Ailbert smacked his arm.“Och, are ye but a whimpering lovesick man.Has the Gordon lass cast a spell on ye?”
“Dinna let the other clans hear ye speak like that,” Robb added to the teasing.“What will they think of the mighty William MacDougal?”
William rose to leave their ribbing.“So what if she has charmed me?They’ll think that this mighty warrior has quite the satisfied cock.”
As the men roared with laughter, many rose and departed – the news of the battle and what was to happen next decided.William followed them and veered to the hallway, leaving the main hall in search of his enchantress.
.
Chapter Three
SeocanembracedAilithwarmlywhen William returned her to Glenbervie Tower and escorted her into the hall.
“Are ye well, lassie?”he inquired.
“I should ask that of ye.But ye seem hale enough from the battle.”Ailith lightly slapped his upper arm as he released his embrace.
Her sister-in-law Mairi, on the other hand, eyed her hawkishly.She held her bairn, Morgan, in her arms, so Ailith tried to excuse it as her focus was on the babe, but over the past weeks, she’d grown accustomed to that stern gaze.One full of mistrust.
Perchance Mairi’s demeanor would improve after Ailith left.Maybe Mairi had a reason for why she was so hard with her, and once Ailith lived in another house, Mairi would soften.
At least, she hoped.Ailith might not know how family dynamics worked in the Middle Ages, but she didn’t want to cause animosity with her brother.Or her sister-in-law.
William stepped forward.“My uncle has decided that the wedding will be in two days.We shall honor and bury our dead this afternoon.Then, ye are welcome to the keep for a smaller celebratory meal tomorrow eve, and we will be wed the next morn, the day before the ides of July.”
Seocan smiled widely at William, then turned his face to Ailith.“Good news.We have waited far too long, in my estimation.”
Of course, he thinks that,Ailith said to herself.This union was a huge benefit for the small Glenbervie clan.
“Agreed,” William said.“And Ailith can bring her belongings when she comes.Do ye need us to send a cart?”
“Nay.We shall handle it,” Seocan told him.
“She does no’ have much to bring, as ‘tis,” Mairi added with a sour smile on her lips.
Why would she say such a thing?Oh, but it was getting difficult to dismiss her.
“On the morrow, then,” William said with a curt bow.
Ailith reached for Seocan and gave him another embrace.“Thank ye, brother.And I am glad ye are all well.”
“Aye.‘Tis a fine thing to have family together after so dire an event.”He kissed her forehead before turning to Mairi.
Together, Seocan and Mairi headed for Seocan’s antechamber off the main hall.William used the opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist and draw her near with a sigh.“Och, lass, ‘tis like death to wait another day for ye.This day will last a year, it seems.But I would trade a thousand lifetimes for a night with ye,” he said, his voice dropping low.
Too romantic by half.How did a woman respond to such loving words?
In the only way she could.She rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his full and eager mouth.His lips crushed hers as his powerful arms tightened.
Then he released her, leaving her mind spinning and her knees weak.Oh, what a marriage this would be, indeed.
William bowed deeply, then exited the main hall out the gaping double doors to his horse, Lugh.
God willing, it would be one of the last times she saw him leave her at Glenbervie.
Ailith turned toward the stairs just as Leitis, the kitchen maid who also served to help Ailith dress and keep her chambers, entered.Her round apple cheeks were a kindness, and Ailith smiled widely.
“Milady!Ye have returned safely!”She rushed Ailith and wrapped her strong arms around Ailith’s shoulders.Her grip was hard enough to break bones.“I was worried for ye!”
