Dark Passions

65.

The next few days brought an arrival of more guests, including two more of the sisters, Anne and Sarah, and their families. Some of Alex's cousins, and his Aunt Edwina MacLeod, with her stepson, Rory, were the last to pull into the courtyard with only one day remaining before the wedding. Since Alex's mother's death, Edwina was the self appointed keeper of the family traditions. Her coach was followed by another, bearing trunks with kilts, sashes, and other items required to keep the wedding properly Scottish.

Alex tightened his hand on Kate's waist as Lady Edwina descended from her coach. "Be strong, Kate," he muttered in her ear.

Edwina swept over, in her black cape, surrounding Alex in a swift hug, before peering at Kate. "Ah, verra lovely, Alexander," she declared. "The color of her hair will complement the tartan well. And the eyes...blue as Scottish skies." She hugged Kate next, taking her breath away in the sudden rush.

Derek and Meredith watched from the top of the stairs. "Poor Kate," Meredith whispered.

"Quite," Derek replied, grazing his lips along her temple. "Have I told you today how beautiful you look?" he asked softly, his hand lingering at her waist.

"Mmm...yes...when you were ravishing me this morning, when I was still half asleep..." she whispered back.

"I like waking you that way, all warm and drowsy, soft and yielding..." he teased her, his eyes warm on her flushed face.

"My lord, you are being very ardent today..."

"It's the cool air here," he replied, nuzzling her neck until she trembled. "It's very...arousing..."

Meredith leaned into him, feeling his solid strength against her. "I can tell."

By that time, the new arrivals had marched up the stone stairs. "Ah, Your Grace," Lady Edwina murmured, with a deep curtsy. "And lady..." She nodded at Meredith, her eyes sweeping over her. "Twins..." she said suddenly.

"Excuse me...?" Meredith asked, puzzled.

"Your babes...twins..." Edwina said matter of factly.

Meredith rested her hand on her barely rounded belly. "How...do you know?"

"I can just tell. It's always been a gift," Edwina smiled, before turning to the young man behind her. Tall, blonde and muscular, he seemed to exude strength and arrogance, even in his dusty travelling clothes. His nearly black eyes snapped with undisguised appreciation as he looked at Meredith. Derek's grip tightened further around her waist as he countered the younger man's gaze. "Rory MacLeod, my stepson," Edwina introduced him.

He bowed low over, taking Meredith's hand and kissing her knuckles. "Verra pleased tae meet you," he murmured. "Such a lovely English rose..." Meredith flushed, and pulled her hand free.

"MacLeod, you forget your manners...this is my wife, after all," Derek said quietly.

"Ach, my lord, forgive me," Rory said, backing away. "I've been in the Highlands without female company for far too long, and her beauty is astounding. My apologies..."

Derek nodded curtly, and Alex quickly grabbed Rory's arm to pull him into the manor before anything else happened. Edwina and Kate followed, with the footmen bringing the trunks behind them.

"Very bold," Meredith murmured, as they turned to follow them inside.

"Indeed, " Derek muttered. "Perhaps he and Lucy should get acquainted."

Meredith looked up at him, feeling his arm tense under her fingertips. "Derek..."

"Forgive me, my love," he assured her, patting her hand.