Page 42 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

Alistair scowled at his brother, then swung into his saddle. He couldn’t tell Ewan everything, but perhaps a part of it would convince his brother to quit asking questions. “Niamh married me fer the sake o’ her clan and mine, nae because she wanted tae. We both wanted a marriage o’ convenience, and she wasnae best pleased tae learn o’ the Council’s demand. We both ken our duty, but it doesnae sit well with me, havin’ an unwilling woman in me bed. I prefer partners who are as willin’ tae bed me as I am tae bed them.”

Ewan coughed, and Alistair saw the barely suppressed amusement on his brother’s face. “Tis nae funny.”

“Nay. ‘Tis nae so funny.” Ewan smiled at him. “But ye ken, most lairds wouldnae fret so much about whether or nae the woman wanted tae be with them – at least, nae with a wife. The way yer fussin’, a man might think ye cared fer the lass more than a marriage o’ convenience would demand.”

Alistair stiffened in his saddle, hands clenching on the reins. “What are ye sayin’?”

“That ye may have planned a marriage o’ convenience, but yer heart says otherwise, whether ye want or nae. Ye’ve developed a fondness fer the lass – mayhap more than that.”

Ewan’s words hit home like arrows from a marksman. Alistair gritted his teeth against a surge of conflicting emotions. Fear, that Ewan might be right. Anger, that his brother could read him so well. Frustration at the situation. And just the tiniest thread of hope, all the more painful because he knew how foolish it was.

He’d left the castle, hoping to get some time to think in solitude. He hadn’t minded Ewan’s presence at first, but he did now. He took a deep breath. “I’ve things tae think about, and ye’ve a witch tae go speak tae. Time we both did what was needed.”

With that, he kicked his horse into a canter and turned out across the moors, leaving his brother behind.

Niamh found herself lingering over her breakfast long after Alistair left for the Council meeting. She was somewhat tired from the journey, and from the excitement of the past day. But she was also far more uncertain than she’d ever been in her life.

Growing up in her father’s castle, she’d always known what her role was. She was the Chatelaine of Cameron Castle. As the laird’s daughter, and the highest-ranking woman in the home, the tasks a Lady would do had fallen to her. Things like sewing various articles of clothing or linens, making candles, soap and ink, or gathering and preparing herbs and medicines – all of those were things she’d done. She’d also tended their gardens, and worked with the cooks to help plan feasts.

Here, though, she had no idea what she was supposed to be doing. All the tasks she would normally handle were in the hands of other people, people like Catriona. She wasn’t sure who to turn to in regard to discovering her new duties as Lady MacDuff, and she didn’t feel comfortable simply stepping in and taking over someone else’s work.

Besides, the Highlands had different customs and rules. She didn’t know what all of them were, but she knew different herbs would be used for healing, and different customs might be followed. For that matter, every clan had their own special traditions.

She knew nothing of Highland customs, let alone the traditions of Clan MacDuff. How was she supposed to serve as a proper Lady? She didn’t want to embarrass Alistair, no matter how much she’d enjoyed making her ‘list of sins’, before.

By the time she finished her breakfast and retired to dress, she had come to very few conclusions, but she did at least have the beginnings of a plan.

First, she would go to the castle seamstress. Alistair had seen that she had plenty of clothing, but she had very few things in her new clan’s colors. She would see about getting some skirts, sashes, and other adornments made in MacDuff colors, so no one had cause to feel she wasn’t part of their clan, or trying to keep herself apart from them.

After that, she would explore the castle and familiarize herself with the design and the location of important rooms, like the women’s solar, guest rooms, the laird’s study, and the stillroom. She would introduce herself formally to the cook and see if he’d received the recipes Alistair had convinced the maids at Cameron Castle to write out for her.

After that, she would go to the Healer’s cottage and speak to Catriona about the various duties she was accustomed to, as well as what might be expected of her as Alistair’s wife.

She’d never wanted to be married, but she was Lady MacDuff now, whether she wanted the title or not. Therefore, she would fulfill the role to the best of her ability.

Alistair was kind enough to understand and respect her fear of having children, and the intimacy that led to childbearing. The least she could do in return was serve as a proper Lady MacDuff in every other aspect of their new life together.

Emboldened by her decision, Niamh slipped out the door of the bedroom to begin her explorations.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Alistair returned to the castle in time for the noon meal. His mood had improved as he rode, and though he still felt uneasy about several matters – Niamh and Fergus MacTavish being the top of the list – at least he’d had a moment to himself to think.

Fergus wasn’t known for being patient. He’d make a move sooner or later, one that Alistair could counter with appropriate force. In the meantime, if he was using children to do his bidding, then Alistair would simply have to ensure the children who inhabited the castle knew better, and knew to keep an eye on any new ‘playmates’ they might encounter.

As for Niamh, all he could do was let matters unfold as they would. Hopefully, Ewan would return with good news from Sorcha.

Alistair grimaced to himself. Sorcha’s skills were rare and powerful, an asset to the clan, but it was no secret that she bore him a grudge. And a witch’s grudge was a powerful thing, not to be trifled with.

Ewan was waiting at the doors to the Great Hall when he entered the castle. Alistair waved his brother aside to a receiving room just off the main hall. “What did she say?”

“I spoke tae her about yer wedding and asked if she’d undae the curse fer yer bride’s sake, but she refused. ‘Tis still in full force, and naething anyone says is likely tae convince her tae change her mind.” Ewan sighed. “She said she’d watch fer any warning signs o’ what MacTavish intends and send word if she learns aught. But that’s all the help she’ll give, and only because she hates MacTavish almost as much as she hates ye.”

Alistair grimaced. “I ken. It cannae be helped, and at least I was already mindful o’ the curse.” He sighed. “Did she say aught else?”

Ewan shook his head. “Naething. Though when I spoke o’ the wedding night, she laughed at me. Somethin’ amused her, though she’d nae tell me what it was that was so funny.” A sly look appeared on Ewan’s face. “So tell me braither, did something happen? Was yer bonnie bride so entrancing that ye had trouble performing? Is that what had ye in such a foul mood this morn?”

Alistair restrained the urge to cuff his brother the way he would have when they were boys. “I’m nae goin’ tae answer that. But ye ken I’ve never had a problem with performing any o’ me duties.”