Chapter 37 #2
“Do you feel warmer?” Padraig grinned, and Cairren shot him a rueful smile.
He continued to hold her as his hands rubbed more warmth into her.
She was still chilled, but he was no longer fearful that she would succumb to hypothermia.
When her lips no longer showed any hints of blue, they shuffled to his horse where he pulled out two spare leines.
He helped her into one and couldn’t avoid laughing when the garment that hung to his knees trailed on the ground. “You look adorable,” Padraig chuckled.
“I look like a child playing dress up,” Cairren huffed, but she grinned.
“Come. Let’s get you by the fire and something to eat.”
“Do you have any whisky?” Cairren grinned even wider.
“Aye, you ken we do.” Padraig led Cairren out to the fire, the two plaids wrapped around her on top of the leine.
Once she was settled with her fingers and toes pointed toward the blaze, Padraig pleated his plaid and put it back on.
He came to sit beside her and passed her the whisky she asked for.
The men hooted as she took a long draw and didn’t hiss or choke.
She felt the warmth all the way to her feet and knew she’d had enough.
“Will we spend the night here?” Cairren whispered.
“Nay. Once you’ve eaten and are warm, we’ll return to Foulis.” Padraig watched Cairren’s reaction, but her eyes were guarded as she watched the rabbits roasting.
“Once I’ve eaten? You didn’t say we.”
“Aye. Both rabbits are for you. And before you protest and say you don’t need that much, yes, you did. You used much of your endurance in that icy water. You need your strength even if the ride isn’t that long.” Padraig saw she was still prepared to argue. “For me. Will you please do this for me?”
Cairren gazed into Padraig’s eyes and saw remorse and fear still shone in his deep brown eyes and the creases in his brow.
He seemed to have aged in the few days they’d been apart.
She felt guilty for the worry she’d caused, but she didn’t regret fleeing.
She wasn’t eager to return to Foulis either.
“Must be we go back?” Cairren whispered. “I’m scared, Padraig. You can’t gainsay your father, and Duncan is obviously a danger to me. Did your father send Duncan after me?”
“I don’t know the answer to your second question, but we can go back.
The clan council removed Father Mitchell and intends to send him back to the Mackintoshes.
It disgusted them to discover what he’d done.
The elders want you to return, and you have their vote of confidence.
Many admitted, even Alistair who tried to elbow you on our wedding night, that they still see you as foreign, but it no longer scares them.
They are willing to change. Those who you’ve tended appreciate your dedication.
It was my mother and Father Mitchell, along with Myrna, who perpetuated the hatred.
The clan didn’t dare speak against their lady and their priest. They followed where they were led.
And I know I contributed to that, Ren. I’ve failed you time and again.
Bluidy hell, I’ve said that time and again, but I want you to come home.
The clan has pledged that it’s safe for you. ”
Cairren wanted to believe Padraig. She wanted to make their marriage work because she believed she’d fallen in love with him, but she didn’t trust the Munros in the slightest, especially not after the future laird nearly drowned her.
She looked at the ground and considered what she would say.
She’d just coupled with Padraig, and the memory of their intimacy tempted her to give in, but as her stomach grumbled, she remembered that it was no longer just about her. She would buy herself some time.
“Very well. But I’m still scared, Padraig. Your father and Father Mitchell wanted to burn me alive. Your mother would have thrown the first spark. Your brother left me for dead. There’s no one left in your family who doesn’t want me gone.”
“I’m not leaving your side,” Padraig assured her.
“You can’t be tied to me day and night,” Cairren said as she shook her head.
“Let’s get through tonight, Ren, then we can make decisions.”
Cairren nodded, but she already knew what she would do. She felt like God smiled upon her when Padraig insisted that Lachlan and the Sutherland guards should accept Munro hospitality for the night. When Padraig slipped away for a moment of privacy, Lachlan approached Cairren.
“You still want to go to Stirling, don’t you? Probably even more than before.”
“I do. I don’t want to hurt Padraig. That was never my goal, but I can’t remain at Foulis. I know Padraig wants to hold out faith in his clan, but I have none.”
“My men and I will take you, but do you think Padraig will let you leave?”
“Aye, I do. Not without trying to convince me to stay, but I believe he wants what’s best for me. He has to know that remaining will never work.” Cairren watched the spot where she’d last seen Padraig. “I’ll pack a satchel and be ready before dawn. I dislike it, but I may be sneaking out.”
“I figured as much. Do you want me to get him in his cups?”
At first Cairren shook her head; then she nodded, only to shake it once again as Lachlan chuckled.
“Let me talk to him and see if I can reason with him. If he refuses, then helping him drown his sorrows might not be that bad.” Lachlan stepped away when Padraig appeared, smiling at Cairren as he went to check his horse.
“What was that aboot?” Cairren couldn’t miss the suspicion in Padraig’s voice.
“He just wanted to check on me. He was being kind.”
Padraig watched Lachlan over Cairren’s head.
Something didn’t sit well with him, but he tried to convince himself that he was just being possessive of his beautiful wife.
He reminded himself that he’d just reunited with her, and she’d given no indication that she wanted to be anywhere but with him.
Once the fire was out, Padraig helped Cairren mount in front of him, and they rode for Foulis.