Read Rogue of the Borders for Free Online Page B

existed right in the heart of London.
    As her father escorted her through the round nave with its peculiar stone effigies on the floor and into the chancel, she could see Shane waiting ahead. He kept his eyes on her as she advanced although his face gave no expression as to what he was thinking. Jamie, standing at his side, gave her an encouraging smile. Standing tall, broad shoulders squared, Shane looked quite dashing in his full Scotch regalia. Abigail’s breath hitched as she glimpsed muscular calves exposed between hose and kilt. She chided herself for having such unseemly thoughts inside a church. Surely God would forgive her for having carnal thoughts about her future husband?
    They reached the altar. Shane extended his arm, but before her father gave him her hand, the two men exchanged looks and Abigail sensed there was some private message being filtered. Her father had always been protective of her. Was he perhaps warning Shane to take good care of his only daughter? Abigail felt tears well. Bless Papa. Bless Shane too…
    Mari nudged her, handkerchief in hand. Abigail sniffed and shook her head. Now was not the time to become a watering pot. She was marrying the man she had spent hours fantasizing about and in just a few short hours, he would truly be hers.
    Hers. Shane would be hers . Abigail hardly heard the minister’s homily, so lost in thoughts of how wonderful marriage would be. She dutifully repeated the vows that Shane had written—who knew someone so big and strong could be poetic?—and he slipped a slender gold band on her finger. They were married.
    The reception and dinner seemed to take forever, although Abigail couldn’t help but take a bit of smug satisfaction as the Season’s debutantes all offered congratulations, albeit perhaps none too enthusiastically. Most enjoyable were those of Violetta and Amelia, who had pursued both Ian and Jamie—and lost. On more than one occasion, they’d looked down their small, aristocratic noses at Abigail for being a bluestocking. She felt a moment of hubris. She was the lucky woman who was Shane MacLeod’s wife.
    And finally, finally, it was over. Shane’s rented coach was brought around and Mari whispered in Abigail’s ear, “Jamie and I are staying at my aunt’s boarding house tonight, so you will have the townhouse to yourselves.” She giggled. “Do not worry about being heard.”
    Abigail flushed and was thankful the lamps on the coach were dim. Shane helped her in and she heard him quietly conversing with the driver before he stepped inside and took the seat opposite her.
    “Did the day go well for you?” he asked.
    A wave of pleasure washed over her that he was concerned enough to ask. “Yes. The wedding was everything I ever wanted.” And it was, she realized. She’d never given much thought to dresses and pomp and circumstance, but it had been a very satisfying day. And the best was yet to come…”
    I am glad to hear that.” Shane replied. “Ye should have good memories of your special day.”
    Abigail furrowed her brows. It was his day too. Why was he being so politely formal? Well, no matter. She doubted he’d retain that formality once they were in their bedroom. At least, from what Mari had told her, men became quite uninhibited. “I am sure I will.”
    The driver pulled to a stop a short time later. Shane opened the door and offered his hand. Abigail placed hers in his and stepped down. And then dropped her jaw in shock.

Chapter Five
    Once she’d recovered, puzzlement overcame her. They were on the quay in front of Shane’s ship instead of the townhouse. “Why are we stopping here? Did you forget something?”
    “Nae, lass,” he said as he paid the driver and motioned him off. “We will be staying aboard since I plan to sail at first light.”
    “But—” Abigail thought of the beautiful negligee waiting on the bed at the townhouse. “Surely we can wait one more day to leave?”
    A muscle twitched in Shane’s jaw.