“I cannot offer Lady Campbell the feast and welcome I wish and that she deserves. We must postpone it until the threats to our clan are no longer. But I would have every member of this clan, be they members of our branch or a sept, understand that Lady Campbell is my partner in our marriage and in this clan’s leadership. You will discover she is selfless and giving when you are fair and hard working. You will discover she is stern when you are not. This keep and all that happens within its walls, or pertains to it, is her domain. Her word is law. Do not come to me if you dislike it. I trust her choices and her advice as much as I do any member of the clan council. She doesn’t have to explain herself to you, but I can promise there is a well thought out reason for each of her decisions.”
Brodie looked at Laurel expectantly, and she realized he expected her to address the clan now. She still hadn’t been introduced to Colina and Dominic, but she looked at them first. She was unprepared and unsure what to say, but she stumbled through. “Clan Campbell, I am proud to be your lady. In the time I’ve come to know and care for your laird, I’ve learned that he is wise and strong, a defender of his people above all else. I take my duties to you and my husband to heart. I cannot promise that you will always like what I say or agree with me, but as your laird said, I do it for a reason. I wish for the best for this clan, and I will fight alongside all of you to protect what is ours. God help those who test the might of Clan Campbell.”
Laurel held her breath as awestruck faces gawked at her. She didn’t know what to do. She slashed her gaze to Monty and Donnan, who stood two steps down from her. Neither of them looked reassuring. She was unprepared for Brodie to scoop her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, unsteady with surprise.
“And that is why I love my wife,” Brodie announced before kissing her. As always, the world around them fell away, becoming a blissful land made for only two. Hoots and cheers eventually forced them apart as they grinned at one another. “I have a new home to show my wife.”
* * *
Laurel entered the keep with the others and looked around the Great Hall. The crossbeams made an intricate pattern while serving their purpose: supporting the roof of one of the largest Great Halls Laurel had ever visited. Banners and tapestries hung from the walls. She wondered if Colina or Brodie’s mother stitched any of them. Every surface her gaze landed upon was scrubbed clean. The floor had fresh rushes. There was no wax accumulating in the sconces, and the ash looked recently swept in the hearths. She assumed Colina was an excellent chatelaine, and Aggie clearly ran an efficient staff.
“Lady Campbell, welcome to our home,” Dominic greeted as they stood near the dais. Laurel forced herself not to frown. Dominic’s tone made it sound as if she were a guest. “Our” didn’t feel as if it included her.
“Thank you, Dominic. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” Laurel looked at Dominic and Colina, hoping to encourage the woman to join the conversation. When Colina said nothing, Laurel pressed on. “Lady Colina, you oversee a well-kept home. I’m very impressed by all that I see.”
“That’s Aggie,” Colina sniffed. It took Laurel aback until she realized Colina wasn’t being condescending. She had a genuine runny nose. Laurel wondered if the woman ailed. She still waited for her sister-by-marriage to say more, but nothing was forthcoming, so she turned back to Dominic.
“I didn’t imagine you and your brother would look so similar,” Laurel smiled.
“We are brothers.”
Laurel swallowed. This wasn’t the greeting she’d hoped to offer or receive. She used the opportunity to shift attention from her. She looked at Monty. “I’d like to introduce you to my brother Montgomery.”
Monty reached out his arm, and Dominic offered a hearty handshake. Laurel wondered if Dominic merely didn’t like women other than his wife. Monty turned to Donnan. “This is my second Donnan Ross.”
“Welcome to Kilchurn,” Dominic grinned. Laurel decided it was because she was a woman, not something else that earned her a chilly welcome. She looked at Colina once more, but the woman appeared disinterested in speaking to her. Colina’s arms were folded, and Laurel noticed the hem of her sister’s-by-marriage gown rippled. While Laurel couldn’t see the appendage, she knew Colina was tapping her toes. Laurel was at a loss, so she looked at Brodie, who looked confused. But when he noticed she stared at him, he smiled down at her and linked their hands together.
“Come with me, Laurie,” Brodie said. “Aggie will see to our guests, and you can become better acquainted with Dom and Colina later.”
* * *
Brodie gave Laurel an abbreviated tour after he introduced her to Aggie, the housekeep, and Berta, the head cook. He pointed out his solar before taking her abovestairs. He opened the door to the chamber that was clearly intended for the laird’s wife. Laurel grew nervous as she took in the bed that sat perpendicular to the right wall. There was a padded window seat where she thought she might enjoy sewing. But her attention returned to the bed, unsure whether Brodie had changed his mind.
“I intended to have it removed, but I suppose I should ask you what you want?” Brodie said softly.
“Take it out,” Laurel blurted. Brodie chuckled and kissed her temple.
“I hoped you’d say that. Let me show you our chamber,mo chridhe.” Brodie opened the adjacent door, and Laurel stepped into an enormous chamber. She supposed anything smaller would feel cramped considering Brodie’s height and wide shoulders. She’d noticed that he had to turn sideways to pass through some doorways. Brodie sighed as they stood staring at the bed. “That is where I’d like to be, but I can’t. I’ll stay until you’re in your bath, then I must join the other men in my solar. I’m certain Aggie will send a tray up for you. You must be starving.”
“I am. You don’t need to stay, Brodie. I can manage a bath, even in a new place.” Laurel patted his chest. He captured her hand, pressing it against his heart as he encircled her waist with his other arm.
“And if my ulterior motive is to see my bonnie bride stripped with her flowing hair aboot her shoulders?”
“I’d guess you don’t intend to meet with my brother and the others.”
“You fear I will succumb to temptation?”
Laurel turned her lips down in a mock frown before playfully winking. “I might be the one who can’t resist the temptation.”
A knock at the door interrupted their banter. Their aggrieved sighs were timed perfectly before Brodie bid the servants enter. Laurel watched as a troop of servants hauled in the largest copper and wood tub she’d ever seen. She figured it made sense given her husband was a veritable Goliath at nearly six and a half feet tall. He needed space to fit his legs. Steam rose as the last bucket of water was dumped into the bath.
“Would ye care for help, ma lady?” a blonde asked, but her attention was on Brodie.
“Do you usually help with baths?” Laurel countered. The maid blinked several times before she shook her head. “Then I don’t see why you’d start today.”
“I could help ye undress then dress and fix yer hair, ma lady.”
“Do you usually assist with undressing?” Laurel narrowed her eyes at the woman, who continued to stare at Brodie.
