Chapter Twenty-five
Iain muttered and cursed as he and Alexander took a chest out to one of the waiting carts. It had been over a week since the MacRoths had arrived and they showed no signs of leaving. By the time he got any time alone with Islaen she was too tired to have any serious discussion. He was getting no closer to sorting out the troubles he had bred in his marriage.
"Do ye feel inclined to tell me why ye are in such a dark mood? Are ye regretting leaving Caraidland?"
Looking at Alexander as they hefted the chest into the back of a wagon, Iain managed to growl, “MacRoths, curse them."
"They are a great help. Ye will be moved to Muircraig in but one journey."
"Aye, that is true.” Iain sighed and leaned against the cart. “'Tis just that I am fore'er tripping o'er them and have no time with Islaen. When she and I reach our chambers of a night she can do naught but sleep."
"Surely if ye can maintain an abstinence of six months, ye can last but a fortnight,” Alexander drawled, his lack of sympathy obvious.
"There is that but that wasnae what I was referring to. Ye see, Alex, I did think on all ye said about wasting time and all. The curse of it is, I decided ye were right on the day MacLennon attacked us."
"Ah, and ye have had no chance to speak to Islaen yet."
"None. Storm felt t'would be best done when there is time and privacy to do it verra weel, to say what I must and make her believe it."
"Aye, she’ll have doubts. T'will seem almost a full turn-about."
Iain nodded. “I willnae blame her if she does doubt.” He shook his head and grimaced. “I begin to think t'will be anither year e'er I get the chance, though."
"I doubt that."
"Have ye no suggestions about how I might be rid of the MacRoths yet not cause any offense?"
"I dinnae meddle."
The scathing comment Iain meant as a response to that haughtily delivered lie was smothered by the arrival of two of Islaen's brothers. By the time he had directed them in placing the chest they carried, Alexander had slipped away. Iain did not spot the man again until they were ready to leave Caraidland. Alexander was in the midst of the MacRoths and Iain frowned slightly, then told himself not to be so suspicious before looking around for Islaen.
Islaen hugged Storm and fought an urge to cry. She wanted to start her own home, yet hated to leave Caraidland. Although Iain stayed in her bed, he had not made love to her yet and they seemed no closer to any sort of communication. She feared the loneliness she might suffer if that distance in their marriage continued even at Muircraig.
"Come, Islaen,” Storm said, giving a trembling smile, “we will not be so far apart. ‘Tis best that ye finally go to live in your own home with Iain and no longer share that of others."
"Is it? I am nay too certain of that.” Islaen hooked her arm through Storm's and they stepped out into the bailey.
"Is there still trouble between you?"
"Nay, no trouble, but little of anything else either. MacLennon is dead and I ken weel that, though mayhaps nothing can fully ease Iain's fear of childbirth, I have lessened it some, yet we move no nearer to any real bond. He shares my bed but he has yet to make love to me and we share naught else."
Storm had to bite her tongue to keep from revealing all Iain had told her in order to take the sadness from her friend's eyes. “Give it time, Islaen. Mayhaps he but does not know how to start. As concerns the lack of lovemaking, well, ye have been very tired of late. I do not think ye were healed enough to bear the strain, joyous though it may be, of having so many kin visiting."
"Aye, I have been quick to fall asleep. I but hope ye are right. Muircraig will be no home an I have no marriage, have but a mon who sometimes uses my body and treats me weel but no more."
"T'will not be so dismal. I feel that in my heart. Now, come, Iain searches for you. ‘Tis time to leave."
Sitting in a cart with the children, Meg and Grizel, Islaen watched Iain ride with the men, occasionally moving along the line of carts to see that all went smoothly. Her heart ached for he seemed as out of reach as ever. She was not sure she had the strength or patience to continue to fight for some place in his affections. Her love for him was as strong as ever but a strange lack of initiative had overcome her lately. After so many long months she was weary of the battle.
Once at Muircraig, she busied herself directing the placement of all they had brought. Several times she saw Alexander in deep conversation with her kin but her suspicion that he might be up to something was fleeting, for she was far too busy to worry about it. If Alexander was meddling again she was sure she would find out later.
"Things still arenae right,” Alaistair muttered as he stood by Alexander and watched his daughter and her husband.
"They will be soon."
Smiling crookedly, Alaistair eyed the young man with a little sternness. “Ye ken too much of what is between those two."
"They are both my friends and I act out of caring for them, wishing their happiness, which I strongly feel can only be found within the marriage they were both pushed into."
