Alpin handed her clothing as she needed it, watching with obvious appreciation as she made herself presentable.
"Ye're still starin’," she observed while braiding her hair.
"I'm admirin’. There's a difference."
"Is there?"
"Aye. Starin’ is rude. Admirin’ is payin’ proper tribute tae something beautiful." He caught her hand, pulling her close for a quick kiss. "And ye, Mhairi Munro, are very beautiful."
"Ye're goin’ tae make me late."
"Worth it." But he released her anyway, moving to the door. "I'll go first. Wait a few minutes, then follow. Nay point in makin’ the servants gossip more than they already will."
"They're goin’ tae ken anyway. Ye spent the night in me chamber."
"Aye, but we can at least pretend tae be discreet." He paused with his hand on the door latch. "Mhairi?"
"Aye?"
"Last night was... it meant something to me. Just so ye ken."
Her heart squeezed. "It meant something to me too."
He smiled, that rare full smile that transformed his entire face, then slipped out into the corridor.
Mhairi waited the appropriate few minutes, though every second felt like an eternity. Finally she opened the door, checked that the hallway was empty, and stepped out.
She made it perhaps three steps before running directly into Freya.
"Mornin’, miss!" The maid's eyes were dancing with barely suppressed curiosity. "Ye look... well-rested."
"I am, thank ye." Mhairi's face was definitely burning now.
"I'm sure ye did." Freya fell into step beside her as they headed toward the stairs. "And the laird? Did he sleep well too?"
"How would I ken how the laird slept?"
"Oh, nay particular reason. Just that I saw him leavin’ this wing of the castle about five minutes ago, lookin’ quite pleased with himself." Freya's grin was positively wicked. "Wearin’ the same clothes as yesterday, I might add."
Mhairi groaned. "Daes everyone ken?"
"Nae everyone. Just everyone who was awake and paying attention." At Mhairi's horrified expression, Freya laughed. "Relax. People are happy fer ye both. The laird's been alone too long, and ye... well, ye deserve some happiness after everything ye've been through."
"I need tae get tae the healin’ chambers."
"Of course ye dae." Freya was still grinning. "Though ye might want tae dae something about that mark on yer neck first."
Mhairi's hand flew to her throat. "What mark?"
"The one right... there." Freya pointed. "About the size of a man's mouth, I'd say."
"Oh God."
"I'd offer ye powder tae cover it, but honestly? Wear it proud, miss. Let people ken ye're spoken fer."
By the time Mhairi reached the healing chambers, she'd managed to position her shawl to hide the mark Alpin had left on her neck.
Though from the knowing look Donnach gave her when she walked in, she suspected it hadn't worked as well as she'd hoped.
