Page 13

T he morning light filtered through the windows of Ewan's chamber, casting golden patterns across the rumpled furs that covered the bed. Lileas stirred slowly, consciousness returning with the delicious awareness of warm skin against her own and strong arms holding her close.

She was naked, completely wrapped in her husband's embrace as if she belonged there. Which, she realized with a flutter of wonder, she did. The events of the night before came flooding back in a rush of sensation and emotion.

"Good morning, Lil," Ewan's voice rumbled against her ear, rough with sleep and satisfaction. His hand traced lazy patterns on her bare shoulder, and she could feel his smile against her hair.

"Good morning, Ewan," she replied, marveling at how natural the words felt. She turned in his arms to face him, taking in his tousled hair and the contentment in his green eyes. "Did ye sleep well?"

"Better than I have in months," he admitted, his thumb brushing along her cheekbone. "Having ye here, in my arms, knowing ye're truly mine... it changes everything."

They lay in comfortable silence for a while, watching the light grow stronger outside the windows.

"How did ye get this scar?" Lileas asked, her fingers tracing the jagged skin that ran along his ribs.

Ewan's expression grew thoughtful. "My father gave it to me when I was fourteen."

"What? But why?" she asked in shock.

"Because he was a bully and a bastard," Ewan replied.

"Connor and I, we did nae have a good upbringing.

Our father was a volatile man. One moment he praised ye, then the next he'd try and beat ye to death.

Anything could set him off, and ye just hoped like hell ye were not within arm's reach of his outbursts. "

"What happened?" Lileas asked.

"He was training with the men and challenged Connor to a fight with a real sword. Not the training sticks one uses for young lads. Connor was only twelve and nowhere near ready to take on my da, who was a seasoned warrior."

Lileas could not speak for the anger rising in her chest. Instead she clutched his hand and held it against her breast.

Ewan continued, "Connor fought best he could by trying to tire my father out. He was quick on his feet and ran circles around him. That made my da angrier, and he began swinging his sword like a mad man. No one could stop him, he'd gone half beserker."

"Ye dinnae have to tell me," Lileas whispered.

"No, I need to talk about it..." he replied, then continued, "At one point Connor tripped and fell.

I saw my da raising that sword high in the air to slice off his arm.

So I ran at my da so hard and hit him in the side to knock him off his feet.

He swung the blade around at me instead.

I was too slow moving out of the way and it sliced down my side. "

Lileas had tears in her eyes, crying in horror.

"Connor gained his feet so fast and managed to pull me off the field. It took five men to subdue my father and relieve him of his sword. Afterward he acted like nothing happened at all."

"Is that when Morna took care of ye?"

"Aye, Connor took me to Morna, and she saved my life that day. We began spending more time in her cottage than at the keep after that. She is more like a mother to us."

"She's remarkable," Lileas said softly. "I can see why ye and Connor are so devoted to her."

"Aye. She kept us from becoming bitter, angry lads. Taught us that strength wasn't just about the sword, but about protecting those who couldn't protect themselves."

"You saved Connor's life as well that day," Lileas said.

"Aye, it's why we're very close. For all his bluster, ye'll never find anyone more loyal."

His hand found hers, their fingers intertwining. "What about ye? What was yer childhood like?"

"Lonely, mostly," Lileas admitted. "After my ma died, my father didn't quite ken what to do with a daughter who preferred reading to embroidery. He loves me, I ken that, but he’s never understood me."

"Is that why ye ran?" Ewan asked gently. "Because ye thought I wouldn't understand either?"

Lileas felt heat rise in her cheeks, shame mixing with regret. "I need to apologize to ye," she said quietly. "For humiliating ye by running away. I never meant any slight to come from it, truly. I only thought of my freedom. I didn't consider what it would do to yer reputation, to yer clan."

Ewan was silent for a long moment, his thumb stroking over her knuckles.

When he finally spoke, his voice was thoughtful rather than angry.

"It matters not. Ye did what ye thought was best, and I can imagine it cannot have been an easy decision.

But I still dinnae regret dragging yer stubborn bahookie here, because it means I got to enjoy making love with my wife. "

The teasing note in his voice made her look up, and she saw warmth in his eyes rather than recrimination. "My stubborn bahookie?" she repeated, her lips twitching with suppressed laughter.

"Aye, the stubbornest bahookie in all of Scotland," he confirmed solemnly. "But it's a very bonnie bahookie, so I suppose I can forgive its stubbornness."

Lileas burst into laughter, the sound bright and free in the morning air. "Ye're wicked," she said, swatting playfully at his chest.

"Wicked but yers," he replied, catching her hand and bringing it to his lips. "Just as ye're mine, stubborn and all."

The playful moment settled into something deeper, more serious. Lileas took a breath, gathering her courage for what she needed to say next.

"I'm ready," she said quietly. "To be a proper wife to ye and mistress of this clan. I'm happy to do whatever ye need me to do, to help in any way I can. I ken I have much to learn, but I'm willing to try."

The resignation in her voice, the way she seemed to be steeling herself for sacrifice, made Ewan frown. He could see her preparing to set aside her passions for duty.

"Come," he said suddenly, sitting up and reaching for his clothes. "I have something to show ye. Now that ye are mistress here, 'tis best ye get used to the chores my lady wife must take over."

Lileas nodded and sighed. The sound tugged at Ewan's heart.

They bathed and dressed in companionable silence, though Ewan found himself stealing kisses at every opportunity. He couldn't seem to help himself; the knowledge that she was truly his now made it impossible to keep his hands to himself.

"Where are we going?" Lileas asked as they prepared to leave the chamber.

"Ye'll see," Ewan replied mysteriously, taking her hand and leading her toward the door.

The corridors of the keep were busier than usual, and Lileas noticed immediately that there were more guards than she remembered from the previous day. Armed men stood at regular intervals, their eyes constantly scanning for threats.

"The extra guards?" she asked quietly.

"Aye," Ewan's expression grew serious. "The keep is in full lockdown, and we now patrol MacNeil lands to ensure the Fergusons dinnae venture closer.

I've also posted men throughout the keep to ensure ye and Fiona and any MacNeil lass cannot be kidnapped.

It's like a fortress now, with men on the lookout for anything suspicious. "

They stepped outside into the crisp morning air, and Ewan led her across the courtyard toward a small cottage set within the keep's walls, not far from the blacksmith's forge. The building looked old but well-maintained, with smoke rising from its chimney.

"What is this place?" Lileas asked as they approached the cottage door.

"Part of yer new role among the clan," Ewan replied, producing a key from his pocket. "Go on, open it."

With growing curiosity, Lileas pushed open the heavy wooden door. The scent that greeted her was familiar and exciting: peat smoke, grain, herbs, and the unmistakable aroma of brewing. But this was clearly a makeshift operation, with old equipment and the lingering smell of failed brews.

"What is this place?" she asked again, stepping into the dusty interior and looking around with growing understanding.

"This, my lady wife, will be part of yer role among the clan," Ewan said, following her inside.

She gasped, turning to stare at him in disbelief. "I dinnae understand."

"We've been trying to make our own whiskey for years but never quite worked it out," Ewan explained, watching her face carefully.

"If ye can help with that, we may be able to trade it with other clans for goods we need.

I've also sent a small group of men to bring yer things from yer home.

All those notes and equipment ye mentioned.

And I ken 'tis not much now, but whatever ye need, I can source the supplies.

I thought perhaps ye could use this cottage as yer workshop, to build things. .. if ye like."

Lileas was speechless, her mind reeling with the implications.

She kept looking around the cottage, already working out calculations: where the still should go, how to improve the ventilation, what modifications would be needed.

This wasn't just permission to continue her work; this was encouragement, support, complete validation of everything she was passionate about.

She was silent for such a long time that Ewan began to look embarrassed, uncertainty creeping into his expression.

"If the space is not to yer liking, I can find another—"

His words were cut off when Lileas suddenly launched herself at him, slamming her lips against his mouth and kissing him as if her life depended on it. Her arms wound around his neck, her body pressed against his, and for a moment they were lost in each other.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Lileas's eyes were bright with unshed tears.

"This is the loveliest thing anyone has ever done for me," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I love it!"

But even as she spoke, her mind was already racing ahead to other possibilities.

"And while I'm at it, I noticed yer chamber needs blinds to keep out the sunlight.

With a little wood and canvas, I'm sure I can create something for the windows.

Also, I noticed the crops in the field at the far side of yer lands.

They're not bringing much yield, are they? What do ye grow there?"

Ewan blinked at the rapid shift in topic, then smiled. This was the woman he'd fallen in love with: brilliant, passionate, and all his.

"We've been trying wheat, but it hasn't taken," he admitted. "Shamus has tried everything, but nothing can grow well there."

"I thought so. It's in the wrong place. Ye need a different kind of plant because the soil is too rocky. We had this happen on our lands as well. I convinced our farmers to plant different seeds and rotate them so the soil had time to rest."

"This is why yer lands are always plentiful," Ewan said with dawning understanding.

"Aye."

Ewan thought for a moment, then nodded. What she said made perfect sense. "Ye think ye could help us improve our yields?"

"I know I can," Lileas said with confidence that was utterly compelling.

And just like that, Lileas's mind exploded with thoughts and possibilities. She could see it all: a way to improve every aspect of clan life. This time, though, she had a husband who wouldn't mind it. In fact, he was encouraging it.

For the first time since arriving at MacNeil Keep, Lileas felt truly at home. This wasn't about sacrificing her passions for duty; this was about using her gifts to serve her new family.

"Thank ye," she whispered, reaching up to cup Ewan's face in her hands. "Thank ye for understanding."

"'Tis my pleasure, wife."

As they stood in the dusty cottage that would become her workshop, surrounded by the potential for everything they could build together, the future stretched ahead of them, bright with possibility.

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