Thirty-Two
Brodie signaled for the riders to rein in, pointing out to the MacFarlanes where they could pitch their camp. The Rosses were few enough that they would bunk in the barracks. Laurel wondered if she should remain where she was, even as the group largely dispersed. Brodie turned back to look at her.
“Laurie?”
Laurel nudged Teine on until she came to be side by side with Brodie. He wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her into his lap with a squeak. She was unprepared for him to capture her mouth in a kiss, but she surrendered immediately, eager for it just like him. As the kiss drew on, she sensed impatient horses swaying around them, their owners not much more pleased to be kept waiting. But she cared not. They’d defied death countless times in the past two days. She would savor this moment of love and security.
“I’ve waited all bluidy day to do that, thistle,” Brodie murmured against her lips.
“Mmm. I’m glad you didn’t make me wait anymore.”
“How do you wish to enter your new home? On your own horse or with me on mine?”
“What I wish and what I must do are, as usual, not the same. I wish to remain as we are. But I must enter on my own. I’m your wife and lady of this clan. The first impression I make will be hard to undo if I appear too dependent on you.”
“Sound reasoning. Or people will see I love my bride and can’t go without her one more moment,” Brodie countered.
“Compromise?”
“Such as?”
“Each on their own mount but holding hands.”
“Agreed.” Brodie proffered another kiss before setting Laurel back on her saddle. They rode through the village just beyond the wall, the bells tolling to signal the laird’s return. As people came out of their homes to wave, Brodie laced his fingers with Laurel’s. It wasn’t the easiest position, but Brodie understood the powerful signal it sent. They entered as equals, as partners. That was exactly how he viewed Laurel.
They rode into the bailey to cheers but confused expressions. Laurel realized people expected Brodie to return with Eliza beside him, not her. He hadn’t returned to Kilchurn before going to court. She glanced at Brodie and smiled at his sheepish expression.
“I shall have to explain,” he murmured.
Laurel watched a couple standing together on the stairs. Laurel assumed they were Brodie’s brother Dominic and his wife. The man resembled Brodie in most ways, but he didn’t carry himself with the same certainty and confidence Brodie possessed. It was clear he was a powerful warrior, but Laurel supposed Brodie’s demeanor came in part from being the laird, not the laird’s tánaiste. The woman who stood beside Dominic was pretty, but she looked wan. Her expression and posture were unassuming. Laurel wondered if she might make friends with her new sister-by-marriage. She would try.
“Once we’re inside, what would you have me do first?”
Brodie looked into Laurel’s eyes as they came to a stop. She never ceased to move him when she thought of others first. If only people had been compassionate from the start. They might have met the Laurel who always lurked behind the shield she wielded. She was unselfish and dutiful. Once more he counted his blessings.
“Brodie? Do you have a housekeeper who will see to our guests? Do I need to attend to their chambers and baths? Will your sister-by-marriage do it?”
“Sorry,mo ghaol. You distract me in the best ways. Aggie will see to our guests, so you needn’t rush aboot a keep you don’t know. Colina never took an interest in the household. I suppose she always knew one day my wife would arrive and be chatelaine,” Brodie shrugged. He realized he’d barely thought of it in his brother’s three-year marriage. Once it was obvious Colina didn’t want the position, he ceased thinking about it, knowing he would have to marry to gain a lady to run his keep. The couple was too enamored with one another to pay attention to anyone else. They were a love-match.
“What would you have me do?” Laurel pressed.
“Stand beside me as we greet our people.”
Laurel appeared uncertain, but she nodded. She would follow Brodie’s lead. But she realized there was one thing more pressing than any other. “Do you have a healer?”
“Aye, Nora—or rather Honoria—is our healer. I’ll send for her. She can see to the men who need her. Thank you for thinking of it. Come, Laurie. Let me show you your home.” Brodie dismounted, then lifted Laurel from the saddle, easing her body along his until her feet were on the ground. “I regret I may be late to bed tonight. But I will be there.”
“And I shall be ready. Wake me. Promise?”
“Do not fear, Laurie. There will be little sleep for either of us.” Brodie pinched her backside before he took her hand. She reached across her arm and pinched him back. Brodie jumped, then laughed as he looked down at Laurel, who looked as innocent as a lamb. He walked them to the top of the steps outside the main door of the keep. They turned to look at those who’d assembled. “I am happy to be home.”
People cheered, and Laurel saw the sincerity in people’s excitement matched what she heard in Brodie’s voice. He squeezed her hand in reassurance before he released it and wrapped his arm around Laurel. He whispered, “It’s not just for show. Don’t doubt that.” Laurel had wondered that very thing.
“Stop reading my thoughts,” she teased. Brodie drew her against his side and looked out at his people again.
“You know I left to settle the alliance with the MacMillans and to bring home a wife. God had a different plan for me and for our clan.” Brodie paused as his gaze swept the assembled clan members. “Our party was attacked on our own land, and they killed Lady Eliza.” He waited for the buzz to settle, purposely evasive about the aggressors. “I have been away longer than intended for several reasons. I returned to the MacMillans to allow Lady Eliza to rest in peace. I continued on and arrived in Stirling, needing to inform the king. While at court, the Lord blessed me ten times over. I met my wife, Lady Campbell. You may have recognized the plaids that aren’t ours or the MacFarlanes. Lady Campbell was once Lady Laurel Ross. Our journey wasn’t without incident. Those who wished to sever our alliances with the MacMillans are even more determined to sever our alliance with the Rosses.”
Laurel wanted to squirm. She’d never been so uncomfortable in her life. She sounded like a replacement bride, which she knew in part she was, despite Brodie claiming their meeting was a blessing. It also sounded as though she made their clan troubles worse, which she knew was unintentionally true. Brodie looked down at her, and the love she saw eased her nerves. She smiled back up at him.
