Aunt Iseabail stood. “I am walking to my chamber before I am unable.”
“Do ye want me to walk ye?” asked Rosalia.
“Nay, enjoy your eve while ye wait for your men to return.”
Aunt Iseabail bent and kissed Rosalia on the head. “I love ye, my sweet lass.”
“I love ye too,
Aunt Iseabail walked over to Sybella and also kissed her on the head. “It warms my heart to see ye make my Alexander so happy, dear Sybella.”
Sybella reached out and grabbed Aunt Iseabail’s hand. “I am glad to be here, Aunt Iseabail.” To be honest, Sybella meant what she said. The MacDonells were quickly becoming family. Home.
Alex was tired, but at least he’d received the answer he sought from the MacKenzie. The man had arranged passage for him to Lewis and agreed for Alex to bring back the MacLeod’s head. A good day’s work, if he did say so himself.
As they approached Glengarry, the sun started to set below the horizon, casting Alex’s home in an orange glow. The castle looked warm, welcoming. He thought of Sybella and wondered if she would be the same. He was particularly fond of how the sunlight reflected on her golden locks, and he could not easily forget her skin of rose and pearl. Not being able to stay his thoughts, Alex shifted in the saddle. His wife was a rare beauty. And frankly, he missed her.
The men rode into the bailey, and Alex hoped that Cook had kept them something for sup, or he and his men would surely be raiding the pantry. The stable hand took their mounts, and Alex entered the great hall with MacGregor and John. They were starting to make their way toward the kitchens when the clanking sounds of metal against metal rang throughout the hall. Without hesitation, the men unsheathed their swords, running toward the sound of men in the heat of battle—under Alex’s own roof no less.
They abruptly came to a halt.
The commotion came from…the ladies’ solar. If Alex had not witnessed the sight before him with his own two eyes, he would never have believed it. His cousin and his bonny wife wielded their daggers while the men stood in the hall and merely gaped.
“I am the fierce Laird Ciaran MacGregor of Glenorchy. And I
“Give me but a moment while I fix my hair.” Sybella held her dagger under her arm while she placed an unruly lock of hair behind her ear.
Rosalia laughed. “Aye, my cousin would say that.”
The men lowered their weapons and sheathed their swords.
With his laugh barely contained, John said, “They are your problem. I go to eat.” And with that, he waved Alex and MacGregor off, ambling to the kitchens.
MacGregor stepped in the door and folded his arms over his chest. “I donna sound like that, Wife.”
Rosalia looked up and smiled, blowing her loose tresses from her lips. She stumbled over to MacGregor and placed her hand on his arm. “Ye are back.” She turned to Alex and almost fell into him. “Cousin, ye need to take care of your-r-r-r wife.” Rosalia lowered her voice to a whisper. “She is in her cups.”
MacGregor chuckled. “Sybella isnae the only one.”
Rosalia looked offended. “I am nae drunk. Remember, Ciaran, I am used to your ale.”
MacGregor looked at Alex and rolled his eyes. “Aye, I can see that. Come. I will take ye to bed.”
She threw herself into MacGregor’s chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I would
The man tapped Rosalia playfully on the bottom and then quickly scooped her into his arms. “Time for bed, Rosalia.”
Before Rosalia had the chance to protest, MacGregor carried her down the hall, but not before Alex heard her say, “But we were having so much fun.”
Alex stepped in the door and shook his head. Sybella stood before him with a look of pure innocence on her face. Her eyes were glassy and she swayed on her feet. She approached the table and put down her weapon.
“When I had the dagger made for ye, I didnae expect ye to be practicing swordplay with my cousin.”
“Rosalia is in her cups. I was merely trying to keep her entertained.”
“Aye.” He walked over and pulled his wife into the circle of his arms.
“I missed ye, Alex. And I am so relieved to see my
He detected censure in her tone, but her speech could’ve been due to the ill effects of the ale. He rubbed his hands over her back, and she was so warm. Frankly, she felt damn good in his arms.
Sybella pulled back and brought her hand gently to his cheek. “My dearest Alexander, please tell me ye remembered to give Colin my message.”
He kissed the palm of her hand. “Of course I did.”
A look of relief passed over her face. “Why donna ye get something to eat? I want to remain here for a bit longer and then I will go to bed.”
“That, Ella, isnae a good idea. Come, I will escort ye to your chamber.” He placed his hand at the small of her back and gestured her forward. She took two steps and then turned around to face him.
“But there are things I must do—”
“And they will be here on the morrow. Off to bed with ye. Come.” When she didn’t move, Alex bent and lifted her into his arms. “I see ye are going to be difficult.”
Sybella kicked her feet. “Alex, put me down. I am perfectly capable of walking on my own accord.”
He chuckled as he walked out the door. “I donna think so, lass.”
Alex carried his wife to her chamber, kicking open the door with his foot. He’d never heard her talk so much in his life. She’d chattered nonstop up the stairs, and he wasn’t even sure of half the things she’d said. Gently placing her on her feet, he turned her around. He assisted her with her gown and helped her into bed.
“I donna want to go to bed. I am nae tired.”
He rubbed his hand over her hair, smoothing her tresses. “Ella, go to sleep.” He bent over and kissed the top of her head.
“Why do ye nae share my bed to sleep? I donna mind.”
Alex stood and ran his hand through his hair. “I donna know. I suppose I ne’er really thought about it.”
“Do ye love me?”
“Ella, go to sleep. Ye know nae what ye speak. I go below stairs to sup.” He pulled up the blankets to her chin and tucked her in. “Sleep well, Wife.”
When she closed her eyes, Alex walked out and blew out the breath he’d held. He leaned up against the closed door and rested his head back. Sybella’s question unnerved him. Did he love her? He obviously cared for her but
He needed a drink.
By the time Alex made his way to the kitchens, he was alone. John had already departed, and who knew what the hell MacGregor was doing. He quickly shook off that thought.
Cook had left Alex a tray on the table. He sat down and poured himself some mulled wine while Sybella’s question continued to hammer at him. Why would she ask him that? Their marriage was certainly no love match, the wedding being arranged and all. Women should not ask questions they did not want to know the answer to. Love? Lust? Who was to say? He only knew one thing for certain: it was damn hard to remain coherent when she was close to him.
Alex finished his meal and sought his bed, needing to put an end to this day. He closed the door to his bedchamber and approached the adjoining door. Not wanting to wake Sybella, he placed his ear to the door. When nothing stirred from the other side, he took it as a good sign.
He undressed and walked to the bed in his naked form.
And then he jumped.
