Free The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) by Keira Montclair Page B

elliptical?”
    Jennie smiled and shook her head. “Nay, I had never heard that before, but I don’t know much about the stars and the heavens.”
    “Astrology,” his gaze caught hers. “That’s the study of the stars. And the Greeks long ago determined the sun takes several different paths over the year. They have even named the paths. One is a bull, and one is a lion. It all has to do with the celestial sphere. I love that term because ‘tis so appropriate.” He pointed off to one side. “Do you see the shape of the stars there? That shape never changes, but over there,” he pointed to another part of the sky, “that’s one of the five planets that move.”
    Jennie stared at him, watching his exuberance, loving this side of him. “Planets?”
    “Aye, the Greeks say there are planets that move. They are bright lights in the sky that change their location. Every moon they are in a different place in the sky.
    “How do you know so much?” Jennie’s curiosity was definitely piqued.
    “The monk, Joseph. There are some traveling monks who come to the abbey to share their knowledge. I have begged Joseph to bring me a book, any book, but he hasn’t been able to locate one yet. He brings me what he can find, and I enjoy them all. ‘Tis said there is one with drawings of the patterns of the stars, all with assigned names.”
    Jennie stared above her at all the twinkling stars. She had to admit they were quite magical, especially against the deep blue of the night sky.
    “They say there are twelve signs of the zodiac, called the ellipses by some. A man called Ptolemy wrote books about the stars and the sun and the ellipses. I find it all so fascinating.”
    He turned to face her and cupped her face in one strong hand. “Do you not agree? Isn’t it magical?”
    “Aye,” she gazed into his blue eyes, mesmerized not by the twinkling in the sky, but the twinkle in his eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something. She turned to get a better look at it and gasped. “Now that’s magical. What do you call that?”
    Aedan tipped his head back, peering in the direction she’d indicated. He grasped her hand in his, his face breaking into the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. “A shooting star. That’s what I call that. You will not see one verra often.” His attention returned to her, and his voice deepened, giving it that husky edge she loved.
    “This is magical because you’re magical. The shooting star tells me that I’m right.” He lowered his mouth to hers.
    Jennie wanted to shout to the stars with joy, but instead decided to focus on this man in her arms. She twined her arms about his neck and returned the kiss, wanting to savor the taste of him. The guards were far behind them, and they were alone enough for her to enjoy this private interlude. He tasted of apples, ale, and Aedan, something of which she was growing quite fond. His tongue pushed against her lips and she parted them, allowing him inside so she could taste him even more.
    His tongue swept her mouth, so she hesitantly brought hers out to meet it, afraid to see what he would do. He groaned in response and tugged her in close, his arms around her waist. He angled his mouth and began a rhythmic assault on her lips. Her knees threatened to buckle in response, but his strong arms held her in place.
    Pulling back, his gaze locked on hers, his eyes begging her to pull even closer and drown herself in their sapphire depths.
    He grabbed a plaid he had over his shoulder and set it on the ground in front of them. “Here,” he said, grabbing her hand, “I’ll show you the best way to view the stars up above.”
    He helped her settle, though Jennie suddenly felt unsure. She had overheard many tales of maids being tossed in the hay in the stables or in the heather of the Scottish meadows, but on a hilltop? She hoped it wasn’t what he had planned, because she wasn’t ready for that yet.
    Once the two of them were flat on the ground on