“I don’t want to wait that long.” Maude fought the tears welling in her eyes and looked away. She couldn’t explain why she felt like weeping other than she’d been so excited one moment, and then the notion of another delay crushed her. “I didn’t anticipate it would take that long.”
“Three sennights? You know we must post the banns.”
“Aye, but it doesn’t have to be three Sundays, just three Masses. Da’s business here was with you, and you both resolved that ages ago. He’s only remained to spend time with Blair and me and to monitor our courtship. Your original matters concluded over a moon ago, and things sit well with my father. Blair and I can pack in less than an hour, and I suppose neither you nor Da would take much longer. We’d arrive at Sutherland at the same time as your messenger arrives in Stornoway. We’d still have to wait a sennight for your family to arrive, but I’d rather a fortnight than three sennights.”
“One sennight, mo leannan. That’s all we need to wait if a priest can read the banns that quickly.” Kieran tucked hair behind Maude’s ear and sighed. “Lass, I doubt my mother and sister will come. I had a falling out with my mother before I left.”
“She wouldn’t come to her only son’s wedding? I can’t believe that.” Maude saw the defeat in Kieran’s expression and chose not to press. Her heart ached to know there was a rift between mother and son, especially since she suspected she was the cause. She whispered, “Invite her, and we shall go from there.”
Kieran tipped her chin up and pressed a kiss beside the corner of her jaw. “You’re too good to me, buttercup. I’m a blessed mon to have you as my bride.” He kissed her again. “I know you worry this rift is because of you, but it’s not. My mother brought this upon herself.”
Maude shivered with a sense of dread. It dampened the happiness that had warmed her when Kieran proposed. A sinking sensation that life in Stornoway would be all too familiar took root in her belly.
Chapter Eighteen
Kieran observed Maude riding next to her sister. They’d left Stirling the next morning after announcing their betrothal first to Hamish, then to the king and queen. It came as little surprise to anyone, so Maude was relieved when the queen released her from her duties as a lady-in-waiting. The queen’s offer to allow Blair as much time away from court as she wanted brought both women to tears. They knew their godmother wouldn’t keep Blair from joining her family, but they’d expected a limit to her generosity.
Maude and Kieran’s betrothal was announced at evening’s meal to many gasps and whispers, but it was an excuse for feasting. Now the sun was sinking low on their first day of travel. The sisters had nattered together for most of the ride. Kieran caught glimpses of how both women must have been before they arrived at court. There was an ease to their banter that his sisters had never shared, and it made him curious about what they would be like when their brother entered the mix. Hamish and his guards led their party while Kieran and his small contingent brought up the rear. Hamish asked if Kieran preferred to ride up front, but he used the excuse that they headed to the Sutherlands’ home, so they should lead. The truth was, he didn’t want Maude out of his sight. He couldn’t stop looking at his bonnie bride, nor was he willing to risk being unprepared to reach her in case of attack. Guards flanked the women while Peat followed behind Trioblaid.
As they moved off the road into a clearing by a brook, Maude dismounted before Kieran could reach her side. She stood on steady legs as she continued to chatter with Blair. Neither woman looked worse for wear after hours in the saddle. She glanced at him and smiled as she took her bow and quiver from her pack. She frowned when he approached, a scowl darkening his face.
“What’s the matter?”
“If you insist upon mounting and dismounting without my help, I won’t be able to touch you at all on this blasted trip,” Kieran whispered. “All I want is to drag you away and make love to you, and now I can’t even touch you.”
“Would you help me back onto my horse, so you can help me off? Would that make you feel better?” Maude quipped.
“Yes,” he grumbled, but her peel of laughter shot straight to his cock. He was grateful to have abandoned his breeks for his breacan feile. The extra layers of wool and his sporran hid what the tight fabric of breeks would not. He covered the hand Maude laid on his chest as she strained to kiss his cheek. He turned his head so their lips met. Her gasp opened her lips enough for him to flicker his tongue inside her mouth before pulling away. He wouldn’t shame Maude by being caught kissing her in front of her father and their retinue of men.
“Blair and I are going hunting. Would you like to join us?”
“You two are?” Kieran remembered learning that she liked to ride and hunt, but he’d underestimated her.
“Aye. We’re the best shots of the Sutherlands here.” Kieran quirked a brow but said nothing. Maude’s tone was so matter-of-fact that he realized she believed her own words. He wouldn’t argue with her in front of the others. Maude’s arms crossed as her lips pursed. “You don’t believe me, Kieran MacLeod. You had better catch something for yourself, because neither Blair nor I will share with you if you have so little faith.”
Maude stuck her tongue out at him as she slipped away. Blair joined her and grinned over her shoulder at him as if to say he were a fool. An hour and six rabbits and three pheasants later, he felt like one. The sisters brought back their kill and began preparing them for the fire. He lifted the knife from Maude’s hand with a kiss on her cheek before taking her place preparing their evening meal.
Maude finished splashing water on her face and neck, enjoying the refreshing sensation after being on Trioblaid’s back all day. She wiped a cloth along her arms, but angry voices had her lifting her skirts and running back to camp.
“The bluidy hell ye are,” Hamish roared. Maude entered the camp to find Hamish and Kieran standing toe-to-toe, hands on the hilts of their swords as they seethed at one another. “She’s ma daughter, nae yer wife.”
“Yet,” Kieran growled.
“Ever, if ye keep at it,” Hamish bellowed. “I’ll sever both yer hands and leave ye to the wolves.”
“She’s my betrothed as of last eve and now mine to protect.”
Maude looked around the camp and caught sight of the two men she cared for most standing next two bedrolls laid side-by-side. She recognized one as her own but didn’t recognize the other until she spotted the MacLeod plaid. Then she understood. Maude rushed forward to keep the two irate men from beating one another senseless. She slipped between them, a hand on each chest. She looked up to Kieran, pleading with her eyes that he desist. He glanced down at her, then took a step back.
“Da, Kieran’s right,” she whispered.
“What?” Hamish blustered.
“Da, you’ve always slept between me and Blair when we travel without Lachlan and Mama. You’ve also always whittled aboot being able to save us both if we’re attacked. You need not worry now. You will protect Blair, and Kieran will protect me.”
“He can do that without his bedroll being on top of yours,” Hamish lunged forward, and Maude barely pushed her father back before he crushed her between two behemoth chests. Kieran pulled her from between the men and pushed her behind him, even angrier that Hamish trapped Maude between them.
“Would you have a repeat of how your courtship began with Lady Sutherland?” Kieran hissed. “Make a move like that again with Maude nearby, and I won’t care whose father you are.”
