Page 21 of Bride Takes a Laird

Magnus scoffed. “When ye see her, ye will get your answer. Now tell me, have ye found anything out about Ned’s disappearance or his murderer whilst I was gone?”

His brother shook his head. “’Tis strange. I questioned all of Ned’s friends, the watches, the sentry, and others. None recall him leaving the fief around the time he disappeared. I tried to gain a sense of his last days here and no one remembers who he was with or what he was doing. ’Tis as if he vanished until ye found him by the mountain. Whatever happened to Ned took place outside our walls. I have had the entire keep’s lands checked for any sign of blood or scuffle. I plan to head to the village to find out if anyone saw him there.”

“That is a fair idea. I will go with ye when ye trek to the village.”

Wyren laughed. “Are ye not going to be too busy with your new wife?”

“Is there anything else?” Magnus asked, ignoring his brother’s banter.

“Nay, nothing much happened whilst ye were gone. Ma has not been herself and mourns. Da told me that she hasn’t left the keep and stays within. He worries that she will make herself ill with her bereavement.”

“I noticed the sadness in her eyes,” Magnus said lowly. He was distressed that his mother was brokenhearted and knew she would remain so until he could enact vengeance for Ned’s death.

Wyren leaned against the low-lying wall and crossed his ankles. “The crofters continue the seasonal planting. We began the shearing of the sheep, about half were done and the wool will fetch a good amount of coin, the wall has been fortified, and the soldiers trained. All was quiet.”

Magnus leaned against the wall next to him. His brother handledhis duty well and that surprised him because Magnus didn’t like giving up control. Yet he’d had no choice and the clan hadn’t fallen apart during his absence. “I see that the gates were kept closed.”

His brother nodded. “Aye, we kept them closed as ye bade. They were only opened for the sentry but otherwise remained shut. On market day, we allowed the clan’s men and women to exit the back entrance.”

“I will meet ye on the field in the morn to see how the training is going. Is Jake doing well? That lad has grown and surpassed us in height.” Magnus chuckled.

“Jake is a toughened soldier now, likely our fiercest. He is getting proficient with the sword. Perhaps we should promote him now that he’s a seasoned soldier and put him over some of the younger lads.”

Magnus agreed with a nod. “He could do with the added responsibility. I’ll consider it.”

“Aye, I have a few lads that could do with his guidance.” Wyren pressed his hands on his face and yawned again.

Magnus turned and had almost forgotten that he held Hale. He set his nephew in his brother’s arms and nodded. “I hope ye get some sleep this night.”

Wyren chortled and opened his cottage door, jarring his son. “Unlikely, not with my son’s wailing. I hope ye get some sleep this night too but with a new bride in the marriage bed, I doubt ye shall.” Wyren bellowed with laughter and slammed his door shut behind him. Hale’s wails began again the moment the door closed.

By the time he finished his conversation with Wyren, the sky had darkened. Magnus left his brother and strode back to the keep. It was quiet and his parents probably sought their beds. Inside the hall, he retrieved a pitcher of water and two cups. Taking the steps, he hurried to his bedchamber. He was impatient to see Kendra again. It had taken all his will to leave her while he gained his report.

He thrust the door open and expected to find Kendra in bed.Instead, she sat in a chair and he startled her. She nearly shot to her feet but then, seeing it was he, eased back in her seat. Magnus set the pitcher and cups on a small table near the bed and crossed the chamber. Being married was going to be a great disruption especially since he couldn’t, or rather, didn’twantto keep his hands off his lovely bride. The thought of consummating their marriage tensed his body. But before the night was through, he would get to touch her as he pleased. Finally.

Chapter Eight

Kendra gasped whenthe door burst open and at the unexpected intrusion. She hadn’t expected Magnus to return so soon. She’d had enough time to bathe, don her nightrail, and settle in the chair near the hearth. As she sat by the fire considering her father’s situation, she used her fingers to detangle her damp hair. Being clean and in fresh garments lulled her. She was more tired than she thought from the journey, her worry over her father, and the night to come. The marriage bed was somewhat of a fear of hers—because she wasn’t privy to what would happen.

“I thought ye would be asleep. Did I frighten ye? I apologize if I did.”

She shook her head. “I just…wasn’t expecting you back so…soon.” Kendra smiled at the sound of his raspy voice. How could so few words appease her? But his voice lightened her and that he was caring enough to apologize for startling her, eased her spirit.

“I only needed to get a report from Wyren, my brother, who is also the commander-in-arms.” Magnus pulled his upper tartan from his body as he crossed the chamber. “I think I will partake of your bath water.” Before he reached the basin, he began shedding his garments and left them on the floor behind him in a trail as he walked until he stood before the basin naked with his lovely backside on display. He turned hisface to peer at her.

Kendra was sure her cheeks were as bright as a smith’s poker for she had never seen a naked man before. She had to take a breath to remind herself that Magnus was her husband now and she shouldn’t be embarrassed. The incredible sight of his body drew her sigh though. “The water is probably cold by now. Do you want me to have some water heated for you?”

“Nay, I will not be overlong and only want to wash.” Magnus stepped into the bath and sat back with his legs bent, his knees sticking above the water level. He barely fit in the large tub.

“Do you wish me to bathe you?” She had heard that most wives bathed their husbands and some wives even bathed guests that visited their keeps. She hoped that wasn’t something they did in the Highlands and that it wasn’t expected. Still, Kendra wanted to be a good wife, no matter what that entailed.

“If ye wish,” he said and motioned her to him.

Kendra knelt next to the tub and picked up the cloth she had used to wash. She lathered it with the bar of soap she’d retrieved from her belongings. Then she set it on his chest. As she ran the cloth over him, she couldn’t help but notice the taut muscles of his body. Everywhere she touched was firm. He was utterly male, strong, and marred by scars.

Magnus closed his eyes and relaxed back. She took advantage of his inattention and peeked at his midsection. What she could see beneath the water made Kendra’s cheeks grow further enflamed. Abashed, she slapped the cloth on his knee and washed one leg and then the other. When she glanced back at Magnus, he was staring at her. His greenish-brown eyes deepened to a greener shade.

Kendra smiled. “You are finished, unless you want me to do your backside. I mean, your…”