Page 74 of Surrender

“Hmm, perhaps,” he said, his brow furrowed in a thoughtful frown, before he grinned with more than a hint of mischief. “But first you must admit I was right when I said we were made for each other.”

“Yes, you were right,” she said with exasperation, but her smile softened her words.

“And second, you must agree to become Lady Selbourne.” There was just a hint of concern in his voice as he studied her with a raised eyebrow.

“If you’re certain—”

“So help me God, Genevieve. If you finish that question, I’ll make you regret it,” he growled. “Now tell me you’ll marry me.”

“Yes,” she whispered as hope and wonder unfurled inside her and sped its way through her until she was warm with happiness and joy.

“And the remainder of that statement?” Theo’s eyebrows arched with annoyance.

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she whispered with a soft smile.

“Thank you,” he said with a weary sigh of relief. “I’m beginning to wonder if you enjoy testing my patience.”

“You just like getting your own way,” she huffed. “But if you expect me to just sit down and do as I’m told, you—”

Theo immediately silenced her with a hard kiss that quickly spiraled out of control. His firm mouth teased hers, and the moment she sighed with pleasure, his tongue slipped past her lips to dance with hers. When she released another moan, he broke off their kiss and pushed her away from him.

“You go to my head, mo leannan, and I’m not about to torture either of us by starting something we can’t finish here.” Theo shook his head.

A gentle tap on the parlor door made him put more distance between the two of them, as he turned and commanded the individual to enter. Muireall opened the door a small amount and poked her head into the room.

“I apologize for interrupting, but dinner will be ready soon. Is all well?”

Theo smiled, then turned and stretched out his hand to Genevieve. Her palm slid across his as he entwined his fingers with hers.

“I think it’s safe to say things are much better than just well,” he said as he raised Genevieve’s hand and kissed it, before he turned back to Muireall. “Congratulate me, Mrs. Falkirk, after considerable time and effort, I’ve finally succeeded in securing a yes to my proposal from Genevieve.”

“Oh, that is wonderful. This calls for a celebration. Come, I’ll have Duncan bring out a bottle of one of his finest wines. We’ll make this a night to remember,” Muireall exclaimed with a broad smile.

Muireall kept her promise, and the evening’s meal was filled with laughter and toasts. Throughout it all, Theo’s hand rested over hers, and the looks they exchanged made Genevieve’s heart soar with happiness. When it came time for bed, Muireall smiled at them mischievously.

“I would imagine Theo is aware of the custom, but are you familiar with what bundling is, Genevieve?” At Muireall’s question, Genevieve frowned for a moment as she tried to remember where she’d heard the expression before.

“I know I’ve heard of it, but I can’t remember where,” she said as she eyed Muireall in puzzlement, before Theo caught her hand and brushed his lips across her fingertips.

“It’s when a betrothed couple spend the night together, with something between them to prevent any…rushing to the wedding night before the actual wedding.”

There was a wicked note in Theo’s soft murmur, and a slight tremor sailed through her as she saw the sinful twinkle in his eye. Heat spread across her cheeks, and Genevieve jerked her gaze away from him. A deep chuckle erupted out of Duncan Falkirk.

“Clearly, she remembers now.” At her husband’s observation, Muireall laughed.

“Duncan, can you find a suitable board?” Muireall said with a mischievous smile.

“Aye mo ghràdh, I kept the one Julian put between us each time I spent the night at Crianlarich. I was saving it for Sorcha,” Duncan’s reply was filled with amusement as he winked at his daughter, whose cheeks flushed red from her father’s teasing before Duncan’s gaze met his wife’s. “I also remember your brother setting it up in the bed on our wedding night. I think he knew it would give me great pleasure to remove it, which it did.”

“Duncan Falkirk, go fetch that board now. I’ll nae have ye embarrassing me in front of our guests.” Muireall’s face turned pink as she waved her husband on his way.

“As ye wish, mo leannan. I cannae refuse such a lovely wife, especially with such rosy cheeks.” With that final parting shot, Muireall’s husband left the dining room to do her bidding.

More than a half-hour later, Genevieve and Theo were lying on her bed with a heavy slab of wood, which had been inserted into slots at the headboard and footboard between them, creating an almost foot-high barrier. After Duncan had set the board into place, Muireall had attached a rope to the headboard, then stretched it out over the footboard and tied it to the dresser.

A large cowbell had been hung from the rope, which clanged an alarm at the slightest touch. While they could see each other, if they tried to reach either side of the bed, the bell would clang loudly. A fact confirmed by Muireall’s laughter as she demonstrated how the system worked.

Leaving a candle burning on Theo’s nightstand, Muireall smiled as she said goodnight to them and left the room. Raising himself up on one elbow, Theo looked over the board at Genevieve, ensuring there were several inches between him and the rope. Theo chuckled, and she turned her head toward him.