“A couple years younger than me. Most likely close to your age.”
Abigail turned her head sideways as she considered her time at Dunvegan. She looked back at Ronan, her brow furrowed. “Cecily is close to Madeline’s age, so only a couple years aulder than me. I ken she has a lover because I heard her with someone. Do you think it might have been the new laird?”
Ronan’s eyes widened as he looked at Abigail before he burst into laughter. “It wouldn’t surprise me in the least. He’s a strapping young mon who was a lovesick pup the last time I saw him around Cecily. She’d love a mon younger than her in her bed simply for her pride, never mind that the new laird of Clan MacLeod is handsome. He likely thought it was an accomplishment to be tupping his cousin’s wife.”
“Rather than the king harping at you, the new laird should send you a fattened calf as a gift. He’ll get some of his men back in the spring, and you’ve opened the door to the laird’s—and lady’s—chamber for him.”
“She won’t marry him though.”
“Won’t she? It would allow her to keep her position as the clan’s lady.”
“It would, but she’ll balk at the idea of marrying a replacement. At least that’s how she’ll see it. The woman is vain to the bone. She won’t see the match as being good enough for her. She’s more likely to return to court and demand a better arrangement.”
“Demand?”
“Aye. Cecily is King Robert’s third cousin or some such. They’re related somehow. She’ll use that to force Robert’s hand.”
“How do you know all this?”
“Because I listen more than I talk.”
It was Abigail’s turn to laugh. “You’re plenty talkative with me. Especially when you’re telling me just how you plan to ravish me.”
Ronan let the parchment drift to the floor as he unwrapped his plaid. Abigail shed her chemise before they fell backwards on the bed together. His large palm rested on Abigail’s backside as they gazed into one another’s eyes. “Abby, I told you when we met that I may never be the most talkative mon. But I’ve never been as comfortable with anyone as I am with you. Not even my own family. I ken I can talk aboot everything with you. I think you’ve also seen that I didn’t exaggerate when I said that I’m not as reserved at home as I am at court.”
“I have noticed. It makes me so happy to see you among our people. But it also makes me feel so foolish for ever doubting you, Ronan. You’re so much more than I imagined any mon could be, and so much more than I gave you credit for.”
“We didn’t know each other then. I thought I was getting a quiet wife,” Ronan chuckled as he rolled over Abigail, his fingers pressing into her sheath. She moaned as he sparked her arousal. “Not so quiet as I thought.”
Abigail opened her legs to him, guiding his cock to her entrance. Ronan thrust into her and went still. “Not so shy after all.”
They moved together as their hands caressed one another until their passion crested together, leaving them breathless. Ronan rolled to his side, and Abigail followed him. They exchanged light kisses before Abigail snuggled under Ronan’s chin, listening to his steady heartbeat.
“You ken the Bruce will summon me at soon as spring is in the air.”
“Aye. I’ve known that since I killed Donovan. Gordon and Cormag’s deaths made it inevitable.”
“Will you come with me?”
“If you’d like me to, of course.”
“Abby, I want you to come because I don’t want to be away from you, and because I enjoy your company. I don’t want you to fear that I need you because I’m scared.”
Abigail leaned back and scowled at her husband. “I never would have thought that, and I don’t like that you did. I know you’re not scared. I might have thought you were shy, maybe even too timid to lead, but I never once thought it scared you to present yourself before the king. I never thought you were a coward, Ronan. And it upsets me to think you ever believed I did.”
“I know you don’t think I’m a coward. That wasn’t what I meant. I meant that I ken you know it makes me anxious to be around people I don’t know well, and I take my duties seriously. I didn’t want you to think that I was too nervous to see the king without you by my side.”
“That is the same as worrying that I think you’re a coward, Ronan.” Abigail sat up, deeply upset that her husband thought she perceived him as such after their time together. Ronan sat up next to her and brushed hair from her shoulder before kissing it. “I made a mistake aboot judging you and could have missed my opportunity to meet the mon the Lord intended me to marry. But I realized how wrong I was, and I have never doubted you since then. I have unwavering faith in you, so it hurts me deeply to think you might doubt that.” Abigail dashed away the tear that fell down her cheek. Ronan opened his arms, and she leaned against him. Her heart ached with guilt that she hadn’t made her feelings clearer to her husband.
“Abby, I’m making a mess of this. I didn’t mean that you’re scared for me now. I know you don’t think I’m a coward. How could I when you offer praise freely and often? I meant, I didn’t want you to grow nervous aboot me attending court. I want you to know that I’m asking you to join me because I wish for your company, and I want to discuss clan matters with you as they come up. I trust your council, and I would have it while I’m there, rather than having to wait until I return here.”
Abigail nodded, better understanding her husband’s thoughts. She wrapped her arm across his belly as she pressed closer to him. He kissed her forehead as they both watched the fire snap in the hearth. Feeling more at peace, she shifted to kneel beside Ronan, so she could see him better. “I would like to come with you. I ken I won’t always travel with you, and that’s something I will have to learn to accept. But it means I won’t spend sennights making myself sick with worry. Ronan, six moons ago, I couldn’t imagine anyone ever saying they wish for my council. Kenning you and what a tremendous laird you are to our people, knowing you wish for and value my opinion means more than I can put into words.”
“Abby, we’re both better people for being together. We’ll undoubtedly fight from time to time, but I think we bring out the best in one another.”
“I dinna think it, I ken it,” Abigail giggled as Ronan tickled her. She knew he preferred her without her refined speech, but she’d sounded like a Lowlander for much of her life since her Lowland mother disdained the Hebridean accent. She’d laughed when Kieran abandoned his Scots accent when he married Maude, who was a Highlander, but now Abigail understood why. It felt natural, even carefree. “Will we leave with the first thaw?”
“Nay. I dinna trust that to hold. It’s nearly the end of January now. We willna go until nearly the beginning of April.”
