Page 45 of Married to her Kilted Enemy

“I was so happy tae see ye walk intae the hall in one piece, Odhrán. I dinnae ken what I would have done if anythin’ had happened tae ye,” Maddison said.

“I felt the same about ye when I saw ye there, bein’ so efficient and helpin’ everyone. I was proud of ye.”

“Pish! I only did what was needed and what Alana told me tae dae” she said, blushing under his praise. “I would have nae been any use tae ye on the battlefield, now, would I?”

“Och, I dunno. Ye could have stunned them with yer beauty maybe. Ye stun me all the time.”

“Are ye tryin’ tae butter me up so I’ll nae make ye drink that tonic?” Maddison jested, touched by his sweet words. He laughed then winced.

“Ow! Dinnae make me laugh. It hurts me head,” he complained, laughing again.

“And ye’re still covered in wounds from duelin’ with Rollo yesterday,” she said with a frown. “Here, take off yer shirt.” She leaned over and helped him off with it, revealing his chest in all its glory. Quelling a pang of desire, she knelt up and said, “Let’s see how they’re healin’ up.” Carefully, she inspected the wounds. “Hmm, nae bad at all. That salve certainly works. There’s nae sign of infection.”

“Good. In truth, I’d forgotten all about them, what with the battle today. I was lucky tae get away with naught but a few scratches,” he said with rueful sigh.

“I’m glad,” she said, pressing her lips to his chest before sitting up. “Now, ye must be hungry too, and ye need tae eat tae give ye strength. I’ll order us some dinner, and ye can have a nice bath and a rest. Ye can go and see Tadgh tomorrow, eh?” She summoned a servant and ordered the meal, making sure to include some of Odhrán’s favorites. Then she stoked up the fire and added a couple more logs.

“But ye’re injured, and the place must be warm for ye tae bathe and be comfortable,” she insisted when he complained it was his job. “Especially if ye’re gonnae lie about half naked like that,” she added, glancing meaningfully at his bare chest.

“’Tis ye who keeps insistin’ I take me clothes off. But I must admit,” he said, laying back and stretching luxuriously, “I feel like a king. I cannae remember ever bein’ so spoiled. I’ll be turnin’ soft after a while of this treatment. I reckon I can see where I’ve been goin’ wrong in life, though.”

“Oh? Where?” she asked, giggling at his silliness.

“Well, ’tis obvious I should get bashed in me head more often if ’tis the only way I get pampered like this,” he declared, wincing as he laughed. Maddison laughed too, happy to see him making jokes. It was far better outcome than she had secretly feared.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“Och, ’tis good tae see ye laugh after such a difficult couple of days,” Maddison said, smiling at Odhrán as she leaned over and kissed him soundly on the lips. Feeling a great upwelling of love for her, he caught her hand and drew her nearer to him. “I’m so sorry I put ye in danger like that today, Maddy,” he apologized. “I dinnae deserve ye.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with obvious disbelief. Then she softly stroked his cheek. “What are ye talkin’ about, Odhrán? Ye saved me life! Fer the second time.”

“But I should have sent guards with ye, tae protect ye,” he countered, unable to let himself off the hook so easily. Deep down, it was still hard for him to really believe that she was his and that he deserved her.

She shook her head. “Ye were busy with Tadgh. It was me responsibility tae protect mesel’ in the circumstances. I’m nae a child. I could easily have taken some guards with me. Ye’ve told me tae dae so several times, but I wouldnae listen. Tae be truthful, this time, I didnae even think of it, fer I was in such a hurry. It was me who put mesel’ and ye in danger. And if ye try tae blame yersel’ fer it even one moment longer, ye’ll be back tae sleepin’ on the floor, d’ye hear me?!” She embraced him around the waist and hugged him tightly, laying her head against his skin. Her mahogany tresses fanned out across his chest like a curtain of silk.

Their butterfly softness was thrilling to his rough, battle-scarred hand as he stroked them. “I love ye so much, Maddy, I couldnae cope if anythin’ bad happened tae ye.”

She raised her head and gazed into his eyes, “Och, wheesht! Naethin’ bad is gonnae happen tae me, nae with ye by me side tae protect me.”

“I promise tae dae a better job in future.”

“And so dae I, so we’re even.” He had to laugh, until it hurt his head.

Dinner arrived then, and several burly manservants lugging cans of hot water for bathing. The domestic bustle cut their conversation short for a while. However, once the tub had been positioned by the hearth and filled and the dinner trays had been deposited on the table according to Maddison’s instructions, she finally closed the door on the servants.

Glad they could be alone again, she handed Odhrán the wine to deal with, while she dished up their plates, making sure he had a generous portion of his favorite roast beef and carrots in gravy, with mashed turnip. They sat on the bed and ate, drinking wine and talking quietly.

“Tadgh took the dagger blow that was meant for me,” Odhrán told her.

“Someone tried tae kill ye?” she exclaimed, her face aghast. “Was it Rollo?”

“Nay, Rollo was conspicuously absent from the battle altogether.”

“Was he? So, the bastard’s still alive.” She sounded as disappointed as he was. “I suppose he’s still lickin’ his wounds from the thrashin’ ye gave him.”

“Maybe, but ’tis worryin’. I have tae keep on wonderin’ what he’s plannin’ next. He’s tryin’ tae destabilize me and me forces piece by piece. And it hurts me tae admit it, but he’s succeedin’.”

“Dinnae fret, Odhrán, I have faith in ye. Ye beat him once, and ye’ll beat him again, fer good next time, I’m certain of it.” She squeezed his hand and smiled at him encouragingly. He wanted to believe her.