Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Selene was waiting, dressed in a fresh gown, her hair brushed and braided, when Kenneth returned.
From her vantage point at the window, she had recognized Halvard’s standard waving in the gentle breeze.
She’d observed the meeting between Kenneth and Halvard’s man and deduced that this was not another imposter waving a false banner.
It could only be the escort sent by her brother-in-law to escort her to Raasay.
She threw her arms around Kenneth as he opened the door to the chamber. He held her briefly, then shook his head.
It was clear from his frown and the grim line of his mouth that the news was exactly as she’d surmised. Her heart twisted.
She could barely form the words her heart was forbidding. “Is it… the men to escort me… to Raasay?”
He nodded.
Her heart plunged all the way to the cold flagstones beneath her feet. The idea of leaving Duntulm – leaving Kenneth – hit her with devastating clarity.
She did not want to go.
Kenneth was speaking and she could scarcely comprehend what he was saying.
He stopped and looked at her, a grin breaking through his grim expression.
“Ye didnae listen tae a word I said.”
She shook her head. “I must apologize. I was diverted by my racing thoughts. Please tell me again what I dinnae wish to hear.”
He held her close, and she felt his fast-beating heart against her breast.
Could it be that this news was as bad for him as it was for her?
“Once Halvard’s lad has broken his fast, Callum will escort him tae me study tae discuss the business he has been tasked with. It would please me if ye were there also, tae hear what he says and tae meet the lad under friendly circumstances.”
He held her at arm’s length, raking her with his eyes as if to emblazon her image on his mind for all time.
“I must go. I will send one of the servants tae let ye ken when we are in the study. If ye will come tae me there…?”
She nodded without further thought. “Of course.”
After he’d gone, she could not contemplate returning to her breakfast. Cold porridge, cold eggs, stale bannocks were met by a stomach that was churning and roiling as waves of emotion washed over her.
She had dreamed for so long of being reunited with her dear sister, and her travels had been long and difficult. But now that she was faced with the reality of leaving Duntulm and travelling to Raasay, she was torn.
She paced across the room and back. She was still pacing when a timid knock at her door heralded the little maid.
“The laird is waiting fer ye in the study, milady.” She bobbed a quick curtsy and skittered down the passageway, leaving Selene in a sudden panic.
What should I say?
Should I simply accept that I must accompany Halvard’s men tae the island? Or should I reveal me heart?
She hastily shrugged on her blue wool jacket, buttoned it to her neck, and smoothed her skirt. Taking a long deep breath, she lifted the latch on her door and made her exit, aware that her hands were shaking. She felt like an autumn leaf clinging to its branch, being tossed in the wind.
Baird MacLeod was formal, polite, and respectful, exactly what she would hope for in an escort. He was dark haired, even featured and almost as tall as Kenneth.
Yet, for all his good manners and his soft voice, she had become used to the rugged, spirited, and noisy men of Duntulm. Beside the vigor of Kenneth and Callum, young Baird MacLeod was altogether lackluster.
She glanced at Kenneth. In his kilt and jacket, with his broadsword sheathed at his belt, he was magnificent.
While his hair was certainly not smooth and elegant like the MacLeod lad’s, his hands were rough and calloused, and his tone was more inclined to gruff than smooth, she found the sparkle in his eyes and the smile that softened his grim expression to be utterly irresistible.
She made up her mind as to what she must do.
“So, if it is acceptable tae ye, Lady Selene,” Baird said, finally, after he’d enquired after her health and exchanged remarks about the weather with Kenneth.
“I shall be ready with me men tae escort ye on board Laird Halvard’s birlinn, tae commence our journey tae Brochel Castle on the island of Raasay. ”
Selene looked to Kenneth, who stood by without comment. She tried to fathom his expression but his features were bland, unreadable.
Baird dipped his head. “’Tis best if we sail at first light, milady.”
She nodded without speaking as Blair turned on his heel and marched out of the study.
Quivering, quite out of sorts, and desperately unsure of herself she turned to Kenneth who stood, as implacable as ever, before the fireplace.
“Have you naught to say?” Her voice shook.
“I have much I could say, lass. But ‘tis nae me place tae interfere wi’ yer plans. I have nay right tae speak me thoughts and feelings when yer braither-in-law has responded tae what was asked of him. Tae send a party tae take ye safely tae Raasay.”
“Oh.” She gave an impatient huff. “Your forbearance tests my patience, Kenneth. Can you not at least give voice to your opinion? Making no attempt to interfere, of course.”
“Och. I’ve an opinion and, if ye wish, I’ll nae hold back. But first I’d like tae hear yers.” He looked her up and down with a most annoying grin spreading across his face.”
She sucked in a deep breath and slowly released it before she dared to speak. “If you insist.” She gritted her teeth. “I don’t wish to leave Castle Duntulm.” She turned her face to the fireplace. “There, I’ve said it now.”
He looked at her, arching a questioning brow. “And…?”
“And… I don’t want to leave you,” she blurted. “Is that what you wished me to say?”
He seized her arms in his two hands, smiling now. He studied her, every line of his face taut with hope. “D’ye mean it?”
She looked up and their eyes met. What she saw there took away any shred of doubt she may have held, yet she still needed to hear him say it. “And you? What is your opinion?”
He twirled her in his arms. “Selene, yer words fill me with joy. I wish for nothing more than ye should stay by me side at Duntulm.” He sobered. “Yet, dae ye understand? If ye stay, it changes everything between us. Are you certain ye wish tae live the rest of yer life here?”
“Yes.” Her answer came instantly. “I want to stay with you.”
His gaze darkened, softening with something deeper than desire. “Nae as a guest,” he murmured. “But as me precious wife.”
She inhaled sharply – not with the shock of his words, but with recognition. She had known, the moment she thought of losing him.
“Yes,” she whispered, her heart beating fast. “I want that.”
“Ye could contemplate life as the wife of the Brute of Sleat?”
She laughed, reaching a hand to stroke the hair from his forehead. “Aye. That is my most fervent wish.”
Holding her tight Kenneth gulped in another deep breath exhaling slowly, his eyes bright, as though the world finally made sense. Then he gave his head a little shake.
“I willnae wed without yer family’s blessing Selene. I will travel with ye tae Raasay. I’ll speak tae Halvard face-tae-face. Ye will become me wife with honor and the blessings of yer kin.”
Selene’s eyes softened with pride. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
He took her hands, cradling them in his. Their quiet promise settled between them. Fragile, hopeful, and infinitely precious. Whatever storms might come, they would face them together.
The day passed in a whirl of preparation.
It was no small thing for the Laird to be leaving the Castle, especially when there was danger and the potential for another attack from Aidan.
While Kenneth was meeting with Callum and his captains, Selene left her trunk half-packed and went in search of Maureen.
She found her in the kitchen giving instructions to the cook concerning the week’s meals. After one glance at Selene’s face, she wiped floury hands on her pinafore and brushed a lock of hair from her face.
“What is it?”
“Can we talk in the solar?”
Selene waited until they were settled comfortably by the fire in the solar before she launched herself into the news.
“As you know, Laird Halvard’s men are here now, waiting to escort me to Raasay.”
Maureen’s mouth turned down. “And ye’ll be leaving?”
“We will sail at first light, but…” She hesitated as Maureen took a sharp breath. “I will be returning tae Duntulm.”
Maureen’s face lit up. “Och, that is such good news. When, how…?
“I’m not sure when I may return. But…” she was suddenly shy. “There will be a wedding.”
“Ye? Tae wed… Kenneth?”
Beaming, Selene nodded.
Maureen clapped her hands and jumped to her feet. “I kent from the way he looked at ye that Kenneth’s heart was yers. I was afraid ye might nae feel the same.”
“I do feel the same. You may rest assured, your dear brother has all of my heart.”
“Och, Selene.” Maureen seized her in a hug. “I’ve so often wished fer a sister. Yer news makes me heart sing with happiness.”