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The castle gates were open to receive its lord. Fiona noted the two doors were bound in iron and, looking up, she saw the iron yett ready to be drawn down in the event of danger. Within the court they stopped, and Nairn lifted her from her gelding, gently setting her upon her feet for a moment, then softly kissing her mouth.
“Welcome to Nairns Craig,” he said. Sweeping her up in his arms, he turned to carry her up the steps into the building.
Before he had progressed more than a few steps, however, a woman appeared at the top of the stairs. She was petite, but her look was commanding. “So, Colin MacDonald, ye are back,” she said in cold tones, “and ye have brought yer latest whore with ye, I see. She'll not enter intomyhouse. Why do ye not house the wench in the stables with the rest of the animals?” Her arms were crossed over her spare bosom.
Fiona saw a small muscle near Nairn's eye twitchseveral times, but for a moment he said nothing. Instead he carried her up the steps, pushing past his antagonist and setting Fiona upon her feet once more within the entrance hall of the castle. When the petite woman whirled about, her mouth opening to protest, Nairn roared, “Don't say another word, madam!This is my wife.When did I ever bring my whores into this place or shame ye with lewd public behavior?”
“Yer wife?” Thelady, obviously his mother, Moire Rose, was astounded. “Who is this wench? Where did ye meet her? Where were ye wed? I demand that ye tell me this instant, Colin MacDonald!”
“My wife is Fiona Hay, chieftain of the Hays of the Ben,” he began. “We met at court. We were wed on Islay in my brother's hall. As my wife, Fiona is now the lady of Nairn, madam. Ye will render her the respect due her as such.”
“I suppose she is with bairn,” his mother said scathingly.
“Aye,” Nairn said proudly. “Did ye doubt I would not get a bairn on her immediately, madam?”
“No, I didn't doubt it,” she said bitterly. “But for yer coloring ye are all MacDonald, yer father's son, from yer great height to yer randy and fertile cock.” She turned her gaze to Fiona, saying caustically,“Yeknow yer not the first wench to give him a bairn.”
“But I am the first one to give him a legitimate heir,” Fiona said quietly. She felt a sudden desire to protect her temporary husband from this vicious harridan and her poisonous tongue. She stared directly at the older woman, her gaze icy and unwavering.
Moire Rose opened her mouth but no words came out.
“God's bones,” Nairn said, “I can't believe my eyes! Not in all my lifetime have I seen anyone renderye speechless, madam.” He held out his hand. “Now give me the keys to the household, for they are Fiona's from this time onward.”
Yanking them from her girdle, Moire Rose flung the keys at his feet and stormed from the entranceway. Colin MacDonald picked up the keys and handed them to Fiona. “I'll have the servants assembled so they may meet their new mistress,” he said. He took her arm and led her into the small family hall, where a cheerful fire burned.
“The priest was right,” Fiona said slowly. “Father Ninian observed that yer mam is sustained by her own venom and has a wicked tongue and evil mind. ‘Twas harsh, I thought, but now that I have met her, I can see he spoke the absolute truth. I am sorry he left us to go farther south. I would value his counsel right now.”
“Don't ever let that woman suspect any weakness in ye, sweeting,” he warned her. “Remember yer husband is the Lord of Nairns Craig, and yer its mistress. ’Tis yer word and not hers that will rule this household.” Then he asked,“Yedo know how to manage a household, do ye not, Fiona mine?”
Fiona laughed as she settled herself in a chair by the fire. “Ye've waited until late, my lord, to inquire, have ye not? Aye, put yer mind at rest. I know well how to manage a household. Don't forget ‘twas I who raised my sisters. Although Brae had a housekeeper, I always observed Mistress Una for the day when the responsibility would be mine.”
“I am relieved to know that Angus Gordon's household will not be discommoded by yer absence.”
“Don't taunt me, Colly,” she said low. “Angus Gordon loved me, and I loved him. One day he may come knocking at yer gates seeking my return. I could go with him.”
“Over my dead body,” he answered her fiercely.
She laughed. “Don't tempt me. Ye owe me much for yer mistreatment of me, Colin MacDonald, but I may forgive ye yet, my lord.” Then she said, “I think it best we not tell yer mother the full truth of our courtship. She would as like to send to Brae to rid herself of me. Angus, most likely, would not have me back, but the situation would create a feud for both yer honor's sake. I should not like that.”
“Nor I,” he responded honestly. “But if I were he, I should want ye back—and that, too, would make a dangerous situation, Fiona mine.”
“So we are agreed then, Colly, that we will make our peace for everyone's sake.”
He nodded. “I don't want to fight with ye, sweeting.”
Again Fiona laughed. “I know,” she told him drolly, “yer objective has always been verra clear, my lord.”
“I've missed ye these past nights,” he murmured, kneeling by her side, taking her hand in his, and kissing the upturned palm.
“Oh, fie, my lord,” she scolded. “Ye'll not get me in yer bed before ye feed me. I am ravenous from our ride today!”
“Then, lady, by God, you shall be well fed, first by my kitchens, then by my passions!” he cried, leaping up and shouting loudly for his servants.
