Page 29 of A Highlander's Vow

Chapter Thirteen

After a fewdays Megan was anxious to leave Balnagown and travel to her new home. Gregory had been so caring while she was recovering from her injury that she almost felt as though this marriage was possibly not just a duty to him.

Or perhaps thiswasjust another duty. The whole thing had her tied in knots.

“Are ye ready, lass?” Gregory entered the bedchamber she’d been staying in just as she finished dressing. It was still painful, but she was determined to prove to herself that she was stronger than the weak lass that Gregory must think her to be, although he had assured her many times that she was not a weak, but a strong woman.

Why she wanted to appear strong to him was confusing. As were her feelings about the man. Once they arrived at his home she would certainly see the real man, not the one who rescued her and was so kind and caring.

And did his duty.

Gregory offered to carry her down the stairs, but she refused. “I can walk. I doona want ye treating me like a bairn.”

He just smiled at her, almost as if she did sound like a bairn, which she did to her own ears.

She allowed him to put his arm around her shoulders, avoiding her sore arm as they made it down the stairs. “What if The Gunn and hismen are waiting for us?”

“Nay. I told one of the men with us that I sent to look for whoever shot ye to continue on to Castle Leod and ask Laird Mackenzie to send out men to meet us for the trip from here.”

She frowned. “I am causing a lot of people much trouble.”

“Ye are my wife.”

Not able to help herself, she smirked. “Aye, ye did yer—”

Before she could continue, Gregory turned her and captured her mouth with his, carefully pulling her next to him.

She melted, forgetting how powerful this man’s kisses were. Before she was able to settle in and really enjoy it, he released her and looked into her eyes. “Every time ye attempt to say that word, I will kiss ye.”

Not thinking that was such a bad thing, mayhap she would throw that word out once in a while.

The men from Castle Leod had arrived and were settled in the great hall at a few tables, eating, when Gregory and Megan entered the room.

“So this is the wife that’s caused so much trouble?” one of the men said as he grinned.

Gregory walked up to him and slapped him on the back of the head. “Doona let me hear ye say that again, or ye will be working in the kitchens for the next month.” He turned to the rest of the men, and pointed at them. “That goes for all of ye.”

Although he meant well, Megan was mortified. That was exactly what she’d been thinking.

Another of the men stood. “Mrs. Mackenzie, may I offer my apologies for the ignorant mon in our group.” He bowed. “We all welcome ye to our clan and our castle—when we get there.”

His smile made her smile back.

She wondered if they knew her marriage to Gregory had been an improper Scottish wedding. Would they still accept her?

“Lass, stop fretting.” Gregory took her uninjured arm and moved her to the dais where Laird and Lady Ross sat. She’d had a few ladies’ afternoons with the lady of the manor and a few of the other women in the keep as they did their mending. Lady Ross, who had told her to call her Marion, was a gracious and caring woman.

Unable to do any sewing due to her injury, she was happy just to be with women for a couple of hours each day after being with just men while they traveled.

Gregory brought Megan forward in front of his men. “I will introduce to all of ye my wife, Megan Mackenzie. Yer job will be to protect her from here to Castle Leod. As I ken ye have all been told, there are Gunn men and Sinclair men after her.”

The men nodded as he spoke. “As any other member of the Mackenzie clan, I expect yer total dedication to her safety.”

After a second of silence, a cheer erupted from the men.

Tears came to Megan’s eyes again. If she didn’t get to Castle Leod and settled in she would spend more time weeping.

After a breakfast of porridge, a boiled egg and a Bannock dripping with butter and honey, she felt revived.