It was close to a fortnight before she received his response, but she had already heard from her father. She was already aware the blame lay with the Sutherlands living near the border of Mackay and MacLeod territories. She avoided going into detail when she wrote to her father, but informed him that she had learned of the attack and their clan’s involvement concerned her. Kieran’s second missive was brusque and short. He outlined what he’d learned of the events and what his people told him. He admitted he would have to parlay with her father to resolve the matter. It was the final five lines that reassured Maude that the conflict hadn’t ruined their chances.
This would be so much easier to deal with if you were by my side. I feel as though you would know what to tell my people during this time of sorrow, and I believe you would offer me sound council. I miss you, buttercup. I hope to return before the moon is up.
Maude wasn’t convinced any words she offered would be a welcomed comfort, since they would come from the daughter of the laird whose people killed his. However, the thought that he trusted her opinion warmed her. Maude replied honestly and told him that she had already learned of the events from her father, and that his intentions were to meet with Kieran. She asked if they’d agreed to where the meeting would occur. She hadn’t wanted to appear curious by asking too much of her father. At the fortnight mark, Kieran had hoped to return within the next fourteen days, but Maude lost hope that there was time for her father and Kieran to meet and have him return before the new month began.
His third missive came six days before a moon would have passed. She realized Kieran must have dispatched the missive four days earlier. He wrote that he and her father agreed to meet at court as they both had matters to attend to that couldn’t wait.
I don’t know what brings your father to court, but I would return to you as soon as I can. I want to see your smile, hear the burr you try to hide, and feel you in my arms. I’ve said naught of us to your father. I wanted to ask how you would like to proceed. I intend to leave in five days. I shall dispatch a messenger the day before to confirm my departure, and it’s my fervent hope to meet my messenger on the road and perhaps deliver my final missive in person. I miss you, buttercup.
Maude cherished the pet name; neither she nor Kieran used their real names to address or sign the missives in case someone should intercept them. Her response was simple and took but a moment for her to write before she shooed the exhausted rider back to his mount.
Turtledove,
I eagerly await your return to the nest. While your messengers have been most polite, I would rather receive your next missive from your own hands. I cannot offer the messengers a token of thanks, but I can offer one to you. What boon would you request?
* * *
Maude’s heart was heavy as she pushed the food around on her tray. She had slept poorly the previous three nights as she grew excited for Kieran and her father to arrive. She and Blair both missed their father. All three Sutherland children were close to their parents, who still doted on them. Her father’s father had been a cruel man who mistreated his children, in particular his only daughter, her Aunt Kyla. She had faded memories of her father’s sister, who allowed her to climb into her lap while she told stories to her own five children along with Maude, Blair, and Lachlan. Her father swore to be nothing like his father when it came to parenting and leading their clan.
She’d received a notice that her father would arrive late that night, but she’d heard nothing from Kieran, and the day was almost done. It was the last day of the month, and it disappointed her to not see Kieran. She understood anything from a new clan matter to the weather might have slowed his progress. However, she had received no missive informing her of his departure. She had no sign that he was making his way to Stirling.
Maude stood from her seat and pulled her robe tighter as she poked at the peat in her fireplace, making her think of Kieran’s horse for the hundredth time. She had kept her spirits up throughout Kieran’s time away, but she’d grown melancholy over the past two days. She’d had another run in with Laurel and Madeline that left her shaken and humiliated. Maude had no desire to tell Kieran what happened, but she wished she could lean her head against his chest, his steady heartbeat against her cheek. She wandered to her bed and pulled back the covers further before pulling the sash at her waist. Before she had the opportunity to shrug out of her robe, someone pounded on her door. The only person she knew who knocked like that was her father. She tied her robe, and her face relaxed into a smile. If she wasn’t to be in Kieran’s arms, then an embrace from her father wasn’t a poor substitute.
Maude pulled the door open and squeaked. Kieran’s arm shot out to wrap around her waist as he lifted her off her feet. He pressed the door open wider and stepped inside her chamber before kicking the door shut behind them. Maude clung to him as their mouths sought one another. His hands slid down to her backside as he pulled her against him with such force, he feared he might hurt her. Her hands fisted in his leine, and she continued to pull him closer even when there was no space between them.
Another round of knocking interrupted their reunion. Kieran eased her to the ground and placed his finger over his mouth. He stepped beside the door, knowing it would shield him once it was open. Maude opened the door and squeaked once again.
“Da!”
“Aye, lass.” He gave his daughter a quick squeeze and bussed a kiss on her cheek before pushing into her chamber. “Where the bluidy hell is he?”
“Da?”
“Dinna look innocent, lass. I saw MacLeod enter yer chamber.” Maude noticed her father was out of breath, and realized he must have run to reach her chamber when he was already on his way. Kieran had arrived sooner. “He’s been kissing ye, Maude. I can tell. Where is the bluidy lecher?”
Laird Hamish Sutherland grasped the door, suspecting where the man would be hiding. He slammed it shut and rounded on Kieran, who held his hands away from his sides, making it clear he held no weapon.
“Explain. Now.” Hamish barked. He looked between Maude and Kieran before growling when neither answered fast enough.
“Da, please, come sit down.” Maude took her father’s hand and led him to one of the two chairs in the chamber. Kieran stepped near her despite Hamish’s warning glare. He moved the other chair closer to the one she offered her father. Hamish didn’t sit until Maude did, but he fixed his gaze on Kieran, who stood behind Maude with his hands on the back of her chair. It was both possessive and protective.
“Leave off, MacLeod. I’m nae going to lash out at ma lass. I may strike ye, but I’d never harm ma daughter.”
“Da--”
“Laird Sutherland--”
Maude looked back at Kieran, who nodded to her.
“Da, I met Laird MacLeod—Kieran— just before he had to return to Lewis. I was upset one eve after overhearing a conversation I wasn’t intended to, and Kieran was kind to me. He stayed with me until Arabella found me on the terrace.” She looked back at Kieran and offered him the chance to speak.
“Laird Sutherland, this happened before I had the chance to learn of the attack in Assynt. It’s for your daughter’s sake that I didn’t lead a hot-trod to regain my cattle or to seek revenge. I asked Lady Maude for permission to court her before I received the missive calling me home.”
“Did ye now? And how do ye ken I dinna already have plans to wed Maude to someone else?”
Hamish watched as the knuckles on both of Kieran’s hands turned ghostly white as his fingers clutched the wood. A vein pulsed in his neck as the cords strained.
“I would request you reconsider. I’ve formed an attachment to Maude that is genuine and special. I ask that you give us time to see if it develops into more.”
