Nothing in his life had ever felt so right.
Long minutes passed before either was capable of moving. Knowing that he must be crushing her, Colin propped himself on his elbows and looked down for a second before moving to lie down beside her.
Makenna swallowed. She had seen a steady glow of love and happiness in his eyes and knew the same expression mirrored in her own gaze. Makenna nestled against her husband. She felt both lovely and loved. It was the most incredible feeling she had ever known.
Makenna could feel the cold wind begin to rise and nip at her exposed skin.
Colin felt her quiver. “God, Makenna, you’re freezing.”
She chuckled and snuggled closer. “Pretty understandable when you are forced to bathe in a cold loch in the middle of the night.”
Colin pulled the loose edges of the plaid around her. “Why didn’t you wake your lady’s maid and tell her you desired a bath?”
Makenna laughed and pushed against his chest to get free. She walked toward her clothes and started dressing. “Wake my lady’s maid? Colin, when have you seen me with a lady’s maid?”
Colin shrugged, and then stood, following her lead by pulling on his leine. “I never paid much attention. I thought you just used them when I was not around.”
She scoffed. “The reason you have never seen me with a lady’s maid is that there are none. There is but a single chambermaid, and I am careful not to overuse her lest she want to leave.”
“Then go to the village and hire some help. We have the funds,” he said, holding the reins to her horse.
Makenna shook her head and took the leather strips. “You say it so casually, as if that was all it took. I want help and then suddenly help will appear. The truth is that if I were to do something so foolish like you suggest, the staff I currently do have will disappear. We are incredibly shorthanded and the people who are now supporting Lochlen are overworked. I have learned the hard way that soliciting more help only gets you the kind you don’t want. Too many times, new blankets, tapestries, and rushes mysteriously ended up in one of the hearths. Food went missing, and candles destroyed. Only when I released ‘my new help’ did such activities ease. So, you see, forcing people to my aid causes resentment, and they take it out not only on me, but also on my staff. And when I do find someone willing, I immediately assign them to a position where their help is more needed by the clan, not just me.” She exhaled, realizing that she had just made quite a speech. Still, she couldn’t help but add, “Now do you understand?”
Makenna didn’t expect an answer, and she didn’t receive one. Yet she knew Colin had heard and comprehended every word she had said.
Colin helped her mount and then swung onto his large black. It was time. He would send Dunlop to the Highlands tomorrow.
Chapter Thirteen
Conor watched his son spy the wooden cup his twin sister was chewing. Casually, the toddler waddled over to his father and then slyly snatched it out of her hands. Brenna looked dainty and sweet, but she was nobody’s victim. Instead of yelling or crying, she squinted her eyes and pushed her twin brother, hard. He fell back but held on to his prize with a tight grip. Both met each other’s gaze and smiled triumphantly, each believing they had won.
“Brenna!” Laurel lightly admonished. “How many times have I told you not to push your brother? And, Braeden, you have to know it is your own fault. Why is it that you always think your sister has the better toy?”
Conor shifted his gaze to his wife sitting by the hearth. She was intently working on something for her friend Aileen, who recently discovered she was again with child. Pale ringlets curling around his daughter’s face proved she inherited his wife’s wavy gold hair. And though Brenna was barely a year old, he could see much more of his wife in their feisty daughter. She never backed down from a fight and usually won them. And of course, she had her father completely under her spell.
His son tickled him, and though he would never admit it to Laurel, he was proud Braeden had the instinct to know what he wanted and the fight to get it. But the small boy never went too far with his sister. Braeden intuitively knew that he was much bigger than Brenna and always sought nonphysical means to procure her toys. However, when it came to playing with his uncles, he loved to get rough. Conor’s son was only a year old, but he was a McTiernay through and through.
Conor stood and stretched his long legs. Spying Laurel out of the corner of his eye, he asked offhandedly, “They should go down for a nap soon, aye?”
Laurel put down her needle and cloth and stared at her husband. Dark and huge with twinkling silver eyes, he was the most handsome man she had ever met. He was also pigheaded, stubborn, and prideful, but he was all hers.
She looked back down and resumed her work, trying to hide her smile. “Yes, Brighid agreed to look after them while I try to finish this for Aileen,” she answered in her strongest English accent, knowing how it would rile him.
“If you keep speaking like that, woman, I might order only Gaelic to be spoken on my lands. There’s no way you can create that awful sound with Scottish words on your tongue,” Conor growled.
“Chan eil mi sgìth. Tha mi ag obair,” Laurel repeated in Gaelic.
“Agus chan eil mi sgìth. Tha mi teth, shonuachar,” Conor replied thickly, his voice husky and deep, emphasizing the desire he spoke of.
Laurel smiled. She loved being called his soul mate, and they both knew she was going to agree to his suggestion.
Conor wandered around her chair and stopped just behind her to enjoy the view. Just the thought of having Laurel alone made him ache for her. She had just moved the babes to real food and her delectable breasts were once again completely his. The day was beautiful, and with only a little more coaching, she would be convinced to leave with him for a few hours this afternoon.
The door of the great hall swung open and heavy footsteps entered. It was definitely not one of the servants.
Startled, Laurel looked up wondering who was coming to visit. Conor swiveled to glare openly at the intruder. Recognition set in as he watched his brother’s commander walk the length of the hall toward them. Conor knew instantly that there would be no midday tryst.
Conor turned back to Laurel and whispered, “An-nochd,” promising that his plans were not canceled, just postponed until later.
Dunlop approached the young family and realized he was interrupting their private time. “I am sorry, Laird McTiernay. Your commander, Finn, told me you were here and that I could enter. Good day, Lady McTiernay, it is nice to see you again.”
Laurel stood and greeted him with one of her more dazzling smiles. Dunlop was temporarily transfixed. He had forgotten how beautiful Lady McTiernay was. Slender with gold hair and sea-blue eyes, her physical appearance reminded him of Lady Deirdre.
Conor saw Dunlop’s transparent appreciation of his wife’s beauty. It was a common reaction, far from unusual when guests arrived, but he still didn’t like it. Laurel never flirted. She did something far worse. She was kind and welcoming. Two things Conor knew to be almost as powerful as any spell a woman could weave on a man, especially an unmarried soldier like Dunlop.
Laurel sensed Conor’s possessive bristle. “It is truly lovely to see you as well, Dunlop. We heard of Colin’s recent marriage. Tell me, is it a good one?”
“Aye, milady. A very good one. I believe you would approve of my laird’s choice. Her character is similar to yours.”
Laurel laughed, and it filled the room. “Then she must drive poor Colin in circles. I hope to meet her soon.”