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Ian awoke, feeling refreshed. There was a smile on his face as sunlight poured in through the window. Beside him lay his beautiful wife, who had proven to be more of a surprise than he had anticipated. He found it difficult to believe that a woman as beautiful as she had not enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh before, but he was happy to be her first. It gave him a sense of pride, and by the way she had taken to it, she seemed to be a natural. Her chest rose and fell. The blanket was draped over her and came up to her neck, covering her body. He was entranced by her soft skin and her delicate beauty, and then smirked at the thought of the way she spoke to him. She was unlike any other woman he had been with. Usually, they surrendered to him and let him do whatever he liked, but not her. She was certainly worthy of being his wife, and he hoped that now she would see she could have a future with him.

Her hair spilled over the pillow, and he would have been quite content remaining in that room with her, gazing at her beauty all day. It was a fine prize he had won; this clan was providing him with everything he needed. He rose from the bed and started to pull on his clothes when Ainsly stirred. She blinked and took a few moments to realize where she was. Then she clutched the sheets of the bed tightly.

“Good morning, lass,” Ian said with a smile.

“Morning,” she replied. She sounded guarded, especially compared to the previous night.

“That was something special last night,” he said, but she did not make any comment about it.

“Where are ye gaeing?”

“I arranged a meeting with Calan and some of the more prominent members of the clan. I wanted tae talk about the future now that we are married. I’m gaeing tae make sure the hall is ready. I hope that ye will join me,” he said, knowing that she would want to be a part of this. She rose into a sitting position but kept the blanket wrapped around her. It seemed as though now she was not as eager to show him her body.

“Of course I shall attend,” she said indignantly. He smiled and inclined his head before he left their room and strode through the keep, greeting everyone he met with a wide smile.

The servants had done a grand job of clearing the main hall considering there had been a huge feast the previous night. At his request, they had left a single table near the throne, with some chairs placed around it. Ian walked up and arranged the chairs to his liking. He pulled one beside him, wanting Ainsly to sit next to him to show a united front. As he was doing this, Calan strode in.

“I’m glad ye are alive! Ye survived the night!” Calan smiled.

“Aye, I told ye she wouldnae hurt me,” Ian said.

Calan nodded and glanced at the table before exhaling deeply. “I dinnae ken why ye are wasting yer time with this,” he said, and gestured towards the table.

“It’s important tae make sure we talk about our plans. This isnae some barbarian camp we’re making, Calan. We hae tae make plans for the future and talk about how we are gaeing tae trade and make money.”

“If we need anything we can take it, just as we took this keep,” Calan said. Ian stared at him for a few moments and uncertainty filled his heart.

“We cannae always rely on that,” he said. “And I want tae get the measure of the men who were on the former council.”

“I still think it’s a waste of time. None of them are gaeing tae be helpful.”

“At first, maybe nae, but if nae then I want tae know how far I can trust them. By keeping them close we can tell if any of them are plotting against us. Winning this keep in battle was one thing, but keeping it is quite another,” Ian said.

Calan thought on his words and nodded. “Ye are wise, Ian. Ye see things I didnae consider.”

Their conversation was cut short by the entrance of some of the former council. Ian had made himself familiar with the names of those who had helped Ainsly rule the clan. First, there was Calum, an older man with white hair whose eyes burned with resentment. Then there was James, who was younger and kept control of the clan’s treasury. Ian hoped a man such as him would appreciate the value in obeying the new order of things.

“Was there nae a third man?” Ian asked.

“Aye, there was, but he died in yer attack, like sae many others,” Calum spat. He dragged a chair out and threw himself into it, folding his arms like a petulant child. James took a seat beside him, remaining quiet. Calan arched his eyebrows at Ian and then walked around to the other side of the table. He went to sit in the chair that Ian had marked for himself.

“That seat is saved,” Ian said. Calan’s gaze flicked up; there was shock in his eyes. He took his hand away from the chair. There was a slight shake of the head as he moved around and sat in another seat. It was a few moments later when Ainsly appeared. Ian turned to face her, and a smile appeared on his face. The night they had spent together made her look more beautiful than before. When he looked at her now, he did not just see a war prize but also flushed skin. He heard the moans echo in his mind, and the feeling of her soft skin against his lingered. He held out his hand, welcoming his wife into the room. She seemed haughty, and for the first time since they had met, she seemed unsure of herself. She took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the head of the table, where they sat down together.

“What is all this about? Did you bring us here to gloat?” Calum asked, leaning forward.

“Ye should watch yer words.” Calan glared, narrowing his eyes towards Calum. Calan’s hand was underneath the table, resting on the hilt of his sword.

Ian opened his palms. “Let’s nae let our emotions get the better of ourselves,” he began. “I know we are nae gaeing tae be friends, but the fact remains that we hae a clan tae run. I want tae know about the trade agreements we hae with nearby towns, and what our relationship is like with other clans in the area. I want tae know what stores are like for winter. Ye know this clan better than any of us dae, and I would be a fool if I didnae call on yer expertise.” He glanced at Ainsly and took her hand, making a show of how they were linked together. “I am the laird of this place now, and Ainsly is my wife. I want us all tae work taegether. I want this clan tae be a prosperous one.”

“It was already prosperous before ye came,” Calum said.

James sighed and spoke before anyone else could, as Calan seemed to be itching for a fight. “We mostly trade for food and materials that we cannot access. As far as I’m aware, our food stores are healthy, although they hae taken a hit over the past week or sae with the feasts, and with the loss of manpower out in the fields.”

Ian nodded. “Then I shall instruct my men tae replace those who hae been lost, and we shall send out hunting parties tae ensure that everyone eats well. I want ye tae talk with the merchants in local towns tae see if there’s anything else we can sell for coin. Trading is all well and good, but we need a steady income if we are gaeing tae prosper. And what is the policy when it comes tae welcoming people tae the clan?”

“Apparently we welcome any barbarians who come in,” Calum said icily. He had gone back to sitting slumped in his chair with his arms folded across his chest. Ian sighed.