Page 20 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai (The MacKai Brides #5)

A bbey of St. Margaret

Neither Rhuad nor Raeb had yielded when Seona explained that riding her own horse would help her heal faster than being carried in a covered chair.

Maeve, had she been present, might have supported Seona.

Her sister was an advocate of fresh air and activity to promote healing.

The healer from the fishing village, while interested in what Maeve might say on the matter, claimed that any exertion might cause the injuries to re-open and become infected, resulting in a much longer recovery time at best and death at worst.

Raeb had made noises about tying her into the thing. Rhuad had protested such a severe solution, suggesting it would be better to send her home by sea. She wasn’t fond of ships and refused that alternative. Seona had been forced to accept transport via the covered chair simply to keep the peace.

Thus, she’d spent the past week ensconced in the chair, surrounded by cushions to prevent bumps and bruises from the jostling inevitable as they traveled at, she felt, an entirely too slow pace over rough ground.

A week after departing Baile Isag, she stepped down—for the last time, she prayed—from the chair with Rhuad’s help.

He made as if to pick her up.

She glared at him and snatched her hand away. “If you think to carry me into our home, you will find you have a very unhappy wife.”

At the word “home” her husband grinned.

So, he likes that I think of his home as mine .

She smiled back at him.

Standing nearby but unable to see the by play, Raeb laughed.

“I’d do as she says, were I you, Rhuad. My sisters are very determined women.

The consequences of not doing as they ask can be distinctly unpleasant.

Just ask the English soldiers who I’ve been told are now yeomen farmers tilling fields in Wales. ”

Rhuad frowned at Raeb. “I do not need advice from you. Please assist Dougal to escort my mother and sister within.” Then he smiled at Seona. “Wife, what is your preference now?”

“I would like to walk into my home and sit by the fire while our cooks prepare a feast. That pap the healer ordered you to feed me as we traveled has me craving an entire side of venison.”

Rhuad held out his arm for her.

She placed her hand on his forearm and together they passed through the open doors to the great hall.

Eibhlin stood wringing her hands beside the cushioned bench where Seona chose to sit with Rhuad beside her.

“Lady MacFearann, I am so sorry. I did not warn you of any danger because I was not aware. If you wish to dismiss me...”

Seona held up a hand to halt the apologies. “Nothing is farther from my thoughts. I wish you will remain in my service as my personal maid. My husband has told me that were it not for you, he may have delayed his departure to Baile Iasg. Had he done so, I might not have survived.”

She exaggerated some but wanted the maid to feel no remorse.

“Oh, that is wonderful. Thank you, my lady.” Eibhlin curtsied. “Can I bring you a blanket, more cushions?”

“Nay, thank you,” Seona looked dreamily at Rhuad but could not decipher his expression. “I am warm enough.”

How can I make him understand that my feelings about our handfasting have changed?

Can I persuade him somehow that we should make a true and permanent marriage?

How can I do that without pressuring him?

The last thing I want is for my beloved to feel forced.

I’d rather live a lonely life without him than force him to something he doesn’t want .

“Perhaps you could bring us some of the alewife’s delicious brew. Travel is thirsty work,” she said, still studying her husband’s face.

“Immediately,” Eibhlin said, “I’ll return with tankards and an ale crock before you know I’ve gone.”

Rhuad smiled at the young woman. “Do not hurry too fast, and perhaps you could prepare my lady’s chamber, so it is ready when she wishes to retire. Would that please you wife?”

“It would husband.”

They watched Eibhlin leave and were finally alone.

Seona leaned toward Rhuad’s ear. “I would be even more pleased if you might join me in my bed this night,” she whispered.

“Are you sure?” His quiet voice shook.

“Only if the idea pleases you.”

“Nothing would please me more.” He shifted to look at her then leaned in to place his lips on hers. “What about your wounds?”

“I think they are well on the way to being completely healed, and your touch could speed the process.” Seona snaked one hand around his neck and opened her mouth to his.

“Mmmmm.” Pleasure hummed through her.

Rhuad took her free hand and placed it on his chest.

His heart beat strong and steady as he embraced her and deepened the kiss.

The castle faded away, and she drifted on a rising tide of desire.

“Ahem.”

They ended the kiss but remained locked in their embrace. Seona wanted to do nothing but gaze into Rhuad’s loving eyes.

“I beg your pardon.”

The voice belonged to her brother. Why was he bothering them? She cast him an impatient glance. “What do you want?”

“I must speak with Laird MacFearann.”

She shrugged and nibbled at her husband’s jaw. “So, speak. Then go away. You are not wanted here.”

A gasp sounded at her words.

“I’m sorry,” Eibhlin said. “I’ve brought your ale.”

Beyond her, nearer the fire, Raeb sat on an empty bench. “Please fetch another tankard.”

Seona scowled at him. “My maid is busy. Go get your own tankard, brother.”

“Nay, my lady, ’twill take but a moment to fetch ale for Laird MacKai,” Eibhlin said helpfully before she dashed off.

Seona clenched her teeth.

I need to teach that young woman something about discretion and understanding nuance .

Raeb grinned, and Rhuad frowned.

Seona sat back, breaking the embrace shared with her husband.

“What do you need to say to us, brother?” She spoke harshly with the intent to convey she was not happy with Raeb’s intrusion.

“I need say nothing to you, sister. I wish a private moment with Lord MacFearann.”

It wasn’t like Raeb to be so formal. Only when he was angry did he use formality to try to rein in his temper....

Oh dear. He doesn’t understand.

“Brother, you cannot be upset that we wish to make our vows permanent.” She shook her index finger at him.

His brows rose. “Do you?” He looked not at Seona but Rhuad.

“Ah... uhm...”

Why does he hesitate ? Did I misunderstand his kiss ? Doesn’t he know I’d not invite him to my bed were we not to become truly husband and wife ?

“That is, I would like nothing more.”

“Truly?” Raeb lowered one brow and leaned forward.

“Here, Lord MacKai.” Eibhlin had returned and thrust a tankard before Raeb’s face.

“Thank you Eiblin,” Seona said. “You may go about your other duties, now.”

The maid studied their faces. “Ahm, I could stay if...”

A blind man would have felt the tension between Seona, Rhuad, and Raeb.

“You are dismissed, Eibhlin.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll be in your chamber if you need me.” She curtsied and left.

“You’ve frightened my maid, brother.”

“Pah. You need a more stalwart maid then.”

“I’ll not have you insult my servants, MacKai,” Rhuad growled.

“I am not a frightening man.”

“That’s debatable,” Rhuad murmured.

“The girl is timid if she thinks so.” Raeb snapped.

“She is not timid,” Seona defended. “She simply lacks experience with ill-mannered dolts.”

“You should call him an oaf, if you truly wish to remain his wife,” Raeb said.

“’Twasn’t me, she was calling a dolt but you.” Rhuad leapt to his feat his hand on the hilt of his claymore. “Must I prove the truth to you?”

“If you think you can,” Raeb gained his feet. “I’ll meet you outside.”

Both men turned to leave.

Seona leapt to her feet and barred the way. “You will not fight over this nonsense or anything else. I love both of you and ’twould grieve me greatly should harm come to either one of you.”

Raeb step back and sat.

“You love me?” Rhuad faced her.

“I’d not ask you to my bed, did I not.”

“Now who’s a dolt,” Raeb grumped.

“I... I wasn’t certain you returned my affections.”

“You couldn’t tell from my kiss?”

“That was a very good clue, but I wanted to hear the words.”

“You’ve not said the words to me.”

He took her hands. “Seona MacKai MacFearann. I love you more than the life I would gladly give to see you happy.”

Seona smiled and bussed his cheek. “Thank you.”

“Aw, sweet jaysus,” Raeb moaned.

She stepped closer to her husband and turned to study her brother.

“You are just as smitten with Jessamyn.” She lifted her chin.

He stood. “I am not .... Nay, I ....”

“Yes, brother.” She opened her eyes wide. “What is it you are not?”

He sighed. “I am not arguing with you when you are right.”

“Excellent, now we may discuss the wedding ceremony.”

“Either you have the ceremony at Dungarob Keep, or you wait until Jessamyn and our babes are able to travel. She’ll kill us both if we hold the wedding without her.”

“But...”

Seona placed two fingers on her husband’s lips forestalling his protest.

“He is right, my love.”

“I disagree, but as long as you call me love, I’ll listen.”

“Thank you,” she kissed him. “There is much to be done before you and I may settle together as husband and wife forever.”

“Such as?” he asked.

“Such as, the preparations for the feast, and your journey to put the evidence of the abbess’s guilt before the Guardians.

To say nothing of arranging the marriage of your sister to the MacShennan heir plus seeing her and your mother off to live with that clan.

Then too, we must make room in this already large castle for a set of rooms that you and I will share. ”

“Those are all important things, but can they not be done after a priest blesses our permanent marriage?”

“I would like that. Perhaps we could then have a larger ceremony when all those other tasks are done? What say you brother?”

“I can be satisfied with that. I believe Jessamyn and your sisters will approve as well. However, you will need to return your handfasting tokens to me.”

“Why?” She reached within her bliaut and withdrew the token which now hung around her neck on the fraying red ribbon.

Rhuad removed his token from around his neck. “He wants them so he may have them forged together as he said he would when we were first handfasted.”

“Ah.” Seona removed her token and handed it to her brother. “I’d forgotten. Thank you Raeb. Husband, once the tokens are forged into one, which of us shall wear it?”

“Neither.”

She blinked twice. “Neither of us will wear the symbol of our marriage?”

“Oh we shall each wear a symbol.” He reached into his pocket and enclosed something in the fist he presented to her. Then he opened his hand to reveal the two golden rings nestled in his palm. “I suggest that we save the forged token, and give it to our first-born child.”

Seona kissed him then snuggled into his embrace. “I love the way you think Rhuad MacFearann. Now.” She moved away one step and took his hand. “Let us go and find the priest. Brother will you stand as one of our witnesses?”

“Aye but we will need at least one more,” Raeb reminded.

“Dougal, of a certainty,” Rhuad said. “However, I believe we should say our vows outside the chapel doors and invite the entire household to witness our happiness.”

“An excellent idea, husband.”

Orders were given, and in a short time, Seona joined hands with Rhuad before the priest.

The End