CHAPTER16
Alec embraced his father with gratitude, Donald clapping him heartily on the back.
“You look a different man, Alec! I take it this past week has gone well since your wedding day? You took my advice tae woo your high-spirited bride?”
Alec released his father and stepped back, nodding, though in truth, so much had happened in such a short time that he didn’t know where to start to explain it all.
“Rowen is dressing and will be down soon tae greet you, Father. Aye, wooing her proved fruitful in the end?—”
“Och, she gave you a hard time at first?”
Alec uttered a wry laugh, nodding again.
A hard time? If ever there had been an understatement, his father had just uttered it, Donald looking at him quizzically.
“As bad as that? I feared as much when she threatened tae jump from the tower. Aye, well, you can tell me all after we’ve hunted down those raiders. Are your men ready tae ride?”
“Aye, I will take half with me and leave the others tae guard the castle. I thought we should head north?—”
“South, Alec. The bastards raided further tae the north already on my lands, but we found one of Sigurdson’s men left for dead who revealed they were heading southward tae attack more villages.”
“Sigurdson?”
“Aye, their leader…Thorgren, his given name, or so his man told us with a wee bit of help from a blade cutting into his wounds. Nasty business, but he refused tae speak otherwise. The guard you sent with word of the attack here confirmed their southward route. Norse blood still runs hot in those Orkneymen’s veins tae plunder so boldly upon our coastline. Mayhap when King Robert has driven the English at last from Scotland, he will turn his attention to the northern islands and end these accursed raids once and for all—och, Alec, is that the same wild-tempered lass you wed days ago?”
Alec spun around, his breath caught to see Rowen hastening across the bailey in a blue silk gown and matching slippers that heightened the vibrant color of her eyes.
If he thought her lovely before in her men’s tunics and boots, now he could not believe how beautiful she looked with the formfitting garment shimmering in the sunlight and her flame-red hair freshly brushed and framing her face.
Och, God, but it was the radiant smile she gave him that made his heart swell with love for her, his father once again clapping him upon the back.
“I would never have believed it if I wasna seeing it with my own eyes, Alec, she’s looking as besottedly at you as you’re looking at her. How did you manage this miracle?”
“A wise healer named Simeon and a loyal lady’s maid, Gaira, had much tae do with it,” Alec murmured, he and Rowen lying in each other’s arms only a short while ago after another rousing bout of lovemaking and sharing the sage advice they had received.
He could have held her like that for hours more if not for one of his warriors pounding upon the door to tell him that his father had arrived with his men…Alec reaching out now to take Rowen’s outstretched hand.
“Laird Mackay, we’re so grateful you’ve come tae help us,” she began, only for Donald to roar out a hearty greeting and pull her into an embrace.
“Och, lass, call me Father…we’ve no need of formalities here!”
Alec was thrilled to hear Rowen’s laughter and she hugged his father back, which warmed him more than he could say.
All Alec had hoped for within a marriage was coming true, no matter he and Rowen had been sworn enemies to each other only a week ago. The way she looked at him as his father released her so much like Julianna had gazed upon his former commander, Roger Douglas…love shining in her eyes.
A blessed miracle, aye, Alec’s throat tightening at the thought of leaving her, but already Donald was gesturing to his men assembled near the castle gates to prepare to ride.
Alec’s warriors, too, were mounting their horses, and he saw a sudden shimmer in Rowen’s eyes, though she tilted up her chin bravely.
“I will see tae the villagers while you’re gone, Alec.”
“Aye, I know you will, but you must take care, wife. It’s warmer today, but you’ll catch a chill tae stand out here any longer. Where is your cloak? Och, and your slippers are wet from the melting snow?—”
“Dinna worry about me, husband…just come home safe as soon as you can, aye?”
Alec nodded, his father looking from him to Rowen as if again, he could not believe the transformation between them—though within the next instant, he grunted with impatience.
“Let us go, Alec. Sigurdson’s man said they were intending many an attack before they sail back tae Orkney. He told us with his last breath of a cove some leagues’ ride from here that they use for shelter?—”
