Page 12 of Bride Takes a Laird (Highland Vows & Vengeance #2)

K endra didn’t want to leave the bed and tried not to make any movement. She stayed still and watched her husband sleep. Magnus had his eyes closed and his dark hair covered some of his face. She longed to brush the strands of his hair aside and caress the light whiskers that formed overnight on his cheeks.

They had been married for almost a month and still, she had not figured out what kind of man he was. Magnus was kind to her, but he kept himself shielded, protecting himself. The only way she found anything out about him, was by questioning him or others. He often eluded her questions and never supplied her with or offered her information. That saddened her, that he felt the need to keep his emotions and thoughts to himself. Hopefully, one day, he would share things that bothered him or information without being asked. But she suspected that she’d be old and gray when that happened.

She stretched and pulled the bed covering over her. Magnus’s arm roamed the cover and he set it over her and pulled her closer. Kendra wrapped her arm over his waist and leaned her head against his. “Good morn, Husband.”

“Is it?”

Kendra laughed lightly. “Aye and from the view of the window, it appears to be sunny outside. Perhaps it shall be warmer this day. Does that please you? ”

Magnus grunted. “If ’tis sunny now, wait an hour and it shall be raining.”

“We should rise.” She tried to dislodge his arm, but he was unmovable.

“Nay, not yet.” He pressed her chin up with his fingers and gave her a light kiss. “Ye are right though, because duties await me and I cannot linger in bed as I want.” Magnus rolled away. He stood, marched to the basin, washed, and dressed. He glared at the antechamber and sighed. “I should get to those manuscripts but have no time this day.” The accounts were important and really needed to be handled. Yet Magnus detested numbers and having to do sums. Eventually, he would undertake the massive chore, but not this day.

“Should not the keep’s steward see to the accounts? You do have a steward, don’t you?” Kendra stayed abed and watched him with interest. He moved with confidence and the muscles in his legs, arms, and torso exuded strength. He wasn’t burly, just strong-bodied.

“My brother Ned was the steward and since he died… I have yet to replace him but have no time at present to handle that or the accounts. I need to and soon.” Magnus groaned. “I detest having to go over the accounts and sums. I am more apt with my sword than with parchments and figures.”

Kendra climbed from the bed and reached him. She straightened his upper tartan and pressed the fabric of it, smoothing the wrinkles. “Magnus, you have such weight upon you. You should leave the clan’s problems at the door.”

“But I am the laird and the duty falls upon me…”

“Aye. Aye, it does, but once you are beyond our chamber door, you are no longer the laird. You are just a man, Magnus, seeking his rest with me, your wife. If you want peace, that is what you must do. Leave those problems at the door. Think of this room as a sanctuary of sorts.”

He didn’t hold back the frown that settled on his face. “There is no peace for me, not until I fulfill my vow to seek vengeance for my brother’s murder. And there will never be peace for me, a man, who is named laird of this clan.”

She pressed a hand on his face and he almost leaned into her touch, but he kept still. Kendra needed to understand the pressure he was under. “You deserve a little freedom, Magnus, surely?”

Magnus shook his head. “Nay, my clansmen and women have more freedom than I do. I am the laird, Kendra, and ye should understand that my ruling of this clan comes first. It comes before my wants, my needs, my peace.” He stepped back from her. “I need to attend to my duties which are the sole reason for my existence.”

She pressed her lips together and considered his words. Why would he make such an outlandish comment— the sole reason for his existence ? How could she ever make him understand that he was more than a laird? Kendra needed to give it considerable thought. “I had hoped you would show me around this day. I long to see your lands.”

“I must first gain reports and check on a few matters of importance. If I have time, I will find ye later, mayhap after midday.” He reached the door and gazed at her with his greenish-brown eyes deepening as if he was sorry, but said nothing more.

Magnus’s eyes seemed to implore her as if she was able to aid him before he closed the door behind him. She wished that were so. Her husband would not deny his duties and she realized that she did have the means to help him. Kendra draped a robe around herself and strode to the massive table that held the many manuscripts, opened the first volume and continued with the next and the rest until she’d sorted them by seasonal references. Later, when she had more time to devote to the task, she would go through the figures and enter the slips of parchment that had yet to be entered. Then she would take account and figure out if all was in order.

Linet hadn’t come to see her as she usually did in the morning. Quickly, Kendra dressed and hurried to the great hall. By the time she reached it, all had gone about their day. It was later than she’d thought and she had missed the morning meal. But she found Marny who had just entered the fief.

“Oh, good morn, Milady,” she said and repositioned Hale, who whimpered.

“Please, Marny, we agreed that you would call me Kendra. Come, join me, for I need company. It is too quiet in the hall.”

Marny sat across from her at the table and took the cup Kendra handed to her. With Hale settled on her lap, she patted his back though he continued to fuss. “I am gladdened ye are here because I was a bit lonely. Wyren set out early to the training field.”

“We are now sisters—well, sisters-in-law—and, I hope, friends. I never had women friends at my home unless you count the manor’s maid but she’s endeared to me and I cherish our friendship.”

“Ye speak of Linet. I met her yestereve and she is a kind lass.” Marny smiled. “I had three sisters and three brothers. I was never alone until I came here.”

Kendra took a thin slice of bread and smeared it with a fruit spread. “Do you not see them now that you are married?”

“Oh, nay, and I haven’t seen them since my marriage. The Camerons do not allow visitors and I do not have permission to leave the walls to visit my family even though they don’t live too far away.”

“That is disheartening, Marny. Perhaps in time, we can change that.”

Marny scoffed. “There is no changing my husband’s mind or the laird’s. Wyren is commander and his foremost skill is protection. He will never allow me to leave the land unless he is there to protect me, and even then, he would be too cautious to take me so far from our keep.”

Kendra patted the table and nodded. “Then that is what we shall do. We’ll get him to accompany you for a visit to your family.”

Marny chortled lightly. “Wyren would never agree but I am not too distressed by it and do not miss my family overly. ’Tis the truth, it is kind of good having a wee bit of peace except for Hale’s wails. And now, I have you to talk to.”

Kendra smiled slightly. “Now that we’re alone, can you tell me why Magnus is so…serious? He rarely smiles or seeks pleasure, and by that, I mean doing what he wants and not what is expected of him. He said his sole existence was his duty to his clan.”

Her newfound friend shrugged her shoulders. “I have not spoken much to Magnus but from what I understand, he was born to lead the clan. He was raised for the position of laird by the elders so aye, perhaps his existence is only that—duty.” Marny leaned closer and spoke low, “Wyren, my husband, was raised to lead the soldiers, that left Ned and Jake. Magnus and Wyren were held to strict daily regimens, whereas the two latter brothers were left to their own. I fear they became less important and probably realized their insignificance.”

“Which means they were not held to account for their actions as the two elder brothers were?”

“Rightly so. And ’tis rumored that Lady Faye spoiled her two younger sons. Ned was, from what I heard, hard to get along with. He thought nothing of shouting at you when he didn’t get his way, as if he was a child.”

Kendra was surprised to hear that because from what she’d heard since her arrival, all held Ned with esteem. That didn’t seem to be the case. “And Jake, what of him?”

“Everyone taunted him. He was mocked and teased as a lad until he grew. Once he surpassed most in height, the teasing ceased. He now spends most of his time testing his sword. He is most serious about being the best warrior amongst the Camerons.”

“Jake has given himself a goal to achieve like his brothers.” Kendra pressed her hand on her heart, distressed to learn of Magnus’s brothers’ lives and his. From appearances, the Camerons seemed to be a caring family and devoted to each other. But from an insider’s view, there was discord aplenty.

“My thanks, Marny, for sharing that with me. I think my husband is saddened by Ned’s death and he mourns his brother.”

Marny shook her head. “Not sad, Kendra, but honor-bound. He holds himself accountable for his brother’s death and seeks to avenge him. Until he does, he will not receive his mother’s forgiveness, and possibly not even then, because Lady Faye does not forgive easily.”

Kendra folded her hands and considered what Marny had told her. Would Magnus care if his mother forgave him or not? Regardless, she had a hefty problem on her hands since she’d taken an oath to bring him happiness. How in God’s good grace could she achieve that?

Before she left the hall, Kendra posed one last question to Marny. “Is there someone about whom I can trust to help me with a situation? One of the soldiers, perhaps?”

“What do ye need?” Marny bobbed Hale on her knee now and kept him from crying.

She quickly explained how she wanted to help Magnus with the manuscripts, but that it had to be kept secret. “I need someone to get me the count of the livestock and stores.”

“Oh, I am certain Winston would help ye. He is the laird’s manservant and is often about. I deem he might be honored if ye were to ask him.”

“My thanks, I shall speak with him. I want to get outside and perhaps take a walk and visit my father before I return to my chamber.” Kendra rounded the table and pressed a hand on baby Hale’s head. “I wish you luck in getting him to nap this afternoon.”

Marny chuckled. “I shall need it.”

Kendra left her and stepped outside. She found Winston standing on the step and almost bumped into him. He held out his hands to keep her from falling down the step but hastily removed them.

“I…I apologize, Milady, for touching ye. I…shouldn’t have…” Winston’s face brightened with shame. He stepped aside to allow her to pas s.

“Good day, Winston, I appreciate your protection. Will you walk with me? There is something I wish to speak with you about. It is rather private.”

The strapping young soldier nodded. “Aye, Milady, if ye wish me to. The laird asked me to stay close to ye whilst…” his words trailed off as she watched him expectantly. “Ah, what I meant to say is that he asked me to keep ye safe when he is not within the keep.”

She smiled to appease him, but his words concerned her. “So he has left the walls? Is there a reason why I need to be kept safe?”

Winston shook his head, his dark locks disordered from behind his ears. “Nay, of course not, Milady. The laird only means to keep ye safe and as your husband, he deems to do so.”

“I need your favor…” Kendra walked beside the soldier and quickly explained what she wanted him to do. “You see, I wish to surprise Magnus, and I don’t want him to know what I am doing until it is done. Can you handle this task for me?”

“I cannot go against the laird, Milady. What ye ask of me goes beyond my duties to him. My laird might deem it as disloyal.”

Kendra stopped in the lane and faced him. “He is troubled, Winston, and I mean to help him. I must have your trust and as your laird’s wife, do I not get to make requests of you? Are you not as devoted and loyal to me as you are to him?” She kept her expression serious and had hoped to sway the soldier by insulting his honor.

“ Och , Milady, our laird has never been married before and I do not know what my duty to ye is or should be. Yet I see the way he looks at ye and I suspect he cares for ye. If ye promise not to reveal how ye came about the information, I should be able to help ye. And whilst I seek your answers, ye must promise to stay inside the keep’s walls.” Winston whistled and a large hound came barreling from the lane directly at them. By the dog’s wagging tail and wiggling body, she could tell he didn’t mean any harm no matter how fearsome he appeared.

“Oh, is he yours?” She petted the dog’s head and knelt so she could allow him to get her scent. “You’re a handsome dog, aye you are.” The hound was huge with scraggly grey hair and his long tail flapped eagerly. Though he appeared mangled, he was still handsome in her view.

“This be Sigge, the laird’s hound.”

“He belongs to Magnus? Why don’t I keep him with me whilst you are attending to your, ah…task? During my walk, I promise not to leave the walls. I intend to visit briefly with my father and then I shall return to the keep.”

“Very well, Milady. I would feel better if Sigge stayed with ye. I’ll return shortly.” Winston sauntered away and disappeared beyond the keep’s tower.

Kendra called the dog to her and he followed. She traipsed to the end of the lane where Hugh’s cottage sat. Neither her father nor Hugh were home or nearby and must have gone fishing as they’d mentioned the day before. As much as she wanted to search for her father and Hugh, she would keep her promise to Winston and not leave the walls.

She returned to the keep and continued her assessment of the manuscripts. Sigge lay on the floor beneath the table and stretched out with his head settled on her foot. Kendra found the volume that went from the present back to the previous summer season. She decided to use that volume to assess the numbers and go from there. Her eyes perused the accounts of livestock, grain stores, meat stores, each clansmen’s holdings, and the clan’s coins. When Winston returned with the latest count, she could figure out if there were any discrepancies.

Her back ached from sitting still most of the afternoon. Kendra stretched and left the chair. Sigge lifted his head briefly and then settled back. She walked to the window and gazed through it at the clan’s people near the keep. The door opened and she almost jumped. Magnus had returned. She had thought it might be Winston, but surely, he wouldn’t enter without knocking.

Sigge groaned but didn’t move from his spot under the table.

“What are ye doing, hiding in here?” he asked and set his discarded tartan on a trunk.

“I thought to take a rest before supper. Are you through with your duties for the day?”

Magnus sat on the edge of the bed and removed his boots. He shuffled back and leaned against the bed’s headboard. His brows rose and he almost smiled. He twitched a finger at her and patted the bed covers beside him. “Come here, sweetheart.”

Kendra did as he bade and she sat on the edge of the bed. He pressed his hand on the side of her neck and pulled her forward for a kiss. She set her palms on his chest and kissed him back.

Sigge crawled from beneath the table and stood by the door. It was Magnus’ turn to groan as the dog whined to leave. Kendra tried to get up to let his pet out but her husband held her fast. But then a knock sounded and again, Magnus groaned, but this time he let her go so she could hurry to the door to open it. Winston had returned. She tried to give him a subtle warning that Magnus was within, with wide eyes.

“Milady…”

She shook her head, silently letting him know it was not a good time. Sigge forced his way past her and reached the soldier.

Winston was astute. He quickly hid the parchments behind his back. “I just wanted to… I had hoped ye returned to your chamber and wanted to make sure ye were within the keep.”

“Who is there?” Magnus asked from the bed.

“Just Winston, making sure I am where I am supposed to be.”

“Tell him to go away.”

“I shall find you later,” she whispered and closed the door. She returned to Magnus. “You didn’t answer me. Are you finished your duties for the day?”

“That depends,” he said and pulled her over his body. “…if ye want to spend a wee bit of time with me.”

Kendra giggled when he pressed his hands on her backside and yanked her hard against him. “I could be persuaded…” She didn’t finish her words but set her mouth on his.

His hands roamed her body and he took little time removing her garments. Kendra helped him and pulled his tunic over his head. She set a smattering of kisses on his chest and straddled his hips. Face to face, she sighed at the desirous way he gazed at her. His greenish-brown eyes darkened. She took her time taking him in and caressed the sides of his face.

Magnus shifted her and she spread her legs to give him easier access to her. He entered her and she leaned her head against his. Gently, she rocked against him and as she did, he pressed his hands on her breasts. Their movements, in unison, were slow and oh-so-affecting. Kendra’s legs shook and though she wanted to wait to reach her pinnacle, her body gave over. She drew in a breath and latched on to Magnus as ecstasy took control of her.

“Ye are so bonny, sweetheart, when ye reach the wee death,” Magnus said and held her face. He kissed her passionately, turning his mouth over hers, sweeping his tongue against her lips, and sending more warmth and pleasure through her.

Kendra wouldn’t let him shift her and she set her hands on his shoulders. She leaned upward and with effective strokes of her body, she met his hardness, fully encompassing him. Magnus pressed his face against her shoulder. His open mouth against her skin heated her with his heaving breath. Her body met his forcefully, keeping the pace of his thrusts until he shouted his release and tilted back his head. She leaned forward and set a gentle kiss on his throat, the side of his neck, and his muscular shoulder.

She didn’t move off him directly after but continued to hold him. “ What did you mean by ‘wee death’?” Kendra almost laughed at his words but really didn’t understand why he’d spoken them.

“’Tis what the French call la petite mort , aye, the wee death…when ye come undone amid passion. Ye reached it, aye?” He spoke so fervently that she believed him.

“I certainly did. Then I hope to reach wee death often,” she said and lightly kissed his lips.

Though she might not have Magnus’s attention during the day, she had his full attention in bed. That soothed her and she knew she would have to make do with that for now. In time, he would leave his worries at the door, he would smile and laugh, and he would find peace within their bedchamber. Kendra vowed it would be so.