The woman smiled. “Yer face. ’Tis far too thin tae match the form. Who are ye, really?”
“McDougal’s cousin,” Ainslee lied, the words far too easy on her tongue. “I had tae wear the disguise so that he would not recognize me.”
“Call me Morea,” she stated, reaching for Ainslee’s hands. “No one should fault ye for protecting yerself.”
Ainslee felt the tears in her eyes at the woman’s soft words. “I didnae mean tae lie tae him. I didnae want this!”
Morea gathered her in her arms, patting her back. “Come now. Mah son, he is no brute. He might seem angry right now, but he will understand. Give him time.”
Ainslee didn’t want to think about time. She wanted to go back to the days that she was alone in her hut and blissfully unaware of anything but the need to gather herbs.
Morea pulled away, giving her a kind smile. “Ye are a strong woman. I can see it in yer eyes. Ye have endured harsh times, aye?”
“Aye,” Ainslee replied, stepping away and wiping her cheeks. “Before I was able tae leave, the laird...he did horrid things tae his family.” She was not about to reveal that he had nearly killed her in the process.
Morea nodded in agreement. “And I will always be in yer debt for wot ye did for mah son. Arran is a proud Scot, one that doesnae like tae ask for help. Losing him was a blow I had not wanted tae admit tae. He is so much like his da.”
Ainslee let the woman’s words soothe her, glad that she could, at least, bring Arran home to those that cared about him. “He is stubborn.”
She laughed. “Yes, he is.” She then looked Ainslee over, still clad in the tartan. “Let’s get ye some proper clothing befitting of the lady of the keep.”
“Am I a prisoner still?” Ainslee asked.
Morea shook her head. “Nay, ye are mah daughter, mah son’s wife. This is yer keep as much as it is mine, but I hope that ye wilnae make mah son come after ye. He has enough tae worry about other than a missing wife.”
Ainslee drew in a breath, knowing that Arran did have a great deal to worry about. Her brother was not going to let his prisoner go lightly, nor was he going to give up on the transgression at his own keep. He would be coming for them both.
9
Arran grimaced as he thrust the sword forward, feeling the pull of his injuries with each movement. While he should be abed, he had too much on his mind and needed a way to release some of his pent-up anger.
But as he moved into the barn that was used to train, Arran realized he was the only one left from his warriors. For a moment, he allowed himself to grieve, remembering the times he had with those he trusted the most. They would never grace the building again, never revel in the wins of their battles, or toast to the clan’s health and happiness.
So, he had stepped back out of the barn and headed to the fresh mounds on the hill, paying respect to each of his fallen men in arms with a whispered prayer and a measure of thanks for their sacrifices.
Then he had found himself back in the barn, his sword in his hand, and a burning in his gut to avenge their deaths. For an hour, he worked with his thrusts, the pain turning into fury and the need to bring himself back to before he had been captured.
Not many men would admit that they were training on their wedding day, but Arran could not be in Ainslee’s presence right now. He wasn’t angered. After he had time to process what she had hidden from him, he could understand why she had. If she was truly frightened by McDougal and hiding the fact that she was his cousin, then a disguise was necessary.
What he had been upset about was that she had ample opportunity to tell him, and had not. What else was she hiding?
Arran grunted and lowered his sword, leaning against the wall, drenched with sweat. Ainslee had saved his life. She had kept him alive so he could be back on his land, with his family. He had to take that into account.
“I thought I would find ye here.”
Arran watched as his ma walked into the barn, her tartan wrapped around her shoulders. Ever since he returned, she looked better improved than he had seen her recently.
“I need tae train.”
She gave him a knowing smile. “Or do ye need tae hide, Arran?”
He frowned. “I have no need tae hide.”
His ma laughed. “Alright, we will say ye are not hiding. Then why would ye be in here on yer wedding day?”
“’Tis a sham of a marriage,” he grumbled, rotating his wrist lightly. “I have no need tae be with mah wife.”
“I just left her,” she replied lightly, catching his attention. “She is a lost lass, Arran, but she is strong. That disguise was a way tae keep her alive.”
