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“And trust me?”

“With my life and my heart.”

“I’m a fortunate man.”

“That ye are, dear husband.”

She accompanied her words with a saucy wink. James burst into laughter. He had expected her to shower him with exaggerated flattery, hoping she would turn a phrase he could tease her about, but once again she had surprised him. And he liked it, for deep in his heart he knew she spoke the truth.

He was, indeed, a most fortunate man.

Chapter Eighteen

The next weeks were peaceful for James and Davina. His family gave them the privacy they craved, for the most part, and they spent their days enjoying each other’s company and their nights in passion and pleasure. They spoke of the future, of the life they would build at Torridon Keep, with excitement and anticipation, yet secretly James fretted over Davina’s safety, worrying that once they left the thick walls of McKenna Castle, her life would be in peril.

Consequently, he spent hours training with the McKenna soldiers, honing his own skills and assessing theirs. His father had given James leave to choose a contingent of McKenna warriors as an escort and offer positions as his men-at-arms. As his funds to pay these men were limited, James wanted to make certain he selected the best.

The McKenna sent a message to Davina’s uncle, informing him of their marriage. Davina included a short missive of her own, proclaiming her love for her husband and her great happiness over their union. Her uncle’s reply fell short of outright objection, but was brief and terse enough to relay the message of disapproval.

Davina claimed it mattered little to her, but after being reunited with his family, James felt it was important to mend the breach with the Armstrong clan. Once he and Davina were properly settled,’twas one of the first things he planned to fix.

Malcolm seemed to accept their marriage with good grace, though every now and again James would catch his brother staring at Davina with a curious mix of puzzlement and longing.

Though tired and hungry, James’s mood was light-hearted as he left the practice field. The weather had been milder, yet the breeze cool enough to keep the sweat from dripping into his eyes as he parlayed with the McKenna soldiers. Two additional men had accepted his invitation to join him and he felt confident in their skills and loyalty.

He spied Colin the moment he entered the great hall and instructed the lad to have bathwater brought to his chamber. Best to enjoy the luxuries of McKenna Castle while he was able, James decided, suspecting in his new home there would be few opportunities to indulge in a hot bath before the evening meal.

Davina looked up in surprise when he entered their chamber. She was standing over two large trunks that were stacked high with goods. Around her feet were bolts of fabric, sewing notions, piles of furs, and mountains of clothing.

“I can see that ye’ve been busy,” he remarked, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

She wrinkled her nose at his pungent odor, yet kissed his lips tenderly anyway. “Ye need a bath, husband.”

“Colin is seeing to it.” James shrugged off his tunic, then sat to unlace his boots.

“I spent the afternoon with yer mother and Katherine, packing supplies fer the journey and fer our household.” Davina flopped on the bed. “’Twas exhausting. I felt like a soldier preparing to lay siege to a town.”

James laughed. “Mother does tend to overprepare for things.”

“I appreciated her generosity, though I confess at times it made me feel like a beggar.”

“We dinnae know what we will find when we arrive at the keep,” James argued. “’Tis most likely understocked, possibly in disrepair. That’s why I want to go ahead of ye.”

“Nay. I’ll not be left behind, James. The keep was my childhood home and now it is our home, the place where we will raise our family. ’Tis only right and proper that we arrive together.” Davina rolled to her side, facing him. “As fer food, ye need not worry. Yer mother is sending enough to feed an army—fer a year!”

“Ye’ll be glad to have it when yer belly grumbles.”

“Aye, that’s true enough.”

Hearing a commotion outside the door, James bade the servants carrying the wooden tub to enter. They were soon followed by a line of pages, with Colin in the lead, bringing buckets of hot water. It took three trips before the tub was filled. With a nod of thanks, James dismissed them.

“Has Colleen made a decision about her future?” he asked, wondering what Davina’s companion would do now that her charge was married and no longer in need of a chaperone.

“We spoke of it this morning. She would like to accompany us and make the keep her new home.”

“Splendid. We can always find a place fer an honest, hardworking woman.” James pulled off his shirt and brais. Naked, he moved toward the tub.

“Colleen did mention how much she loves children and regrets she was never able to have any of her own. She thinks that she would make a fine nursemaid.” Davina blushed, then bent forward so her hair fell over her profile, hiding her expression.