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Authors: Belladonna Bordeaux
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late—very late in returning to Castle Kincaid. Still, he'd seen Graham's body home to the border. There he met with the Laird of Clan Wulfson. The Norse clan who'd settled Scotland's western coast, were affable at times but warring most others.
He'd been welcomed with a frown, which he expected, and a clasping of arms. The new Laird, his cousin, kept a wary eye on him, but agreed to see Graham on the final leg of his long journey to hallowed ground. Out of respect and shared blood, Iaen accepted the invitation to spend the night in the closest village.
The trip home turned hazardous as the snows blew in on a stiff breeze off the coast. Squalls slowed the journey to a crawl. Finally, a senight and three days since he'd left, he relinquished the reins to his stable master. Worn to the bone from the long trip, he hungered for the warmth of a fire in his hearth and a cup of mulled wine. “How goes it, Kevin?”
“Well, milord. Per you orders, the dike has been shored up as best it can. We've found cottages for all but Patricia's family and a few stragglers. Milady has made them welcome in your stead.”
“Milady is well?”
“Aye,” Kevin answered as he escorted Iaen into the Keep. “She's missed you mightily, but she's taken to her duties with zeal. The Clan is pleased with her for she's taken on the great responsibility of taming Lila. She's also kind to a fault to our displaced clansmen.”
“And your blushing bride?”
“We suit,” Kevin informed him, his tone bland, noncommittal. “Charlzie, despite her advanced age, is more a maid than a matriarch. It hasnae been easy for her, but she's coming around. If 'twasnae for milady's example, Charlzie would have collapsed the first day.”
“You're displeased?”
“Nay, milord. I am disappointed in Charlzie's resolve.” He hesitated as he opened the Great Doors. “Not only is she like to laze about half the day if I let her, she also explained to me that she is infertile for the next season. She went on to tell me that in the future they have surgical procedures that keep women from conceiving. Can you imagine such a thing? I cannae believe she'd willingly deny her husband bairns. I think her wild story is more her way to keep me out of our bed.”
Iaen frowned at his second-in-command. Kevin's tone warned him all was not going fit or fine in his cottage. For a moment, he considered ordering Kevin and Charlzie to move into the Keep where he would watch over them, then denied the urge. If the mood between the couple grew dire, he'd do so, but he had to give them a chance to come to a compromise. “Give her time, Kevin. Charlzie is still learning her way. You cannae dismiss the lass for that which is beyond her control.”
“I'm trying, milord. 'Tis difficult when she cannae make a palatable stew or a loaf of bread. Milady has asked Elspeth to put her to work in the kitchen where she might learn to cook. I pity Elspeth, for Charlzie is hopeless.”
“You give up too soon, Kevin.”
“Begging you pardon, milord, but if you had been here to see how she acts, you'd understand she's knows nothing of being a wife. 'Tis an embarrassment to me and my family. ”
“Have you brought this up with milady?” Iaen clenched his fist at his side. Taking in the refugees asleep on pallets filling the floor, he quietly made his way to the stairs.
“Nay, milord. She's had enough responsibility leveled on her shoulders. If Charlzie has made an issue of it, she didnae discuss it with me.”
Iaen heard condemnation ring in Kevin's words. “If you fall into more disharmony come to me.”
“She's my wife. I'd not have you interfere in our affairs, milord.”
“She's a member of my clan.” 'Twas the last word he'd speak on the subject tonight. Anxious to see Jenny, Iaen forced himself to measure his steps. “Go home and take some time with your bride. With reassurance, she'll grow into her position.”
“As you wish, milord.”
Iaen turned his attention to his
He'd been welcomed with a frown, which he expected, and a clasping of arms. The new Laird, his cousin, kept a wary eye on him, but agreed to see Graham on the final leg of his long journey to hallowed ground. Out of respect and shared blood, Iaen accepted the invitation to spend the night in the closest village.
The trip home turned hazardous as the snows blew in on a stiff breeze off the coast. Squalls slowed the journey to a crawl. Finally, a senight and three days since he'd left, he relinquished the reins to his stable master. Worn to the bone from the long trip, he hungered for the warmth of a fire in his hearth and a cup of mulled wine. “How goes it, Kevin?”
“Well, milord. Per you orders, the dike has been shored up as best it can. We've found cottages for all but Patricia's family and a few stragglers. Milady has made them welcome in your stead.”
“Milady is well?”
“Aye,” Kevin answered as he escorted Iaen into the Keep. “She's missed you mightily, but she's taken to her duties with zeal. The Clan is pleased with her for she's taken on the great responsibility of taming Lila. She's also kind to a fault to our displaced clansmen.”
“And your blushing bride?”
“We suit,” Kevin informed him, his tone bland, noncommittal. “Charlzie, despite her advanced age, is more a maid than a matriarch. It hasnae been easy for her, but she's coming around. If 'twasnae for milady's example, Charlzie would have collapsed the first day.”
“You're displeased?”
“Nay, milord. I am disappointed in Charlzie's resolve.” He hesitated as he opened the Great Doors. “Not only is she like to laze about half the day if I let her, she also explained to me that she is infertile for the next season. She went on to tell me that in the future they have surgical procedures that keep women from conceiving. Can you imagine such a thing? I cannae believe she'd willingly deny her husband bairns. I think her wild story is more her way to keep me out of our bed.”
Iaen frowned at his second-in-command. Kevin's tone warned him all was not going fit or fine in his cottage. For a moment, he considered ordering Kevin and Charlzie to move into the Keep where he would watch over them, then denied the urge. If the mood between the couple grew dire, he'd do so, but he had to give them a chance to come to a compromise. “Give her time, Kevin. Charlzie is still learning her way. You cannae dismiss the lass for that which is beyond her control.”
“I'm trying, milord. 'Tis difficult when she cannae make a palatable stew or a loaf of bread. Milady has asked Elspeth to put her to work in the kitchen where she might learn to cook. I pity Elspeth, for Charlzie is hopeless.”
“You give up too soon, Kevin.”
“Begging you pardon, milord, but if you had been here to see how she acts, you'd understand she's knows nothing of being a wife. 'Tis an embarrassment to me and my family. ”
“Have you brought this up with milady?” Iaen clenched his fist at his side. Taking in the refugees asleep on pallets filling the floor, he quietly made his way to the stairs.
“Nay, milord. She's had enough responsibility leveled on her shoulders. If Charlzie has made an issue of it, she didnae discuss it with me.”
Iaen heard condemnation ring in Kevin's words. “If you fall into more disharmony come to me.”
“She's my wife. I'd not have you interfere in our affairs, milord.”
“She's a member of my clan.” 'Twas the last word he'd speak on the subject tonight. Anxious to see Jenny, Iaen forced himself to measure his steps. “Go home and take some time with your bride. With reassurance, she'll grow into her position.”
“As you wish, milord.”
Iaen turned his attention to his
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