Page 13 of To Wed a Witch (Reluctant Brides #3)

"I'd be honored to help however I can," Sìne replied.

"Bless ye for that," Ada replied. "And with a wee one of yer own, ye'll understand how precious it is to have someone skilled in the healing arts nearby."

Soon Dugald and Murphy appeared in the doorway with their arms full of bags and bundles from the cart. "Where would ye like these, mistress?" Dugald asked.

Paisley answered before Sìne could respond and began issuing orders in her pragmatic manner.

Sìne noticed Dugald argued a lot whenever Paisley gave an instruction, and much to her surprise, her normally quiet maid would argue right back until she got her way.

It was quite something to behold, and even Murphy found their squabbles amusing.

Soon after, Ada led her to the adjoining rooms reserved for the laird and his family and the rest of the wing. Sìne was relieved to find a clean garderobe in one of the far end rooms and further along was a washroom containing a large barrel of water, pitchers, and a large tub with a fireplace.

Ada promised to have warm water sent up for their wash and extra candles. With that, Ada excused herself to oversee the evening meal preparations. "Dinner will be served in an hour, my lady," she said. "Nothing fancy, I'm afraid, but hearty and filling."

"Thank ye. That sounds wonderful," Sìne replied. "We'll be down shortly."

***

W HEN ADA, DUGALD, AND Murphy finally departed, leaving them alone, Sìne stood in the middle of the chamber feeling suddenly uncertain. The room was clearly the laird's private domain, with its massive bed and personal belongings. Surely Ada had been mistaken in thinking she should settle here.

"Paisley," she said thoughtfully, "this is the laird's chamber."

"Aye, mistress. That it is."

"I dinnae think... that is, I'm not certain I should presume to move in here..." Sìne moved to the window, looking out at the bailey where she spotted Bhaltair with several men near the stables. "Perhaps there's another chamber that would be more appropriate."

Paisley followed her gaze and seemed to understand immediately. "There's the two rooms next door," she observed, nodding toward a smaller oak door set in the far wall. "Shall we use those?"

The adjoining chamber was smaller but perfectly adequate, with a single window, a modest fireplace, and space enough for a bed and chest. Most importantly, it was dry.

"This will do well enough," Sìne decided. "And ye can take the chamber next to this one, so ye'll be close at hand."

"Are ye certain, mistress? Ada seemed to think ye were to be in the laird's bedchamber."

"Ada was being kind, but I think it best not to make assumptions." Sìne was already moving her traveling chest toward the smaller room. "The laird has much on his mind. The last thing he needs is to find me taking up his private space."

They worked quietly to relocate her belongings and make the rooms more comfortable while taking turns to mind Aidyn. When they'd finished, the adjoining chamber felt cozy and welcoming, with Aidyn's cradle positioned where the firelight would keep her warm.

A soft knock interrupted their conversation when a young serving girl entered with a laden tray of food and some ale, and right behind her two more maids appeared with pitchers of steaming water and clean cloths.

"From Ada, my lady," the girl said with a curtsy.

"The laird thought ye might prefer to sup in yer chamber tonight, what with being tired from the journey and with the wee bairn needing rest and all.

" The girl seemed a little confused finding them in the adjoining chambers but did not say anything more.

"Please give Ada and the laird my thanks," Sìne replied gratefully.

"Indeed, we would prefer it for tonight at least." Once the servants left, Sìne gave Aidyn a quick wash and change, then she and Paisley took turns to wash and dress for the night.

Afterwards, the three of them enjoyed a simple meal of bread, cheese, and hearty stew that smelled wonderful after days of travel fare.

As night fell over Ferguson Keep, Sìne found herself listening for footsteps in the corridor, some sign that Bhaltair would seek her out. But the only sounds were the distant voices from the Great Hall below and the occasional drip of water into the buckets in the main chamber.

"Perhaps he's still meeting with his men," Paisley suggested, though she too glanced toward the door.

"I'm sure he is. There's much that needs his attention." Sìne tried to keep disappointment from her voice. After their journey together, after the growing closeness she'd felt between them, his absence felt like a stark contrast. She fought to keep the self-doubt at bay.

With Aidyn fed and settled in her cradle, and Paisley retired to the neighboring chamber, Sìne curled up in the narrow bed and exhaustion finally claimed her when she fell into a deep sleep.

***

H OURS LATER, HEAVY footsteps echoed in the corridor outside.

Bhaltair pushed open the door to his chamber, weary from a long evening of dealing with clan matters, expecting to find his wife and daughter waiting.

He'd been looking forward to spending time alone with them for the entire day. Instead, he found empty space.

The fire still burned in the grate. But the room held none of Sìne's belongings that he was sure his men had moved up to his chamber. There was no sign that she'd ever been there at all.

His jaw clenched. Where the devil was she? For a moment he thought perhaps those in his clan who were unhappy with her presence had sent her elsewhere.

He stormed back downstairs and bellowed down the corridor. "Ada!"

The housekeeper appeared moments later. "Aye, my laird?"

"Where is my wife?"

"In her chamber, my laird."

"Her chamber? And where might that be?"

Ada seemed confused. "Why, the chamber adjoining yers. The servants told me she had moved herself there this afternoon."

Bhaltair didn't wait to hear the rest. He strode back up the stairs and down the corridor to Sìne's room and threw open the door without ceremony.

Sìne jerked awake at the sudden intrusion, her heart hammering as she tried to focus in the dim light. "Bhaltair? What—"

But he was already moving, quietly and stealthily as if trying not to wake the babe. He hefted her traveling chest over his shoulder as though it weighed nothing and carried it toward the door.

"What are ye doing?" she whispered, scrambling from the bed.

"What does it look like? I'm moving my wife and bairn into our room." His voice was tight with barely controlled anger.

Sìne watched in amazement as moments later he returned for Aidyn's cradle, lifting it with the same grim determination. Aidyn stirred but didn't wake, somehow remaining peaceful despite the movement.

"Bhaltair, wait—" Sìne grabbed her shawl and hurried after him as he carried the cradle back to his chamber. "I dinnae understand. I thought we were to use the smaller room next door—"

"Ye thought wrong." He set the cradle down in the small cozy chamber adjoining his bedchamber that had been used as a nursery. Checking that Aidyn was still sleeping and comfortable, he then strode across to where Sìne was standing in stunned silence. "Ye're my wife, are ye not?"

"Aye, but—"

"Then ye belong at my side. Not hiding away in some servant's chamber like ye're ashamed to be here."

The accusation stung. "I wasn't hiding! I was trying not to presume—"

"Presume what? That ye have the right to share yer husband's bed?" His dark eyes flashed with something between anger and hurt. "I bring ye home to my Keep, and ye run away to the first bolt-hole ye can find?"

"I did not run away!" Sìne's own temper began to rise. "Ye disappeared the moment we arrived! What was I supposed to think?"

"Ye were supposed to think ye were my wife!"

"In name only!" The words burst out before she could stop them.

The silence that followed was deafening. Bhaltair stared at her as though she'd struck him.

"In name only?" he repeated, his voice deadly quiet.

Sìne felt heat flood her cheeks but held her ground. "Ye've never said otherwise. 'Twas a marriage of convenience, nothing more. I brought ye the dowry ye needed, ye gave me respectability, accepted my daughter. I thought... I thought that was the extent of it."

"Did ye now." He moved closer, and she could see the muscle ticking in his jaw. "And what gave ye that impression?"

"Back at MacKay Keep ye said... ye said... there's no need to consummate the marriage seeing as everyone believes Aidyn is yers."

"She is mine, and so are ye."

"Well, I assumed ye meant ye wanted this as a marriage in name only, and well... I dinnae ken why ye're so angry when ye were the one who left me the moment we arrived. I ken ye are busy, so I'm not complaining. I'm just trying to explain why I moved to the other chamber."

"Ye were to think that I had clan matters that couldn't wait. Matters that had been neglected during my absence." His voice was rough with frustration. "I was seeing to the very problems that made this marriage necessary in the first place."

"I understand that! I dinnae even ken why we are arguing."

"I'm angry because I shouldn't have to tell my wife that she belongs in my bed!" he growled.

Sìne felt her breath catch, her pulse racing at the heat in his eyes.

"Ye cannot blame me when ye did not make it clear," she snapped.

"Then let me make it clear now." He stepped closer, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. "This is not a marriage in name only, Sìne. I took my vows and I intend to enjoy every part of this marriage, including bedding my wife."

"Oh... ye do?" she asked weakly.

"Aye, love. I do. When I said we did not have to consummate our marriage on the night we wed, I was trying to be considerate. To give ye time to become accustomed to me. But believe me, I have always had every intention of having a real marriage."

"Then ye truly want me in yer bed each night?"

"Love?" He cupped her face in his large hands, his thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. "I've been going mad wanting ye. Every moment since we met, trying to be honorable and give ye time to adjust. Do ye think that is easy?"

"I thought ye were just being kind—"

"Kind?" He let out a harsh laugh. "There's nothing kind about the way I want my wife."

Before she could respond, he crushed his mouth to hers in a kiss that was nothing like the gentle touches they'd shared before. This kiss was hungry, possessive, full of barely leashed desire and frustration.

When they finally broke apart, Sìne was breathless and trembling.

"Do ye understand now?" he murmured against her lips. "This is a true marriage, Sìne. In every way that matters."

"Aye," she whispered, her voice shaky. "I understand."

His expression softened slightly as he brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"From now on, Aidyn sleeps in the small chamber there.

" He pointed to the adjoining nursery chamber where her cradle stood.

"It is quiet and warm so she will not be easily disturbed, but we are close by should she need us.

It also means we still have privacy for ourselves.

Paisley can use the chamber next door, and the room across the hall is yer solar.

But ye, wife, sleep beside me in my bed every night. Is that clear?"

"Very clear," she replied.

"Good." He kissed her forehead gently, the tender gesture in stark contrast to his mood. "No more misunderstandings between us."

Sìne stammered, "Did ye... I mean... that is... do ye mean to couple with me... right now?"

Bhaltair burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Sìne asked with a scowl.

"Love, ye look as if ye're marching to yer doom. So, no... tonight ye get one final reprieve from my attentions." He smirked. "I can see ye're flustered, and ye've had an exhausting day. Tonight we merely rest. But come tomorrow, it begins in earnest."

Sìne felt sheer relief. She was rather flustered now and extremely nervous, but Bhaltair giving her this night to just settle and get used to being in a new place was more than generous. And coward that she was, she would take it. But then she thought about what he said.

"Wait? What begins tomorrow?" she asked.

"My plan to seduce ye, of course!"

Well, if that didn't make her womanly parts just spontaneously combust.

As Bhaltair began moving her belongings back where they belonged, Sìne sank onto the edge of the huge bed and pressed her hands to her heated cheeks. Her marriage of convenience had just become infinitely more passionate than she'd ever dared imagine.

***