Page 38 of A Bride for the Kilted Beast

“So, how have ye been, melady, if I may ask?” He looked at her, his expression one of gentle understanding. For a moment, Lillie did not quite know how to answer his question.

“All right, I suppose,” she said eventually.

“Did the herbs nae help at all?” Finian asked.

At least she could tell part of the truth this time. “Nay. Nae really. Me nerves are still on edge.”

“Ach, well, they dinnae suit everyone,” he observed, pouring the tea. “Ye ken, ’tis nae uncommon at all fer young maids tae feel unsettled in themselves when they’re first wed.”

Lillie felt herself beginning to blush, so she picked up her tea and hid behind it, blowing across the surface to cool it.

“Well, me marriage was rather… unexpected. I didnae have any time tae prepare fer it in me mind at all,” she tried to explain.

“Is that so?” Finian asked, his brows rising in evident surprise. “In that case, ’tis hardly surprising ye feel the way ye dae. ’Tis a big change tae get used tae, even when ye have plenty o’ time beforehand tae prepare.”

“Mmm.” She took a big swallow of tea.

“But there are plenty of remedies we healers can offer tae help make adjusting easier, fer brides as well as grooms.”

“Grooms? I doubt they need any help,” she replied dubiously.

“Ye’d be surprised. Men get nervous too, ye ken?”

She gave a small, bitter laugh. Diarmaid had not shown a smidgeon of nervousness in the bedroom with her, which immediately suggested something she had never considered before.

He must have been with many women afore me.

For some reason, she found she did not like that idea at all and quickly brushed it aside.

“I’ll take yer word on that one, Finian,” she told him.

“Ach, so young and yet already so cynical, I see.” He chuckled then sipped at his tea.

Lillie could not help smiling, beginning to feel more at ease. “Let’s just say that none of the men I’ve met in me life have struck me as suffering from bad nerves, in that department at least.”

At that, Finian laughed outright. “Aye, I suppose I have tae agree with ye in general. Yer average Highlander is usually nae exactly renowned fer his romantic sensibilities. They’re raised tae be warriors and fighters.”

“Aye, their propensity for feuds and violence are the bane of women’s lives, tae be sure. We’re nae more than pieces on a checkerboard tae be moved about tae their advantage most of the time, and our bodies used to slake their thirsts.”

“Why, ye really are cynical,” he observed sitting back in his chair, clearly quite shocked by the edge of bitterness to her voice.

“’Tis only what experience has taught me. But I have tae say, I dinnae include me two braithers in that number. They’re fine warriors, but they’re the best o’ men, and me faither set a good example, fer he was the same.”

“Oh, ye have two braithers, d’ye?” he asked with interest.

“Aye, Aiden and Darragh.” She leaned forward, giving the healer a small smile. “And ye remind me so much of Darragh, Finian. Ye look so much like him.”

“Is that so?” he asked with obvious pleasure. “That’s good tae hear, since ye seem tae think so highly of him.”

“The first time I saw ye, the similarity struck me greatly, especially when ye smiled at me. I suppose ye could say it made me warm tae ye. Maybe it sounds stupid, but I trusted ye at once, just like I trust him.”

“Why, thank ye kindly, melady. I’m honored!” he replied with a pleased smile. “So, if yer braithers are such good men, then why dae I sense that ye harbor such bitterness fer men in general? Has something happened tae ye tae make ye think that way?”

Lillie looked at him, at his open face and guileless eyes. The sudden urge to confide her misadventures in her sympathetic new friend overwhelmed her.

Why should I nae confide in him? I owe Diarmaid exactly naething, so why should I protect his pride?

“Well, d’ye have time tae hear me story? If ye would like tae, I mean,” she asked tentatively, her fingers clutching the beaker tightly.