Page 26 of Bride takes a Scot
Rhona leaned forward to look past her. “Have ye given thought to what I asked ye the last time you were here, Declan?”
Isabella noted the apprehension in Declan’s sister’s voice. She wondered briefly what Rhona spoke about, but Declan set his spoon down and gave his sister his full attention.
“I told ye that ye are not old enough to marry. And I am not sure I approve of Willeli.”
Rhona pouted much like her brother Claude. “Och, I am six and ten, Brother. Many lassies are married by my age. Ye promised me that ye wouldst think about it. I beg ye to do so.”
“Ye are not ready, lass. I will tell ye when I approve. That is my final word on this matter.”
Rhona tossed the roll she’d taken onto the table and hastened away.
Isabella watched her flee the room and suspected there were tears in her eyes. The poor lass. Rhona was interested in Willeli and wanted to marry him, whoever he was. But now Isabella knew how to befriend her, and she would do so later this eve.
Declan remained quiet after Rhona left. Isabella didn’t want to intrude or interject her thoughts on how he should interact with his family. Surely, they obeyed him because he was their laird and guardian.
Lady Helena snickered and gazed down at the meat she was cutting with her supper dagger. When she glanced up, she smiled. “Now ye see, Declan, how difficult these wains are? Why, my dearest son never gives me a wee bit of trouble. Aye, he listens to his mother. Do ye not, Silas?”
Silas’s dark eyes left his mother’s, and he slid his gaze to her. The way he peered at her with his wide smile made her focus on Declan. Isabella kept her gaze on her husband so the man wouldn’t draw any conclusions or deem she had an interest in him. She needed to make certain Silas was aware of her devotion to Declan before he got the wrong idea. Still, he had the dreamiest blue eyes, and she couldn’t help but glance back at him.
“Of course, I do, Ma. Declan, how long do ye plan to stay? Now that ye are married, I expect we shall see more of ye around here. I wanted to speak to ye about the soldiers and some thoughts I had on the training regimen.”
Declan raised his brow. “I am unsure at the moment how long I will be here. As far as your thoughts on soldiering that responsibility belongs to Anse. He is the commander-in-arms and is in charge of training. If ye wish to share your thoughts, do so with him.”
Silas appeared to disagree and shrugged. “I shall do that.” Silas paused and briefly ogled at her with a grin that made her shudder. “Why did ye not tell us how bonny the women are near the border?”
Declan kept his gaze on his stepbrother and scowled. “If ye travel there, ye might find out.” He glanced at her and then reverted his gaze back to his family. “That brings something to mind… I am told you have met Isabella. She is to be respected and treated with kindness and is now your laird’s wife. Ye will obey her as you do me. I expect ye all have made her feel welcome.”
Her husband waited for their nods, but they sat there blank-faced and stared at him.
“Ye were aware that I was going to Edinburgh to marry as the king bade. Isabella was the most beautiful, kindhearted, and intelligent woman in the king’s castle. I vow I was fortunate we got on and that she accepted me.”
With his words, his family nodded. Isabella gazed at Declan with affection. His words lightened her heart. Perhaps marrying him wasn’t a mistake after all.
Declan continued, “If ye cannot do so, then ye will be asked to leave. That goes for ye all.”
Helena gasped. “What speak ye about? We have not been unkind, Laird. Have we, Milady Isabella?”
Isabella, put on the spot, shook her head. She should have spoken the truth, about how disconnected they had made her feel, how they’d practically shunned her, but she would give them more time to adjust to her being amongst them.
“We bid you a good night then.” Declan pushed back his chair. He held out his hand.
Isabella took it and rose. She followed him from the room. They reached their bedchamber and Isabella hurried inside. She was gladdened that was over with. How horrid it was to be in hisfamily’s company. Declan must have sensed her notion of that idea because his face reflected the grimness they’d spent dining with them.
“Now ye see, Wife, why I spend a wee amount of time here? They are unpleasant and extremely needful, every one of them.”
Isabella knelt by the small hearth and was about to light a fire when Declan approached. “Let me.” He put some wood shavings and sticks inside and lit them. As the flames began to rise, he added a small log, and then another, patiently building the fire. Warmth would soon take the chill from the room, but she doubted it would help the coldness that settled within her.
She readied for bed and once she put on her nightdress, she decided to forgo it. Isabella hoped to induce Declan to want to couple with her again. There was no sense in being coy now; nevertheless, she got beneath the covers. With the bed covering tucked beneath her chin, she berated herself for being a coward. She pushed the covers to her waist and tried to appear alluring.
Declan chuckled and removed all his garments. He pulled back the bedcover and joined her. His body was warm, hard, and wonderfully enticing. He pressed her back and gave her a sweet kiss. When he pulled away, he lay back and sighed.
“I did not realize how rude my family was until this eve.”
Isabella set her arm over his torso and smiled. “Worry not for me, husband. You forget I am used to dealing with overwrought, emotional people. My parents are the worst sort and if I can handle them, I certainly can deal with your family.”
“You are a brave lass. On the morrow, I will need to get back to my duties. I mean to leave the keep for a bit, perhaps for a few days. Ye will be all right whilst I am gone?”
“I’ll be well. Don’t worry about me. I shall find things to occupy me and will busy myself with dealing with Noah.” Isabella petted his chest and felt comfortable speaking socasually with her husband. It was how it should be, she thought, especially now that she didn’t feel like an outsider.