Ewan leaned over and brushed the hair from her face and then kissed her on the forehead. “Listen to me, sweeting. I want you to go back to sleep. You need your rest.”
She murmured something he couldn’t hear and snuggled back underneath the blankets. He touched her cheek one last time and then rolled out of bed to pull his clothing on.
He ordered Caelen into the hall until he was finished put on his boots and picked up his sword. With one final look in Mairin’s direction, he strode into the hall where Caelen fell into step with him.
“Sweeting? You need your sleep?” Caelen mimicked. “I think you’re missing your scrotum, brother.”
Ewan balled his fist and slammed it into Caelen’s jaw. Caelen went reeling and had to catch himself on the wall to keep from falling down the stairs.
“Well damn, Ewan. I have to say marriage doesn’t agree with you,” Caelen said, as he rubbed his jaw.
“I think it agrees with me just fine.”
As they entered the hall, Ewan saw Alaric stride in, his clothing dusty and lines of fatigue creasing his face.
“You dragged me from a warm bed for Alaric’s arrival?” Ewan asked.
“He said ’twas important. He sent a messenger ahead to summon you to meet him,” Caelen defended.
“Ewan,” Alaric called as he strode forward.
“What’s so urgent that you sent a messenger ahead of you?”
“McDonald is on his way here.”
Ewan frowned. “Here? Why? What happened, Alaric?”
“You married. That’s what happened. Laird McDonald had every intention of marrying off his daughter to you. He’s not pleased to discover that’s no longer an option. He’s insisted on meeting with you, no matter that you are newly married, as I tried to explain. He informed me that if you wanted this alliance, you would meet with him.”
Ewan cursed. “We’re in no position to host anyone. We can barely feed our own clan and now we have to host McDonald and his men? We need weeks to prepare for an event such as this, not mere days.”
Alaric grimaced and closed his eyes.
“What?” Ewan asked sharply.
“Not days. Day.”
More curses blistered Ewan’s lips. “Day? When is he arriving?”
Alaric sighed and wiped his forehead wearily. “Why do you think I ran my horse into the ground to get here? McDonald will arrive on the morrow.”
“Ewan?”
Ewan whirled to see Mairin standing a short distance away, her gaze questioning.
“May I have permission to speak?”
He lifted a brow, surprised she’d even ask. But he also saw how nervous she appeared as she stared at his two brothers.
He held out his ha, and she hurried over to take it. “You have need of something, Mairin?”
“I overheard, I mean about Laird McDonald coming. Is there trouble?”
Worry shadowed her blue eyes as she stared up at him.
“Nay, sweeting, no trouble. Laird McDonald and I are in talks. ’Tis nothing for you to worry over.”
“He’ll be here tomorrow?”
“Aye.”
She frowned and then squared her shoulders. “There’s much to be done, Ewan. Are you going to be difficult about my injury and make me stay abed, or are you going to allow me to do my duty so that I’m not shamed beyond measure when we have important guests?”
“Shamed?”
She huffed in exasperation. “The keep is in no condition for visitors. There’s cleaning to do, food to cook, instructions to give. Why, if someone arrived today, they’d think me the most incompetent of any laird’s wife. Not only would I be shamed, but you would be shamed as well.”
She sounded so appalled over the idea that she would bring shame to him that his gaze softened. He squeezed her hand, which he still held between his own.
“As long as you promise to ease off if you start feeling any pain, I have no issue with you working to ready the keep. However, I expect any of the harder tasks to be taken by the other women. I don’t want you doing anything to tear your stitches.”
Her smile lit up the entire room. Her eyes danced and she squeezed his fingers. She looked exuberant, like she wanted to fling her arms around him, but she collected herself and let go of his hand.
“My thanks, Laird. I won’t let you down.”
She bobbed a quick curtsy and hurried off. “Welcome home, Alaric,” she called back. Then she stopped and turned, a frown marring her lips. She hastened back over to Alaric and took his hand. “Your pardon. I didn’t even think to ask you if you’d had refreshment after your journey. Are you well? We are glad to have you home.”
Alaric looked befuddled as Mairin gripped his hand and shook it up and down as she spoke.
“I’m fine, lass.”
“Would you like me to have hot water brought up to your chamber so you can take a bath?”
Alaric looked appalled by the suggestion, and Ewan stifled his laughter.
“Uh, nay, the loch will suffice.”
Mairin frowned again. “Oh, but the loch is so cold. Wouldn’t you prefer hot water?”
Caelen snickered. “Go ahead, Alaric. Have a nice long soak in the tubhe >
Alaric sent Caelen a quelling stare. Then he smiled gently at Mairin, which was good, because Ewan didn’t want to have to admonish his brother for hurting his wife’s feelings.
“ ’Tis very good of you to think of me, but there’s no need to have water brought up. I much prefer a swim in the loch over trying to stuff myself into a tub of water.”