Curadh

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September, 1770

Welcome home sang through Nathanial Davies’ blood with his first step onto Stargazer Island after two long years’ apprenticeship on the mainland. The grin stretching across his face felt more like the child he’d left here as, giddy and excited, than the man he was now. But home would never be any place other than this small island. It was here that he intended to build his legacy.

And there was only one woman he could picture at his side.

That grin tugged at his lips no matter how much he tried schooling his features. He strode away from the busy docks, ignoring the Redcoats lined up to salute the glowering new officer that arrived on the same ferry while responding with a nod and wave to locals who called out their greetings. As much as he loved the open friendliness of his home, he had someplace to be.

Three-quarters of the length up Stargazer’s main road, he paused to shake hands with the town elder in front of a two-story clapboard building—his new residence and business. Body buzzing with anticipation, he nevertheless needed to show gratitude where it was due. “Mr. McCarthy, thank you for taking care of purchasing this place on my behalf while I was on the mainland.”

“I can understand your desire to make an immediate start now that you’re home, so I’m happy I could help.” Nathanial’s breath caught in his throat when he saw the knowing glint in the old man’s eyes. “My wife saw Eliza out early this morning. The dear girl mentioned she’d be gathering crabapples at that old tree on the cliffs.” Mr. McCarthy winked. “Heard she turned down two Redcoat suitors and a mainlander this past year due to waiting for a certain lad to return as a master printer. Though you’ll have a harder row to hoe impressing her father enough to grant you her hand, my boy. I’ll wish you the best of luck.”

Heart pounding, Nathanial swallowed and nodded. “Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. Please give my best to Mrs. McCarthy, and your son, should you see him.” 

The elder patted his back as Nathanial passed, heading straight up the main street and out of town, to where a lone, half-century old, gnarled crabapple tree stood sentinel over the cliffs, watching Stargazer Island’s north shore. As he approached, fragrant fruit perfumed air usually redolent with sea, flowers, and a magical essence found nowhere else. A frown tugged at his lips when no coltish figure in a rumpled dress and two long, ebony braids flitted around the trunk.

“Eliza?” A feminine shadow darted behind the tree. Lips twitching up once more, Nathanial leaned against the trunk and peered around to the other side. No one hid there. “Little minx, aren’t you going to welcome your closest friend home?” Tingles raced down his spine when fingers danced a ghostly caress across his shoulder and up his neck. Lightning shot straight to his loins. “There you…” He spun, only to find the shadow retreating once again. A soft giggle sang in the air, drawing his gaze up into the lower branches of the tree.

His heart slammed against his rib cage. Her face, so familiar, yet those two years apart added enough maturity and depth to steal his breath. Big lavender eyes now fit her finely sculpted features, the lush sable lashes making their unusual color even more striking. Always mobile, her lips looked plumper now, as red and juicy as her favorite apples. “After half the island welcomed you while you made your way up here, I’d rather not be lost in the masses.” The smile lighting her angelic face struck him like an arrow to the chest.

“Cushlamachree, there is no possibility of you getting lost, no matter how large the crowd.” Sparks lit up his body when she reached down, her hands settling on his shoulders while he grasped her trim waist to lower her to the ground. Curves she hadn’t possessed when last he saw her rocked his body as they brushed against him.

A sense of loss engulfed him when she stepped out of his grasp, followed by dizzying elation when her hand slid into his and she tugged him around to the north side of the tree, out of view of anyone from the town. “Does that mean you don’t want the welcome home gift I planned for you, Nathanial?”

The need to touch crawled through him like a living, breathing beast. His fingers reveled in the sable curls framing her face as the urge to free the mass pinned to her nape and wallow in all that silk welled. “I’ll always want anything you offer, little one.”

“Only you call me little.” Another soft laugh escaped her lips, eyes dancing with amusement. “My mother believes I must be descended from giants. But then, she says the same about you.”

Since he stood well over six feet, and Eliza just over five and a half in height, Nathanial could believe that. Eliza’s mother barely touched five feet, and that only if she wore her hair high. “We giants must stick together.” Unable to suppress his grin, he tweaked her nose. “Come then, my giantess of a minx, what is this glorious welcome home gift you’ve prepared for me?”

Shyness darkened her eyes for a moment so brief he thought he must have imagined it, especially when determination flared bright, turning those lavender depths into burning amethyst. More sparks erupted when her hands once more lifted to his shoulders. She rose onto her toes, rose petal lips brushing across his own, stealing his breath, his heart, possibly his very soul. Energy quivered through every locked muscle in his body as he stood on the cusp of paradise. His heart whimpered when she pulled away, that uncustomary shyness returning. “Was that…?”

Greedy need struck with tornadic strength. His arm banded her waist, lifting her to her toes again while his mouth slanted across hers, desperate for more of her tart-sweet taste. Satin heated beneath his other hand as it cupped her cheek, holding her to this first heady caress between them. Memories of tales told over pints drifted through his mind, driving him to try some of the more salacious temptations. His tongue traced those soft lips, soul drinking in her little whimper as she opened for him.

Tactile delight engulfed his brain like the strongest tidal wave with every new secret his tongue discovered. The tart taste of her intoxicated him, each soft sound an encouragement. Then her tongue returned his caress and shot pure lust straight to his hard length. A shudder raced through him when her nails scraped his nape, and he pulled her even closer.

Panting, head reeling, they eased back just enough to stare into each other’s eyes. His gaze followed the glide of her tongue, tracing swollen lips, hunger deepening. But… “Eliza, my sweet. I think ‘tis time I spoke to your father. That is, if you’ll consent to be mine for the rest of our lives.”

“Consent?” Her smile turned mischievous as she threaded their fingers together. He swung the burlap sack of crabapples over his shoulder and let her lead him toward the eastern side of the island, where her family’s orchard and home lay. “Nathanial Davies, I decided you would be the man I marry back when I was eight years old. Nine years is a long time to bear in patience as I waited for you to catch up.”