Page 14 of Kilted Seduction (The Vikings of Skye #5)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

T he Great Hall of Ross Castle was full nearly to the brim with people, all dressed in elegant clothing. It was somewhat overwhelming, and Thora was content to let the feeling show. It was an appropriate feeling for Thora MacTavish, after all.

The steward led them to a place at the High Table - directly across from Laird Ross himself. The sight of the man made Thora clench her free hand in her skirt. She suddenly wished was closer, but he was seated at the far end of one of the long tables for retainers.

Lachlan Ross. She’d only seen him once before but being close only reinforced her first impressions of him - cold, calculating, and ruthless. Every inch of his tall, muscular frame exuded authority, and the harsh confidence of a man used to having his way, whatever the cost. His dark hair, threaded with gray, framed an angular face that would have been handsome, had it not been marked with so many lines of greed and ambition. Even his smile held an edge that bordered on malice.

He made Thora’s skin crawl but she dared not show it. After all, a simple village lass from Cameron territory would have no reason to be so wary of him. Even though she’d brought accusations against the clan, Ross was not the sort of leader who would have been at the head of the alleged ‘troop movements’.

After a moment, she settled on looking pensive, and shy, as if the unaccustomed glamor of her surroundings was what made her uneasy.

Laird Ross rose to greet them as they approached, bending his head over Thora’s hand for a kiss, before clasping Aedan’s hand in a strong grip. “Laird Cameron! I didnae expect tae see ye, nae after yer first response tae me invitation. And with a lovely lass such as this accompanying ye as well! I confess, I’m well pleased that ye changed yer mind - and curious as well.”

The last was said with a sharp smile, as he gestured them to their seats. Aedan, to his credit, only dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Aye. ‘Twas something o’ an unexpected change fer us as well. I’m grateful ye could make room fer us at such short notice.”

“Nay matter. There’s always room enough fer another guest, especially at a celebration such as this.” Lachlan waved a serving lad over with an offhand gesture and signaled for the lad to fill their cups with red wine. “But… I have tae say…” He leaned forward. “I could swear I’ve met yer lass somewhere afore. Was she visiting ye at the castle at some time when we met tae discuss business? Or… nay, I’ve seen ye elsewhere, I’m certain o’ it.”

Thora swallowed. She wasn’t sure how much Laird Ross would remember about Clan MacLeod, but she didn’t dare let him guess. She dropped her gaze and allowed her cheeks to flush slightly, as if shy or embarrassed. “Och, nay me laird. Certain sure I’d remember meeting a man such as yerself, and I’ve nae such memory. And until I came tae Aedan’s castle tae be his bride, I’d never so much as set foot within the walls.”

“Och, I’d near forgotten.” Laird Ross sipped at his cup, his sharp eyes never leaving Thora’s face, even as he addressed Aedan. “I was somewhat surprised I didnae receive an invitation tae the wedding.”

“There was nay large ceremony.” Aedan answered smoothly. “Thora’s maither. Was taken very ill and so we had a very fast one with very few people attending.” His expression changed, taking on a slightly chagrined look. “’Twas nae till after the marriage that I realized that being a laird meant I had more tae think about than the whims o’ my bride.”

“But, surely ye must have had witnesses.” Laird Ross tipped his head.

“Me braithers.” Thora offered shyly. “Me elder braither discovered our relationship, and he summoned the priest right then.”

Laird Ross frowned. “Did ye nae just say…?”

“Och I did.” Aedan nodded. “Her brother caught us, and he summoned the priest. But ‘twas more a matter o’ me makin’ an oath tae tak’ her as wife within the month, as he put it. ‘Twas our decision tae make it a wedding.”

“Aye. Me maither wanted to assist, and me other siblings,” Thora agreed.

“And the witnesses fer yer side, Laird Cameron? Surely yer Council o’ Elders would demand something…”

“We have talked about a second, more official ceremony, at the castle… sometime in spring.”

“Aye. Mayhap fer the Equinox rites.” Thora nodded. “Aedan swears he will help me get used tae crowds afore then.” She smiled whimsically at the older laird. “’Tis part o’ why he agreed tae come tae the Yule celebration. He said ‘twould be a good way fer me tae meet his allies and close friends, as well as beginnin’ tae get used tae the things expected o’ a lady…”

The hitch in her words wasn’t entirely affected, nor was the blush that bloomed across her cheeks. “I… I never thought… ye ken… bein’ just a village lass who happened tae meet me laird one day….”

“Yes. O’ course.” Laird Ross’s voice was smooth, but there was a hint of suspicion still in his eyes as he drank another mouthful of wine. “Ye must tell me how ye met.”

She couldn’t let him know of her powers.

Laird Ross was the type of man who would believe in anything that might give him more power - including her Gift of Foresight..

She spoke before Aedan could. “Och, ‘twas the strangest thing… like fate. I was visiting a wood-keepers cottage and he rode up and near fell out of the saddle. He’d been taken ill by something… I dinnae ken what. So I took him inside till he recovered… and he said many things tae me while he was dazed…”

There was a wry twist to Aedan’s smile that made it clear he knew quite well she was twisting the truth of his ‘kidnapping’, but he supported her story. “Aye. Some servant lass was taking valerian for an injury and let some o’ it slip intae me mead. I didnae ken, and I started tae feel dazed while out huntin’. Rode off track while Mac and me men were chasin’ down a deer, and near fell off the horse in front o’ her.”

Whatever else Thora MacTavish was, she was clearly an excellent storyteller. If he hadn’t known the truth, he would almost have believed the story she guided him into telling. It was all so natural, so simple, the sort of thing that might happen, even if it was unlikely.

Lachlan Ross looked interested, so Aedan decided to elaborate a little. The more details they could supply, the better. Especially if there were grains of truth scattered throughout.

“I’d never seen any lass like her.” He offered his host an amused smile. “Ye ken I dinnae hold much with stories o’ fey creatures and Fair Folk in the moors, but when I first opened my eyes, I near thought I’d been wrong all these years.”

“And he said as much. I kent it was his dazed state talking, but when he woke properly…” Thora trailed off.

“When I woke properly, I realized that the truth was better than such tales, fer the lovely lass was real. We spoke for a time, and in speakin’...” Aedan trailed off with a shrug. “I couldnae get her out o’ me mind after, and so we kept meeting. One thing led tae another… then we wound up taegether in the middle o’ a storm, and…”

He stopped, as if recalling his company, and the fact that his ‘bride’ was a shy young woman. He tipped his head with a slow smile. “Ye ken the way the story goes from there, I suspect, me laird.”

“Aye. I suppose I dae.” Lachlan nodded. “But still… I could swear I’ve met ye afore. Are ye sure I’ve never encountered ye?”

“Who’s tae say? I’ve traveled with me braither at times, and I’m sure me laird has seen many places, and many villages.” Thora dipped her head, as if shy or embarrassed. Aedan was amazed at how a lass of such strong temperament could behave so meekly at will. “But if ye saw me, me laird, then I’m afeared ‘twas from afar, and we never spoke. I would recall otherwise.”

“I suppose ‘tis true enough. And Laird Cameron isnae wrong tae compare yer lovely person tae one o’ the Fair Folk… perhaps I’ve had a closer encounter with one o’ the maidens Underhill than I realize.” Lachlan laughed, and Aedan forced himself to laugh as well.

“Perhaps, me laird. Many things are possible.” Thora nodded.

Aedan held back a snort. Why any man like Lachlan Ross would believe in such tales… as well to believe in ghosts on the moors, or selkies in the sea. Still, it wasn’t his place to question the older laird’s judgment.

A bell rang then, and Lachlan rose to his feet. The Hall quieted at once as the laird held up his goblet. “I welcome ye all, ladies and gentleman, clan-folk and Highlanders all, tae this celebration o’ Yule. May the ending o’ the year be merry, and the next span o’ seasons prosperous fer all!”

There was a roar of acclaim. Aedan joined in the toast, though he doubted that Lachlan Ross truly intended for the year to be prosperous for anyone save his clan. His clan, and himself as Laird Ross.

But that, again, was not something he could say aloud. So he joined the toast, and smiled as the laird sat down across from him and signaled for the feast to be served.

He was just settling in to enjoy his meal when the lady closest to Thora spoke. She was already red-cheeked with wine, and uninhibited. “Tell me, dear lass… whatever did ye dae tae convince this solemn laird tae look twice at ye? He’s so dutiful that nay other woman has had any luck, and surely a bit o’ herb didnae dae the trick.” She laughed, tipsy giggles filling the air, along with the scent of her wine-soaked breath.

“Och, well, I…”

Aedan kicked Thora in the shin before she could make something up. Or worse, mention her ‘magic’. He had no idea why she’d avoided it earlier, but he didn’t want her to bring it up, not now or any time soon.

Thora jumped, and started to glare at him, before remembering her role of demure, shy maiden. “I… I cannae say… I… I didnae dae anything in particular... Laird Cameron ‘tis the only man who could answer that question, I think.”

Aedan winced as the gazes of everyone near enough to hear the conversation turned to him. He was sorely tempted to kick her again. “All I can say is that she fair enchanted me… in more ways than one, in the end.” He smirked and winked at one of the nearby lairds, a tip of his head and a twist of his lips suggesting things that no gentleman could say in mixed company. “I’d always sworn I wouldnae fall fer just any pretty lass, but it seems a lovely wood nymph I couldnae resist.”

Given that nymphs were legendarily somewhat amorous, he wasn’t surprised to see smirks and smothered laughter start around the table.

He also wasn’t entirely surprised when the toe of a sturdy dancing slipper smacked into his shin, even as Thora flushed and looked down. “Me laird… ye shouldnae say such things…”

“And is speakin’ the truth such a concern fer ye, little trickster?”

More laughter, and he took another kick to the shin for it, but he considered the jibe well worth it. Then the edge of her mouth quirked up in what he recognized as the wicked grin she wore only when she was about to cause him mischief.

“Me laird… faith, I didnae trick ye… ‘twas nae me fault ye happened by the stream where I was doin’ me washing…I was so mortified that ye saw me wet like that…”

Now there were snickers of an entirely different nature flicking through the room. Aedan kicked at her again. “I thought ye didnae wish tae speak o’ things like that, me little enchantress.”

“Me laird… ye’re sure tae give people the wrong idea o’ me…”

The lady across from him yelped, and he realized from the sound, and from the startled and apologetic expression on Thora’s face that she’d tried to kick him again, and missed.

Enough was enough. Aedan rose and offered Thora his arm, along with a sharp, beckoning smile, and drew her to her feet. “Then perhaps a moment o’ privacy, so I can say all I wish tae say.” He bent close to whisper in her ear, doing his best to ignore the snickering in the background.

“Laird Cameron…” He looked up to see Lachlan Ross watching them with an amused expression. “This is a Yule feast, and ‘tis only just begun. Perhaps a turn about the garden tae cool yer blood, and yer lady’s blushes.”

“A fair suggestion, me laird. If ye’ll excuse us…” Aedan dipped his head in a bow, then led Thora away.

He’d seen Lachlan’s eyes. Somehow, incredibly, they’d managed to convince him they were truly a couple. Whether it was the things they’d said, or Thora’s acting, somehow he’d believed they were wed. It was clear in the way in which he’d said ‘yer lady’.

Aedan exhaled in relief as they passed into the short corridor that led to the garden door. Still, he waited until they’d collected their cloaks, then stepped out into the snowy night before he spoke. “That went well.”

“If ye say so.” Thora sniffed at him. “I was terrified one o’ us would say something.”

Aedan snorted. “Ye werenae the only one. I was worried, when ye said it was ‘fate’ that ye were about tae start chatterin’ on about yer magic visions again.”

“And why should I?” Thora’s indignation was real when she turned to face him. “What business is that o’ Laird Ross’s?”

“Ye were determined enough tae speak o’ them tae me. Is it nae one o’ those gifts that most want others tae ken about?” He’d met more than one of the roving Romany clans that had ‘fortune tellers’ among them. Not a one of them was shy about speaking out and trying to tell every man and woman within earshot that they could ‘answer any question’ and ‘reveal the messages of sun and moon, wind and stars’.

“’Tis different with ye. And mayhap some like tae speak, but nae all. There’s nae such thing as a gift that doesnae have a cost. I’m nae willing tae risk the cost o’ mine by bein’ too free with it.” Thora glared at him.

He was tempted to argue the point, but the wind was growing colder by the second, and neither of them were truly dressed for the weather. He sighed. “Fair enough. I’ll say naething more about it. But best we get inside afore we both freeze tae death, and all our destinies come tae naught.”

Thora huffed but made no response besides a slight shove.

In normal weather, he wouldn’t have even noticed it. But the footing was treacherous, slick with snow and the new-formed ice. Aedan staggered, then fell as his foot slipped out from under him for the second time that day.

Thora caught his arm, but all that did was cause her to fall with him as she lost her balance in turn. The two of them once again went down in a flurry of cloth, snow, and flailing limbs. Aedan just missed getting an elbow to the nose, and came uncomfortably close to a knee in his groin as well.

When the chaos of the fall ended, Thora was on top of him, both of them tangled quite thoroughly in her dress and both cloaks. Her hands were on his chest, and one of his was resting on her hip, just shy of cupping her buttock.

There was a moment of scandalized chaos, and then Thora scrambled up. Or tried to. The entangling cloth hindered her movement, and some of it seemed caught under him as well, and when he tried to shift to let her free, all it did was overbalance them both to the point that he landed back on the snowdrift.

Thank the world fer small favors. If the snow wasnae so cold, we’d have another problem tae deal with… and I’d likely as nae be getting another slap tae the jaw.

“Are ye all right, me laird? M’lady?” A familiar, and highly amused voice interrupted his irreverent thought.

Aedan looked up to see Mac standing over them, shaking out a cloak to offer some small shelter from the blowing snow. “I came tae see if there was aught I could dae tae assist ye… I didnae realize ye were interested in settling matters another way.” Even shrouded by his cloak, it was clear the man-at-arms was making very little effort to hold back his laughter.

Aedan groaned and let his head drop back into the snow. “Och, shut up and help us up, will ye?”

Barely half a day into the Yule celebration, and he’d been dropped on his back twice, slapped once, and found himself needing a snowbank to control his baser urges. And they’d be here for three days at least, and possibly as long as a fortnight if the weather continued as it had been.

At this rate, tis nae a question o’ keeping me wits about me… I’ll be doin’ well enough tae just survive until we return home!