The Highlander Series

by Maya Banks

  “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 hand, 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 tub.”

  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.”

  Mairin smiled brilliantly up at him. “Very well then. If I have your leave, Laird, I’ll be on my way. There is much to be done this day.”

  Ewan motioned for her to go and she rushed away, her feet barely hitting the floor in her haste.

  Alaric turned to Ewan with a frown. “What’s all this about resting and opening her stitches? What the hell did you do to her?”

  “Come,” Ewan said. “Let’s eat. I’ll tell you all that has transpired since you left, and you can fill me in on what happened with McDonald.”

  Mairin swept through the keep with a purpose, noting what needed to be done and what could be done in twenty-four hours’ time. Half an hour later, she summoned Maddie and Bertha and informed them that she’d need their help if they had any prayer of pulling off a miracle.

  Maddie and Bertha assembled the women of the keep and Mairin addressed them from the top of the steps that led outside to the courtyard.

  “Tomorrow we have important guests,” she explained to the assembled crowd. “And none of us wants to let our laird down.”

  There were murmurs of nay and the women shook their heads.

  Mairin divided them into groups and divvied up chores. She even got the children involved. Soon the keep was alive with activity as women rushed to and fro.

  Next, Mairin spoke to the men who were assigned to repairs that day. She instructed them to clean the stables and ready stalls for McDonald’s horses.

  Finally she went in search of Gertie to tackle the matter of food.

  The cook wasn’t pleased to discover she had to prepare a veritable feast for unexpected guests. She blustered and protested, but Mairin stared her down and told her there was little to be gained by complaining. They couldn’t very well starve their guests.

  “I’m no miracle worker, my lady,” Gertie grumbled. “There isn’t enough food to feed our clan, much less a horde of McDonalds.”

  “What are our options?” Mairin asked tiredly. “What do we have and how can we make it stretch?”

  Gertie motioned for Mairin to follow her into the larder. The shelves were frighteningly bare. They were nearly out of staples and the only meat was from the last hunt.

  “We’re existing hunt to hunt. If the men fail to bring back food, we go without. We have none stored up. If we don’t replenish our stocks in the coming months, the winter is going to be a hard one indeed.”

  Mairin frowned unhappily. Hopefully her dowry would be delivered long before then and the clan wouldn’t ever have to go hungry again. It hurt her to imagine the children going without.

  She rubbed her forehead and temples as the ache intensified. “What if we send the men out to hunt? If they bring back something this evening, would you have time to prepare for an evening meal on the morrow?”

  Gertie rubbed her chin and thoughtfully perused the storeroom. “If they could bring me back a mess of rabbits, I could make a stew and use the few bits of venison we have left over. ’Twould have a good flavor even if there wasn’t a whole lot of meat. I can use what flour we have left to make bread, and I can have oatcakes for dipping as well.”

  “It sounds wonderful, Gertie. I’ll go see the laird at once about sending a few of his men out hunting. With any luck, the
y’ll bring home enough to make a huge pot that will last us through the McDonalds’ visit.”

  Gertie nodded. “You do that, lass. I’ll start on the bread in the meantime.”

  Mairin left and went in search of Ewan. She found him in the courtyard overseeing a group of younger men as they went through a series of exercises. Remembering what had happened last time, she waited patiently on the perimeter until Ewan saw her.

  She gave a small wave and motioned him over. He spoke a few words to his men and then came over to where she was.

  “Ewan, we have need of rabbits. As many as can be gotten. Is there any way you could spare some men for hunting?”

  Ewan glanced across the courtyard to where his brothers were engaged in a heated sparring session. Curses rang out from both Caelen and Alaric as they tried valiantly to best the other.

  “I’ll go myself,” Ewan said. “I’ll take Caelen and Alaric. We’ll bring back the rabbits you need.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. Gertie will be relieved. She was in a panic over how to feed the McDonalds.”

  Ewan’s eyes went dark and his lip curled. “I’ll make sure the clan is provided for. I always have.”

  Mairin laid a hand on his arm. “I know you will, Ewan. When my dowry arrives, we won’t have to worry about what to eat anymore.”

  He touched her face, palming her cheek for a long moment before letting his fingers trail down to her jaw. “You’re a miracle to this clan, lass. We’ll be hale and hearty again thanks to you.”

  She flushed to the roots of her hair, warmed by the tenderness in his touch.

  “I’ll be going now. Expect us back before sundown.”

  She watched as he strode across the courtyard and called for Alaric and Caelen. Then she turned and hurried back to the steps of the keep. There was still much to be done in preparation for the McDonalds. She’d be lucky if she slept any this night.

  CHAPTER 24

  Mairin surveyed the hall with weary appreciation. It was nearly dawn and the women had worked through the night. Those with children, Mairin had sent home the night before, but a small group had stayed on with Mairin to see to the final preparations.

  The result was astonishing. Not that Mairin would ever want to do such a thing again in less than a day, but she was well satisfied with the results.

  The inside of the keep sparkled. The floors and walls had been washed. The candles in the ceiling fixtures had been replaced with new ones, and light danced shadows along the ceilings.

  Sweet-smelling flowers ridded the musty odor of sweat and dirt, and Mairin had taken furs from the bed chambers to line the floor in front of the great stone fireplaces.

  The smell of simmering stew had tortured Mairin for the last hours, as Gertie had prepared the rabbits that Ewan and his brothers brought back from the hunt. She was drooling over the idea of a hot piece of crusty bread straight from the oven.

  Ewan had tried to get Mairin to take to their bed hours before, but she’d been adamant that the tasks be done since they didn’t know exactly when Laird McDonald would arrive.

  “It looks wonderful, my lady,” Maddie said proudly.

  Mairin looked over to where Bertha and Maddie stood and she smiled. “Aye, it does. It looks nothing like before. Even with the repairs that must be done and the damage from the fire, no one can find fault with our work.”

  Bertha wiped a stray hair from her forehead. “The laird will be proud to welcome guests here. You’ve performed a miracle.”

  “Thank you both for giving up your night to help me,” Mairin said. “You and Maddie tell the other women to take to their beds and not to worry about rising before noon. The other serving women can take over your duties while you rest.”

  Both women nodded gratefully and hurried off, leaving Mairin alone in the hall.

  Mairin surveyed her handiwork one more time before she turned and trudged toward the stairs. She’d not exactly kept her word to Ewan. Her side pained her considerably, and she hoped she hadn’t torn any of the stitches, but the truth of the matter was, the work needed to be done, and it wasn’t fair to expect the women of the keep to work long hours if she herself wasn’t willing.

  She felt great satisfaction in the role she’d taken on. The women had worked long and hard but with a cheerful spirit. They had gone to great lengths to please Mairin, and that in turn pleased her.

  For the first time, this felt like home. Her home. And she felt truly a part of the McCabe clan.

  She eased into her chamber, but she needn’t have bothered. Ewan was awake and dressed and was just finishing putting on his boots.

  He frowned when he caught sight of her and immediately stood, his hand going out to steady her when she swayed.

  “You put in far too many hours,” he admonished. “Are you in pain? Did you tear your stitches?”

  She leaned her forehead on his chest, content to remain there for a moment as she collected herself. He swept his hands up her arms to her shoulders and squeezed.

  “You’re going straight to bed, lass. I won’t have any argument. And you aren’t to rise until the McDonalds arrive. Are we understood?”

  “Aye,” she mumbled. She wouldn’t even have to pretend to obey that order.

  “Come, let me see your wound.”

  He guided her toward the bed and, with gentle hands, divested her of her clothing.

  “ ’Tis a sin how expertly you rid a woman of her clothing,” Mairin grumbled.

  He smiled as he turned her to her side. He thumbed over the stitched area and frowned when she flinched.

  “ ’Tis red and swollen. You’re not taking proper care, Mairin. If you aren’t careful, you’re going to end up in bed with a fever.”

  She yawned broadly and fought to keep her eyes open. “There’s too much to do to be abed with fever.”

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead, leaving his lips there a moment. “You don’t feel warm to the touch. Yet. Sleep. I’ll have one of the women send up hot water for your bath when I receive word the McDonalds have reached our border.”

  “That would be nice,” she murmured sleepily, but she had already lost her hold on wakefulness and she surrendered to the darkness.

  Mairin came awake to a knock at her chamber door. She blinked to brush the heavy veil of sleep aside, but it felt as though someone had poured sand in her eyes.

  “Lady McCabe, we have your water for your bath,” came the call from the door. “The McDonalds will arrive within the hour.”

  That woke her up.

  She shoved aside the bedcovers and hurried to answer the summons. The women carried in pails of water and soon Mairin was immersed in the comfort of hot water. As much as she would have loved to have soaked until the water chilled, she hurried through the washing of her hair.

  Two of the maids remained to help dry and brush out her hair. Mairin was fidgety and agitated throughout the process. She was nervous. This was her first real test as the new lady of the keep.

  She didn’t want Ewan or the McDonalds to find her lacking.

  She dressed in her wedding finery and descended the stairs an hour later. The hall was bustling with activity, and Ewan stood talking with his brothers near the high table.

  When she entered, Ewan looked up and saw her. The approval in his eyes made her spirits soar. He gestured for her to come to him and she hurried over to stand next to him.

  “You’re just in time to greet our guests with me,” he said. “They arrive in a few minutes’ time.”

  Ewan led her from the hall, his brothers following behind. When they reached the courtyard, the McDonald soldiers were filing over the bridge and through the courtyard arch.

  She was of course biased, but the McCabes presented a much more impressive sight.

  Ewan stood on the steps with Mairin by his side, as the man in front dismounted and gave Ewan a nod.

  “ ’Tis good to see you again, Ewan. ’Tis been far too long. When last I was here, your father greeted me. I sorely regr
et his passing.”

  “As do we all,” Ewan said. “May I present my lady wife, Mairin McCabe?”

  Ewan escorted her down and she curtsied in front of the other laird.

  Laird McDonald took her hand and bowed, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “ ’Tis a great pleasure to meet you, Lady McCabe.”

  “The honor is mine, Laird,” she said. “I offer you and your men refreshment, if you would come into the hall. The meal is set and ready to serve at your leisure.”

  The laird smiled broadly and then gestured behind him. “May I present my daughter, Rionna McDonald?”

  The young woman was reluctant in both manner and expression as she edged forward. So this was the woman whom Laird McDonald wanted Ewan to marry. It was all Mairin could do to keep the frown from her face. The lass was quite beautiful. Indeed her hair shone in the sun like spun gold and her complexion wasn’t marred by a single blemish. Her eyes were a peculiar amber color that caught the highlights in her hair and seemed similarly gold in the sunshine.

  Mairin cast a quick glance at Ewan to judge his reaction. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel regret that he’d missed an opportunity to wed this woman.

  Ewan’s eyes glimmered with amusement. He probably saw right into Mairin’s head and plucked out her thoughts.

  Mairin turned and smiled to the other woman. “Do come in, Rionna. I’m sure you must be fatigued from your travel. You can sit by me at the table and we can become acquainted.”

  Rionna offered a faltering smile of her own and allowed Mairin to take her arm to lead her inside.

  The meal was a lively affair. Laird McDonald was a loud, boisterous man, and he ate with an enthusiasm that appalled Mairin. Why, if she had to feed this man on a regular basis, the McCabe hunters would be hunting night and day with no rest in between.

  Gertie frowned her disapproval as she refilled the laird’s trencher for the third time. Mairin caught her eye and shook her head. It wouldn’t do to insult the laird.

  The talk centered around mundane topics. Hunting. Raiding. Concerns over protection of their borders. After a while, Mairin tuned out, struggling to suppress the yawn that threatened to overtake her.