Page 17 of Bride Takes a Laird (Highland Vows & Vengeance #2)

M orning light filtered through the window casement, alerting Kendra that it was time to rise. Her eyes shot open and she rubbed the sleep from them. She rolled onto her back and felt Magnus beside her. She hadn’t heard him arrive during the night and must’ve slept like a rock. He lay next to her with his eyes closed, his breathing easy and quiet. She took a moment to gaze at his handsomeness. He wore a bit of scruff on his cheeks. The light beard appealed to her and made him appear even more fierce. She wanted to stroke his face to feel the coarseness of his whiskers, but she didn’t want to wake him.

Magnus’s eyes flipped open and he stared at her for a moment without speaking.

“Good morn. I was just about to rise,” she said but didn’t make a move to get out of bed. “How was your journey?”

“Unremarkable.”

She disbelieved him because the look in his gaze and his somber tone alluded to the fact that something had happened. He wasn’t about to share it with her however and so she didn’t press him. The silence of the bedchamber unnerved her. Magnus was being quieter than usual. He seemed displeased with her but he wasn’t about to impart why.

“I should get up,” she said and tossed the covers from over her. With his sullen mood, she thought it best to retreat from the chamber.

Magnus took hold of her arm and pulled her back. “There’s no need to run off.”

Kendra thought that he might kiss her but he made no move to do so. To appease him, she settled back in the bed and waited to find out why he wanted her to stay.

“Kendra, would ye ever keep something from me? Something important that I should be made aware of?” His eyes seemed to implore her as his eyes pierced hers, unblinking.

She shook her head. “Like a secret?”

“Aye? A secret. Would ye purposely keep me in the dark about something that ye should confess? Something that perchance ye should tell me as your husband?” He leaned on his side, his eyes continuing to stare at her intensely.

His scrutiny made her uncomfortable and she swallowed before answering. “I am certain that I know not of what you speak of because I wouldn’t deliberately keep something from you. Why would you ask such a question?” Kendra’s shoulders tensed as she waited for him to answer.

She wondered if he meant the secret of her papa accepting Heatherington’s bride price. But then, she reasoned he couldn’t know about that. Only she, Linet, and John were privy to that secret and she didn’t deem her friends would speak of it to Magnus. Then she remembered she’d told his mother about it and hoped with all her heart that Lady Faye had kept her secret. She didn’t want to be a burden to Magnus and have him return Heatherington’s bride price. Kendra hoped to solve the problem on her own. He had enough to deal with concerning his clan and his brother’s death. If what he’d asked her wasn’t about Heatherington, she thought perhaps he’d viewed the manuscripts. Was that what had him filled with angst this morn?

“I only wondered… Never mind. I should rise too. There’s a duty I mu st see to early this morn.” He flung back the bedcover and shifted his legs to the side of the bed.

Kendra didn’t know what troubled him and until he told her, she’d be the one in the dark. She hurried and washed and pulled a tan-colored frock over her head. After, she pulled the length of her hair into sections and braided it, then coiled it and secured it with a tie.

Magnus had dressed by the time she’d finished. He marched across the chamber to the antechamber and picked up a volume. He glared at the table and turned hastily toward her. “Have ye touched these manuscripts?”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you… I took care of adding the sums and accounting that needed to be entered since Ned had…” She trailed off and changed her thought. “The manuscripts are current. You need not worry about it now. If you will look, you shall see—”

He cut her off with a bite to his tone, “Kendra, ye shouldn’t have done that. It was my…”

She waited for him to finish his sentence but his mouth hung open.

“Your, what? Are you pleased? Appreciative? I know how much the task weighed on you and when I lived at home I often took care of such matters for my father.”

“Nay! I am most disappointed. It was my responsibility as the laird of this clan and I was going to get to it. Ye had no right to do so, especially without telling me first. Ye should not have touched these manuscripts. I trust no one to handle the matter but me. And until I put a steward in place, I should be the one to keep track of the clan’s accounting.”

Kendra tried to resist the tremble that came to her, but her voice shook, “But I was only—”

“Ye disappoint me, Kendra. I cannot discuss this right now because I have men to bury.”

She realized how upset he must be with having to bury his soldiers. “I am sorry you lost men. Can I do anything to help? ”

Magnus continued to scowl at the accounting volumes and didn’t glance at her when he answered, “Nay, there is naught for ye to do. They were my clansmen and their families are suffering at their loss. I must make it right.”

Kendra thought perhaps the weight of his men’s deaths added to his reaction of her helping him do the accounts. She wanted with all her heart to lessen his sorrow and to help him but he wouldn’t allow her to. As his wife, wasn’t it her duty to aid him when he needed her? Magnus didn’t seem to know that but at the moment, she refrained from reminding him of that fact lest she anger him further.

Without another word, Magnus hastily left the bedchamber, thudding the door behind him.

Kendra tried not to let his disgruntlement get to her but tears gathered in her eyes. She pressed her eyes to abate them. Why he was bothered by her aid daunted her. She’d only tried to help him but he took his duties of being laird to heart. She wished he understood that and that didn’t mean he had to bear the burden of everything. If he allowed her to help him, she could ease his troubles. How could she make that known to him?

He wasn’t about to listen now. Kendra disliked that he was angry with her but there was probably nothing she could do to make it right or make the hurt recede. The damage was done.

Linet entered the chamber and held a basket of laundry in her hands. She set down the basket and crossed the chamber. “Good morn, Kendra. It’s a beautiful day outside. I was thinking of going… Oh, no, what is wrong?” She pulled her into an embrace. “Your face tells me that something troubles you. You look brokenhearted.”

Kendra couldn’t hold back the sob that escaped her. “I am brokenhearted.” She quickly explained what happened between her and Magnus. “He is rather angry.”

“Fret not. Men often make such a fuss about things they should be doing, and yet, it sometimes takes them forever to handle the tasks. Mama always nags my da to do things but he usually drags his feet. Once Laird Cameron realizes how fortunate he is that you aided him, he shall forgive you.”

She snorted a laugh. “I doubt very much that will happen.”

“You need to get out of the keep this day. I was going to suggest that we visit your da and John. We could go to the loch and perhaps take a swim for it is going to be a warm day.”

Kendra decided she needed to get out of the keep and away from Magnus, at least until his temper cooled. She helped Linet tidy the chamber and they left the fief. On the way to her father’s cottage, she tried not to think of Magnus and his abruptness. When he calmed, she would explain and hoped he’d understand that she hadn’t meant to overstep but only to relieve him of the plight. Somehow she would gain his forgiveness.

“I wanted to speak to you about something…” Linet slowed her pace, linked her arm to hers, and kept her gaze ahead. “I know not how to brooch this with you so I shall just say it… I married John.”

Kendra gasped and tightened the hold of her arm to stop her from walking ahead. “You what!? When did this happen?”

Linet lowered her chin. “At the Roodmas celebration. We did so in secret and professed our vows to each other since there is no clergyman here. I am sorry that I kept it from you. It’s just we wanted a private ceremony…”

She understood. “You have cared for John for such a long time, since you were a young lass. I wondered when you would admit it to him. I am happy for you, Linet, and for John. This is wonderful news.” Kendra pulled her into a congratulatory embrace and hugged her tightly.

Linet pulled back. “You might not think so when I tell you that we intend to return to your father’s lands when he goes home. John has family close by and he only came because Lord Graham needed him. But he wants us to live there and I must go with him. ”

“You shall leave me. That’s what you’re saying. As much as that saddens me, your life is with your husband. I understand. Oh, this is especially pleasing news. I am gladdened to know that you married for love. How I wish I had.” Kendra reasoned that her marriage was more contractual given the king gave her hand to Magnus. Still, she’d hoped marriage to Magnus would bring them close and perhaps even to love one another eventually.

How wrong she had been because Magnus loved his clan and had no room for her in his heart. Such a feat seemed impossible now. The woebegone nature sat afoul in her stomach and she didn’t want to appear forlorn in front of her dear friend. Despair threatened to make her weep or bend over sobbing at the hopelessness of it. She shook it away and tried to appear happy for Linet.

With a renewed spirit, she smiled. “Now, come along, and tell me what plans you have made. You must be excited to begin your life together.” She linked arms with Linet again and they ambled forward.

Linet rambled on about her future, but Kendra’s mind retreated and she barely heard a word she said. On the approach to her father’s cottage, she spotted him outside. He stood next to Laird Hugh and they seemed to be readying to go fishing. Kendra placed a smile on her face and hoped her father recognized her. With all the sadness of the day, she didn’t want to be overlooked by the one man who truly cared for her.

“Ah, lass, you are here. We’re off to do a spot of fishing,” he said, greeting her with a welcoming grin, and her heart soared.

“Good morn, Papa. Do you mind if Linet and I join you?”

“Of course not. ’Tis a fine day for fishing and mayhap a dip in the water for it will soon be warm enough.”

She nodded. “I thought the same. Let us go onward then.” Kendra unlinked her arm from Linet’s and stepped next to her father.

Linet sidled next to John and smiled at him. John’s face neared her friend’s and he almost pressed his lips to her cheek. Instead, he spoke low in Linet’s ear. Kendra couldn’t hear what he’d said and whatever it was, made her friend blush sweetly and nod. They made off toward the trees that surrounded the loch.

“John, I must offer my good tidings on your marriage. I am very pleased for both of you.”

The soldier’s face brightened and he dipped his chin. “My thanks, Milady.”

They trudged through the trees and made their way toward the water. Kendra loved the scents of nature as they neared the loch. There was the freshness of the water, the pine odor of the tall trees, and the balance of soil that seemed to penetrate her senses. Being there relaxed her and she let herself forget her troubles of the morning.

Laird Hugh set a blanket on the ground. She and Linet sat upon it while the men tossed their lines into the water. John held a sharpened spear and stepped into the water until it reached his knees. He stood still and waited for the fish to come to him.

While they sat there waiting for the fish to bite, Kendra wished she’d grabbed something to eat before she left the fief. Her stomach rumbled and caught Laird Hugh’s notice.

“ Och ye be hungry, lass? Is that your hunger growling?” He chortled.

Kendra’s face pitched from embarrassment. “I was in a rush this morn and didn’t eat anything.” Her stomach grumbled again. “That must be why my stomach is upset.”

“Oh, I have some sweetened bread Mistress Ellen gave me this morn. Ye are welcome to it.” He pulled out a cloth-wrapped loaf and handed it to her.

“You are a saving grace, Laird Hugh. My thanks.” Kendra pulled a piece of the bread from the loaf and ate it. Her father yanked at his line and was quiet. “Papa, how are you this day? Feeling well?” She wondered if he was clear-headed or if he was inside himself. He seemed to be well and at least had recognized her when she approached him earlier.

“My dear, how pleasing you look this day. One day I hope we have a daughter as fair.”

Kendra’s shoulders slumped when she realized that he thought he was speaking to her mother. She somewhat resembled her mother, from what she’d been told, with her fair hair and light eyes. “Papa, I’m Kendra… I’m not Catherine.”

“You look akin to my wife. Are you certain you are not her?” Her father grunted as if he disbelieved her.

“I am your daughter Kendra.” She pressed her hands together and tried not to be solemn. To take her mind off his disremembering, she continued to eat the bread Laird Hugh gave her.

“My wife is the most beautiful, kindhearted woman. I loved her from the moment I spied her in her da’s hall. Her father wasn’t impressed with me and it took me months to win his acceptance.” Her father chuckled and looked far off as his memories took hold.

Kendra had heard him reminisce about meeting her mother before but he hadn’t spoken about it in some time. His eyes always shone with mirth when he spoke of the tale. “I am gladdened you did.”

“Oho, but her da made me wait to marry her and I confess that I thought he would never allow me to marry my sweet Catherine. Sweet,” he said with a guffaw. “She was far from sweet and challenged me on everything. I liked the confrontations and often let her win just to keep the peace. I shall join her soon and then we will be together…” he mumbled and his voice trailed off. Her father grew saddened and he pouted slightly until something caught on his line.

Kendra wondered what he was going to say. But he was now focused on fishing so she let him be. That he spoke of her mother tensed her heart. Her worry for him grew as each day passed. She hoped he lived long enough to see his cherished home and land again.

Speaking of marriage and confrontations reminded her that somehow she needed to make amends with Magnus. He would hear no explanations that morning and she hoped by the time she saw him that evening his anger would have lessened. Perhaps then she could make her apology and get him to accept it. But then she scoffed to herself. Magnus was stubborn and it was unlikely he’d understand why she needed to help him.

The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly. In the heat of the afternoon, they swam for a bit. The water cooled her and was a little chilly, but it offered a respite from the heat of the day. Six fish had been caught in all when the day drew to a close: three by Laird Hugh, two by her papa, and one by John. Kendra took up the cover from the ground and folded it. Dusk swathed the land and the day’s light dimmed. She was hungry and hoped supper would be soon. A queasiness overtook her and she closed her eyes and breathed slowly to abate it. After a brief uneasy spell, she regained her composure and set off toward the fief’s walls.

On the way back, she looked apprehensively for Magnus but didn’t see him. Would he come to their bedchamber that night? She hoped he would and that his laird duties didn’t keep him away. Kendra drew in a resigned breath. It seemed she’d be forever awaiting him.