Arran accepted the tankard that was pressed into his hands, his eyes looking through the crowd of drunk Scots for one person.
When Ainslee had arrived at the sparring ring earlier, he had wanted nothing more than to stroke her skin and hear her sighs as he brought her to the brink of pleasure. Nothing mattered whenever she was around, and he had not been lying to her when he told her that she was a distraction.
She was.
Finally, he caught sight of her next to his uncle, and his chest expanded as he took in his bonnie wife. Dressed in a gown that looked as if it was spun with gold, she glowed under the candlelight, her smile nearly robbing him of his breath. Was this how his da had felt about his ma, how he would do anything to keep her safe?
“She’s bonnie.”
Arran smiled at the sound of his ma’s voice. “Aye, she is.”
“She’s strong.”
“Aye.”
“She will give ye great sons.”
Arran turned to her, arching a brow. “I dinnae need anyone tae talk me into mah wife.”
She smiled. “I know. I’m just reminding ye of how ye should protect yerself from being captured or even killed this time, Arran. Ye have a great deal tae live for now. Dinnae make the same mistake that yer da did.”
He frowned. “I have tae kill McDougal. Not just for us, but for her.”
“And no one would fault ye for doing so,” his ma added. “But I dinnae want tae feel the pain of losing ye again. I imagine yer wife feels the same.”
Arran didn’t answer as Ainslee looked at him and her lips curved into a smile, his body reacting as such.
“Go tae her,” his ma said, patting him on the arm. “Enjoy this night.”
After draining the tankard in his hand, he set it on the table and made his way over to his wife.
“Arran,” Uncle Fergus acknowledged with a nod, “’tis a lovely lass ye have here.”
“I know,” he replied, extending his hand. “And I would like tae dance with her now.”
His uncle laughed, waving them on, and Arran pulled Ainslee toward the other dancers, the mournful sound of the instruments filling the air.
Ainslee placed her hand on his shoulder, and he pulled her close, his throat thick with emotions.
“What is it?” she asked, concern flooding her expression.
Arran shook his head. “Nothing, I just, ye know...I have tae go.”
She laid her head on his chest. “I know. It doesnae make it any easier, but I know.”
Her words were enough for him to know she did understand his need to be there with his warriors. Things had to be different this time.
He had too much waiting for his return.
After a few dances, Ainslee tugged on Arron’s tunic. “Can we go tae our chamber now?”
He wanted nothing more. “Aye, lass,” he told her.
Hand in hand, they made their way away from the clan and upstairs, where Arran laughed the moment he opened the door.
“A bath?”
Ainslee smiled. “I wish tae try it again, Husband.”
