Page 64 of Bride takes a Scot

“Noah told me someone else was there when Leona was killed by Silas. Someone with a different tartan than ours. I wonder if this man instigated Silas for his purposes.”

Anse grunted. “Ye mean he used Silas to bring ye low by murdering your wife?”

Declan set his hand on his chin. “Aye. Wee by wee he wanted to see me tormented.”

“There have been no clashes with other clans currently. The king favored ye by marrying ye to one of the lassies. Who detests ye that much? I cannot think of anyone that hates ye.”

Neither could he, but Declan was certain someone wanted his life destroyed before he overtook his and Campbell’s clans. He wasn’t aware of anything he’d done to warrant such a retribution. He would have to set his mind to thinking about his da. Perhaps his father had wronged someone, and they soughtretribution against him through his son. Wars betwixt clans often spanned the life of their leaders and beyond to their heirs.

“Anse, see that triple the guard is posted around our walls. And ensure the sentry is sent out frequently. There is great need and I want us protected.”

“The guard has been tripled but I will see to it that the sentry makes more rounds, Laird. Is that why ye wanted to move into the new dwelling? Ye fear we will be besieged?”

Declan shrugged. “Alert the clan to be guarded. If we are besieged, I want my clan safe. I also want Isabella and Noah protected. The fief would do well to protect us. Whoever is out to destroy me could easily use my family to get to me. My wife has suffered enough thanks to Silas and his horrid mother.”

“I will go and see to it at once.”

Before Anse left, he asked him, “Is Isabella at the new keep?”

His commander nodded. “Aye, she has been there most of the morning. Slone still remains at his post, and I checked in with him earlier. When will Trevor return?”

“Lillith has not said when Trevor will be healed enough to move. I want more men put in position around the keep. See that at least ten men guard my home. And now, I should go and see what my sweet wife is up to.”

But before Declan could set off to the keep, a guard shouted his name. He hurried to the gate and met with the lead guardsman.

“This just arrived for Milady, Laird.” He handed him a sealed parchment.

Declan studied the writing and discerned that it must be a missive from her parents. He thanked the guard and walked hastily to the new keep. With a nod to Slone, he took the steps and entered. Isabella stood in the great hall and shook out a large tapestry that had been given to them by Marian. It was beautifully sewn with his clan’s crest on it.

The two young soldiers whom he had entrusted to help Isabella set the furnishings stood by, listening to her directions.

“It should be placed betwixt those windows there,” she said and pointed to the center of the large wall that flanked the room.

“Wife,” he called.

She turned to him, and he found his first smile of the day. Lord, she was bonny, and he was enthralled being in her presence. Declan almost scoffed at himself because it was obvious that not only did he care about the woman, but she mattered a great deal to him. He was beginning to realize his heart was fully committed.

“There you are. I wondered where you had gotten to. The great hall is almost finished. Once we get the tapestry hung, the lads will bring in the trestle table and chairs.”

“Ye have done well, Wife.” He took her hand and brushed a bit of dust from her cheek. “Ye are not working too hard, are ye?”

“Nay, they won’t let me lift a finger,” she said with disgruntlement. Isabella tilted her head in the direction of the young soldiers.

“Good, they are doing as they were directed. I only stopped in to see ye and to make sure Noah was not being troublesome or in the way.”

Isabella smiled at him splendidly. “I sent him off to Marian’s. He was bored and I had nothing for him to do. Besides, I could get more done without him underfoot.”

“That was a fair idea, love.” Declan reached into his tunic and pulled out the missive she’d received. “I almost forgot, this arrived for you.” He handed it to her.

“It must be from my parents. I shall read it later.” She tucked the missive into the seam of her overdress.

“I should go.”

Isabella grabbed his hand before he moved away. “Await. Would it be all right if I gave away a few things we don’t need or want?”

“I suppose. If ye do not think we need or want them, then ye can give them away. It matters not to me.” Declan gave her a quick peck on her cheek and strolled away.

How sweet was she to think of others? He almost returned to her and would have snatched her hand to lead her to a private place within the keep, but he didn’t want to distract her. Instead, he made his way to his cottage. He wanted to speak to Rhona. He hadn’t talked to her since his return and there was much to discuss. He found her in the front room working on a bit of sewing. “Lass, I wanted to ask you…”