Page 23 of The Lass and the Laird

“There is that, too.”

Declan stood and went to a side table. He poured whiskey into a glass and drank it down. "But as you said, not much to be done about it now. If Aiden Stuart has gotten himself in a spot of trouble, I hope he doesn't expect Gordon assistance."

"I find it troubling..." Ian began, then cocked his head to the side. "Have you considered that perhaps this was their plan all along? To get you seduced and married off in order to procure the Gordon Clan’s assistance when trouble came?"

"Of course it has. Meredith claims to have no idea what happens with her brother. Aiden, on the other hand, is hiding something. The Norse came this far because they sought something. Only vengeance would drive a man so far from his land." He downed the whiskey. "I wouldna be surprised if Aiden Stuart did plan some of what happened with his sister. I don't know, Ian, what’s done is done now. We marry the day after tomorrow. I won't have her living here, in my bed, unless we're wed. It's the way it should be."

"Aye." They drank again and Declan settled into the chair. "What say you, Ian, should we spend the night with a rousing game of absolutely nothing ‘til morning comes?"

A hand on his shoulder startled Declan. He woke to Ian motioning to the door and shaking him awake. "What is it?"

"Listen."

Footsteps shuffled in the next room. It could be a maid stealing away, but they could get to the guards' rooms from the kitchen and through the courtyard. The hounds perhaps. Although when one let out a soft growl, it was clear an intruder was about. Declan and Ian hovered in the doorway.

A figure in a long shift was flattened against the wall. Ian shook his head and ducked back into the room, shoving Declan out.

"Declan?" Meredith's voice was shaky. "Are you here?"

He went to her, not as stable on his feet as he hoped after so much whiskey with Ian. "Aye, lass, I'm here." He shooed the dogs away. "Why are you up and about?"

"I-I can't sleep." When he went to her, she clung to him, shivering. "Since I'm in your chamber, Lily wouldn't stay. If you are not to sleep there, can she then?"

"I'll go with you." He tucked her under his arm and guided her up the stairs. He began to talk to calm her. "When a young man first goes off to battle, the excitement keeps him from being afraid many a time. The days in the field are full of activity. Upon returning home and there is too much idle time, they find it impossible to sleep. The true horror of what happened begins to take form and brings nightmares." He kissed the top of her head. "So you see, it is normal for someone who's gone through what you did to relive it once safe. Ye're safe, lass."

"I am safe," she repeated and clung to him. "Will you stay with me?"

"Aye, I will. I said I would."

Minutes later, snuggled against him, her head on his shoulder, she slept soundly. A smile tugged at his lips at her hand clutching his shirt as if fearing he'd leave once she fell asleep.

"Until we're too old to live, lass. I will never leave you unprotected again."

The following night he came to the bed only after Meredith slept. He washed up in the basin, removed only his shirt and lay atop the coverings next to her, not touching her. Although he did not want her to sleep elsewhere, he also did not touch her. Once she became his wife, it would be different, but for now, it was best to keep his distance. She'd be his soon enough.

Come morning, he'd lift her off his chest as she seemed to meander over to him in her sleep. If she awakened, Meredith would slide away if she thought him still asleep. As hard as it was to sleep next to her, it also helped him become familiar with sharing the bed and learning her sleep patterns. Many times, he remained awake and watched Meredith sleep, the beauty of the woman astounding him.

* * *

Meredith woke to a sunny morning. Her wedding day had arrived and, although she'd no trepidation of spending the rest of her life with Declan, it worried her that he'd remained distant and aloof since her rescue.

Her soon to be husband seemed to be kept busy most days away from the keep. When he returned to dine, he filled her in on what happened, impressing her with how quickly he became familiar with the area, often naming farmers and village people by name. In turn, the local townsfolk grew enamored of their new laird, many gracing their great hall in the evenings and a large number of them attending today's ceremony.

Tents had been set up outdoors, pigs were being roasted and large pots of root vegetables boiled over fires. The servants, now double in number since she'd first visited, had been rushing for three days in preparation of the wedding and follow-on festivities. Already, two other lairds were ensconced there, having arrived with their families the night before.

Although she'd met several of the families, her nerves at entertaining so many titled people were on edge. Thankfully, Pat was an expert at taking control and helped guide her as to what needed to be done.

She and Aiden rarely entertained. When they did, it was not in such a grand manner. Her brother's lands only housed a handful of farmers and there was no town to speak of. Most of them traveled to Moriag for wares and interaction.

Aiden had yet to return. Days had passed without any news and that added to her lack of enthusiasm of this day. It was to be her second marriage in less than a year. For a woman with a lackluster dowry, it was fortunate the new laird laid claim on her.

"You look beautiful, milady," Lily told her in low tones. The maid had taken to calling her by title and not her name since moving to Moriag. That her friend also felt the necessity of change made tears spring to her eyes.

"Please, Lily, call me by name today. You are my only family present and I need you to be my friend today." Meredith wiped at a tear that slid down her cheek and took Lily's hands. "We can go back to silly titles tomorrow if it makes you feel better. But in private, let's be Meredith and Lily."

The maid smiled, her eyes shining brightly and squeezed her hands. "All right, Meredith, let's get ye hitched properly then."

They both giggled and hugged, separating abruptly at the chamber door opening.