Page 6 of Bride Takes a Laird (Highland Vows & Vengeance #2)

T he great hall was crowded when supper was served. Kendra prepared for her wedding and wore her favorite gown, a tan overdress with billowing sleeves that had many pleats about the waistline and a modest bodice. Sewn at the edges was a pretty lace and the garment was belted with a thick band of brown silk. She rarely wore the dress but hadn’t had many occasions to wear it and she felt so becoming in the elegant gown.

She stood next to her father’s chair, where she’d settled him with John standing behind him. Earlier, during the brawls, John had kept her father safe and she’d found them in their chamber when she returned. Hopefully, her father stayed put when she was called for the wedding. He smiled and seemed content but likely he didn’t know where he was or why. She wished she was as eased, but alas, the next moments were about to change her life forever.

Queen Margaret approached and Kendra bowed and greeted her. “My Lady, good eve.”

“Your wedding will take place shortly. Oh, this is exciting and I am glad you chose Laird Cameron. He is such a worthy man and I trust you will please him. We’re just awaiting Alexander, but he is meeting with his advisors and shall come shortly. Will your father be joining us?”

Kendra moved closer to the queen so her father couldn’ t overhear her. “It is best that he remains here. Our servant, John, will look after him while I attend the wedding. My father has been absent-minded recently and confused. I don’t want him to wander off or become upset when I’m taking my vows.”

Margaret took her hand and squeezed it. “Oh, Mistress Kendra, I am sorry to hear that. I too had a relative that happened to and witnessing his madness was difficult as I am sure it is for you. Such a shame when their minds don’t hold memories. I shall bid a servant attend to him and bring him supper and keep his cup filled so you need not worry.” She walked off and left the hall.

Kendra appreciated the queen’s empathy. She turned and searched the hall for Magnus, hoping he had come early so she could talk to him. Before the ceremony, she wanted to speak with him about her father. She hadn’t gotten a chance earlier when she had tended to his wounds because right after their kiss ended, he left her abruptly. She hoped he hadn’t changed his mind. Was he disappointed with their kiss? Vulnerability sank her shoulders and until she spoke with him, she felt helpless.

Magnus appeared and stood by the buttery. He’d changed his garments and wore a tan colored tunic and a red woven tartan with a dark green plaid. Magnus must have bathed because his hair was clean and curled at the edges and his face was smooth and free of whiskers. His handsomeness ceased her breath, even with the slight swelling of his lip and bruising beneath his eye. Kendra was awed by him, his manner, and everything about him.

She couldn’t believe she would soon marry him. He took a drink from a passing servant and his eyes found hers. His gaze lingered as if he called her to him but he made no movement to motion to her. Kendra nodded to John and the servant who was assigned to her father’s table. She ambled to where her future husband stood.

“Laird Cameron, might I have a word with you before the ceremony? ”

“Certainly, and ye should call me ‘Magnus.’”

“In private?” She sighed, because the conversation she wanted to have with him was of a serious nature. Kendra tensed knowing she would have to ask him the unthinkable. What man would permit their father-in-law to accompany them home after the wedding? She prayed he would understand.

Magnus grabbed her hand and led her into the hallway. He continued and directed her outside onto a short stone-walled balcony. The late afternoon air chilled her but fortunately, the rains had stopped earlier that morning. With the trepidation of what she needed to ask him, she’d become overheated.

“I should apologize for earlier…” His voice was raspy and deep. “A laird should be noble at all times. I shouldn’t have kissed ye or been forward before our wedding.” Magnus peered beyond the balcony with his eyes focused on the trees in the distance.

Kendra tilted her head to the side. It was as if Magnus had repeated a mantra. Either that or he took his duties as a laird to heart and was gallant. Taken aback by his apology, she set her hand on his arm, gladdened to know what had caused his abrupt departure. “You haven’t changed your mind then? Do you still intend to marry me? You left so abruptly and I thought that you—”

He turned his head to her. “If I’d stayed, ye would’ve been in danger. The last thing I wanted to be was unchivalrous toward ye. Say ye forgive me, lass.” He peered now at her, waiting for her to speak.

Kendra swallowed hard. What did he mean by danger? Had he meant that he couldn’t control himself during their kiss? If that was so, then she had hope that their union would be passionate. She smoothed her hand on his arm. “Of course I forgive you.”

“What did ye want to discuss? Ye haven’t changed your mind, have ye?” He set his hand on hers and gently brushed it away.

She shook her head confused by his brisk manner. “Nay, nay, of course I haven’t. I just… ”

He continued to gaze at her with a smoldering look in his eyes. At that moment all she could envision was their earlier kiss. How she wanted him to do so again but he was too noble for that, she supposed. Lord, how the man kissed her, and she was just as wanton in the return of it. Kendra wanted to ask what bothered him, but she decided to stick with the plan and discuss her father’s situation and her needs.

He nodded to her. “Go on, lass…Kendra. What is it ye wanted to discuss?”

Kendra took a deep breath. “I must ask you something and I worry that you will disagree before I might explain.”

“I will not stop ye. Say what ye will and if it is within my means, I shall not disagree.”

“My father is ailing and I had hoped to bring him with me when we travel to your home. There is no one at our keep to look after him, no family that is, but me. My brother has gone off to war and until he returns, my father has no one but me to care for him. I cannot leave him alone. Can we bring him with us when we leave?” She rushed through the explanation and ceased abruptly.

His brows furrowed slightly and he shifted back a step. “He ails? What is wrong with him? Will his ailment delay our travel? I cannot afford any detainment in returning home.”

“He is well except that he is forgetful and often he doesn’t remember where he is or such matters. Bodily, I deem he is capable and I don’t believe he shall cause any trouble or delay on the journey to your home. His attendant John will look after him.”

“Family is most valuable. Of course, your father is welcome to stay with us until your brother returns. I have a large family and clan. Ye both will be welcomed, protected, and cared for.” Magnus stepped toward her and raised her chin with the tip of his finger. “I do not like though that ye worry for him.”

Kendra kept her eyes on his. “I cannot help but worry for him. He is all I have and I thank you for allowing him to come. It would have distressed me so to leave him behind. Magnus, I vow to make a good wife for you.”

“I do not doubt it, lass. After this day, ye will have me too. Remember that. We will do well together. I should explain that as the laird, I have many duties to see to and am often kept busy. There will be times when I am away from the holding for a length of time. It is unfortunate, but we may not spend much time together.”

She put distance between them as his words came with sternness. “I thank you for explaining, but it is not necessary. I understand that you are a busy man as the laird of your clan. When you need me, I will be there for you.”

“We should return. Kendra…?”

She stepped away but turned back to him. “Aye?”

“I had not thought about taking a wife and never needed anyone,” his voice pitched. “I doubt I will need ye, but it is good to know ye will be there.”

“In time you will come to value our marriage and perhaps one day, you will also need me.”

“Perhaps,” he granted. “But I already value you.”

His declaration pleased her. They returned to the hall when the chamberlain approached and announced that their marriage would take place in the king’s antechamber. Guided by two servants, they were led to the room through a wall panel adjacent to the great hall.

Inside the small chamber, the king and queen attended. There were no others present except for the chancellor who wore stark black vestments. He appeared as aged as Saint Michael and his baritone voice droned on about their marriageable duty to each other, to God, and what marriage meant. His demeanor was almost judgmental and he scowled with unease. She wasn’t sure if he was judging her or Laird Cameron.

Kendra gave the appropriate responses when she was asked if she agreed to marry Magnus. “I, Kendra of Clan Graham, take you, Magnus of Clan Cameron, to be my husband…”

He likewise agreed when asked if he would uphold his duty to her. “Aye. I, Magnus of Clan Cameron, pledge myself to ye, Kendra of Clan Graham.”

The chancellor then motioned to her. “Do you wish, Mistress, to speak of your vows to Laird Cameron?”

She shook her head. “He is already aware of my vows to him.” Kendra had said all that she needed to when they were on the balcony. What more could she ask of him since he allowed her father to go with them to his fief?

Magnus gave a slight shake of his head to the chancellor when he was asked. He, too, had spoken his vows to her on the balcony. Magnus took his duty as laird to heart and she suspected she’d see little of him. He had even spoken of such matters, so there was nothing left to be said. What saddened her a bit was that he’d practically said that he didn’t need her. She would make him need her one day even if it took years for him to admit it. It was unlikely that they would ever come to love one another. Love marriages were rare and most opted for the protection of a contractual agreement and that was exactly what she was getting.

What had she hoped? Had she had her heart set on a love match? Kendra wasn’t usually caught up in emotions or sentiment but the thought of having her husband love her would verily enrich her life. His kiss and their banter led her to believe that there might be something between them—something more than duty and honor. She might’ve been wrong about that.

A moment later, the Chancellor announced they were husband and wife. Magnus gave her a modest kiss on her lips and barely grazed her mouth with his. Kendra was disappointed because their kiss earlier was much more affecting. She’d hoped he’d at least press his lips against hers for more than a heartbeat .

The queen squealed and clapped her hands. “I know you two will do well together. When we return from England, Lady Cameron, I just might ask Alexander to bring me for a visit.”

Kendra bowed to the queen. “I should like that, My Lady.”

“Come, we should make ready to leave,” Magnus said in his no-nonsense tone.

She was shocked to hear they would leave immediately. “But can we not stay the night and leave on the morrow?”

Magnus shook his head. “I only explain because we are newly married. I will not do so in the future. My return is pressing and I cannot linger. I will have the horses readied. Get your belongings and your…father. We leave shortly. I will not be delayed.” He rushed away before she could object.

Kendra returned to her father and asked John to stay with him until she returned. She then hurried to her chamber and collected her and her father’s garments. Linet was a great help and had most ready. With the valises stuffed, she hastened outside with her two attendants and father and found Magnus standing with another man.

“Winston, this is my wife Lady Cameron. Ye will ensure her protection on the way home.” He turned away and tied a satchel she supposed was his to his horse.

The man, Winston, appeared young and probably had only just reached manhood. His hair was much longer than her husband’s and hung over his shoulders in dark straggly strands. “Milady,” he said and bowed.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Winston.” Kendra released her valises when he reached for them. “Is there a reason we must hurry to your home?” she asked Magnus.

“Our home now,” Magnus said. “There is a reason. Aye, we need to get home so I can find my brother’s murderer. I have delayed long enough.” He didn’t explain further and turned away from her again.

Murderer? Kendra suspected now was not the time to ask questions and would find out soon enough what had happened to his brother. When she reached her father and tried to guide him to his horse, he balked. But then she explained. “Come, Papa, we need to go. I married as the king commanded and Laird Cameron has agreed that you can come with us. Is that not wonderful news?”

“Nay, I should return home. You are married now and should follow your husband. I do not wish to be away from my lands.” He shimmied backward with wide eyes, his gaze somewhat alarmed.

“You are coming with me. My husband said we could have a visitation. Do you not want to see me settled before you return home? John will be with us and Linet.” Kendra softened her explanation because her father would get angry if she told him the real reason that she insisted he go with her. If he returned to their lands, it was probable that Lord Heatherington would seek to harm her father for accepting the bride price coins and receiving no bride. “We shall be together until Aston returns.”

“Very well, but as soon as I hear that your brother has returned, I shall make the journey home. ’Tis where I belong.”

Kendra nodded. “Thank you, Papa, for understanding, and for coming with me. It will make my leaving you so much easier to bear.”

Her father pressed his hands on hers and bobbed his head. Kendra guided him to his horse and was relieved that he understood and ceased being angry. John nodded as if he grasped her silent signal, a dip of her chin, for him to keep watch over her father.

Magnus had their belongings put on the horses and his comrade handed her father the reins of his horse. Her husband didn’t help her mount her horse but sat steadily on his mount awaiting her. Everyone took to their mounts and they waited for Magnus to direct them.

“Will the journey take long?”

“Long enough,” he said and led the procession through the castle’s gates.

Kendra wasn’t concerned for herself but for her father. She could ride all day and make no complaints even if she suffered. But her father hadn’t had much use for riding lately, especially with him ailing. Their guards kept her father inside the gates of their home ever since he’d gone missing. She rode next to her father and prayed they would reach Magnus’s lands before there were any mishaps.

Magnus led their group through the forest, hills, and brown fields, and rarely glanced back at her. Whenever they stopped to rest, he kept his interaction with her to a minimum. Being married, she realized, wouldn’t change her life at all. She would be left on her own with no one to account to, just as she had existed at her father’s manor. Kendra wasn’t too daunted by that and she wouldn’t be a distraction for her husband. He was the laird after all and the most important man in his clan. She understood what that meant and as much as she hoped to have his adoration and attention, she realized that was unlikely.

*

The long days of riding took its toll not only on her, but her father, and Linet as well. John, Magnus, and Winston didn’t groan or walk like stiffened elders when they stopped to rest. During the nights, they slept in areas surrounded by pines and woodland. Magnus handed her a heavily woven tartan, which she assumed was his. He’d told her to use it for sleep. When she tried to hand it back in the morning, he shoved it back at her.

“Ye may keep it.”

He was kind and courteous and a man of little words. Kendra used the tartan to keep herself warm during the days, especially when the winds grew brisker and the air colder. It seemed Spring turned back to Winter the farther north they rode.

Throughout the journey, she kept quiet and rode along silently. Whenever Linet tried to speak to her, she waved her off. Kendra didn’t want her husband to overhear any conversation she’d have with her friend. It seemed to her too that he wanted them to refrain from speaking. His focus and his guardsman’s were on the trail and their surroundings. Magnus was in protective mode and she wouldn’t be a distraction.

The closer they got to Cameron land, the more detached Magnus became. Kendra was saddened at the thought that her husband had little joy in his life. He wore a serious expression on his handsome face and was as staid as any laird, she supposed. One day, she vowed, she would make him happy and he wouldn’t be able to cease smiling.

Kendra realized by the time they reached the gates that she needed him to want and need her, just as much as she needed him. Whether he wanted her was another matter altogether. There was something about him that drew her empathy, the longing for his touch, and her need for his approval. How could she fulfill her vows and he, his, if he hardly interacted with her?