Page 35 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

They were almost to their rooms when Ewan and Catriona joined them. Alistair gestured for Catriona to speak first. “What was it?”

“Foxglove and nightshade, mixed taegether. Meant tae kill too quick tae be treated, but nae quick enough tae avoid pain.” Catriona’s expression was grim.

Fergus MacTavish was sadistic enough to use such a poison, but there was another who might know something about it – or might have sent the poison to make a point. Alistair scowled, thinking for a moment, then surrendered to the inevitable.

“Put the guards on alert. Niamh says it was a child with dark hair and eyes, a young lass nae much older than a bairn, with a cloak over her clothing.”

Catriona frowned. “Daesnae sound familiar.”

Ewan nodded in agreement.

“The servants may ken who the child was, or they may have seen her about the hall durin’ the evening. I’ll tak’ any information they can give me. In the meantime…” He heaved out an exasperated breath. “Ewan, I want ye tae go taemorrow tae the witch’s glen. Speak tae her, and see if there’s aught she can tell ye. I’d go meself, but ye ken she’ll never speak tae me.”

Ewan nodded. “Dae ye want me tae ask after some form o’ protection fer yer lass?”

Alistair snorted. “Ye ken she’d be even less like tae provide that. Just ask her what she might ken, and what she might be willin’ tae dae, fer Niamh’s sake. She might nae care fer nae generally the sort tae let an innocent get hurt, especially by another’s hand. And she might be kinder still, if she kens Niamh is kinfolk.”

“I’ll speak tae her.” Ewan nodded, then hurried away.

“And I’ll let the two o’ ye rest.” Catriona shook her head, then patted them both on the arms. “’Tis nae the way a wedding night should begin but try nae tae let this ruin the night fer ye. And if ye have troubles, only send a maid tae me, and I’ll come.”

“We’ll keep that in mind. Thank ye.” Niamh was still pale with shock, and he was certainly in no mood for celebrating any further.

“Aye.” Niamh nodded. She managed a shadow of a smile and stepped free of his arms briefly to embrace Catriona. “Thank ye, but I’m sure we’ll be fine. Ye should go tae yer husband and son.”

“That I will, as soon as I’ve finished overseeing the servants.” Catriona gave them both one last sympathetic pat on the arm, then turned and vanished down the corridor.

Alistair guided Niamh the rest of the way to their shared corridors and held the door open for her. To her credit, Niamh waited until the door was shut behind him and barred before she turned around to address him with a quavering voice. “What happens now?”

He knew what should happen. He knew what the Council expected to happen – what was demanded of both of them as Laird and Lady. And yet, one look at her wide eyes, so full of wariness, and he knew he couldn’t go through with it.

He moved to the table by the fire and poured them both something to drink, then turned to face her. “That, I’m thinkin’, is something we should talk about.”

Niamh stared at Alistair as her mind struggled to comprehend what he’d just said. She’d expected him to take her to bed, not pour drinks and suggest they talk.

Hesitantly, she walked forward and took the cup he offered her. “What dae ye mean?”

Alistair heaved a deep breath. “I remember yer nightmares. And I ken that ye dinnae trust me fully as o’ yet, and after what just happened, ye’re likely tae be more nervous still. Even so, there’s expectations on both o’ us.”

Niamh swallowed hard and forced herself to nod. “Aye... I spoke tae Catriona about what tae expect, but…” Her throat closed around the words. She tried again. “I…”

“Ye dinnae want tae consummate the marriage and risk bein’ with child.” The straightforward way Alistair spoke the words was a relief to hear, even as it made heat rush to her cheeks.

“Aye.”

Alistair sighed. “Were it up tae me, I’d respect yer wishes and leave ye be. I’ve never forced a woman tae be with me, and I dinnae intend tae start now. Unfortunately, ye should ken that the matter is nae entirely me own tae decide.”

Niamh flinched. “What do ye mean by that?”

“The council wants tae ken that we’re at least making an effort for one. As ye might have guessed from what happened taenight, I’ve enemies, and the elders o’ the clan want tae be sure the family line is continued, if at all possible.” Alistair snorted. “Never mind I’ve a braither – they insist I sire a child, even kenning that I was reluctant tae risk the life o’ a bride.”

“Then... what are ye tryin’ tae say?” Niamh frowned.

“That the Council is demanding proof that I’ve consummated the marriage. They want me tae bring the sheets from our marriage bed tae the council in the morn, tae prove that ye were a proper virgin bride, and that I’ve done me duty.”

Niamh shivered. “That’s…”

“’Tis impolite at best, but I cannae outright refuse them, because ‘tis a request made fer ‘the good o’ the clan’.” Alistair grumbled the words. “I can delay them fer a night or two, perhaps, by telling them we were both tae overset by the attempt on yer life tae have a proper wedding night immediately. But sooner or later…”