15
Lindsey got up from her armchair and looked out through the window. It was the same view as ever and she was yet to get used to it. Castle life going on down there as it did every single day.
Still no sign of Tavish. She sat back down, promising herself she’d wait at least ten minutes before checking again. The pile of wood shavings at her feet grew taller. In her hands was the figure she’d been carving since he left. She wanted to get it finished before he got back, a gift to thank him for everything he’d done for her.
The horn blew just as she was getting to her feet again to look out the window. Two blasts. That could mean only one thing.
Taking the stairs two at a time she was in the courtyard before the gates were open, craning her neck to observe the returning party.
There was the laird, as big as ever, his huge warhorse the only beast capable of bearing his weight. He was laughing and slapping Tavish on the back as they rode in together.
She ran through the crowd, reaching her husband in time to see him climbing down from his horse.
“Lindsey!” he said, sweeping her into his arms and holding her tight. “Ah’ve missed thee something wicked.”
“Did you find her?”
“Aye, we did.”
“And?”
“And we were lucky not to be attacked. The laird told me everything that’s been happening in the war since my exile. You must be ma lucky charm. Berwick’s been sacked and Edward’s close to taking Stirling again.”
“We can talk about all that later. What happened with Lilias? Did she confess?”
“Let’s get inside first, lass.” He took her hand, walking through the crowd and into the keep. Then it was up the stairs Lindsey had come to know so well.
Past the great hall, past the laird’s chamber, up to the top floor where crammed in beside the dovecote was the private rooms of the laird in waiting.
“You’ve kept it nice while ah’ve been away,” Tavish said, throwing his cloak onto the back of a chair.
“I’ve done nothing. The serving girls work hard to impress a laird in waiting. I better hope none of them catch your eye.”
“There’s none in this world or the next as fair as you, Lindsey. You need fear no serving girls. And what’s this?” He picked up the carving.
“Your parents and mine,” she replied, watching as he examined the carving closely. “Well, Quinn served as the model for my father, but you get the idea? Do you like it?”
Tavish looked up at her. “It looks beautiful. As do you.”
He placed the carving back on the table before crossing to Lindsey, grabbing hold of her and kissing her in that way she had missed more than anything else while he’d been gone.
They’d been together a year, married six months, and yet still his kisses made her go weak at the knees. His hands ran down the small of her back.
“Is it time for bed yet?” he asked, cupping her buttocks gently.
“Not even close,” she replied, swatting his hands away. “Your father wishes to speak to you.”
Tavish groaned. “He can wait. Ah have more important matters to discuss with ma wife.”
“Oh yes, like what?”
“Like whether she wants to see the finished book.”
She leaped for joy. “He got it done while you were away?”
“Aye. The scribes have even produced a copy for us. It is a late wedding gift and an apology.”
“An apology?” Lindsey frowned while Tavish rummaged in his bag. “What for?”
