Dunlop pivoted to return to his bunk in the outer gatehouse wondering if Colin realized how much he had changed since his marriage. Deirdre had been a gentle person and beautiful lady, but never had she caused the look of peace and joy from the sheer expectation of seeing her that he had just witnessed on his laird’s face.
Colin bounded up the stairs to the floor of his chambers. Sprinting down the short hallway, he opened the door and immediately knew something was wrong…or at least very different.
A mock cough erupted from behind him. “Uh, Laird McTiernay, it is good to see you home again. I know Lady Makenna, who is waiting for you in your solar, will be very glad to see you as well. Is there something you needed to discuss? I assure you all has been well with the keep and the castle in general. You would be proud of Her Ladyship.”
Colin blinked and then blinked again. The old steward was trying to save either his own pride, Colin’s, or maybe even Makenna’s by lacing his statements with innuendo and hints. What Gannon failed to recognize was that nothing could alter Colin’s good mood.
Colin laughed out loud and clapped the man on his back. “So I have been moved, eh?”
Realizing Colin was neither annoyed nor angered, Gannon relaxed and replied, “Aye, Laird. Your wife insisted upon it.”
Your wife. Colin enjoyed hearing the sound of it. “I see you have moved back to the main castle. Never knew why you left, but it is good Makenna convinced you to return. It is late, Steward. Perhaps I should let you retire. I should probably retire myself,” Colin said in an effort to be casual, all the while backing out of the room and into the narrow passageway toward the staircase.
Gannon stood speechless as Colin vanished down the stairwell. Had he been wrong all this time? Had Colin been unaware that he was staying in his old chambers? Never once had Gannon considered the possibility that it was Lady Deirdre’s idea to remove him from his home. Perhaps he had misjudged the Highlander. Maybe a lot of people had. Lela’s small group of discontents was growing, but starting tomorrow, he would no longer be one of them.
Colin climbed the Canmore stairs to the top floor and noticed the hallway sconces were lit. The door to the solar was open and the tapestries covering the small exterior window were pulled aside. Another step and he felt the light cross breeze between the windows on the opposite wall of the room.
Hearing movement, Brodie moved into Colin’s view. The guard looked both relieved and pleased to see his laird and was about to say so when Colin motioned for silence. He briefly clasped the man’s arm and then indicated for him to leave.
Moving down the curved hallway, Colin could hear Makenna talking aloud. He paused at the entrance not at all surprised to discover she was addressing no one. Colin tried making out the words, but it almost sounded as if she were speaking in a foreign language.
She was sitting on a thick braided rug in front of the roaring hearth with her feet tucked underneath her brushing her hair dry. The fire crackled and caught the rich highlights of the long tresses.
Colin leaned against the archway. He had waited so long for the chance to pull her in his arms and kiss her long, deep. And now that he was here, he just wanted to drink her in visually, knowing that while he was gone, Makenna had been in his bed waiting for him. The most feisty, willful, and tenacious of the Dunstans was his wife, and nothing could make him happier.
Makenna felt one of her legs begin to tingle and shifted. She rubbed her calf trying to diminish the painful sensation. The stinging was indicative of her life these days. Irritating, but manageable.
Trouble had erupted again that morning. Like the other times, it was something small and innocuous, but it fit a pattern of events that could no longer be dismissed as “accidents.” Worst, whoever was causing the problems was making things harder not just on her, but on everyone.
She had convinced Doreen to introduce her to the villagers and learn if they required any assistance. Visiting in person, Makenna needed no one to explain their needs. They were apparent. Blankets, roof repair, and wood for their hearths. Living close to the castle was supposed to be of mutual benefit. The laird and his keep received food and support, and in return gave protection and aid. Last year, she had not thought to ensure that her people were prepared for the winter, and they had paid for it. She vowed not to repeat her mistakes. Every villager would be protected from the winter’s cold.
Today she had found newly weaved blankets in a fireplace just as they turned to ashes.
Her leg once again feeling normal, Makenna began to brush her hair, mumbling, “How will it all get done? Damn those that would hurt their own. Don’t they realize they are not just insulting me, but the ones who spent the hours making the items they so callously destroy? I might have been irresponsible, but I was never cruel. What I would give to meet just one of these traitors with my sword. They’d never cross me or my own again.”
Frustrated, Makenna tossed the brush onto the chair, pulled her knees up, and rested her cheek upon them. Harvest was coming soon and so many preparations had to get done. The weather this year had been especially good. Consequently, every available hand was needed to gather the food from the overly bountiful crops and prepare it for winter. Once the fields were picked, the farmers would immediately thresh and plow the land to plant the fall crops of rye and wheat. And only when the prepping and stocking of the harvest was complete could the roofs and cottages be repaired for winter. No matter how she looked at it, there were not enough people to get it done. At least not enough willing people. And because of her past shortsightedness and her clansmen’s current stubbornness, everyone would suffer.
Makenna closed her eyes and stretched. She wished Colin was back at Lochlen. He would know what to do. Yet, deep down, Makenna knew she would not burden Colin with her troubles. This was her responsibility. She was Lady of Lochlen. Colin had his own worries with the raids. Rumors of the viciousness of the attacks still echoed in the halls. He had tried to spare her this worry when he left. Pride dictated she do the same and protect him.
“Never will he think I am not up to the task,” she promised aloud.
When she leaned back, Colin saw the strain in Makenna’s face as she spoke, again not loud enough to make out. She looked serious, as if she were working out a very complex problem. Suddenly, he wanted to let her know she wasn’t alone. That he, too, had worries and concerns, and desired to share them with her.
Colin inwardly berated himself for even considering the idea. How could his instinct be to relate a horror with which even his own men had trouble coping? These were his burdens, not hers. No, instead of encumbering her with troubles, he should be relieving her of them. Colin walked in, determined to solve whatever was concerning her.
Makenna heard a scuffle and craned her head to see if Brodie was approaching. Since she had stopped trying to dislodge her two guards from her presence, they had been good about providing space, especially within the castle’s inner walls. However, at night, they had been adamant that at least one of them stand watch outside her door. Makenna had tried to convince them otherwise, saying it was dishonorable for them to sleep where a chambermaid should. Both refused to capitulate. It mattered little if she begged, pleaded, shouted, or even threatened to fight them.
Seeing Colin, Makenna let go a soft shriek. She barely had time to stand when Colin pulled her to his side. Makenna melted into his arms, and Colin knew he had not been alone in longing for his return.
He ran his fingers through her hair, glorying in its red velvet softness. He looked down. Her smile was soft and inviting. She could not hide what she was feeling. Her expressions were an honest reflection of her state of mind, and her brilliant green eyes were shimmering with unshed tears of joy of his return.