Page 56 of Bride Takes a Charmer
Alan’s grin widened. “Good. We shall use your knowledge to our benefit and then I shall see ye atBraigh Loch Abarin late October.”
Chapter Nineteen
The sky billowedwith 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 aroundthe 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.”