Page 36 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

“Sooner or later, the excuse willnae work.” Niamh finished the statement for him, dread settling in her stomach. “So, even if ye dinnae wish tae press the matter, even if ye want tae be kind and respect me wishes, yer Council willnae be so understanding.”

“Aye. That’s the size o’ it.”

Niamh took another swallow of the wine Alistair had poured for her. She felt sick, and not entirely because of the fate she had narrowly escaped. She’d survived an attempt to take her life, only to face her worst fears. Alistair was trying to be considerate, she knew, but it didn’t change the truth.

Even with all that Catriona had told her, the idea of intimacy made her stomach clench into knots, and threatened to make her vomit up everything she’d eaten at the feast. She wasn’t sure she could stand for Alistair to touch her like that, no matter how gentle he was.

She wasn’t aware that she’d begun to cry until a callused finger brushed across her cheek to wipe the tears away. She blinked and was startled to see an expression of gentleness on Alistair’s rugged face. “What dae we dae?”

For a moment, his expression darkened, then he shook his head. “I’ve said I willnae force ye, and I meant it. I may nae have been able tae spare ye the marriage, but I’ll nae demand that from ye if ye’re this distressed about it.”

“But the Council…”

“The Council doesnae need tae ken the truth. And they willnae, if we take the proper steps.”

Niamh blinked, intrigued in spite of herself. “What dae ye mean?”

“They’re expected tae see a virgin’s blood on the sheets, so blood they’ll see. They dinnae need tae ken that it isnae yers.” Alistair smiled grimly. “Happens there’s a dead pig down there. They’ll have taken it tae the cook tae see if it can be salvaged. If we can get some blood from the carcass, we’ll use that instead.”

Niamh stared at him for a moment, overwhelmed by a rush of gratitude. “Ye’d...ye’d dae that fer me? Deceive yer clan?”

“Aye.” Alistair nodded. “I told ye afore I could live with an angry wife, but nae an unwilling one, and that’s as true in the bedchamber as it was afore.” He finished his drink, then reached for the sword belt he’d discarded at some point and withdrew a small, sharp knife. “’Twill nae tak’ me long tae get what we need. Wait here fer me.”

Niamh frowned. “Why would ye be getting the blood?”

Alistair snorted. “I cannae ask the servants tae collect it fer me.”

Niamh folded her arms. Now that they had a plan, and she knew she wasn’t to be forced to do something she feared, her strength was returning. “I could go tae get it.”

Alistair frowned. “Ye?”

Anger sparked to life inside her, the rest of her fear translating to irritation in her weariness. “Aye. I can use a blade, and I’ve helped with butchering in the kitchens. Nae tae mention, I’m smaller and ‘tis easier fer me tae sneak about.”

“Ye cannae expect me tae believe ye wouldnae be noticed. A man would have tae be blind or drunk nae tae see ye when ye entered a room.” Alistair’s brow drew down.

Niamh scoffed. “Then half me faither’s men are one or the other, fer I was quite skilled at sneaking out o’ me castle at home. And certain sure, I can manage the same here.”

“That’s nae what I meant.” Alistair shook his head. “Ye dinnae ken yer way about the castle yet. Ye could get lost.”

“Then I’ll make up some excuse.”

Alistair huffed. “This isnae getting us anywhere. And if we dinnae move soon, we may not have a chance tae get what we need without goin’ intae the courtyard.”

Niamh considered his words. “In that case, since the feast was interrupted, I have an idea…”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Skulking in the shadows and remaining unobserved wasn’t something Alistair was used to, but his wife seemed to have a disturbing amount of practice. Alistair was reluctantly amused by her skill as she followed his directions to the kitchens.

He had to admit, Niamh’s idea was a good one. She’d suggested they go together, so that if they were spotted, they could claim they’d gotten hungry and stepped out to get some food and calm their nerves after the disastrous way the evening had ended.

It was a good story, and no one would blink twice by the laird escorting his new wife to get whatever she wanted to soothe her after the attempt on her life.

They made it to the kitchens without being spotted, but then they ran into a problem. The cook was still awake, supervising the scullery maids cleaning the oven. Of course, preparing for a feast took a great deal of cooking, and the servants would still be cleaning and preparing for the next morning’s work.

Alistair pulled Niamh into a small side chamber. “Now what?”

“I dinnae ken. Can we nae just sneak in?”