Chapter 8
“You’re up early,” Declan said when Aura entered the Great Hall.
Aura smiled. “You as well.”
He noticed how her genuine smile brightened her face. She might have plain features but there was something distinct about them, something that intrigued him though what it was, he didn’t know. And that intrigued him even more.
“I favor the quiet of daybreak,” he said, standing and holding a chair out for her at the dais.
“Something we have in common.”
“Is your bedchamber acceptable?” he asked after she sat, and he returned to sit in the chair beside her.
“It is larger than my cottage,” she said with soft chuckle and reached to tear a piece from the loaf of bread. She barely took a bite when her face scrunched in distaste.
“I fear the clan cook, Ruth, lacks skill,” he said in the way of an apology.
“It’s flavor she lacks. I can suggest some spices and flavorful herbs to use to make the food tastier.”
“Please do,” he pleaded dramatically. “I will be skin and bones before I know it, since it grows more difficult by the day to suffer her meals.”
Aura laughed. “That would be a pity. I will see it done.”
It truly would be a pity to see Delcan’s lean body lose his defined muscles.
Not many men had such muscle mass. Most were thick enough and some firm, others soft, but few were as defined as him.
Between his exceptionally fine features and his appealing body, not to mention his eyes that caught your attention and refused to let go, she could understand why women found him so attractive.
“Tell me what help you need today, and I will see that you get it,” Declan said, looking over the food to see which one would be the safest choice.
Her answer came fast. “The garden. I need to get the few rooted plants I brought with me into the ground. I also want to get my cottage settled. And another time, I would like to return to my cottage to prepare my garden there for winter in case I do not return before the first snow.”
Declan felt a catch to his gut like a light punch at the mention of her leaving. He found he quite enjoyed talking with her. She didn’t try to flatter him or smile overly sweetly at him, nor did she try to impress him in any way. She simply was herself and he found that refreshing.
“I will make sure you get there,” he assured her.
The heavy door creaked open and in strode Hamish, his gait determined though he leaned heavily on his walking stick. His cheeks were already ruddy from the morning chill, or possibly from excitement, and he beamed when he caught sight of them.
“There you are, my lord, and future lady,” he said with a quick bow. “I wanted to make you aware of the plans underway for the grandest celebration Clan MacCrone has seen in years.”
Declan raised a brow. “Underway? It is to be a simple wedding and as quickly as possible.” He lowered his voice. “Must I remind you that this is a marriage of convenience?”
Hamish gave a scandalized sniff. “What marriage isn’t, and do you think the clan will let it pass with a muttered vow and a nod?
You’re the laird now. And Lady Aura is… well, she is Lady Aura, healer of wisdom, tamer of gardens, and brave enough to wed you.
” He flashed her a wink. “The celebration must reflect that.”
Aura, who had been sipping tea, set her tankard down gently. “It all sounds rather grand, Hamish. Might it not be… simpler?”
“Simple?” Hamish repeated, as though she’d just proposed they wed in silence at the edge of a bog.
“Forgive me, my lady, but the people would never forgive their laird if the wedding were a mere whimper. This is a time for joy, of promise, after all the hardship the clan has endured, they need it. They want to celebrate a brighter future. They’ll want to dance, feast, and boast that their new laird chose a bride as clever and fair as you. ”
Aura’s cheeks pinked, knowing he was being generous, but she pressed gently, “Still… I’d not want the day to become overwhelming. A quiet vow, a gathering with food and music—”
Hamish held up a hand. “Hunters have been dispatched to the forest to bring back a feast fit for the occasion. Doors are being decorated with festive wreaths in celebration. Women are cooking so we will have the best we can offer our guests.”
Declan’s brow shot up. “Guests?”
“Aye, the news spread fast, and word was sent that many will attend,” Hamish said.
“You invited people?” Declan asked bewildered.
“Nay, lords and ladies assumed they would be invited and sent word they were attending.”
“This is too much, Declan,” Aura said.
Hamish exhaled in deep frustration. “This is done, and properly, and it cannot be undone. If either of you try to prevent it, the whole clan will be after you with pitchforks and I will be right there with them.”
Declan kept his voice firm and low. “If a celebration is needed, all well and good, but you will get the cleric here posthaste and Aura and I shall wed quietly and privately. The celebration can follow another time, days or more later, and I will hear no more about it.”
The caution bordering on a threat kept Hamish from arguing. “Aye, sir, I will see it done.”
“A celebration that feeds so many people needs time to prepare for such a grand occasion, Hamish,” Aura said. “This will give you time to make sure all goes well.”
The scrunched annoyance on Hamish’s face vanished. “You are right, m’lady. I can make it an even grander celebration.” He hurried to the door, muttering to himself.
Aura sighed softly. “I did not want to dampen his enthusiasm or dismiss the joy the clan got over the pending celebration. And Hamish is right about most marriages being ones of convenience and beneficial as well. The reason won’t matter to the clan why we wed but the celebration will matter to them. ”
“Aye, you’re right.” He grinned. “I always enjoyed a good celebration, friends, drink, food, music… always a good time. Did you enjoy the same with your family?”
“Celebrations were few and small, but always welcome. This celebration will be quite a change for me.”
“Feeling overwhelmed?” Declan asked. “You did say, this wasn’t exactly the path you chose.”
“Neither was it yours,” she reminded him.
He nodded once. “Nay, but here we are.”
“I never pictured a wedding day. Certainly not one so… large.”
Declan leaned forward toward her. “If it’s too much—”
“Nay,” she said quickly. “Nay, I understand why your clan looks forward to the celebration They have suffered hardships since they lost their laird and have been left without leadership too long. The celebration will be good.”
He cringed. “Though I doubt anyone will enjoy the food.”
Aura chuckled. “I will show the cook how to flavor the food.”
“Then people will surely enjoy themselves,” Declan said, her soft laugh sounding more like a pleasant melody.
Aura hurried to her feet, causing Declan to do the same.
“Can you spare me just one man who can prepare a small section of soil? I need to get my rooted plants in the ground and help clear the ground so I can prepare it for winter’s rest. Then I intend to concentrate on different potions that might help with your problem.”
“Aye, I’ll set two men to see the task done quickly.”
With a quick yet light step, Aura was across the hall and out the door, Declan’s eyes on her the whole time.
Aura just finished settling the last of her rooted plants in the rich earth. They looked fragile there, out of place among unfamiliar soil, their leaves trembling as though they too questioned where they belonged.
She went to the rain barrel at the corner of her cottage to clean the dirt off her hands.
Her glance caught on the wreath of woven greens and dried blooms that hung on her door.
An elderly woman had presented it to her with pride and let her know how everyone looked forward to the celebration.
She had told Aura that it had been far too long since the clan had a celebration to look forward to.
She thanked her profusely for the thoughtful gift and was struck by the joyful anticipation of the occasion.
She wiped her hands on the apron she wore over her tunic and turned to watch the bustle of activity from a distance.
Voices rose and fell, and laughter mingled with barked orders, and the rhythmic clatter of hammers and hurried footsteps echoed between stone and wood.
The village was in the throes of anticipation for the marriage celebration.
How different it would be, would feel, if she were truly preparing to spend all of her days, her life, with Declan as husband and wife.
She imagined what it might have been like if Declan truly wanted her…
if the ceremony meant forever, not mere obligation.
The thought curled tight in her chest, and she admonished herself for such foolish thoughts.
She would never wed. So, she might as well enjoy the faux wedding since it was the only one she would ever have.
A sound caught her ear, so faint it barely stirred the air. A cry. High and thin. Almost a mewl.
Aura turned to listen. It came again—just behind the cottage, muffled, distressed. An injured kitten, perhaps.
She followed the sound, her garment hem disturbing the last of the fallen leaves as she hurried around the corner of her cottage eager to help the poor animal.
There was barely a path to follow. The thickets were thick, and she skirted around them to step into the shadows by the first stretch of trees.
The cry came again, pulling her forward.
She hesitated only a moment before stepping into the hush of the woods.
Then, out of nowhere, came the cold, sharp press of steel against her back.
“Walk,” came the deep voice.
Aura stiffened, the voice distinctively male, but who would threaten her and why? “What do you want?”
The blade jabbed her gently, enough to sting. “Don’t speak. Walk.”
She obeyed, her heart hammering now, each step deeper into the woods, pulling her from the sounds of the village, from safety.
She couldn’t hold her tongue. “Where do you take me and why? And what do you intend to do with me?”
“You ask too many questions, and I am not being paid to answer them.”
“Paid? You were paid to abduct me?” she asked, shocked. “By who? Why?”
He muttered beneath his breath, then said, “Aye, I was paid to take you and leave you in a marked clearing. That’s all I know.”
Aura’s stomach twisted. Who would want her taken? And why?
A twig snapped behind them sounding like a thunder strike in the quiet forest.
Her captor grabbed her arm and froze.
Aura turned her head just enough to see a figure moving among the trees—fast, silent, and familiar.
“Declan,” she whispered, as the man cursed and spun with his blade.
Declan charged, fury in every step. The fight was brief and brutal. He knocked the weapon from the man’s hand with a swing of his forearm, then slammed him to the ground with a growl that made even the tree branches still.
Aura stood staring as Declan pressed his booted-covered foot to the man’s neck.
“I heard you tell her someone sent you… who?” he demanded.
“I don’t know his name!” the man gasped. “I was handed a bag of coin and given instructions to grab the woman and was told to leave her at the old ring of stones south of here. That’s all I know!”
Declan’s eyes looked briefly to Aura, then back to the man.
“If you’re wise, you’ll keep the coin he gave you and get as far away from here as you can before he finds out you failed and demands his coins back, or worse. And if you aren’t wise and I ever see you near her again, I’ll slit your throat. Now go.”
The man scrambled to his feet. “You’ll not see me again, ever.” He took off like a spooked fox, disappearing into the woods.
Declan turned, his expression dark with concern. “Are you hurt?”
Aura shook her head, her breath still short. “No. Just… a bit frightened. How did you know—”
“I was speaking with someone when I saw you duck around the side of your cottage as if in search of something. I got curious when you didn’t reappear and went to see where you had gone to.
That’s when I spotted the fellow forcing you into the woods.
” He stepped toward her and stretched out his arm to slip it around her waist. “You’re safe now. ”
She instinctively leaned into him, a sense of protection in his strength. “Am I?”
Who wanted to abduct her and what awaited her in the ring of stones?