“Seehere—”
Malcolm stood. “By God if this feud begins again over where we will live, I will pack up everything and move toIreland.”
The two older men stopped and stared at him, then promptly burst outlaughing.
“You would not dare,” his fathersaid.
“They have less than we do,” MacLeodsaid.
“Then you two will stop bickering over everything and when bidden, go and fix this mess you are both responsible for.Understood?”
They both mumbled their agreement like scoldedchildren.
“Now, I must see to my wife. Can I trust you to not stick a blade in each other while I’mgone?”
“You have my word,” MacLeodsaid.
His father nodded. “Minetoo.”
“Good, now eat and drink. Today shall be a day of celebration for mywedding.”
Malcolm did not wait to see if anyone agreed or not. He wanted nothing more than to see his beautiful wife and show her just how much she’d come to mean tohim.
He found her in their chamber, sitting by the window and gazing out over the sea. Her hair flamed when the sun hit it and despite her petite form, she dominated theroom.
She turned when he closed the door. It was then he saw the tears in hereyes.
“Why do you weep?” He walked toward her, aching to pull her into hisarms.
“I think she’sgone.”
“Who?”
“The White Lady. Your mother. I cannot feel heranymore.”
Malcolm didn’t understand. “Why does that make youweep?”
“I feel them when they come to me. And when they go, I am empty. It has always been this way. Though I have never felt it sostrong.”
He pulled her up into an embrace and smoothed her hair. “What you did downstairs was a very brave thing. I am proud of you, Sheona. We have been through much, you andI.”
She laughed softly. “Aye that we have. Right from the first time we met when you tried to grope me incellar.”
“I was looking forweapons.”
“You had the only interesting weapon.” She looked up at him and grinned. “You recall I had a dagger strapped to the thigh you didn’texplore.”
“Aye. I remember. Though, had I ventured across your body, you may not have made it out of the cellar with your virtueintact.”
She gasped. “You would not have forced me wouldyou?”
“Of course not, my little wanton wife.” He kissed her neck and felt her tremble. “You would have responded to me then as you do now. You cannot resist mycharm.”
She laughed outright until he nipped her earlobe with his teeth. She sighed. “What happened below after Ileft?”
Malcolm pulled back and stared into her eyes. “You really want to talk aboutthat?”
She smiled. “I guess since you are here, there is no fighting and so, aye, we can talk about it later. Take me to bed,husband.”
