Her Highlander’s Promise (Highlanders 0f Cadney Book 4)

by Fiona Faris

  “I miss him too. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I always thought it would be Christopher who would walk me down the aisle, were I ever to marry. He has always been the only family I truly loved and trusted. Do you think he would approve of this? Of us?”

  “Of our jumping the border and getting married by a smithy in an old tolbooth?” Aithe chuckled at the absurdity of the idea.

  She nodded her response, and Aithe did not hold back his laugh this time.

  “Nay lass. If Christopher kent what I was about tae dae, he’d dae more than give me a facer, he’d kill me outright.” Alice laughed as well, and Aithe felt the tension ease from her grip on his arm.

  “I suppose you’re right. But then again, if Christopher was here, we would not have to do this.”

  And if Christopher had survived instead of him, Aithe knew his conscious would be clear. Though Christopher might have had trepidations about this marriage had he been alive, Aithe knew if he could see them from beyond the grave, he would be wholeheartedly approving of this. Christopher had always wanted to take Alice away from her uncle. The responsibility and the guilt of not being able to do it sooner was partly why he had suffered such a great depression in the mines. That is why he felt sure of their decision, why he knew it was not a mistake. In the end, it is what Christopher would have wanted.

  They paused for a moment on their walk, and Aithe guided Alice to a small stone wall that separated the nearby buildings. He guided her to sit and rest for a moment.

  “Look, lassie, I ken we were jokin’ about Christopher and his approval, but I want ye tae know. Even though I dinnae think he would much like me marryin’ ye if he were around, I dinnae think he'd disapprove from where he is now. I think he’d be happy that we found a way tae save ye from yer uncle. I want ye tae know, I will dae what I can take make ye happy, tae give ye a life where ye can look around, and marvel at things. I dinnae want ye tae feel as trapped as ye did with yer uncle.” Aithe meant every word he spoke. He needed Alice to know that though this was a marriage of convenience, he planned to treat her as well as any man should treat his wife.

  “Aithe, I very much appreciate you saying this. It has been a hard journey since finding out about Christopher. But if he trusted you, I trust in you. I know you're only trying to give me what I need. So thank you,” and as she spoke, she glanced down at her hands.

  * * *

  Alice had not been to a single wedding in her lifetime but imagined most were much longer than her nuptials to Aithe. She had barely enough time to register what the smithy was saying through his thick brogue before he was announcing them joined. Most likely, she would not have known they were married save for Aithe, who smiled as he leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek to seal their fate

  Alice had hardly imagined her own wedding day as being such a quick, almost transaction-like experience. Though she understood some of what the man had said, much of it had gone over her head. She tried to keep a smile on her face and reminded herself that it was a marriage of convenience, and she couldn’t expect a grand wedding when she was only trying to escape from her uncle. Still, she had hoped as a young girl to have a wedding that would celebrate two lives coming together, and this was anything but!

  The smithy’s portly wife was their witness, and just before they left the small stone cottage, the woman put a small yellow flower in Alice’s hair, rubbed her arm, and told her she was a lucky lass indeed to have snagged such a handsome man.

  She looked up at Aithe, hoping he would give her some clue as to a proper response, but he had been busy taking a steady clap on the back from the smithy, and by what Alice could gather, was being given some rather graphic advice on what she could only imagine. Considering she was not marrying out of love, she was lucky to find such a fine man, someone she wouldn’t mind waking up to each morning. He had a chiseled face that could put a statue to shame and a body that begged to hold something or someone like herself. She admired his handsomeness, his confidence, the way he could cause a whole room to turn to his attention just by speaking. As the woman had said, Alice was indeed lucky.

  Well, it is done, she thought. I am a wife now. I am safe.

  She felt a sigh of relief escape her lips… a sigh she seemed to have been holding for much of her life. She did not realize until that moment just how much she had been relying on Christopher to save her. Alice was proud of herself, considering how often she had learned to quieten down to protect herself from her Uncle’s cruel punishments, this escape plan was her idea, an idea that she had formulated and enacted. There was much courage hidden in her after all. The small and strong-willed girl she had been in her youth was not gone, but merely waiting for a chance to escape.

  They left the tolbooth and made their way towards the inn. Alice could feel a giddiness rising in her throat as they walked, hand in hand. Arriving at the Inn, Alice, in her newfound relief, felt rather exhausted.

  Aithe deposited her in their room and left her to secure a meal and a bath. She hoped he was successful as she could feel the grime of the road on her skin, and her stomach growled as if she hadn't eaten for days. The escape plan likely caused a toll on her body, it craved food, rest, and a good scrubbing.

  Unpacking her small amount of luggage, she stopped suddenly, lost in thought. Her eyes drifted to the window, and a thought crossed her mind. She was married. She was married to a highlander, a Jacobite, and the only other person alive who missed Christopher as much as she did. If someone had asked her seven days ago what she thought would occur within a week, she would never have anticipated the outcome. But life can change at a moment’s notice, and she was happy to have found a long term solution with Aithe.

  She wondered how long he would stay with her in Cadney before he headed to France. He had promised to see her settled, and she knew he would keep his word, but she was not ready for him to leave her just yet. She hoped he stayed longer than indicated.

  Alice was beginning to like Aithe and quite a lot. He had a gentleness that hid a great strength. Most importantly, he respected her in a way she had yet to find in any other man in her life. Even though she loved Christopher - God rest his soul, she found even with him, that she was something to be taken care of rather than a woman with her own mind and strengths. With Aithe, it was as if he thought of her as an individual, someone who added value to his life. Though it was a simple thing she should have expected from people around her, it was still surprising given no one had ever treated her that way.

  She thought about him with the stable boy Thomas. He was good with the boy. Made him feel important. He would make a good father someday.

  Listen to me, she thought. Not even married an hour and already dreaming of the man as a father.

  That would not do. No, that would not do at all. He had already told her a love match was out of the question. Besides, they had not known each other nearly long enough to be planning a family together. Aithe had his own plans for his life, and Alice had to accept that. Still, she longed for a traditional family, even if she pushed the thought out of her head.

  Alice sat in quiet contemplation after unpacking the small luggage. Just as she laid back on the bed, Aithe returned holding a tray of roasted chicken, potatoes, and other fresh herbs.

  “Ello lassie, the innkeeper has promised tae bring us more. I had tae pay him a pretty penny tae deliver th’ food tae our room, but tis worth it. Fer now, I brought us a tray of what he had already made. He’ll be bringing up some stew, cheese, and bread as well. And, I got ye somethin’ else.” With his other hand, Aithe pulled out a bottle from his back. He was holding a bottle of whiskey.

  “I ken it can be a bit rough going down fer the lassies, but I thought it would be nice tae have it fer tonight. We’ve earned a bit o’ drink, I say.” He winked at Alice and shut the door behind him with his foot.

  “I am absolutely starving, and I actually don't mind whiskey one bit. I think it will help us rest well tonight. Thank you for fetching these for us,
Aithe.” Alice walked over to him by the door and grabbed the tray, setting it down carefully on a nearby piece of furniture.

  “I dinnae think tae bring up glasses so we’ll take a few gulps in turn from the bottle if ye dinnae mind?”

  “Not one bit.” Alice reached for the bottle and opened it. Quickly, she took a drink from it and enjoyed the soft burn that aroused her throat.

  “Well, cannae say I expected that response. I honestly thought ye’d go fer the food first.” Aithe chuckled and reached for the bottle. But Alice took one more quick swig before handing it over. She felt her face flush warmly and smiled. It felt good to be so relaxed. More than she had been in a very long time. She looked at the food on the plate and picked up a small piece of potato and popped it into her mouth. It melted on her tongue and tasted of honey butter and thyme. The flavor was too good, and she quickly grabbed a few more items from the plate, including a piece of the chicken. They sat in silence, passing the whiskey between them and eating with their hands.

  Chapter Ten

  Aithe and Alice were enjoying the collection of small bites that Aithe brought into the room when a knock sounded.

  “Aye, must be th’ innkeeper with more food.” He rushed to the door and opened it to find the keeper carrying two plates piled high with meat, vegetables, cheese, and bread. The dishes were so full it looked like at any moment they might topple over from the weight of the food.

  “Thank ye, lad.” Aithe started saying, but the innkeeper shook his hand at Aithe.

  “Nay thanks needed, me and the wife are always happy tae have two newlyweds in our inn. We hope ye two are happy here. Let us know if ye be needin’ anything at all.” He set the two plates of food on a small table that sat below the window. Aithe thanked the man once more and shut the door behind him.

  The small bit of food had only caused his appetite to grow stronger.

  “This all looks mightae fine. I hope ye are ready fer a big meal,” he glanced at Alice who seemed to come alive at the sight of more food.

  “Oh, yes, I'm famished.” Wandering to the table, they continued eating. After the long night of travel and the stress of escape, there was little else on their mind but relaxation.

  They finished clearing their plates rather quickly. Alice sat on the bed, looking lost in thought. Aithe had already drunk enough whiskey to be feeling a slight warming sensation and fuzziness spreading through his body.

  “Ye look like ye’ve got a lot on yer mind, lassie, care tae tell me?” He asked, startling her out of her daze.

  “Oh,” she paused, “well, I don’t wish to spoil our good evening, or pry too much.” Aithe watched as she fiddled with her fingers and dress. He could tell her thoughts were weighing on her and wanted to ease her mind. He hated to see her so worried.

  “Well, ye can tell me, lassie. I dinnae mind one bit.” He pried further but in a gentle tone.

  “I know you plan on living your own life, and that I will be with your family. But I’m curious about the situation. What it will be like. Will I be safe? Do you plan on returning often?”

  Aithe ran his hand through his hair and inhaled deeply. He wanted to give the lassie answers and some of it he could answer, whilst others he did not want to find an answer for. As much as he cared for her, he was not sure he could give up his freedom, his need for adventure.

  “Well, I want ye tae ken, ye will be well taken care of in Cadney. Even though me family has nay heard a peep from me in a long while, any woman I care fer and call wife, they will care fer just the same.” Alice smiled at this response, and Aithe saw her body relax.

  “When I am nay there, they will see tae ye. They will make sure ye are cared fer, have a chance tae go out and see the world, and they will invite ye in, I’m sure. Dinnae fash, ye shan’t be alone all day e’ry day.” He reached over and patted her hand.

  “As fer my own comings and goings, I have a wild streak lassie, and I cannae guarantee tae come and go at any set times. I will be seein’ ye, but I shan't be livin’ with ye truly, in the way many a’ husbands live with their wives.”

  Alice seemed solemn with this response but tried to hide her disappointment. Aithe felt sorry for telling her this. He knew she deserved a true love, the kind of relationship with a husband who planned and wanted to be around his wife. But he simply couldn’t give her that. This was the best he could do.

  “As fer yer protection, well, I plan on keepin’ ye nice and safe. I will send a few trusted men tae keep an eye on ye from time tae time. I will set ye up in a nice home. I cannae afford anythin’ like the manor, but I can give ye a home in a good area near tae my family. And any time ye need anythin’, they will be close enough fer ye tae wander over. That I can guarantee ye. I will make sure yer well-cared fer, Alice. Tis what I owe both ye and yer brother.” Aithe felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He felt unsure about his plan for Alice only yesterday, but he could see he had it all figured out. It wasn’t the best life for her, but it was a better life than she could have hoped for with her uncle. And any time he was around, he would be sure to offer her all he possiblycould.

  Even though he had distanced himself from his family, he knew they would clearly care for her in every way possible. She might even enjoy her new life. Not only because she was free from her uncle but because Cadney Loch was a beautiful place to live.

  “Thank you, Aithe. I feel more confident that I have made the right choice. I trust you. I know I might be lonely while you are gone, but if your family is how you say, then I will always have someone to turn to. I value you, for all you’ve saved me from; you have no idea the gratitude I feel towards you right now.” Alice placed her hand on Aithe’s cheek and looked deeply into his eyes.

  Aithe looked at Alice, overcome by his feelings of care towards her. A stirring occurred in his chest as she continued gazing at him, not moving her hand away. He immediately thought of their initial meeting and the kiss that happened between them. Alice blushed and bit her lip. She moved quickly toward him and Aithe leaned into her. Their lips met and parted for each other.

  Aithe knew he should stop the kiss. She was grieving, this was a marriage of convenience, but he could not deny that he had wanted to kiss her again since their initial meeting. He thought of it often. He gave himself to the kiss and relished in her taste of mead and honey. She smelled like wildflowers on a summer day.

  Their tongues explored each other, moving as one. Alice leaned back into the bed, and Aithe moved towards her, unable to pull away. His hands began to gently stroke the exposed skin of her arm. Suddenly, he was struck with the feeling of responsibility. He knew it was not right to do this when she was still grieving, when Alice was still adjusting to the idea of a new life.

  After a few moments, Aithe pulled away.

  “I am sorry if that was too forward,” Alice said plainly.

  “Nay one bit lassie, tis alright.” Aithe was quick to respond. “But I feel a sense of responsibility now that yer my wife. I cannae be takin’ advantage of ye, not when I ken yer still grieving, when I can see yer anxious about our new life together.”

  Alice seemed to struggle to speak after that. Aithe didn’t want her to feel bad. They were, after all, husband and wife now. He watched Alice for a moment. She bit her lip, the plush mouth that had touched his only moments ago.

  “Is there somethin’ on yer mind?” Aithe didn’t want to pry, but he did want to get her to open up. He wanted her to know that she could trust him with anything she might be thinking or feeling.

  “I know you're worried about my grieving, but Aithe, I want to be with you, I want to lay as husband and wife, my body wants you.” Aithe saw how rosy her cheeks were, and he knew then that she was ready; she wanted to be with him. Alice was a bonnie lassie, that much he knew.

  “Aye, lassie, if that is truly what ye want, I shall make love tae ye tonight. It shall be a gift tae me as well. We shall consummate our marriage like true husband and wife.” He reached over and took the whiskey bottle from
Alice. In a second, he took a few large gulps and set it aside.

  Aithe was nervous about doing this, but it felt the right thing to do. He couldn’t lie. Alice was bonny, and his body craved hers in the same way. He moved his hand to her cheek and ran his fingers along her cheekbone before leaning in and kissing her for only the third time since they had been together.

  * * *

  Alice’s lips parted to embrace Aithe’s tongue. Internally, she was panicking. It had taken a great deal of whiskey and courage to ask for this, but it was something she had thought about throughout the day. And, it was likely the only chance she would have to be with a man in this kind of way.

  Aithe gently returned her to a laying position on the bed. The more they kissed the more she felt her body relax. She did not know Aithe that well, but she knew him enough to know this was not a mistake.

  “Are ye comfortable,” he asked her in a low whisper.

  “Mm, very much.” She answered as she kissed along his jaw. Aithe moved his mouth across her cheek, giving her soft and gentle pecks as he moved further. Once he was at her neck, he began to run his tongue along the curve, seemingly taking pleasure in the way Alice’s breathing grew more frantic.