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“Ye dinnae need tae be the same as him,” Maura said. “But if ye try tae live up tae his memory, then I’m sure ye wilnae disappoint him. But ye hae tae remember that nae all change is bad, and that ye can trust me. I am yer wife. I am here for ye tae talk tae. And without being tae smug, I learned a lot from my da. I know what it takes tae be a laird.”

“Aye, that doesnae surprise me,” Kevan said.

Maura sidled closer to him, feeling the soft grass under her body. “Ye know, there’s something else I need tae talk with ye about, Kevan, and it’s about the future. The thing is that I want a family, and if ye are gaeing tae continue as laird, then ye are gaeing tae need tae cement yer legacy. But tae dae that…well…” She wasn’t entirely sure how to continue with the delicate matter. “Am I really that displeasing tae ye?” she asked, her cheeks reddening.

“Ah, lass, it was never that ye were displeasing tae me. It was just that every time I get close tae ye, I think about yer brother and what he did. I cannae…it’s hard for me tae be close with ye after that.”

Maura frowned. “What are ye saying? That we’re never gaeing tae dae the things husbands and wives dae?”

Kevan looked away from her, and she knew that was part of the problem. If he could never truly face her, then they were never going to be able to be intimate. She reached up and placed her hand upon his cheek, turning his head towards her. She looked into his eyes and spoke in a low, breathy tone, moving ever closer to him, until their bodies pressed against each other. “Perhaps if ye let it happen, ye might find it easier tae move on. Let the future come tae ye, Kevan. Just let it happen,” she said, her words disappearing into her breath as she leaned into him and pressed her lips against his. She kissed him deeply, and the fire that swelled within was enough to scorch her. Her mind grew hazy; she had never believed it would be like this. As soon as their lips met, something stirred within Kevan. His hands wrapped around her waist and clutched her tightly. The heat that radiated from his body was just as fierce as the one that was in her heart, and she gasped, for it took her completely by surprise. Breath rushed out of her as she melted into his arms. Something had awakened inside them both, and it boded well for the future.

“Aye, lass, perhaps ye are right. Perhaps this wilnae be bad at all,” he said as he sank into a kiss again. The stream bubbled nearby as they kissed, finally breaking the ice between them.

Things had been less tense between Maura and Kevan since their time at the river. He accompanied her to dinner, and when it came time to sleep, he actually slept in the same bed. It took a couple of nights before she surrendered her virtue, though. Before this, they got used to holding each other and feeling the warm rushes of pleasure that swept through their bodies. But one night, Kevan’s hands were filled with more intent than usual. They crept over Maura’s delicate skin and left a trail of tingles that were like stardust. Deep breath rushed out of her, and her body arched and thrummed with a deep, yearning need that she had never experienced before.

Their kisses were ardent, and as she traced the contours of his muscles, desire swelled within her. There was no denying that he really was a magnificent man. She hoped that by sharing their bed, they might lay a foundation for the future, and perhaps a child would go some way to binding them even more closely together. Kevan was experienced and skilled in the art of love, while it was all new to Maura. She was surprised at the hardness and the feeling of Kevan’s body against hers, while the sensations that swirled inside her were wholly new and unexpected. He kissed her neck and found secret areas that made her whimper. As his fingers slid across forbidden areas, she was taken away on an erotic and sensual journey. Her eyelids closed as she let herself sink into the warm susurrations of her body, the currents of arousal guiding her as they would guide a ship to safe harbor across stormy, turbulent seas.

Lightning flashed behind her eyes as Kevan caressed her femininity; it was as though her entire body was open to him. Nerves mingled with excitement as his body shifted over hers, the weight of him crushing and comfortable. His manliness was intoxicating, and his masculinity was overwhelming. She gasped as pain and pleasure blurred together. Everything was frantic and tumultuous. There were so many things happening in her mind and her body that she couldn’t concentrate on any of them all at once. Kevan was peppering her with kisses. His rumbling, animalistic grunts were deafening, and she could feel him inside her. It was strange and wondrous all at the same time. His fingers clawed through her hair, and the thrusting rhythm of his body made the bed creak. Sweat prickled in this miasma of lust. Maura knew she was losing her virtue, but she did not have time to dwell on all that it meant, on the innocence that was being stripped away with every deep thrust, or the rippling glory of shedding her youth and become a mature woman. Her toes curled as she wrapped her legs around Kevan, bringing him even deeper inside her. Eyes widened, and deep breaths crashed against flesh. Her heart beat so fiercely that it threatened to burst out of her chest. In the stillness of the night, their throes of passion erupted, seizing them both in a paroxysm of delight.

It was over almost as suddenly as it had begun, but Maura knew she would never be the same again. She lay there, staring up at the ceiling as Kevan rested beside her, his warmth and weight feeling as though they belonged in the bed. She ran her delicate fingers down the soft curves of her body. She looked over to talk to Kevan, but he was already asleep. She assumed that meant he was satisfied, and she felt good about their future. As she grew more used to the sensations, she was certain that it could be even better, and looked forward to experiencing it again. It had taken longer than she would have liked, but at least now, her marriage was on its proper course, and she was keen to see where it would lead. It was also pleasing to feel Kevan being kind to her instead of being hostile. She began to think that things might be changing for the better.

10

Although she and Kevan were on better terms, there was still much enmity in the clan towards her. There were still mutterings whenever she went out walking on the grounds, so to avoid this, she stayed in private chambers where possible. Kevan continued going hunting, although he assured her that he would not see his mistress any longer. Maura tried to call upon Elise for some companionship, but apparently, the healer was needed elsewhere. Still, it was pleasing for her to have her husband sharing her bed, as was only proper. It might take some doing, but she was determined to change people’s minds about her and show them that she was a good person. She was the lady of the clan, after all, and it was about time that people should treat her with some respect.

To this end, Maura decided to attend a dinner that Wallace was holding. She walked into the room with Kevan, and all eyes turned to her.

“Well, it’s nice of ye tae join us,” Wallace said with his keen eyes, and a mocking tone in his voice. Maura held her head high and settled into her chair. She felt pity for Elaine, who was there without really being there, the vacant look still apparent on her face. Wallace was regaling people with stories, but as the night wore on, Maura noticed more and more people muttering and whispering while looking at her. When she mentioned this to Kevan, he told her to ignore it and focus on having a good time, but it was not easy to be in a room knowing that few people actually wanted her there. Eventually, it became too much to bear, and Maura could withstand it no longer.

With a flurry of emotion, Maura rose from her seat and slammed her cup down onto the table. The gesture was thunderous, and it caused a cessation in laughter. Every pair of eyes in the room turned to her. Some looked at her with mild curiosity, while others were waiting for her to make a mistake and undoubtedly searching for a moment when she would show her weakness and perhaps even madness. As the cup slammed down, dark wine sloshed over the edges, splashing against the pale skin of her hand. Maura didn’t react as it dripped to the table.

Her voice was low and harsh as she spoke. Never before had she been treated as a figure of ridicule like this, and she wasn’t going to stand for it. In this strange land, she had to hold on to the ideals she had been taught. She may have been a McGrory by name, but she was a Calbraith by heart, and she wasn’t ready to forsake her ancestry.

“Ye should be ashamed of yerselves. All of ye,” she scolded. “I am yer lady, and ye should treat me with respect. I wilnae tolerate being spoken tae in this manner. Things are gaeing tae change from now on, isn’t that right, Kevan?”

She expected her husband to back up her words and tell the people how they were supposed to treat her. After they had made progress with each other, it seemed natural that he would support her in this, as that was his role. He was the laird and was supposed to lead by example, but when the silence extended, Maura felt her face redden. She glanced down at Kevan, who was looking away, a look of concern on his face.

“Kevan?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“It would appear that ye dinnae hae the respect of yer husband, sae why should ye hae our respect? I think it’s no more than ye deserve for being a Calbraith,” Wallace said, pure derision dripping off his words like venom. Maura trembled with anger and betrayal. She curled her hands into tight balls and glared at Kevan again, but when he made no motion to speak in her defense, she let out an angry squeal and stormed out of the room, not caring about the laughter that erupted upon her exit.

When she returned to her chamber, she paced around in anger, wondering if there was ever going to be a place for her here. Things were worse as the hours dragged on and there was no sign of Kevan. The window in their chamber overlooked the courtyard, which was illuminated by torches and the silver light of the moon. Maura saw him there, standing with a lass. He held her hand gently. She kissed him on the cheek. Jealousy flared within Maura. She was being made a fool of, and she would not stand for it any longer.

How could she fight back?

Kevan returned. Maura was perched on the edge of the bed, her head resting in her hands. When she spoke, her voice was a low drawl.

“Thank ye for defending my honor taeday,” she said. Kevan stopped and looked at her, but she did not give him a chance to respond just yet. “And thank ye for continuing tae make a fool out of me. I saw ye out of the window with her. If ye are gaeing tae continue with this, ye could at least be a wee bit more discreet.”

“Maura—”

“I dinnae want tae hear it,” Maura said, and turned away from him abruptly.

“Maura!” he roared, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her towards him. The intensity in his voice caught her attention, and she let out a small cry. Uncertainty swam in his eyes. “I apologize for nae coming tae yer defense. But I was nae making a fool of ye. I thought about what they were saying, and it was clear that none of them were gaeing tae treat ye with respect if I didnae. I ended things with her. I told her that I didnae want tae see her again. It was the only honorable thing tae dae.”

“Honor?” Maura choked, laughing dryly.

“Ye may nae think I take the word seriously, but I dae,” he said sternly. “Ye were right earlier. Ye are my wife, and I cannae hide from that. I’m also the laird. But ye hae tae understand that it’s an unusual situation. This marriage was a formality, and most people only see ye as the enemy.”