Page 38 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)
T he sky billowed with ominous clouds. It would soon rain.
Sorsha hurried outside with the children following to beyond the kitchens, where lines hung from poles and where many of the clan hung their garments to dry.
She needed to take down the laundry she’d hung earlier that morning.
Even if it wasn’t completely dry, she wanted to prevent it from getting soaked.
She had spent a bit of time washing Gillian’s bedding since she’d had an accident during the night. After retrieving the bedding, she tossed it into a basket and picked it up. Gillian and Luthor ran circles around her, chasing each other in a game.
“Come, we should get inside before the rain falls.” She lifted the basket and set it on her hip as she veered around the kitchen.
The children in their excitement to be outside ran ahead of her.
She smiled at their gaiety. When she rounded the building, Sorsha’s eyes widened when she spotted Shaw at the front of the keep. He’d returned.
She quickened her steps to reach him, then dropped the basket and embraced him tightly. With a peck to his cheek, she settled against him. “I am gladdened you are home.”
Shaw wrapped his arms around her and prevented her from pulling away. He seemed content to stand there, holding her.
“Papa, can ye teach me arrows this day?” Luthor asked.
“And me too,” Gillian said.
“I will if the rain ceases later.” Shaw pressed his hands on her back and leaned his head against hers. She heard his inhale of breath and his soft moan. “Lord, I was gone less than a sennight and I missed ye.”
“Children, go on inside and find Enid in the hall. Wash your faces and hands for supper will be served soon.” She scrunched her eyes with mirth when both Gillian and Luthor grumbled about having to wash. They scampered off and left her alone with Shaw.
“How did your meeting go? You have returned sooner than I thought you would.” She peered into his dark gray eyes and saw a strange gaze in them. “What is the matter with you?”
Shaw took hold of her face, gently holding her so she would continue to look at him. “I missed ye, bonny wife. Och, the next time I return from being away, kiss me like this,” he said and pressed his mouth against hers.
His kiss sent a swirl of desire through her and she held on to his arms to steady herself.
She couldn’t help but return the sensual kiss and mimicked the movement of his tongue.
Sorsha easily lost herself in the lure of him and the promises his kiss presented.
Shaw gave her two light pecks on her lips after he pulled away.
Oblivious to the onlookers, Sorsha continued to grip his arms and grinned. Drops of rain fell and grew in earnest as they stood there. “We should get inside before we get soaked.” She stepped back and bent to retrieve the basket.
“Let me,” he said and took it from her. “As to my meeting, it wasn’t of much importance. Just a few allied clans that wanted to reaffirm our treaties.”
“That is good then because I feared you might be called to war.” She took the steps inside the keep and he handed her the basket.
“Why would ye think I’d go to war?” Shaw kept her from taking the steps by blocking her.
She shrugged. “Clans are always warring, are they not? I just assumed… Go on and gain your reports. I am sure Walen is awaiting to give you all the details of the happenings whilst you were away.”
Shaw chuckled. “Aye and then I will probably go to the loch to wash.”
“Do not take too long, supper will be served soon.” Sorsha left him and took the steps to the upper floor.
Upon entering the children’s bedchamber, she set the basket down and immediately smoothed the bedding over the straw-stuffed mattresses.
After she got Gillian’s bed situated, she tidied the coverings over Luthor’s.
She’d dawdled long enough and made haste to get to her chamber.
With Shaw’s homecoming, she wanted to look her best and needed to change her garments.
Sorsha pulled a soft linen underdress over her head.
Then, she retrieved a dark green woolen gown woven with a golden intricate pattern around the bodice and sleeves.
She knelt by a small chest where she kept some of her belongings and retrieved the gold armband that Shaw had given her at their wedding.
As she slipped it over her arm, she smiled to herself, pleased by the reminder of that fateful day.
At her waist, she pulled around a thick brown leather belt and pulled it through the brass loop.
Once she finished garbing herself, she quickly fixed her hair and pulled it back with a small leather strap.
She fell back upon the bed, pulled off her boots, and replaced them with the soft slippers she only wore while inside the keep.
Sorsha closed the door to the bedchamber and hurried down the stairs. She didn’t take the time to notice the sounds coming from the great hall. When she got there, her gaze pivoted around the room. Many were in attendance. Had they come to dine with them?
Someone touched her shoulder from behind and she nearly jumped off the floor. Shaw smiled and pressed his hands on her shoulders.
“I hope ye do not mind, but I invited others to join us at the table this eve. There is a matter that I would put before the clan.” Shaw released her and took her hand, drawing her into the hall.
Sorsha stopped by the children who sat at a smaller table beyond the great trestle table. She noted the amount of food on their trenchers. Enid approached and set cups of water before them.
Enid dipped in a small curtsey. “Oh, Milady, I hope ye do not mind but the bairns complained that they were hungry so I filled their trenchers.”
“Enid, you are such a help. My thanks. Will you take the children to their bedchamber when they are finished? I have a feeling this eve will become eventful.” At the maid’s nod, she wondered what announcement Shaw would make and why it concerned the clan.
Before she made off to take her seat at the table, she crossed paths with Niahm who entered and approached. “Good eve, Sorsha.”
“And to you, Niahm. My, but that bairn is beginning to show itself. Do you need assistance?” She held out her arm for her friend to take. The girth of her waist had doubled in size in the last month alone.
“Indeed, I am much slower these days. I meant to visit ye but the day passed before I could get out and about.” Niahm leaned against her. “Walen is pleased that Laird Shaw has returned. I think he might have been worried whilst the laird was away.”
“Well, he has returned and all is well. Perhaps Walen is worried about something else…” Sorsha almost giggled at her thought. Likely the man worried about his wife because Niahm shouldn’t be as large as she was. “When are you due to have the bairn again? What has the midwife said?”
Niahm shook her head. “She suspects I should bear the bairn before Yule.”
“You have a few months to go then. Perhaps you should get off your feet more often?”
“I wish but mayhap ye are right. I shall try. Enjoy your supper. I am going to sit with Walen so he does not stare at me all evening.” Niahm released her and somewhat waddled toward her husband.
Sorsha continued past the long trestle table until she reached the chair next to Shaw’s.
“There ye are, Sorsha. We awaited ye before we supped,” Maven said.
“Good eve, Mamo. How are you this night? I have not seen you all day.” Sorsha began piling her trencher with slices of pork covered in a thick sauce and sprinkled with parsley and spoonfuls of cooked vegetables.
She eyed the plums that were coated with a sugary substance.
When she was a young lass, her father often brought home sugar from his travels.
She was surprised Edra cooked with it because it was a valuable commodity and rarely on hand.
“I was weary this day. These old bones are not meant for cold weather. The seasonal change is upon us, I vow, for soon it shall be cold.” Mamo pulled her shawl tightly around her shoulders.
“At least it is raining and not snowing.” Sorsha picked up a fat plum and took a bite. Her eyes nearly rolled at the delectable sweetness of the sugar.
Shaw leaned toward her and spoke low. “I thought we could do with a bit of a feast on my return. I take it ye find the plums delicious?”
Sorsha quickly swallowed and nodded. “I have not had sugared plums since I lived at home with my parents.” Sadness overcame her with the thought that she wouldn’t see them again—they were forever gone.
Voices of varied levels filled the room.
As she glanced at the Mackintosh clansmen and women, a peacefulness came over her.
She was home and welcomed by his clan. She’d never been so at Tor, except, of course, for Aela’s tender treatment.
That reminded her that she needed to ask Shaw to help her bring Aela to the Mackintosh holding.
“Lady Sorsha,” Corliss called from across the table.
She hadn’t noticed Shaw’s sister there but offered a greeting. “Lady Corliss, I am gladdened that you have joined us this eve.”
“We would not miss a feast. I wondered… Where did you get that armband?”
Sorsha peered at her arm and smiled. “Shaw gifted it to me on the day of our wedding. It was a kind gesture and reminds me of that pleasing day. I thought to wear it to—”
“’Tis crudely made, is it not?” Corliss pursed her lips together and called to Shaw, “Who made that for you, Shaw? Obviously, they were not skilled.”
Shaw’s brows drew together when he peered at his sister. “I had Ma’s old brooch melted down to have it made for Sorsha. The ring of the band symbolizes my unending commitment to her. Why do ye ask?”
“Ma’s brooch? I disbelieve ye melted down the brooch. Ma was supposed to give it to me. How could ye?” Corliss folded her arms on the tabletop and glared.