Page 28 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“I would be happy to see to it, Laird.” She bowed to him and hastily left.
He was gladdened that his grandmother remained safe while he was gone. With a quick motion, he flipped the tartan around his shoulders, fastened it with his belt, and hastened his steps toleave the fief. Outside, he breathed deeply, taking in the pristine air of the Highlands, rejoicing at being home. He met with Trey by the field and there was little to report. The men had trained and the stores had been replenished.
Clovis shouted a greeting as he approached. “Laird, a messenger came from the MacPhersons.” He handed the small enclosed parchment to him and bowed. “I am still on duty, och there is naught to report. No missives came whilst ye were away and only the one from Mistress Corliss. It were quiet.”
“No messenger came from the Chattans?”
His guardsman shook his head. “Nay, Laird, only your sister’s message, but naught from the Chattans.”
“My thanks, Clovis. Go on then and seek your rest when ye finish your duty.” Shaw held the missive and pondered why the MacPhersons would contact him. They weren’t aligned with them but it was rumored that the MacPhersons had recently sided with the Chattans against the Camerons. He’d read the missive when he had time to consider the ramifications of their contact and tucked it into the small sheath that held his dagger at his waist.
He spotted Sorsha walking with Niahm way down the lane. How lovely she looked. Seeing her here was akin to a dream he’d often had. Only this wasn’t a dream and she was truly there on Mackintosh land. Sorsha appeared as if she belonged to the Mackintoshes as if she was meant to be the lady of their clan.
Shaw kept his focus on his wife. His steps slowed because she seemed to be enjoying herself and she smiled. Her mood lightened him because he was concerned about her embracing his clan as hers. He didn’t want to intrude on her conversation with Walen’s woman and waited for her to reach him.
A sound behind him drew his interest. Footsteps alerted Shaw that someone was advancing. He knew well who it was and before he could attack, Shaw whipped around and grabbedhold of the soldier. He shoved him back, but Henny wasn’t easily thwarted. Henny clasped his body and tossed him to the ground. Shaw landed with anoomphbefore he rolled to the side and tripped Henny. The soldier fell next to him and Shaw removed his dagger, holding it effectively above the man to instill the rebuff of his attack. When his soldier held up his hands, Shaw allowed him his freedom.
Henny got to his knees with a wide smile on his face. “Bollocks, Laird, your hearing is sound. Aye, ye foiled me again, ye did. ’Tis good to know ye are ready for anything.”
Shaw laughed but then sobered when the women shrieked and came running. Niahm continued to cry out but Sorsha gripped Henny’s tartan to pull him back. He quickly re-sheathed his dagger, got to his feet, and pressed his hands over Sorsha’s to give aid to Henny. “Release him, Sorsha. He means no harm.”
When she did as he bade, Henny roared with laughter and sauntered away. He called over his shoulder, “Until next time, Laird. Mayhap then ye won’t need your bonny woman to save ye.” His chortle sounded and others walking nearby stopped to observe the fracas.
“Bloody hell, Henny. I did not need my wife to save me now and well ye know it.” Though he shouted his retort, Henny continued to bellow.
Shaw was appalled by his soldier’s blatant remark and at the grins on the faces of his men. Henny was intent on winning one bout with him but he’d do whatever he could to ensure that didn’t happen. He owed it to his soldiers to be ready to face any threat that Henny or anyone else threw his way. He meant to be the example his soldiers needed, and doing so meant he needed to accept and be ready for Henny’s sneak attacks. Hopefully, it would prepare his men for whatever fracas they faced.
“Are you hurt? Why did he attack you?” Sorsha stood close to him but had a delightful, confused expression that wrinkled her brows.
“Nay, he did not hurt me.” He took his wife’s hand and tried to lead her away.
Niahm shook her head but giggled low and then she walked away.
“I do not understand…” Sorsha withdrew her hand and peered at him.
“He uses sneak attacks on me, and others, in order to help us hone our hand-to-hand combat skills. ’Tis annoying and he takes far too much pleasure in it, but it is helpful,” Shaw admitted.
“Oh, that is clever. I shall leave you then,” she said and tried to step away.
But Shaw wasn’t ready yet to let her leave. He pulled her against him and clasped his hands behind her back. Lord, he wanted to kiss her but with so many onlookers, he withheld his urge to do so. “I am through with my reports and long for my bed. Come and we will seek our slumber together. Ye must be tired after the long ride home.”
“I am and…um…wanted to…ask wheremychamber is…”
Sorsha kept her gaze over his shoulder when she spoke but he noted her voice was low and somewhat hesitant as she stammered. He leaned toward her and grinned to help alleviate any worry she might have. When she wouldn’t look at him, he raised her chin with a slight touch. “Ye shall stay in my bedchamber. I want ye by my side during the night.”
“But I…I do not wish to…to interfere with… Ah, what I mean to say is…” Sorsha pulled back and turned away.
Shaw pulled her close once more, perplexed by her evasiveness. He kept his hands on her hips to keep her from leaving. “What is it ye are trying to say? Ye may speakfreely, Sorsha, because I want honesty betwixt us…always. What is bothering ye?” He retook her hand and squeezed it affectionately.
“I saw a woman entering your chamber. If you are intent on entertaining others there—”
“A woman?” Shaw pursed his lips as he thought of whom she saw. “Oh, ye mean Enid. She is Edra’s daughter, a maidservant within the keep. She only came because she wanted to tell me about Mamo. I asked her to ensure my grandmother’s safety before I left on the journey to Edinburgh.”
Sorsha’s brow crinkled once more with worry and he fought the urge to kiss the creases over the bridge of her nose away. “Why would your grandmother need to be protected? Is there danger afoot?”
He shook his head vehemently. “Nay, all is well here and ye need not worry. Our walls are protected and a sentry rides out at all times of the day. But Mamo sometimes sleepwalks and goes to the burial grounds at night or early morn. If anyone tries to roust her, she can sometimes be violent. So I asked Enid to look after her in case she went there whilst I was away. Mamo does not realize she does this and often goes without care for cold or anything else.”
So Niahm had spoken the truth. Shaw took no women to his bed. She would be the only one. It was almost too good to be true. But now she needed to respond to his concerns about Mamo. “That is a scary situation, Shaw, and I am sorry for thinking the worst. I shall not make such a mistake again.”