Page 21 of Married to her Kilted Enemy

“Why d’ye think Rollo’s chosen tae attack us now? Why did he nae wait until the year was up?” Liam asked.

“The weddin’” Odhrán said. “He must nae have liked hearin’ I’m married now.”

“Aye, of course. He’s afeared there’s a good chance ye’ll fulfil the terms of yer faither’s will now ye have a wife.”

“Either that or Rollo’s annoyed he didnae get an invite tae the weddin’,” Odhrán replied drily, nodding. Neither mentioned the fact that the marriage had yet to be consummated, thus delaying the arrival of the baby required to confirm Odhrán’s lairdship before the stipulated year expired.

“Well, he had tae find out some time,” he added, swallowing the last of his whisky. “He was never gonnae take the news well. I’m hopin’ he still thinks we have nay idea he’s behind the attacks. We need tae draw him out, expose his scheming, so the council will have their proof at last. And when they agree tae an offensive and we go after him, I’ll kill that miserable dog mesel’ and enjoy every moment of his dyin’.”

“Ye can count on me tae be there cheerin’ ye on,” Liam said, placing his empty glass down on a side table and standing up. “’Tis very late. I’m off tae me bed. I hope ye can get some decent rest, Odhrán,” he added making for the door.

“I’m gettin’ used tae the floor now,” Odhrán said, resigned. “But it disnae get any comfier. Ye’re a lucky bastard ye have yer nice soft bed tae go tae.”

“How d’ye think yer strategy’s goin’ about changin’ that?” Liam asked him, stopping by the door.

“’Tis hard tae say. I’ll keep ye posted,” Odhrán told him. “Good night, me friend.”

“Aye, goodnight.”

After Liam had gone, Odhrán wearily gathered his things and headed upstairs. Even sleeping on the floor seemed appealing, for it was already into the early hours of the morning, and he was thoroughly worn out. The question was, would Maddison be awake? Or would she be lying in wait for him, ready to give him a tongue lashing over some new grievance?

Though she was ensconced in her nice, comfortable bed, Maddison woke up feeling cold. She could tell from a gap in the curtains that it was till night outside. The chamber was dark but for the glowing embers in the hearth, but she could see Odhrán was not in his usual sleeping spot before it. She guessed he was still caught up dealing with the attacks, and she quickly dismissed the brief flash of pity she felt for him.

“I need more blankets,” she muttered to herself, pulling on her robe and deciding she had no choice but to find a maid to provide them. Still groggy from sleep, she half pushed her feet into her slippers and quietly left the room, hoping she would not bump into her husband on the way. She reached the landing, glad to see no one was about, and she was just going down the stairs when her foot caught in her slipper.

“Ach!” she cried out, teetering on the edge of the stair, waving her arms frantically in an effort to regain her balance. But it was all in vain; she felt her weight moving inexorably forward, and she instinctively put her arms out to protect herself from the effects of the inevitable fall.

She closed her eyes, waiting for the impact to come as she tilted into thin air. She opened them when she suddenly heard her name shouted from below. Her heart thumped in her chest to see Odhrán, his face alight with fear, charging up the stairs towards her. He caught her in his arms, but the momentum of her body sent him backwards. He held her tightly in the cage of his arms, protecting her from the worst of the bumps as they careened bodily down to the bottom of the stairs.

“Ow!” she exclaimed when they finally sat up and groaned. She patted her head and encountered a nasty bump. But when she looked across at an obviously dazed Odhrán, she gasped to see a large bump rising on his Odhrán’s forehead. Without thinking, she scrambled to help him. But before she could, he was on his feet and had scooped her up in his arms again.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“What the hell fool thing d’ye think ye we’re doin’?” he demanded.

“I was cold, so I was going to get some blankets and tripped,” she told him, annoyed by the angry edge in his voice.

“In the dark? Ye didnae even have the sense tae light a candle before ye went wanderin’ about the place!”

“I willnae even dignify that with answer,” she huffed in annoyance, knowing he was right; she had been stupid. “Put me down, will ye?”

“I will nae! Ye’re goin’ straight tae see Alana,” he declared, heading for the doors of the keep. “Ye hit yer head, and ye need tae have it checked.”

“That’s rich comin’ from ye. Have ye seen the bump on yer own head? ’Tis the size of a chicken’s egg. ’Tis ye who needs checkin’ out,” she protested, wriggling in an attempt to get him to put her down.

“Wheesht, will ye, woman? I’m fine, ’tis just a wee bump. And ye can stop yer squirmin’, fer I’m nae letting’ ye down until Alana says yer all right.”

Maddison huffed angrily as the guards opened the keep doors and let them out into the night, but she ceased her struggles.

“Ye took the force of the fall, ye big dummart,” she insisted, frustrated with herself because she could not help worrying about the nasty knock to his head. “Ye could have a concussion. Maybe it’ll knock some sense intae ye.”

“Ye could have a concussion too,” he argued, striding rapidly through the grounds to the infirmary. “Me skull is harder than yers.”

“Ye can say that again!” she grumbled as they reached the cottage and Odhrán hammered on the door.

“All right, I’m comin’,” came Alana’s voice from inside. Bolts were drawn back inside, and the door opened. Alana, in her robe, peered out at them “Och, me laird, Maddy, what is it? Are ye hurt?” she asked, her face creased with concern as she ushered them inside.

“Will ye please put me down now?” Maddison asked Odhrán. He set her on her feet, and she smoothed her robe. “I’m perfectly all right, Alana. We fell down the stairs, and he insisted on makin’ a fuss and bringin’ me here. ’Tis him who has the big bump on his head.”