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"A lot o' lasses would ha'e," he said solemnly.
Before Murine could respond, another knock sounded at the door.
"That'll be Saidh," Dougall said, getting up. He paused then, though, his gaze sliding from the door to the tartan she still had wrapped around her. Standing, Murine removed it and handed it over, then grabbed the top linen that was in a crumpled heap on the foot of the bed and wrapped it around herself toga style in the tartan's place.
"Ye go ahead and pleat yer tartan, I'll get the door," she suggested.
"Thank ye, love," Dougall murmured and caught her arm to draw her closer so he could press a quick kiss to her lips.
When he released her, Murine watched him kneel and spread out the plaid, then turned to continue to the door, a smile curving her lips. This marriage business was quite nice so far, she thought with a happy little sigh that died along with her smile as she opened the door and saw the sheet over the railing. It reminded her that Montrose would soon arrive, and she wasn't sure what he would do. Or could do for that matter. She suddenly wasn't so sure that Dougall's marrying her had saved her. Could Montrose have the marriage annulled? He was her guardian after all. He might be able to argue that it should be annulled because they hadn't had his permission and approval.
"I recognize that look."
Murine tore her gaze from the sheet to glance at Saidh, who was waiting on the doorstep.
"Ye're fretting again," Saidh accused, and then caught Murine's arm and dragged her out into the hall, lecturing, "Come along. We'll have none of that."
"Where are we going?" Murine asked with alarm, her hand tightening on the linen she was holding together around her chest as Saidh ushered her up the hall.
"To my room," she announced, then explained, "I decided 'twould be easier to bring ye to the gowns than to bring them to ye."
"Oh," Murine sighed, grateful when they reached the next door and Saidh ushered her inside.
Closing the door, Saidh urged her toward the bed where several gowns were laid out and said, "Now, stop yer fretting, Murine. Ye and Dougall are married. Montrose can no' do a thing about it."
Murine nodded and tried to remove the anxiety from her expression, but she wasn't at all sure Saidh was right about Montrose not being able to do anything about her marriage. And she was quite sure she wouldn't stop fretting about it until he arrived and did his worst.
"She'll make herself ill with worry."
Dougall grunted at Greer's comment and tore his gaze from where Murine sat by the fire with Saidh, sewing. The pair were silent as they worked, both of them noticeably tense in their seats, their gazes sliding toward the door with a frequency that suggested they expected it to burst open any minute.
Turning back to the table where he, Conran, Geordie, Alick and Greer were all gathered, he picked up his ale and took a long swallow before admitting, "All this waiting is beginning to fray on my nerves too."
"Aye," Conran said grimly. "It has been near a week. I expected the bastard to show up the morning after the wedding."
"We all did," Greer said dryly, and then shook his head. "Mayhap he decided there was nothing to do and returned to Danvries."
Dougall shook his head. "When he did no' show up here the second morning, I had Aulay send some men to watch Danvries Castle. They've been sending back daily reports and while most o' the men who rode out with Danvries to search for Murine returned two days ago, Danvries and six o' his men still ha'e not."
"Then mayhap he stopped at a friend's keep, or rode to London to gamble," Alick suggested.
"Mayhap," Dougall muttered, and then shrugged and said, "Whatever the case, it looks like he does no' intend to come here after Murine, so . . ." He turned to Greer and said, "We thank ye fer yer hospitality and patience with us, but we'll be getting out o' yer hair the day after tomorrow."
Greer's eyebrows rose and he glanced to the women by the fire. "Have ye told Murine?"
"Nay," Dougall admitted with a grimace. That was a chore he was not looking forward to.
Greer frowned. "Surely did Murine ken ye no longer expect Danvries to show up here, she would relax a bit."
"Aye," Dougall acknowledged.
"Then why have ye no' told her?" Greer asked reasonably.
"Because he's worried how she'll react when she learns where we are taking her next," Geordie growled before Dougall could respond.
"Carmichael?" Greer asked at once.
Dougall nodded. "MacIntyre wants to accompany us. His messenger returned with the news this morning. We are riding out to meet up with him the day after tomorrow and then will travel to Carmichael to demand to see the will." He smiled apologetically and added, "That is why we have to trouble ye with our presence for the added day."
Greer waved that away and picked up his own ale, only to set it back down untouched as he asked, "Is that why Aulay rode out with Niels and Rory this morning?"
"Aye," Alick said with a grin. "They're rounding up our soldiers."
"MacIntyre's bringing an army, and so are we," Dougall said, and then explained, "Just as a show of force. We want to ensure Murine's cousin shows us the will."
"Well," Greer said with a slow grin. "If it's force ye want, I'd be happy to bring me men along for the journey." Before Dougall could respond, he added, "She's my family too now, Buchanan. But more importantly, Murine saved Saidh's life and reputation at Sinclair. Had she not, I wouldn't now have my lovely wife. I will return the favor and stand up for her now she needs it."
"Well then, I guess ye're coming," Dougall said wryly.
"Damned right I am," Greer agreed and then got up abruptly.
"Where are ye going?" Dougall asked with surprise.
"To send a messenger to Sinclair," Greer explained. "He'll want to help too. Ye'll like him, by the by."
"Well, damn," Conran murmured as they watched Greer hurry away. "If Sinclair brings men too that'll be four armies riding up on Carmichael. Connor's going to piss himself when he sees us coming."
"Aye," Dougall agreed with a grin and got to his feet. "It's time I told Murine what we're planning."
"Good luck," Conran said quietly.
Nodding, Dougall turned and started toward the women by the fire.
"He must no' be coming."
Murine glanced up from her sewing at that frustrated comment from Saidh and raised her eyebrows.
"Yer brother," Saidh explained. "Surely if he was coming, he'd have been here by now?"
Murine sighed and set her sewing in her lap. She'd thought that herself several times, but the men were all so tense she suspected they had news they were keeping from her and Saidh. Like perhaps her brother was rounding up support and planned to lay siege to MacDonnell and demand her return so that he could have the marriage annulled.
Rather than say that, however, she offered, "I'm so sorry, Saidh. I ken we have overstayed our welcome, and--"
"Murine Buchanan," Saidh snapped, looking offended. "Ye can just stop what ye're saying right there and shut yer mouth. Ye have not overstayed yer welcome. We're happy to have ye here." She frowned and then added, "I just wish we were no' all so tense and worried and could enjoy the visit. This constant worry about what might be going on is exhausting."
"Aye, 'tis," Murine agreed with a sigh. The past week had been wearying. The days were spent stuck in the keep, trying to distract themselves from the ever-present worry that Montrose might ride up any moment and throw her life into chaos. Though the nights were not quite as bad. Dougall was usually able to distract her with his kisses and caresses, but afterward, she found herself lying awake, worrying. And she knew Dougall did too.
"I'm fair sick o' being stuck indoors too," Saidh announced suddenly, shifting restlessly in her chair. "I could do with a good hard ride about now."
"So could I," Murine admitted.
"Then I shall take ye for one."
Both women glanced around with surprise at that announcement as Dougall paused by Murine's chair.
"W
here's Greer?" Saidh asked, glancing toward the table where Conran, Geordie and Alick were sitting talking.
"He went to find a messenger. He should return directly," Dougall assured her, then smiled down at Murine and asked, "Ride?"
"Aye," she breathed with relief and set her sewing on the table next to her chair as she stood up. Noting that Saidh hadn't stood, she raised her eyebrows. "Are ye no' coming?"
Saidh hesitated, her glance shifting past her to Dougall before she shook her head. "I think I'll wait fer Greer."
"Mayhap we should too," Murine said, glancing to Dougall. "Then we could all go."
Saidh chuckled at the effect that suggestion had on Dougall's expression and shook her head. "I suspect me brother wants some time alone with ye, Muri. Go on. Greer will be along soon and I shall demand he take me for a ride too."
