Chapter Twenty #2
A dark blur shot across the courtyard, heading straight for him.
“Teller?” Hendry barely had time to lower the cup before the dog skidded to a halt, tail wagging so hard his whole backside wobbled. The animal let out an excited whine, dancing on his paws.
“What the devil… What are ye doing here? Where’s Ailith? Did ye run away?”
The dog pawed his leg and stretched, as if the question was beneath him. Then, catching sight of the other dogs streaking across the yard, Teller took off like an arrow, barking his arrival much to the delight of the other dogs, who all joined in the chorus.
Hendry watched the pack disappear behind the keep, shaking his head. Lucky he had seen Teller, he’d make sure to collect the scoundrel before he set off for Ailith’s. She was probably worried and searching for her dog.
He started rehearsing what he’d say to her upon arriving as he crossed the yard. He’d begin by meeting her gaze, steady and sure, and admit he’d been wrong to assume she’d simply stay at the keep without him asking her to marry.
“I wish for ye to be my wife,” he began.
He grimaced. “Nae, too formal.”
“Ailith, will ye be my wife?”
Still wrong.
“Ailith, will ye marry me?”
Better. But he’d need something before that.
“I dinnae wish for a life without ye. If ye accept being my wife, marrying me, I will be…”
He stopped dead in the path and let out a long, tortured breath. “Ugh. Dunce.”
Maybe Liam would ken what to say. His friend was quite adept at spending time with the fairer sex. As for himself, he was apparently more suited for battlefields than courtship.
When he reached his cottage, Tobin was just stepping out, the lad’s grin bright enough to make Hendry suspicious.
“Good afternoon, sir. A very good day it is indeed,” the squire chirped.
Hendry narrowed his eyes. “Where are ye headed? I require my horse to be saddled. I plan to go, er…leave shortly. First, I’ll see Liam.”
“I was just going to eat,” Tobin said, already edging away.
“Aye, very well. Fill yer belly, then prepare my steed.”
The boy gave him a look that landed somewhere between confusion and surprise, never a good sign, but didn’t say anything. He turned and trotted toward the stables, where he took his meals with the other stable hands and master.
Hendry watched him go, muttering to himself. “Strange.”
The moment Hendry stepped into his cottage, he stopped dead.
Something was different.
On the table sat a small cup cradling sprigs of fresh greenery, a simple touch that somehow made the space feel…
warmer. A blanket he didn’t recognize was draped over the back of a chair, the weave soft and inviting.
His gaze moved to the shelves along the far wall, where there were more cups and bowls than he’d owned yesterday.
And by the hearth sat a large sewing basket, stuffed full and waiting for use.
He frowned. Why had Tobin brought all this in there?
Then another thought hit him with such force he nearly spun on his heel; he’d walked into the wrong cottage. That must be it. Which would explain the startled look on Tobin’s face earlier.
Hurrying back outside, he glanced left, then right. No… this was his cottage. Had someone been given it in his absence? Someone with a wife? Had the laird simply not had time to tell him?
Resolved to gather his belongings and find another place to sleep, he stepped back inside only to freeze in the doorway.
Ailith stepped in from the back door, her arms full of folded clothing. She gasped, eyes going wide.
“Ailith…”
“Hendry…”
They spoke at the same time The words hanging between them like a breath neither dared release.
She recovered first. “I-I have returned. We must talk.”
Crossing to the bed, Ailith set the clothes down slowly, as though buying herself a moment before meeting his gaze. Hendry’s eyes, however, were already darting around, blanket, dishes, sewing basket, piecing together what it meant. Had she… moved in?
Was Liam wrong about Ailith needing to know how he felt? No, Liam was never wrong.
And then she was in front of him, close enough that the faint scent of wildflowers from her hair stirred his senses. She lifted her chin, her lips softening as she searched his face.
“I am so very sorry, Hendry. Please forgive me for leaving so abruptly. I was upset that ye would nae talk to me.” Her breath left her in a rush. “I ken ye expected me to break yer heart again, and like a dolt, I did the very worst. I did.”
Hendry opened his mouth, but words refused to come. Better to let her speak because obviously he’d lost the ability.
She took his left hand in both of hers, pressing it to her cheek before releasing it. Her skin was warm, her touch steady. “I love ye, Hendry. More than life itself. And if it means living here with ye and ignoring gossips and their snide remarks, so be it.”
At that, a flash of anger sparked. His jaw tightened. “Who dared to speak unkindly to ye?”
She shrugged, dismissing it. “It matters not.”
It did matter, and he’d address it soon.
However, at the moment, it was time for him to speak, to tell her exactly what she meant to him.
He glanced up to the rafters, hunting for the right words.
“I… I think… We… I mean, ye will want to love and not be married and be a wife…” he paused, groaning. “The dog is here.”
Ailith blinked at him, bewildered. “I am nae sure I understand all of what ye said, but ye should know, I do wish to marry. Though if ye dinnae, then I will accept it. I’d much rather be with ye than alone.”
“I do mean to…” His breath stuttered. “What I mean is…” He forced himself to slow, measuring each word. “I wish for nothing more than for ye to be my wife. I planned to come and find ye… to ask ye to marry me.”
Her brows drew together. “Are ye sure?”
Cupping his face with her hand, she searched his expression as though to be certain. “I dinnae wish ye to do it because of what I’ve said. Ye must be sure before asking. Ye’ve nae even told me for certain how ye feel.”
Hendry groaned, a hand scrubbing over his face. “I forgot that part.” Then, before she could speak, he met her eyes and let the words come.
“Woman, I love ye so much I ache. I cannae imagine life without ye in it. Ye are more important to me than my allegiance to the laird, aye, more than life itself. I wish to be with ye until the end of my days. I want ye in my bed every night, in my arms, our breaths mingling, our hearts beating together. Marry me, Ailith. I beg of ye. Make this warrior a happy man.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes, sliding down her cheeks. Both her hands pressed to her chest, fingers clenched as though holding her heart in place.
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Yes. I love ye with all my heart, Hendry. I will be yer wife.”
The next moment was a blur. She launched herself into his arms, and Hendry caught her, holding her tight. Happiness crashed over him so fiercely, he had to blink against the tears burning his own eyes.
For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, he knew, without a single doubt, that his world was exactly as it should be.