“Well now, will you look at this big beastie of a husband you have.” Daphne grinned at her sister. “’Tis lucky I am my Dobbin isna here yet, or he’d be drooling over his new sister-in-law, too.”
“Mine can drool all he likes.” Thais grinned, enjoying her husband’s uncomfortable look. “Jamie will see that drooling is all he does.”
Poor Ranald had never understood the penchant for teasing among Red Robbie MacKinnion’s offspring. Nor was he really sure when to take Thais seriously. He glanced at her, and his eyes softened, as they always did, for he was quite in love with his lovely wife. The prettier of the two sisters, in his prejudiced opinion, with a golden tinge to her red hair that gave it a coppery hue and brown eyes that could tease, cajole, and flash with fire or love as the mood took her, Thais was beautiful. Aye, he loved Thais with a passion that surprised him at times. Yet after five years of marriage, he still didn’t know when she was jesting.
Ranald squeezed Thais’ hand under the table, hoping it was not jealousy over her extraordinary sister-in-law that brought the sparkle to her eyes. “Extraordinary” was not even a good enough word to describe the beauty of the Fergusson lass. Skin so delicate, eyes so big and crystal blue, and that glorious hair so darkly contrasting against her pearly skin. Jamie was indeed a lucky man.
Thais did not think Jamie so much lucky as deserving. She adored her older brother and wished for him anything he wished for himself. She wouldnever be able to repay him for choosing Ranald of the Keith clan for her. Unlike Daphne, who was not satisfied with her husband, chosen by their father, Thais was completely contented with her life. She owed that to Jamie.
It pained Thais to see that Jamie was not as happy as he ought to be, and she was reminded of his first disastrous wedding. Yet he apparently did not feel he had made the wrong choice. That was plain to see in the way he looked at Sheena.
Thais was prepared to love her sister-in-law, simply because it was obvious that Jamie did. Whatever problems were causing the unhappiness between them could be mended. Nothing was impossible.
Daphne also wanted her brother’s happiness. But, standing behind Jamie, she didn’t see the tenderness in his eyes when his bride appeared. She knew only of the bad mood he had displayed the evening before and the whole of the morning, and as far as Daphne was concerned, Jamie had made a terrible choice. What had possessed him to marry a daughter of their lifelong enemy? The match was fated to fail. It couldn’t possibly be otherwise. Colen knew it. Jamie likely knew it, too, or he wouldn’t be so coldly reserved now the deed was done. What had happened yesterday only proved there could never be peace between them.
Daphne could see no way of making it better. There was certainly nothing she could do, so to get involved would be a pointless mistake. She couldn’t even hope that her sister-in-law would warm toJamie. Daphne had seen how miserable Sheena was the day before. She looked no happier today. The lass obviously hated Jamie, hated living in his home. They were doomed.
Well, Daphne could sympathize. She knew what it was like not to love her husband. But at least she didn’t hate Dobbin. In fact they got along well, due mainly to their hardly ever speaking to each other. And after so long, she was used to his occasional painful ruttings, over as quickly as they began. Dobbin Martin was an insensitive brute, but Daphne still welcomed his obligatory visits, wanting desperately to have a child to fill the void in her life.
Unlike Alasdair, who sighed wistfully on Sheena’s approach, Colen gritted his teeth. He had yet to speak to her alone since the wedding. He had yet to hear from her how miserable she was. But his eyes told him, and his heart ached for her. It was not that he still pined for her. But she had sworn she would marry only a man she loved. Yes, Colen ached in sympathy for her.
It was painful, taking sides. The soft spot he felt for Sheena and his love for his brother were tearing at him. He was angry, but that anger was directed at the man responsible for ending whatever small chance Sheena had had for happiness at Castle Kinnion.
Colen put the blame on Black Gawain, and he was furious that Jamie had not. The wedding, meant to end the feud, had only fueled it. And the worst was not over yet. There was still a chance that Jamiemight seek retribution for the raid. Sheena’s clan would be held responsible.
It was impossible to get Jamie to confide his intentions. He flatly refused to speak of them. But Colen was certain, more certain than he had ever been of anything, that if Jamie attacked the Fergussons, he would never have peace with Sheena, never have the love he had gambled for, the love he so desired.
Sheena, walking slowly toward her husband, his friends and family surrounding him, felt totally alone and despised. She feared these people, but she would not let them cow her. She held her head high, facing them boldly.
She reached the table, and Jamie rose. Sheena stood stiffly away from him, and he didn’t extend his hand to her. His look was guarded, a little stern, revealing nothing.
It was Alasdair MacDonough who broke the silence, having risen along with the other men. “You’re as sinfully beautiful as ever, lass,” he said.
Sheena’s eyes widened, confusion mingling with surprise. “You’re no’ still angry with me?”
“’Tis only regret I’m feeling, and ’tis growing worse by the second, now I’ve seen you again.”
What could Sheena say? This was not the arrogant, conceited Alasdair she remembered. She began to feel her own regret, regret that fate had stopped her from marrying him instead.
“I’m sorry, Sir Alasdair,” Sheena replied softly. “Truly, I wish—”
“Dinna be monopolizing her, Sir Alasdair.” Thais cut Sheena short, fearing she was about to say something she shouldn’t. “And you’re a great lout, Jamie MacKinnion, to be standing here without making introductions.”
Jamie gave his younger sister a sidelong glance of gratitude. “Sheena, this is my sister Thais, and her husband, Ranald Keith.” Then he added, “And you’ve met my sister Daphne.”
Sheena’s cheeks took on a rosy flush, and she smiled hesitantly at Daphne. “I fear I was a wee bit bemused for the better part of yesterday, when we met.”
“You dinna have to explain, Sheena.” Daphne tried to put the poor girl at ease. “I can remember very little of my own wedding day except the terrible nervousness. I’m sure ’tis the way with most of us.”
Thais took Sheena by the arm and led her over to the fire, murmuring something about getting better acquainted while the men amused themselves. Daphne followed, and Jamie’s eyes followed the women. He was wary of Sheena’s being alone with his sisters. There was no saying what she might tell them.
Ranald congratulated him again on his bride, and then half a dozen Gregorys arrived. The next hour was spent in heavy drinking despite the early hour, and Jamie was kept busy. Aunt Lydia had come down, bemoaning a nasty head, throbbing from the night before. She joined the women by the fireside. Jamie turned around to glance their way every fewminutes and soon saw Sheena laughing with his sisters, apparently at ease and enjoying herself. The sight infuriated him. How dare she dismiss all that had happened?
He needed to talk to her, needed to set her straight. She was his wife. What happened outside the castle would not change that.
Chapter 34
The merrymaking continued throughout the day. Sheena was actually enjoying herself, especially so while Jamie was away. He left the hall without so much as a glance her way, and then returned a few hours later. He wore the same brooding face. Unapproachable was what he was, unapproachable when she needed to talk to him. She forced herself to forget about him and turn her attention to the company.
