“All right.” Alex stood and walked around the table to where his cousin sat. “Ye’ll have the land, and upon yer return, my masons will build whatever home ye want.”
Jamie hoisted himself up to his feet, still looking unsure of the situation. “Two months?”
“Three, if the storm gods curse ye.”
“Ye’re a bloody pagan,” Jamie said, clasping Alex’s shoulder. “I willna fail ye. And once the shock of the moment passes, I am sure I will be grateful for the opportunity. It’s just… I’ve never considered traveling so far before. A man gets comfortable in his natural surroundings.”
“We are creatures of habit,” Alex agreed. “Some of them worse than others.”
The two laughed, and Alex gripped his cousin’s forearm.
“Thank ye, Jamie. I’ve always considered ye a brother.”
Chapter Twenty
Aweek later,as Keely dressed for the feast Alex had planned in honor of her father and Jamie’s departure, she couldna help but feel a little sad. She’d miss Jamie. However, his quest filled her with hope. With Alex cutting ties in Constantinople, it meant he fully intended to stay in the Highlands. The fear that he’d secure his place as laird, get her with child, and then depart had always been in the back of her mind. Though they’d fallen into a comfortable routine lately, her husband showed no sign of softening toward her.
Aye, he treated her with decency and dinna hold back his passion at night. But she craved more—that intimate connection she’d seen other couples share. She turned and looked at Leah who was busy cleaning her dressing table.
“What troubles ye?” the maid asked.
“Nothing.”
“I know ye’re not telling the truth, Lady Keely. Whenever ye worry, crease lines appear between yer brows.”
Had she grown that careless? While in residence at Dunrobin Castle, she had learned quickly to hide her feelings. Otherwise, the earl and his sons would question her, and Helen wouldna leave her side. Doubt whispered inside her as she tried to make sense of everything. Aye, she amused Alex and had proven herself an eager lover. But his interest in her seemed to end the moment the sun came up and he stepped out of their bedchamber.
She wanted more, to be his confidant and helpmate—to learn everything about managing Clan MacKay, inside and outside the keep. Numerous requests to accompany him on clan business had fallen on deaf ears. With other clans, sometimes the laird’s wife settled disputes among the women, a duty she’d very much like to take on. It would ease his workload.
“Keeping secrets doesna help ye.” Leah interrupted her thoughts.
“I have too many secrets to count.”
The maid chuckled. “Tis only one thing that makes ye restless like this.”
“Oh?”
“Aye—anything about Laird Alex.”
Life revolved around him now. Even with her father and brothers visiting, she still felt half full. “I will simply have to accept whatever pieces of him he’s willing to give me.”
Leah clicked her tongue. “Ye’d give up so easily?”
“I’ve asked him to spend more time with me, to include me in his affairs.” She felt defeated and had run out of options, with the exception of begging—but that would only make her husband angry.
Relief threaded through her when someone knocked on the door. Leah drooped her dusting cloth and wiped her hands on her smock.
“I will get it,” Keely said. She needed the distraction.
Much to her delight, Petro greeted her when she opened the door.
“Lady Keely,” he bowed. “Would you take a walk with me? I have news.”
“What kind of news?” she asked curiously.
“The kind that no one else should hear.”
She looked over her shoulder to make sure Leah wasn’t listening. “I will get my cloak. Will ye wait out here?”
