She leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing. “Right,” she said. “What have I missed while ye’ve all been sailing around the world and tramping about the countryside?”
Kenneth didn’t bother with evasion. “Selene and I are tae be married.”
For a heartbeat, the solar went utterly still. Then Maureen let out a laugh that rang off the stone walls.
“Married,” she repeated, already pushing back her chair. “Then we’ll have a proper celebration dinner. None of this quiet nonsense. Tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow?” Kenneth raised a brow. “That gives ye?—”
“Plenty of time,” she cut in briskly. “If I can run a keep, I can manage a feast.”
Elsie clapped her hands, her eyes shining. “I’ll help. We’ll make it grand.”
Kenneth glanced at Selene, amusement and resignation tangling together. “I see I’m outnumbered.”
“Ye always were,” Maureen said smugly.
“So be it,” he conceded grudgingly, although there was warmth in his tone. “Tomorrow night.” His expression sobered. “I’ll see the priest in the morning and arrange the ceremony.”
The words sat heavy and right on his tongue. This was what he wished for. Marriage. Public, binding and to last for the remainder of his days on earth.
Later, as the candles burned lower and the conversation slowed, Selene leaned closer to him, her shoulder brushing his arm.
“I’ll remain in my own bedchamber tonight,” she said quietly. “I think it best I don’t visit you under the noses of my sister and yours. Not as I did at Castle Brochel.”
Kenneth groaned. “But ye’ll be next to mine. Only the adjoining door separating us.” He studied her face, reading resolve there, and exhaled slowly. Desire stirred immediately – unwelcome and entirely expected – but beneath it lay something steadier: respect for her wisdom and the consideration she had for the two younger lasses
Still, it caused him some anguish in a certain area of his wayward body.
“Ye test me patience,” he said honestly, though his mouth curved in a smile.
“We’ll be married in a few days,” she reminded him gently.
“A few very long days,” he replied. “It will try me sorely nae tae have ye beside me, keeping warm under the covers.” His fingers tightened briefly around hers. “But I dare say I’ll survive.”
Callum cleared his throat pointedly, and Kenneth turned back to the others.
“Call a meeting of the Clan Council tomorrow,” he told him. “They need tae hear of Aidan’s attack, our visit tae Castle Brochel, and Halvard MacLeod’s friendship.” His gaze flicked toSelene, his heartbeat jumping. “And I’ll seek their approval of me marriage.”
Callum nodded once. “I’ll see tae it.”
When the solar finally emptied, Kenneth escorted Selene through the quiet corridor, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone. The keep had settled into its nighttime hush – distant voices, the crackle of dying fires, the comforting solidity of walls that had stood for generations.
Her bedchamber lay beside Elsie’s, with his adjoining beyond it – far too close to comfort, the ache starting up in his groin. Dammit.
He stopped at her door, lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, then her brow, then her mouth, gentle now, lingering, full of promise rather than urgency.
“Sleep well,” he murmured.
“You too.”
She slipped inside and closed the door softly behind her.
Before he turned toward his own chamber he hesitated outside the door, his thoughts straying unbidden to the night he had spent with Selene – to the way she had fitted so perfectly in his arms, the soft scent of her hair, the lingering taste of her kisses. The temptation to turn the latch and enter her chamber burnedthrough him, sharp and insistent. His hand closed around the iron doorknob, his pulse quickening as desire urged him forward.
Yet reason prevailed. It was right to wait. Tomorrow he would speak before the Council, and soon after the betrothal would be confirmed. Their marriage would follow swiftly, and when he finally took her to his bed, it would be with honor and with vows that would last a lifetime and beyond.
Their lovemaking would not be stolen in shadows, but something he could cherish openly.
