Page 64 of Kilgannon #1
We laughed together, but I felt suddenly shy.
It had been months since we’d made love thoroughly/We’d been affectionate and often inventive, but not more.
He had obviously planned this well and wanted me to be enthusiastic.
I wondered if I’d have to feign ardor. But as we talked and ate I relaxed, and a short while later it seemed the most natural thing in the world to be undressed outdoors with the trees as witnesses, to savor each other’s body in a long, slow reawakening.
It was natural to give him pleasure as I took mine and then to be wrapped in plaids on a bed of pine needles, Alex’s arms around me as he murmured words of love.
I kissed him one more time, and we closed our eyes for just a moment.
He woke me when the wind was rising and the shadows were long.
The fire had burned itself out while we slept and he kicked the embers apart, then helped me dress.
I helped him bundle the cups and empty bottle, and he kissed me softly as he wrapped my cloak around me.
“I’ll long remember this day, Mary Rose.
Thank ye for coming with me without an explanation, and for being my dear lady. ”
I wrapped my arms around him, looking into the tops of the trees that guarded the pass. “I’ll remember this day too, my love. Thank you for it.” I kissed him once more before we left.
The return trip seemed much shorter. We stopped only once, at the spot where we’d paused to admire the view.
Alex surprised me by jumping off the path and onto a ledge some four feet below, to stand in an empty eagle’s nest. Rummaging through it and at last picking something up, he climbed back to me and opened his hand, showing me a small brown stone.
“What is it?” I asked as I picked it up and turned it over. It looked like an ordinary stone, speckled with amber swirls and worn smooth by water. I looked up at him, puzzled.
“It’s an eagle stone, lass, a stone from an eagle’s nest. It’s believed to be a talisman, to protect against miscarriage.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in the old ways.”
He smiled. “I am a Gael, Mary Rose. If it works I’ll be most remorseful for my past skepticism.
But if we’ve created a child this day, I would use everything I know to protect it.
” I kissed him, put the stone in my pocket, and took his hand.
We arrived at Kilgannon just as the sun was setting and a cold evening wind rising and were greeted warmly by everyone.
No one except the boys asked where we’d been, but Berta pulled broken pine needles from my hair and wordlessly handed them to me, her eyes twinkling.
The men returned from the cattle drive without incident, with stories and news as well.
The east was full of talk of an uprising to come.
Some rumors had James Stewart already in Scotland, walking the moors and raising his own troops, but Alex snorted in derision at that.
The stories he and Angus credited the most were the ones that told of French aid—men and gold—being shipped to the eastern clans for an uprising in the spring.
They exchanged looks and said little in front of me, though I was certain that they talked about it at length when they were alone.
But nothing came of the rumors, and we settled into the final preparations for winter.
The oath-taking was held as usual just before All Hallows’Eve, and this year Malcolm came, after writing first to ask permission.
His behavior was too perfect and I wondered what he wanted, but I said nothing to Alex, willing to let him enjoy his repaired family.
Malcolm was the first to swear, and he lifted the pewter cup high for all to see as he knelt before his brother and swore his loyalty in loud, clear tones.
Ian and Jamie followed, then Angus, and I relaxed and enjoyed the spectacle, glad to have discord behind us.
Gilbey was among those swearing fealty for the first time. “I have no one else, Lady Mary,” he had said, peering at me through the lank hair that always fell into his eyes. “I am very happy here. I’d like this to be my home.” I had kissed his cheek, bringing him scarlet, and thanked him.
“You will always have a home here, Gilbey,” I said, knowing that Alex would echo my words, for he had said the same to me many times.
Gilbey waved aside my thanks, but I could tell he was as moved as I.
I remembered our conversation now as Gilbey turned from swearing his oath and found me with his eyes, his smile triumphant, his step stronger.
What a difference a year had made in this man.
But not in Alex. He looked the same as the night I’d met him, as handsome and as sure of himself.
Tonight he was aglow, from the whisky, no doubt, but I knew it was more.
He was happy. As I was. Next to me Ellen smiled as wee Donald swore his oath and roared something in Gaelic that set the room echoing his words.
Alex grinned and pushed him playfully, and wee Donald turned to find Ellen.
I thought of Louisa’s phrase for Robert’s behavior: eternal courtship , she had called it.
It was fitting for these two. A year ago wee Donald had begun courting my Ellen, and still there was no sign of any movement in their relationship.
I shook my head. Alex and I were more impetuous than they, but it suited me. I could not imagine life any different.
Winter set in just as the clansmen left for home, and we settled in to endure it.
My family came for Christmas again this year and they arrived on the eighteenth, bearing gifts.
And news. Nothing surprising or interesting, we determined, and decided to ignore the world for a few weeks and enjoy one another’s company.
Matthew had returned home for the holidays, full of news of the discontent in the east, but without news of an uprising.
He was enjoying the university greatly, and he looked older and more sophisticated.
When I told him as much he laughed. “I’m still me, Mary,” he said.
Angus pushed him playfully. “As if we’d tolerate ye becoming someone else,” he said, and Matthew laughed again with him.
“Je suis content ,” Matthew said, flaunting his impeccable French accent. I smiled as the others hooted at him.
That ’ s just how I feel , I thought. I am content.