Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
It was still dark when Kenneth woke, stirred from sleep by the chill creeping through the chamber and the uneasy sense that he had lingered too long with Selene. The fire on the hearth had sunk to mere embers, hardly more than a dull red glow and the icy air bit at his bare skin.
He lay for a moment still tangled with Selene. He listened. The keep slept. There were no shouts, no rushing boots on the flagstones, no servants’ whispers. Only the faint sigh of the wind outside and the slower, softer sound of Selene’s breathing.
She lay sprawled on the rug before the hearth where they had lain together, her hair spilling around her like dark silk, one arm flung over her head, utterly unguarded.
Even now, with danger pressing at the edges of his thoughts, the sight of her tugged something fierce and tender in his chest and the memory of the passion they’d shared caused his heart to beat faster and the blood to rush to his groin.
No. As much as he wished it, there was no time for lovemaking, practical instincts cut cruelly through his desire for her.
He rose quietly, doing his best not to disturb Selene, and fed the fire with more logs until it caught again with a low crackle, then he retrieved one of the heavy fur coverlets from the bed.
Kneeling, he draped it over her with great care.
She was as precious as the most delicate glass from Venice, and to look on her as she slept so peacefully did his heart great good.
She stirred anyway.
“Mmm,” she murmured, blinking up at him, eyes unfocused, hair ruffled into wild disarray. Sleep had softened her features, making her look younger somehow – and unbearably beautiful.
“You look like you’re sneaking away,” she said drowsily, watching as he fastened his kilt.
He smiled and leaned down to kiss her, quick and warm. “I have work to do,” he murmured. “If I wish tae catch the tide I’ve nay time tae dawdle. There’s cattle tae load and men tae make ready.” He gazed at her for one more stolen moment. “Try tae sleep a little longer.”
“I can’t sleep more, or I’ll be walking in my shift back to my room for all to see.” She caught his wrist before he could rise. “Be careful.”
“I am always careful.”
She snorted softly. “Liar.”
He laughed under his breath, gently disentangling himself, and pulled on his boots before slipping from the chamber. The warmth he left behind clung to him like a true blessing.
In the stables Arkan was saddled and waiting with the young stable hand Kenneth had instructed the previous day. He gave the lad a coin for his trouble and, grinning at his good fortune, the lad led the big destrier out to the courtyard for Kenneth to mount,
He waited for the portcullis to rise and set off on the short ride to the western shore where his birlinn was berthed.
The sky was no more than a bruised indigo by the time he reached the landing with only the faintest sliver of pale gray displayed on the horizon.
A good breeze was blowing, yet the sea was calm, a dark, restless shimmer moving against the rocks below.
If the weather held, they’d make good time back to Duntulm.
The birlinn loomed beside the jetty, her hull creaking softly as if waking from sleep, and beyond her the cattle waited, penned tight, watchful and uneasy at this unaccustomed place.
When he went near them, Kenneth paused a moment, hands on his hips, surveying the small herd of cattle waiting in the pen beside the landing place.
They were good beasts – broad-backed, healthy, their rough, shaggy coats keeping out the worst of the cold. They were few, not enough to rebuild his herd, but sufficient to restore some heart to his people.
He cursed Aidan under his breath, recalling his last raid and the mayhem he’d caused.
But he took heart from the beasts he’d purchased.
Without cattle, there would be suffering, making a harsh winter even harder to bear.
Worse still, the glimpse of a scant future would hang heavy on all the farms. These animals would mean a great deal to his people, he reminded himself sharply. Every one of these beasts matters.
Now it was on his head to transport them safely back to Sleat.
Callum was already there, sleeves rolled, voice carrying easily over the lowing and stamping of the beasts. “Easy now. Easy. No one’s intending ye harm.”
One of the younger herdsmen huffed. “D’ye think they’ll believe that when ye put them on board yer ship?”
Kenneth stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on the nearest beast’s flank, murmuring nonsense sounds meant to soothe her. The heifer’s hide was warm beneath his palm, her muscles quivering with fear.
“She’s nae wrong tae fear,” he said quietly. “She’s being taken away from all she’s ever kent.”
Callum snorted. “You’ve a fine way with offering encouragement. Try convincing her she’s naught tae fear instead.”
The little heifer balked hard when she reached the plank from the dock across to the swaying birlinn, hooves skidding, eyes rolling white. Her loud lowing echoed across the divide, causing the others to move restlessly.
Standing on the deck, Kenneth stepped into her line of sight. “Look at me,” he said firmly, as though she were a skittish child. “Aye, ye.” He tried flattery. “Ye’re a bonnie wee coo and ye’ve crossed worse ground than this.”
Clearly, she did not believe him.
Two men pushed her from behind, another tugged the rope attached to her horns, and Kenneth braced his shoulder against her side, muscles straining. His boots slid, his breath came sharp, and for a moment she seemed to consider crushing him out of sheer spite.
“Move,” he growled, more to the wind than to the animal.
With a final bellow, she surged forward, hooves clattering onto the deck.
A cheer went up.
Kenneth allowed himself one tight smile. One down.
The next animal proved no easier, and by the time the last of the cattle were secured in the stern, his shoulders burned and his palms stung raw. Still, as he surveyed them penned and roped, breathing heavily but safe, something steadied inside him.
This was not just transport.
This was recovery.
“These beasts will be welcome,” Callum said quietly, following his gaze. “Our people will feel it.”
“Aye,” Kenneth replied. “They need this after the losses in the storm.” His face tightened. “And Aidan’s mischief.”
He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Now I need tae wash, take some nourishment, and speak sense into Halvard before the tide decides fer us.”
Selene woke fully only after Kenneth had gone, the sudden absence of his warmth drawing her from sleep. For a moment she lay still beneath the fur coverlet, smiling faintly. Then reality returned with unwelcome sharpness.
I cannot be found here.
She sat up abruptly, the cold snapping at her skin causing shivers and goosebumps.
Her fingers clumsy with cold and haste, she pulled on her shift and wrapped herself in the robe.
Still shivering despite the last warmth of the fire as she damped it, she collected her slippers, staying barefoot regardless of the cold under her feet.
After all, there was no point in announcing her presence with clattering footsteps.
She opened the door and peeped out. No one. With a sigh of relief, she stepped out of the chamber and slid the door closed behind her making as little noise as possible.
She heard faint voices and clanking and banging sounds from the kitchen. The keep was waking and soon servants would be moving through the corridors.
It would not do at all to be discovered creeping away from Kenneth’s chamber like a thief – or, more to the point a ruined woman who had spent a glorious night in the arms of the man she loved.
Gossip galloped faster than any horse and would probably reach Halvard before she’d even made it back to her own bedchamber.
For a moment an image of Halvard’s disapproving frown flashed through her mind. But it was quickly displaced with the memories of the night, her body still thrumming with the pleasure and delight of it.
Fortunately, she encountered no one at all as she slipped soundlessly through the passages and finally, heart pounding, pushed open the door and entered her own chamber.
She stoked the fire, bringing it back to life and then turned her attention to the washbowl and jug on the small side table – waiting there like a grim threat of torture.
She glared at the cold water, screwed up her face, bracing herself, then splashed her face and arms issuing a small gasp. “Barbaric,” she muttered aloud, taking the damp washcloth and applying it to the rest of her. “Absolutely barbaric.”
At Duntulm, she would demand the water for her bath be heated. She would convince them that bathing with hot water was by far more pleasant than splashing oneself with ice.
After dressing in a plain woolen gown and jacket, warm woolen stockings and boots for travel, she sat by the fire untangling the knots in her long hair. Her thoughts drifted unbidden to Kenneth’s whispers as he stroked it from her face and kissed her.
She was tying a ribbon around her long braid when the door opened and her sister bounced in.
“Oh, there ye are,” Elsie said brightly. “I kent ye’d be sad at Kenneth’s leaving this morning and I thought I should keep ye company.” She stopped, frowning. “Why are ye dressed fer travel?”
Selene hesitated only a heartbeat. “Because I’m leaving.”
Elsie’s face crumpled. “Leaving?”
“I am sailing with Kenneth. To Duntulm.”
The silence that followed was sharp and sudden, broken only by a loud gasp from Elsie.
“But… ye’ve scarcely been here more than a day,” Elsie said finally, her voice quivering. “We’ve had so little time together.” A faint wail issued from her lips. “And now ye’re leaving.”
Selene crossed the room and pulled Elsie into her arms. “I know. I wish we had more time.” She clung tightly to her sister. “I, too, have been longing to see you. I’m so sorry we’ve had so little time together, after being apart for so long.”
Elsie drew back, wiping her eyes. “Well,” she said, straightening her shoulders and adding a series of sniffles, “I suppose I shall simply have tae come with ye.”
Selene blinked. “You will what?”
“I will nae miss your wedding,” Elsie declared. “Absolutely nae.”
Selene laughed softly. “There’s only one problem. No, two problems.”
“And they are?” Elsie said with a determined glint in her eye, one that Selene recognized only too well. Once Elsie made her mind up about something nothing could stand in her way.
“Those two problems are Laird Kenneth MacDonald and Laird Halvard MacLeod. Two very stubborn men who are used to obedience.”
“Och, dinnae fash, Sister. If ye wish me tae travel with ye tae Duntulm, yer Kenneth will agree. I ken he will grant ye any wish.”
Selene chuckled at that. “I don’t know if that is so. But I can’t imagine your husband agreeing to let you sail with us.”
“Well, I willnae fret about all that until I’ve had me breakfast.” She got to her feet and extended a hand. “Come, let us enjoy some nourishment together before we assail these men of ours.”
Breakfast was a lively affair.
Elsie sat opposite Selene and Kenneth eating her porridge, poached salmon, and bannocks, with determined cheer, every so often casting him a speculative glare.
“I intend tae travel with ye,” she announced in a matter-of-fact tone, as though she was discussing the weather.
Kenneth paused mid-bite and raised a dark, questioning, brow. He turned to Selene. “And what dae ye say tae this scheme of yer wee sister’s?”
She smiled and placed a hand on his forearm giving it a gentle squeeze. “You know how much my sister means to me. I pray you will agree and invite her to your castle.”
He nodded, chuckling. “Lady Elsie, ye’re most welcome tae join us on our birlinn and sail with us tae Duntulm. But that,” he said carefully, “is nae up tae meself. It will be Halvard’s decision whether or nae he’ll permit his bonnie wife tae leave his side.”
“And ye think he’ll forbid me?” Elsie said in a small voice.
Kenneth nodded, reaching for another bannock. “If I were Halvard I certainly would,” was his honest reply.
Elsie huffed at this and pouted, but made no reply.
Just as they were finishing the last of their breakfast one of Halvard’s young squires approached the table.
He bowed gracefully from the waist as he addressed Kenneth. “The Laird Halvard is wishing tae speak with ye in his study afore ye go tae the landing place.”
Kenneth exchanged glances with Selene. He had planned to seek out Halvard before they sailed and now it seemed Halvard wished to speak with him.
He reached a hand to Selene. “I wish ye tae accompany me. We both need tae speak with yer braither-in-law.”
Turning, he addressed Elsie, who was watching their exchange with great interest.
“If ye’re tae join us on the ship, we sail on the tide and time is short.” He got to his feet, Selene joining him, while Elsie scrambled hurriedly out of her seat.
“Aye, Laird Kenneth. I’ll go now and pack me belongings fer the trip.”
Kenneth nodded. “We’ll speak now with Halvard and apprize him of our plans. I trust ye will speak with yer husband and be ready tae sail with us.”
He took Selene’s hand and together they headed out of the hall.
She looked up, smiling into his eyes. “Whatever Halvard says when he learns I am sailing with you Kenneth, nothing will change my mind.”