeit that kiss immediately. But the time passed and she did not enter. He grew impatient at the thought she meant to tease him further. He’d be late to the evening meal if he lingered any longer, and so he made his way to the great hall and found Tavish, Robert, and his mother already there, waiting and dressed in their finery.
His mother clucked over his bruised eye. “Oh, Myles. Is it painful?”
“’Tis fine, Mother.”
“Robert tells me you took some hard hits in the yard.”
Myles cast a wicked glance at his brother. “Thank you, Robert. I myself might have omitted that.”
Robert’s smile was banal. “I am ever the herald. Where is your lovely bride?”
Myles turned and looked about the hall. “I thought she would be here. She did not come to change.”
“Here she is,” his mother said, looking toward the entryway.
And there she was, indeed.
Vivienne was next to her, dressed in bold crimson, but all eyes must have been on his wife, for she entered the hall wearing a gown of palest peach, so pale one could almost not tell where her skin ended and the dress began. The kirtle beneath was ivory trimmed in lace, and swayed as she walked. She wore the emerald necklace, and his chest tightened at the sight of it. The crowd within the hall murmured their approval.
Her hair was loose, cascading down in ringlets and caught up in the front under a beaded French hood. She was a goddess. He stood a little taller knowing she belonged to him, and tonight, he’d claim her once again.
Fiona stepped onto the dais where they waited, her smile seeming shy and less certain than her appearance would suggest. She made her greetings, along with Vivienne, then looked to him, guileless and direct. She curtsied deep as if she thought to offer him a delectable view of her cleavage. “Forgive me, my lord. I have kept you waiting for too long.”
He heard a chuckle come from Vivienne and wondered at Fiona’s meaning. He extended his arm, thinking just then how he’d love to press his lips against the curve of her neck. “Such beauty is worth waiting for. Shall we dine?”
He didn’t want to dine. Food was furthest from his mind, but he needed this meal over and done with so he might take his bride upstairs and collect upon that promised kiss.
He was dressed in shades of blue, with his dark hair combed and his face clean-shaven. Tonight, he seemed the rogue, mysterious and dark. An air of danger surrounded him, something raw and predatory. And intoxicating.
Heat radiated from his torso as she accepted his arm and let him escort her to her seat. The others in the hall began to take their seats as well, and soon the hall was abuzz with the serving of the meal. Before them, servants set platters of roasted boar, mince pies, and breads warm from the ovens.
The repast smelled divine, but with her heart thumping in her throat, Fiona wondered if she could eat a bite. She felt conspicuous in her gown, for she’d sensed the stares as she’d entered, had heard the pause in conversation, but Myles had looked at her in such a way she’d felt emboldened, if only for a moment.
He looked at her that way again, saying nothing, only caressing her with his eyes until his gaze landed upon her lips and stayed. Her skin tingled from it.
At last, he raised his eyes to hers and smiled. A more seductive look, she could not imagine.
“You are beautiful.”
“So are you,” she said, then gasped at her own foolish honesty.
But he laughed, and so did she.
Sitting on the dais next to Myles, she drank her wine and toyed with her food, but mostly she observed. There was joy within these walls, a kinship she had never witnessed at Sinclair Hall. These people loved one another, and they loved Myles. She could see it in their eyes when they spoke to him, and even once or twice, she felt their warm gazes fall on her. She was becoming one of them.
An effervescent gladness bubbled up inside her breast, and she let it. For once, she did not strive to stuff it down and hide it behind querulous words or obtuse thinking. She watched her husband chew a bite of bread, the strong line of his jaw moving in a smooth rhythm, and somehow the motion made her flush all over. She looked away and smiled at her private thoughts.
“Is something humorous?” Myles asked.
“No, my lord,” she said, smiling.
He took another tiny bite of bread, his gaze flicking over the gold and emerald at her throat. “You’re wearing your new necklace. I’m pleased to see it.”
She ran her finger over the fine metalwork. “I’m pleased to wear it.”
Her husband turned toward her a little, and she heard his soft sigh. Her heart spun at the earnestness in his expression.
“’Twas a gift, you know, Fiona,” he said softly. “Not a trade. I would spoil you, if you would let me, for no purpose other than to please you.”
“I know.”
“Then ask for something so I may prove it.”
His words stoked a fire low in her belly—no, lower, even. Not because she coveted jewels or a gown or any possessions, but simply because he offered them so readily. He had been unerringly generous to her from their first moment onward, even when she’d tested his every patience. Vivi was right. He was a good man. How could she not desire him?
“I want for little.” That was a lie. She wanted much. She wanted him. “Although, there is one thing I would ask for. Something you promised me once before.”
His eyes lit with hope.
“I need something to ride.”
His jaw went slack, and she laughed at his surprise.
“Back at Sinclair Hall, you promised me a horse of my own. Do you recall?”
He blinked once, slowly, as if to conjure up the memory. And then he smiled broadly. “Ah, yes. A horse. I do recall, and on the morrow, we shall find you one.”
Christ, she was delectable, with her pale gown and her flushed cheeks. If he did not know her better, he would think she meant to flirt, the way she fluttered her lashes and teased as though she were some sought-after courtesan. Then she’d laughed and all the candles in the room seemed to dim at her brightness. The combination was beguiling. Bewitching.
He was besotted.
He’d eaten his food. He knew he had, but even now, he could not remember a bite of it, for all he could taste in his mouth was the kiss he sought to claim.
“I have been troublesome to you,” she said. “And I am sorry for it. I had my reasons, though. And you know what they were.”
His attention narrowed to that one small word. “Were?”
She nodded and licked her lips. He’d kiss her here and now if she did that again.
“Yes. But now I’ve had some time to think, and wonder if perhaps I’ve been too hasty in despising you.”
No declaration of love was that, and yet from her, it felt like one. “What brought about this welcome change?”
“Does it matter?”
He regarded her a moment. “No. But I must say, I am most glad to hear of it. We must celebrate.” He whispered the last, as if they shared a secret.
She hid a smile behind her hand. “Perhaps we should.”
“Myles, a word, if you please.” Tavish ambled up and wedged himself into the chair next to him. Marietta had been sitting there, but moments ago had left to check on her husband.
“Now is the not the best of times,” Myles answered.
“It won’t take but a minute. It’s about the roof they’re needing on the gristmill. Now, I was thinking—”
“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I’m sure you have no need of my opinion on this matter. But my lord Tavish, please do not keep my husband up too late drinking. Last night you did so and look what happened to him.” She gestured toward the black eye.
Tavish paused, looking at her in some surprise. Then he winked. “As you wish, Lady Fiona. I shall deliver him to you myself as soon as our business is complete.”
Surely, Tavish could wait with his question, but as soon as Fiona rose from her chair, he began to ramble on about the roof. Myles would listen for a moment, but no longer. Even now, he thought to stuff a roll into the fat man’s mouth and hurry after his bride. Instead, he settled for listening with half an ear and watching the way Fiona’s gown shimmered as she walked—nay, floated—toward the stairs. He had waited this long. He could wait another ten minutes.
Perhaps.

Hasil (Bahasa Indonesia) 1:

Malam hari bisa tidak datang cukup cepat. Deklarasi dariotto telah ditembak dadanya dan melanjutkan Selatan. ' Sungguh hanya sebuah ciuman ia telah berjanji, tapi nya mata berbicara lebih. Sesuatu dalam pikirannya telah berubah, dan dia tahu satu ciuman, satu ciuman lezat, bisa menyalakan sumbu keinginannya.Kembali di ruang mereka, Dia membasuh dan berpakaian di kecepatan yang santai, berharap dia mungkin tiba dan kehilangan yang mencium segera. Tapi waktu berlalu dan dia tidak memasuki. Ia menjadi tidak sabar memikirkan dia bermaksud menggodanya lebih lanjut. Dia akan terlambat untuk makan malam jika ia berlama-lama lagi, dan jadi dia membuat perjalanannya ke aula besar dan menemukan Tavish, Robert, dan ibunya sudah menunggu di sana, dan mereka Potts.Ibunya clucked atas matanya memar. "Oh, Myles. Itu menyakitkan?""'Tis halus, ibu.""Robert bilang Anda mengambil beberapa hits keras di pekarangan."Myles cast jahat melirik saudaranya. "Terima kasih, Robert. Aku sendiri mungkin telah diabaikan itu."Robert senyum adalah dangkal. "Saya pernah herald. Di mana adalah pengantin indah Anda?"Myles menoleh dan melihat tentang aula. "Saya pikir dia akan berada di sini. Dia tidak datang untuk mengubah.""Di sini dia adalah," ibunya berkata, memandang ke arah pintu masuk.Dan ia memang ada.Vivienne adalah sampingnya, berpakaian merah tebal, tetapi semua mata pasti sudah pada istrinya, sebab dia masuk hall mengenakan gaun persik pucat, sehingga satu pucat hampir tidak tahu mana kulitnya berakhir dan gaun mulai. Rok di bawah adalah Gading dipangkas dalam renda, dan terombang-ambing ketika dia berjalan. Dia memakai kalung zamrud, dan dadanya diperketat pada pandangan itu. Kerumunan dalam aula bersungut persetujuan mereka.Rambutnya longgar, mengalir turun di ikal dan terjebak di depan di bawah kap Perancis manik-manik. Dia adalah seorang dewi. Dia berdiri sedikit lebih tinggi mengetahui dia yang dimilikinya, dan malam ini, dia akan mengklaim dia sekali lagi.Fiona melangkah ke podium di mana mereka menunggu, senyumnya tampak pemalu dan kurang pasti daripada penampilan menyarankan. Dia membuat nya salam, bersama dengan Vivienne, kemudian memandang kepadanya, jujur dan langsung. Dia curtsied dalam seolah-olah dia pikir menawarkan pemandangan lezat belahan dadanya. "Ampuni saya, Tuhan. Aku telah memelihara Anda menunggu terlalu lama. "Ia mendengar tergelak datang dari Vivienne dan bertanya-tanya di dariotto makna. Dia mengulurkan lengannya, kemudian berpikir bagaimana ia akan senang untuk tekan bibirnya terhadap kurva lehernya. "Keindahan seperti itu adalah layak menunggu. Akan kami makan?"Dia tidak mau makan. Makanan yang terjauh pikirannya, tapi ia membutuhkan makanan ini atas dan dilakukan dengan sehingga ia mungkin mengambil pengantinnya lantai atas dan mengumpulkan berdasarkan ciuman yang dijanjikan.Dia mengenakan nuansa biru, dengan menyisir rambut gelap dan wajahnya clean-shaven. Malam ini, dia tampak nakal, misterius dan gelap. Udara bahaya dikelilingi dia, sesuatu yang mentah dan pemangsa. Dan memabukkan.Panas yang terpancar dari tubuh Nya ketika ia diterima lengan dan membiarkan dia mengawal dirinya ke kursi. Yang lain di aula mulai mengambil tempat duduk mereka juga, dan segera hall adalah abuzz dengan melayani makanan. Sebelum mereka, hamba menetapkan piring-piring babi hutan panggang, mince Pie dan roti hangat dari oven.Jamuan berbau ilahi, tetapi dengan hatinya berdebar di tenggorokan, Fiona bertanya-tanya jika dia bisa makan menggigit. Dia merasa mencolok dalam gaun, sebab dia telah merasakan tatapan saat ia telah memasuki, pernah mendengar jeda dalam percakapan, tapi Myles telah memandangnya dengan cara dia akan merasa berani, jika hanya untuk sejenak.Dia memandang seperti itu lagi, mengatakan apa-apa, hanya membelai dia dengan mata sampai dengan tatapan mendarat atas bibirnya dan tinggal. Kulitnya tergelitik dari itu.Akhirnya, dia mengangkat matanya untuk miliknya dan tersenyum. Melihat lebih menggoda, dia tidak bisa membayangkan."Anda indah.""Jadi Apakah Anda," katanya, kemudian terkesiap pada kejujuran bodoh sendiri.Tapi dia tertawa, dan begitu pula Dia.Duduk di podium di Myles, dia minum anggurnya dan bermain-main dengan dia makanan, tetapi sebagian besar ia mengamati. Ada sukacita dalam dinding-dinding ini, kekerabatan dia telah pernah menyaksikan di Sinclair Hall. Orang-orang ini mencintai satu sama lain, dan mereka mencintai Myles. Dia bisa melihatnya di mata mereka ketika mereka berbicara dengannya, dan bahkan sekali atau dua kali, dia merasa mereka memandang ke hangat yang jatuh pada dirinya. Dia menjadi salah satu dari mereka.Kegembiraan effervescent menggelegak dalam payudara, dan ia membiarkannya. Untuk sekali, dia melakukan tidak berusaha untuk hal itu turun dan bersembunyi di balik kata-kata querulous atau tumpul berpikir. Dia melihat suaminya mengunyah gigitan roti, kuat garis rahang bergerak dalam irama halus, dan entah bagaimana gerakan membuatnya menyiram seluruh. Dia memalingkan dan tersenyum pada pikiran pribadi."Adalah sesuatu yang lucu?" Myles bertanya."Tidak, tuanku," katanya, tersenyum.Dia menggigit kecil roti, dengan tatapan menjentikkan atas emas dan zamrud di tenggorokannya. "Anda memakai kalung baru. Saya senang melihatnya."Dia berlari jarinya logam baik-baik saja. "Saya senang memakainya."Suaminya berubah terhadapnya sedikit, dan dia mendengar mendesah nya lembut. Hatinya berputar di kesungguhan dalam ekspresi."' Sungguh hadiah, yang Anda tahu, Fiona," katanya lembut. "Tidak perdagangan. Aku akan memanjakan Anda, jika Anda akan membiarkan saya, tanpa tujuan lain daripada untuk menyenangkan Anda.""Aku tahu.""Kemudian meminta sesuatu sehingga saya dapat membuktikannya."Kata-katanya menyalakan api rendah perutnya — tidak, menurunkan, bahkan. Bukan karena ia didambakan perhiasan atau gaun atau setiap harta benda, tetapi semata-mata karena dia menawarkan mereka begitu mudah. Dia telah tanpa ragu murah hati kepadanya dari saat pertama mereka seterusnya, bahkan ketika dia telah diuji nya setiap kesabaran. Vivi adalah tepat. Dia adalah seorang yang baik. Bagaimana bisa dia tidak keinginan dia?"Saya ingin untuk sedikit." Itu bohong. Dia ingin banyak. Dia ingin dia. "Meskipun, ada satu hal yang saya akan meminta untuk. Sesuatu Anda berjanji saya sekali sebelumnya."Matanya menyala dengan harapan."Aku butuh sesuatu untuk naik."Rahang beliau pergi kendur, dan ia tertawa di kejutan."Kembali di Sinclair Hall, Anda berjanji kuda saya sendiri. Apakah Anda ingat?"Ia berkedip sekali, perlahan-lahan, seolah-olah untuk menyulap memori. Dan kemudian ia tersenyum luas. "Ah, ya. Kuda. Saya ingat, dan pada keesokan harinya, kita akan menemukan Anda satu."Kristus, ia adalah lezat, dengan dia gaun pucat dan pipinya memerah. Jika dia tidak tahu dia lebih baik, ia akan berpikir dia dimaksudkan untuk bermain-main, cara dia terbang dia bulu mata dan menggoda seolah-olah dia beberapa pelacur yang dicari. Kemudian dia tertawa dan semua lilin dalam kamar tampak redup di kecerahan nya. Kombinasi itu memperdaya. Menyihir.Dia adalah diperbodoh.Dia makan makanan. Dia tahu dia punya, tapi bahkan sekarang, ia tidak ingat gigitan, untuk semua dia bisa merasakan dalam mulutnya adalah ciuman ia berusaha mengklaim."Saya telah mengganggu Anda," katanya. "Dan aku minta maaf untuk itu. Aku punya alasan saya, meskipun. Dan Anda tahu apa yang mereka adalah.His attention narrowed to that one small word. “Were?”She nodded and licked her lips. He’d kiss her here and now if she did that again.“Yes. But now I’ve had some time to think, and wonder if perhaps I’ve been too hasty in despising you.”No declaration of love was that, and yet from her, it felt like one. “What brought about this welcome change?”“Does it matter?”He regarded her a moment. “No. But I must say, I am most glad to hear of it. We must celebrate.” He whispered the last, as if they shared a secret.She hid a smile behind her hand. “Perhaps we should.”“Myles, a word, if you please.” Tavish ambled up and wedged himself into the chair next to him. Marietta had been sitting there, but moments ago had left to check on her husband.“Now is the not the best of times,” Myles answered.“It won’t take but a minute. It’s about the roof they’re needing on the gristmill. Now, I was thinking—”“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I’m sure you have no need of my opinion on this matter. But my lord Tavish, please do not keep my husband up too late drinking. Last night you did so and look what happened to him.” She gestured toward the black eye.Tavish paused, looking at her in some surprise. Then he winked. “As you wish, Lady Fiona. I shall deliver him to you myself as soon as our business is complete.”Surely, Tavish could wait with his question, but as soon as Fiona rose from her chair, he began to ramble on about the roof. Myles would listen for a moment, but no longer. Even now, he thought to stuff a roll into the fat man’s mouth and hurry after his bride. Instead, he settled for listening with half an ear and watching the way Fiona’s gown shimmered as she walked—nay, floated—toward the stairs. He had waited this long. He could wait another ten minutes.Perhaps.