Page 40 of His Secret Highland Bride

Lindsay barely kept a squeak of alarm from crossing her lips. It was to be expected. The war chief would want every available warrior to be ready to defend the castle if needed. The thought of sending her new husband off to battle made her heart drop to her stomach.

Lindsay understood Shane had spent five years at war and could no doubt fight well, but she hadn’t had to wait at home while he left her behind before and didn’t know how she would stand such a thing. How had Maria managed every day when she was forced to stay behind while he faced uncertain danger? “Are ye hungry?” she asked. “I’ll make you supper.”

“Nay. I am not hungry for food. I just wish to hold ye.” He pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck below her ear, breathing deeply. “I’m glad to be back here with ye.”

“I’m sorry you were called away.” She bit her bottom lip, not wanting to know the answer to her next question. “Will you have to return?”

His head moved. A nod. She’d assumed as much, but fear twisted her stomach at the thought of her husband being put in danger. He was strong and brave. But he was a man, flesh and bone, and could be cut down by a blade as easily as any other man. Her arms wrapped around him, holding him tighter as if she could keep him there with her. Safe.

She’d been a fool to think they could hide away in their cottage forever.

He kissed her then, and she felt his need to join with her rise, as did her own. She may not know what would happen in the future. But they had now. She’d not waste a moment worrying about what was to come.

After they’d made love and gained enough strength to get up, he poured them each a drink. She asked him a few questions about the castle, but after each was answered with a one-word response, she determined he didn’t wish to speak of it.

“I have to go back in the morning. I’ll bring in the water first so you’ll have plenty for the day. And I’ll check the snares so you’ll not need to go out alone. Stay at the cottage. Doran will watch over you, but he’s only a lad. I’m not sure when I’ll return. I will most likely be late again. There is much to do.”

She wondered if the laird had realized she was supposed to have arrived at Cluny Castle by now. Was he searching for her? Even more reason for her to keep to the cottage, where she wouldn’t be seen. “I’ll stay here.”

…

The next morning at dawn, Shane brought the water and the rabbits he’d caught home to find his wife was awake. “It’s early yet. You didn’t need to get up.”

“If I won’t see much of you today, I’d rather spend the time we have together.”

He kissed her forehead and then her lips, making sure it didn’t lead to more, as was the way with them. Today, however, there was no time. The books awaited.

After breaking his fast with Lindsay, Shane kissed her and left to return to the castle with Treun following along at his side. “Ye must go back to the cottage. Stay with Lindsay. Keep her from being lonely.” He stopped walking and pointed back at his home. The dog let out a huff but turned and trotted back the way they’d come.

He wished he could do the same and shook his head when he realized he’d grown jealous of a little dog. Doran greeted him with a nod, looking like he’d just rolled from his bed.

Shane felt as tired as the boy looked. He’d barely slept last night for worry over what he was going to do. The ledgers were a mess. He could not tell how bad things were yet, but he’d seen enough to know it wasn’t going to get better just for having them straightened out.

His father and Deirdre had taken more and more from the people of their clan and spent the funds recklessly instead of investing the money in things that would offer protection. The castle was in ill repair, and the warriors, such as they were, were underpaid and poorly equipped.

Meanwhile, the lady of the castle wore the latest fashions from London while dripping with rubies and sapphires as big as his thumb.

He shook his head as he looked up at the gray clouds above him, threatening a storm. He could smell rain in the air, and he welcomed the turbulent weather as a fine match for the way he felt. He was the laird and would need to take his stepmother’s spending in hand. Besides, Deirdre wasn’t truly the lady of the castle anymore. Lindsay now was.

How different that would be. No longer a woman dressed in fashion, but one that could sew her own gowns.

A tender smile pulled up on his lips at the thought of his wife as she’d bustled around the hearth, making their morning meal while he assisted. She’d shoved him with her hip, telling him she would see to things herself. As with he and Ronan, standing back-to-back on the battlefield. Shane thought life was better faced with a partner, someone to count on who could count on him in return. A trusted companion. But Lindsay was much more than a companion. She was his wife, and he was coming to see how beautifully they fit together.

He worried about Lindsay now. He felt she was safe enough at the cottage, but what would happen when he brought her to the castle? Would she be accepted? A Cameron lass with no wealth. Surely, Deirdre wouldn’t be pleasant. His stepmother seemed desperate for Shane to follow through on the match his father had made. That could only mean she was eager to get the funds provided by the dowry. Shane smiled again at the thought of seeing his stepmother’s face when he told her there would be no dowry. Even if there had been, she’d not have seen a penny of it.

It was a shame. The funds would have surely helped his people had he put them where they were needed. But there was no sense thinking on it now. He’d have to find another path forward to set his clan to rights. He certainly had his work cut out for him, especially when Deirdre would continue her attempts to spend what little there was. Perhaps it would be better if he married her off to another clan—one he didn’t care for, so as not to feel guilty for setting the witch on them.

Alec was in the bailey with the warriors, running drills. Disgust roiled through Shane at the sight of them. Thin and slow. Weapons rusted and bent. He nodded in acknowledgment to his brother as he stood next to him, watching without a word.

Soon he’d send them out hunting to provide meat for the kitchens. That would take arrows and proper bows, which took coin. And he didn’t know how much of that he had as of yet. One thing he could take care of was making sure his wife and any other woman of the clan were safe to walk where they wished. “Line up the men. I wish to address them.”

Alec gave a quick nod and called out the order to stand. The men lined up with their chests thrust out for the laird’s inspection. Shane searched through the ranks until his gaze landed on the two he’d been looking for.

“You two,” he called. He saw the moment they recognized him.

“You?”

“Aye.” He turned to a confused Alec and explained. “A few weeks ago, I ran into these two men accosting a woman from the village.”