“Let us change that.” She unpinned her cloak and gestured for Leah to join them. “For I have never known the waters to fail to put a smile on my face.”
Petro watched her strip down to her shift, then waited for Leah to do the same. “Is it cold?” he asked.
“Aye,’ Keely said, braving the water first. She waded out to where it reached her hips. “Leah. Petro. Come!”
The scholar waved at her, then slowly unlaced his boots, removed his tunic, and took Leah’s hand, both of them laughing as they splashed out into the loch.
Aye, Keely thought, this was her favorite place on MacKay lands. And if she concentrated hard enough, the echo of her and Alex’s laughter from long ago rang in her ears. That was the magic of the Highlands, a place that never let her forget who and what she was, the same place that Petro had decided to give up his own beloved home for—a place she’d never trade for anything, even freedom.
Chapter Sixteen
After spending along day inspecting the west villages, Alex and his men returned to the keep, hungry and in need of sleep. Expecting his wife to greet him in the hall, he was displeased to find Mathe instead.
Alex dinna want to hear the old captain’s complaints. But the faster he walked, the louder the captain pressed him for immediate attention.
“Laird Alex, if I may have a moment of yer time.”
“I am not in the mood to discuss anything.”
“It is urgent.”
Alex spun about. “The only matter of importance is guaranteeing my people the Sutherlands willna be able to destroy their homes again.”
“Aye,” Mathe said respectfully. “But ye asked me to stay behind to protect this household.”
Alex gazed around the hall. “The walls are still standing. Ye have my gratitude.”
“Tis yer wife.”
Three words Alex had hoped not to hear. “Did she try to run away?”
“Nay.”
Inside, Alex felt relieved. “What is it, then?”
“She doesna want the bridal bed sheet to be left hanging.”
Alex eyed the linen. “Do ye blame the lass?”
Mathe sputtered a bit, but collected himself enough to continue. “It is a matter of tradition. And under the circumstances, it is more important than ever that no one is given a chance to question the legitimacy of yer union.”
Alex pursed his lips. He’d be the judge of his wife’s chastity, not the council and surely not his tenants. “As I’ve explained to ye before, Captain Mathe, I am capable of vouching for my wife’s purity.”
“Please,” Mathe pleaded. “Doona take it down.”
Alex rubbed his dry, burning eyes. The wind had kicked up enough dust to blind a man. “Are ye the one who needs convincing, Mathe?”
“Are ye questioning my support, Laird Alex? Am I not the one who demanded ye stay? Marry? Accept responsibility for the clan?”
Aye—the man was right. “Where is Lady Keely?”
“Abovestairs.”
“I will speak with her. The linen stays. Now, can I eat and drink, perhaps spend another night with my bride without worrying about domestic issues?”
“I will have a maid bring yer supper up.”
Alex chuckled. “Perhaps my brother chose the wrong head of household.”
