Page 34 of Married to her Kilted Enemy

“Aye, that’s what ye promised.” He felt a fool saying it, but he refused to beg.

She gave a heavy sigh, not saying anything for a small eternity. “I did promise ye that,” she finally agreed, turning back to face him, an expression of annoyance on her face. “So, I suppose I must stick tae me word. All right, I’ll come tae luncheon with ye. But as soon as they leave, things are going back to the way they were before, so dinnae go getting any ideas,” she added, shooting him a warning glance.

“Aye, I ken. Thank ye,” he told her, a flicker of gratitude in his heart that, even if she had rejected him so soundly as a man and her husband, she would at least be there at his side against Rollo’s barbs until the bastard left.

Before he could say anything, however, she opened the door and swiftly left him sitting there, utterly confused and frustrated by her unpredictable changes in mood, his heart heavy with a sense of loss.

Maddison was so afraid of what she might do if left alone with Odhrán a moment longer, she had snatched at the only straw she could think of to save her—an urgent need to speak with Alana. Even as she hurried across the garden to the cottage infirmary, hoping the healer would be free to see her so she could pour out her heart to her, she realized she was acting preposterously.

She was awhirl with conflicting thoughts and emotions as she reached the gate. The window was open, indicating that Alana was not busy with a patient, so she banged on the door.

“Alana, ’tis me, let me in, please. I must speak with ye,” she cried, anxious to see her friend. The door opened at her third knock.

“What is it, Maddy? Are ye hurt?” Alana asked her, looking her up and down worriedly as she ushered her inside and shut the door. Maddison spun to face her.

“I’m nae hurt, but I need yer help. I dinnae ken what tae dae.”

“About what? What ails ye?”

“’Tis Odhrán. I dinnae ken what tae dae about Odhrán.”

“Calm down, Maddy, yer nae makin’ sense. What’s he done?” The question had tears pressing at the back of Maddison’s eyes as she tried to formulate her thoughts and words into an answer.

“I’ve betrayed mesel’ and all me vows tae me family,” she finally blurted out, her cheeks burning with shame.

“How d’ye mean?” Alana asked, her face creased with puzzlement.

“He’s… I cannae… oh, Alana! I just cannae seem tae find it in me tae hate him any longer, however much I ken I should. I’m-I’m startin’ tae care fer him!” She broke off into a wail, covering her face with her hands. But the sudden sound of heavy bootsteps made her drop them, and she gasped to see Tadgh standing before her, his chest bare. He was staring at her in obvious shock, which matched her own.

“I was dressing Tadgh’s shoulder when ye came in,” Alana explained apologetically.

“But I thought ye were alone. The window is open,” Maddison gasped out, horrified at having been overheard.

“I forgot to shut it,” Alana admitted. “I’m sorry. I wasnae expectin’ anyone else.”

“I suppose ye heard everythin’ I said?” Maddison asked Tadgh, positively glowing with embarrassment.

“Aye, I heard ye, but dinnae worry, I ken how tae keep me mouth shut,” he told her calmly. “What goes on between ye and the laird is yer affair. I’ve nae wish tae meddle in it.”

“Ye must think I’m mad.” Maddison shook her head as if coming to, suddenly wondering what she was doing there.

“Nay, I dinnae think ye’re mad,” the healer assured her, glancing at Tadgh.

“Me neither. The human heart is a complicated thing tae try tae understand,” he said gravely. “But one thing I would say is that it surely cannae be such a bad thing if ye’re startin’ tae like Odhrán. He’s a good man, and he’s yer husband, after all.”

“Aye, ’tis nae so strange tae feel that way about him, Maddy. Ye’re only flesh and blood. Why keep fightin’ against yer own feelins if it’s upsetting ye so?” Alana said in a soothing voice, her eyes imploring.

“Ye should speak tae him about it, tell him how ye feel,” Tadgh suggested. “Honesty is the best policy.”

Their words sank into Maddison’s brain, echoing her own unwilling thoughts on the matter. She stood immobile, looking from one to the other, until it dawned on her that the former tension between the pair was completely absent. They appeared perfectly at ease in each other’s company, almost as if they had spent the night together. It was clear that Alana had let down her defenses and allowed her old love back in, at least part of the way.

Feeling like an idiot, Maddison blurted, “Excuse me, I must go, I’m sorry fer bargin’ in on ye like that. Forgive me.” With that, she rushed out of the door and into the sobering fresh air of the garden, hurrying to find a secluded place to sit and order her emotions.

She found a stone bench in an arbor and sat there for a long time, trying to make sense of it all. Pride and stubbornness warred inside her, battling against the deepening affection growing in her heart for her husband. The man who had so reverently, so passionately shown her the night before how much he cared for her by opening himself up to her, admitting his love and lavishing upon her such unknown pleasures. He had even explained why he had been forced to lie to her and how much he had hated doing it. She believed him.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Alana and Tadgh were right: if they could mend their broken relationship after all that had passed between them, then why could she not learn to accept her situation and learn to love Odhrán?

“Hello, me darlin’. I’m so sorry I’m late. I went fer a walk in the gardens and lost track of the time. I hope ye’ve nae started without me. Good mornin’, Tadgh, Liam.” The brothers smiled their greetings. “Good mornin’, Ursula. Mornin’ Rollo.” She nodded gaily at them all as they prepared to sit down for luncheon with Odhrán at the laird’s table in the great hall.