Page 40 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“I’m concerned about Luthor though. I am unsure whether he is trying to befriend Gillian or if he means to torment her. Earlier in the kitchens, he swiped half his pottage on her face.”
He tried not to laugh but felt the edges of his mouth tug as he resisted. “He did? Why would the lad do that? I suppose I should have a talk with him about wasting food and being a good example for the lass.”
“Perhaps we should allow him to train with the younger lads for a short time each day. That might keep him occupied and out of trouble.” Sorsha pressed her hand to his face and smiled.
He leaned into her touch and breathed in her bonny scent. “Now, is there anything else that worries ye?
“Only one more thing… I found your grandmother at the graves again. Clovis told me that you had left before he could tell you that she left the holding early this morn. I worry, Shaw, that she will die there by the graves, alone, cold, and… She is such a good woman.”
He took a deep breath at hearing her last worry. “Aye, it concerns me as well. Och, there is naught we can do but to ensure she is recovered each time and returned to the keep.”
“I will do my best to keep watch of her, especially when you are attending your duties.”
“That is all I can ask, love. Just be sure to take a guard with ye. We know not what Geoff plans or if he is angered that ye are now my wife and not his.”
She scrunched her lips at his request. “Clovis sent a guard with me when I fetched Mamo earlier. Geoff will not retaliate, will he?”
Shaw shrugged. “It matters not. Geoff is more concerned with keeping me as an ally rather than a rival for now so we should not be too concerned. Come, let us join in the festivities. We will eat, sing, and dance because I have more to celebrate than I ever have.”
Shaw held Sorsha’s hand and guided her along. Outside of their home, the children awaited them with Enid by the entrance. His gaze lingered on their wee faces and Shaw was astounded that he was now responsible for them. He’d always held himself accountable for all the members of his clan but with his direct family standing near to him, an extreme sense of protectiveness overtook him.
Sorsha took Gillian’s hand and together they walked ahead of him and greeted the other women of the clan. He hung back a little and stopped Luthor from proceeding.
“Lad, Lady Sorsha told me what ye did to Gillian earlier… Why did ye do that?” He knelt in front of the lad and watched his face for a sign of honesty.
Luthor swiped his tunic sleeve across his face. “Laird, I…I was trying to get her to speak. She does not talk. Why does she not?”
He leaned his arm on his bent leg and nodded. “She witnessed something so terrible that she does not wish to speak.” Shaw ruffled the lad’s hair and smiled. “So ye thought, by doing something rash it would evoke her to respond? Is that it?”
Luthor’s head bobbed. “If I make her mad, she might talk.”
He had to give credit to the lad because it was a fair idea. “Gillian has had a difficult time, lad, and shall speak when she is ready. Try to be understanding with her.”
“Do I gots to be kind, Laird? If I do, she will not speak to me then.”
Shaw chuckled and nodded. “Aye, do not worry about the lass. But being kind would gain her friendship and since ye will live here with us, ’tis important.”
“More important than getting her to speak?”
He grunted at the lad’s question. Maybe he should allow the children to go on as they had and not intervene. Shaw wasn’t too knowledgeable about children and why they did the things they did. But Luthor was shrewder than he’d thought.
After a quick supper, the clan gathered near the largest fire. The priest performed a short liturgy and sacrament of marriage for Walen and Niahm and other couples wishing to join in matrimony. All the clan celebrated the unions with cheers and shouts of glee. Shaw kept his gaze on Sorsha and the serene joy in her eyes as she witnessed the weddings with him. He was gladdened too for Walen and hoped his friend found the happiness that he had.
Before long, Sorsha mentioned putting the children to bed and took them inside the keep. The sky darkened until the firelight shone on the faces of his clan. Dancing began and when Sorsha returned, he snatched her in his arms and forced her to skip in line with the others. Her merry laughter was infectious and he found himself laughing too.
The spring rites were the beginning of newfound happiness for them all. Shaw gave his silent appreciation for the blessings and stopped in the center of the dancers to kiss his wife. Whoops and hollers caused him to stop his kiss and the shine in his wife’s eyes was well worth the teasing banter from his clansmen.
Chapter Fourteen
For the pastsennight, Sorsha had awakened and found Shaw next to her. Many mornings, she was rousted with sweet kisses and delightful morning romps. This morning, she opened her eyes to find her husband slumbering and took more than a moment to gaze at his handsome face, the hardness of his chest, and the waviness of his long, brown hair. How had she been so blessed to be married to such a man?
The bedchamber door burst open and Gillian crossed the room in haste. Sorsha sat up and wondered what the trouble was. Fear widened her daughter’s eyes. With her arms spread, she invited Gillian into the bed with her.
“What is wrong? Did you have a bad dream?”
No answer. Sorsha sighed because Gillian still hadn’t spoken. She’d given considerable thought as to why her daughter didn’t speak or wouldn’t. With dread, she wondered if perhaps Gillian feared her. Maybe the lass hadn’t seen Geoff strike Rodick but only seen her removing the dagger from him. Did that mean that Gillian thought she’d murdered her father? Lord, she prayed that wasn’t so, but until the lass spoke, there was no way of knowing.
A shadow appeared on the floorboard by the open door. She smiled smally suspecting who might be lingering there. “Come, Luthor, and tell me what happened.”