Declan's Bride: A Highland Romp

by Hildie McQueen

  How could it be that her dreams could come true while at the same time be dashed in the knowledge her soon-to-be husband was so distraught over the idea?

  If it were Arabella, would he be as opposed?

  Probably not.

  The hours passed too fast and, before long, Cairstine found herself sitting on a low stool while her mother and Moira fussed over her hair and pinched her cheeks. Both chatted gaily. They were oblivious, or choosing to ignore that she was less than enthusiastic about the forthcoming ceremony.

  Her stomach tightened at considering the night ahead. She and Declan would be put to bed, her maidenhood broken before witnesses.

  “Does the bedding have to be public?” Cairstine turned to look up at her mother. Her mother’s tightly pressed lips told Cairstine that she was trying to come up with a good reply.

  “Will it hurt Mother?” Cairstine persisted. “I need to know something.”

  “Aye, a bit. But ‘tis only for a moment.” Her mother finished the sentence by patting Cairstine’s shoulder. “Ye will barely notice. I know the situation will be uncomfortable with witnesses in the room. But ye are marrying a laird’s son.”

  If she could roll her head along with her eyes Cairstine would’ve. What did Declan being the laird’s son have to do with the pain?

  The one thing she was thankful for at the moment was the fact that Declan was second born. She was not at all prepared to be a laird’s wife.

  “My brother will be a good husband to ye.” Moira’s eyes met hers in the looking glass. “Ye will not want for anything.”

  Except his heart. “Declan does not wish to marry. He has made it abundantly clear. Yer brother enters this marriage with the same reluctance I do.”

  “True,” Moira replied honestly. “However, I know my brother and he will come to accept ye and I foresee a good marriage.”

  Did Moira think herself a seer? Cairstine bit her bottom lip to keep from teasing Declan’s sister. However, the conversation did distract her for a bit and, for that, she was thankful.

  It wasn’t long before a maid came to knock on the door. Cairstine’s stomach plummeted at the woman’s flushed face.

  “The ceremony has been postponed,” the maid said, wringing her hands. “The groom is missing it seems.”

  “Missing?” her mother and Moira said as one.

  “Where is my brother?”

  “This cannot be.” Her mother looked from the maid to Moira, avoiding Cairstine. “What explanation has been given?”

  The maid blinked as if holding back tears. “The laird has ordered the guard to mount and go in search for him. They think he may have been injured or such since he left without his sword.”

  Cairstine let out a long sigh. Disappointment in Declan settled like a boulder in her belly. “He’s hiding.”

  “Nay,” Moira said with her jaw clenched. “My brother would not do that.” She dashed from the room, tugging the maid with her.

  “I suppose we should see about something to eat.” Her mother, as always, considered food to be the best way to deal with life’s disappointments. “I’ll go see about getting ye something.” She left after Moira, leaving Cairstine sitting in the now quiet, empty room.

  Cairstine looked into the fire in thought. She’d seen Declan stalk away after the conversation with his father and Gordan. She went to the window to look out into the darkening surroundings. Four parties, including Gordan and Ethan, dashed out in different directions, none in the direction she’d seen Declan go. He’d headed to the shoreline.

  The cave.

  He’d mentioned her hiding in a cave earlier that day. Could it be that was where he’d gone? Although she’d didn’t remember exactly where he’d said it was, she did remember going once, when they had been children.

  Her gown was much too fine to wear out and about, so she quickly undressed and donned a plain frock. Grabbing her cloak, she dashed from the room and down the rear stairwell Declan had shown her just earlier that day.

  She dashed through the kitchens and out the rear door of the keep. The frigid air took her breath away and she considered if perhaps it would better to take someone with her. Looking over her shoulder, she didn’t see anyone. She was sure that not even the servants would be outside unless absolutely necessary in the cold weather.

  Clutching the cloak about her neck, Cairstine hurried around the side of the keep. She walked down the rocky hillside toward where she remembered the cave was.

  Unfortunately, she’d not remembered there being so many trees and foliage. Her feet slipped on the damp rocks and her hair caught on low branches. The sky was almost totally dark now which didn’t help her nerves in the least.

  If she was wrong, it was possible she’d pay for her folly by falling and not being found. Except by a wild beast, perhaps.

  Some sort of wolf call sent shivers down her spine. That was followed by a bird caw. Cairstine hurried forward for what seemed like a long ways. Trudging ahead, the cold was replaced with being overheated from moving at such a fast pace. There was barely enough light to see, but it was enough to keep from tripping. For that, she was thankful.

  On the side of a hill, she spotted the cave, the opening half-covered by a fallen tree. Relieved, Cairstine let out a sigh of relief and hurried to it.

  At the entrance, a new fear crept up her spine. What if a bear or some sort of dangerous beastie called the cave home now? When Declan had offered to hide her there, it had been in jest. However, she got the impression he’d been there recently.

  “Declan?”

  She peered into the darkness. “Are ye in there?”

  Silence.

  “Declan?” she called a bit louder. “Answer me.”

  “Aye.” His voice was weak. Yet, she could have sunk to the ground in relief at not finding herself alone there.

  Darting into the cave, she was immediately plummeted into darkness. The space was not large at all. She had to bend at the waist to move forward. “Where are ye?”

  “Here,” he said when she tripped and fell over him. Declan grunted. “Ouch.”

  “Why are ye in here without a torch or yer sword?” she grumbled as she reached out to touch him. “Are ye daft? Ye could be eaten alive by some sort of...”

  “Wild boar?” he asked and moaned softly.

  “Oh no. Ye’re hurt.” Cairstine found his head and slid her hands down his chest to find it wet. “What happened? Where are ye hurt?”

  Declan cleared his throat. “Wouldn’t happen to have any whisky with ye, would ye?” He shivered, his entire body shaking with the combination of cold and fever.

  Cairstine continued touching until she found that he held both hands across his stomach. The stench of blood made her want to gag. In her haste after finding him, she’d not noticed.

  “I’ll get help.”

  “That would be nice. I fear I’m about to pass out again. Thankfully, the boar seemed more interested in finding something else to gore and left me be.”

  Torn between leaving him and the possibility of getting lost in the dark, Cairstine hesitated. “Do ye think the beast will return?”

  There was no reply and she leaned closer. “Declan?”

  She felt his head and found it lulled to the side. Feeling for a pulse, she found it remained strong and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving. It was best for her to find help. She could not remain there.

  After taking her cloak off and tucking it around Declan, she left the cave and scurried in the direction of the keep. Fear of the boar and that Declan would perish repelled the frigid air and, before long, she was rushing into the keep.

  Chapter Six

  “I am an idiot,” Declan grumbled. After an entire week in bed and having slept through most of the holiday festivities, he was tired of being stuck in his chambers.

  Gordan, who sat in a chair sharpening his daggers, lifted a brow. “Aye, I agree. Father is most displeased. Everyone thinks ye hid to keep from marrying Reid’s daughter. They are leavi
ng on the morrow as the father has withdrawn the demand for a marriage.”

  The entire debacle had no doubt embarrassed both families. Not to mention humiliated Cairstine. He swallowed past the bile in his mouth at the thought.

  “I must get up now.”

  “Ye can try,” Gordan replied, not moving. His brother placed a dagger on the table in perfect alignment with the other three. “I won’t stop ye.”

  His injury pulled and he grimaced as he swung his legs to the side of the bed. He’d only gotten as far as standing twice and each time it had been quite painful.

  This time, the pain was not as bad.

  “Help me put a tunic on.”

  After a long moment of cursing at every painful movement, he was half-dressed. Breathless, he sat on the bed waiting for the pain to abate.

  Declan reached for his plaid, which was on the foot of the bed and stood to wrap it around his waist. He then turned to Gordan. “Where is Da?”

  “In the study, I presume.” His brother looked down at him. “I’ll help ye.”

  It was slow progress, but they only had to reach the great room as both his parents and the Reids were present.

  Cairstine sat in a chair. On the table in front of her, there appeared to be what looked like embroidery of some sort. She met his gaze for a moment and then she looked to his stomach. “How fare ye?”

  He nodded to assure her and then met her father’s narrowed gaze. His da, who sat in a chair next to her father lifted a brow. The look was identical to his brother’s earlier. “Why did ye leave the chamber? Ye’re not well enough.”

  “I’m fine.” He squared his shoulders and met Reid’s glare. “I will marry yer daughter. ‘Tis not why I left the keep. It was to cool my head that I planned. I was foolish to leave without a sword. It was never my intention to cause any embarrassment to my clan or to yer family.”

  Cairstine’s rounded eyes darted from her parents, who sat frozen, to his father. Lastly, she looked to him. She then frowned, but remained silent.

  “Cairstine, I beg yer forgiveness and thank ye for saving my life. Please accept me as yer husband.”

  There was a long silence as everyone, including his father, looked to the lass. Her face softened and she squeezed her mother’s hand. “Of course, I accept ye.”

  The words, although spoken softly, made his chest tighten. He’d hoped she’d say yes. The reason was not clear to Declan, but the woman called to him. When he’d heard that she was leaving, he’d been disheartened and disappointed. Not just in himself, but in the thought that he’d not see her again.

  After everything that had happened, it was a strong possibility the Reids would never return to any of his clan’s functions.

  Gordon helped him settle into a chair and he let out a breath. Although the injury was healing without infection, it amazed him how tender it remained. He was lucky, wild boars were usually relentless in their attacks. This one had been protecting it’s young and had gone after them.

  Seeming to realize he and Cairstine had yet to speak in private, one by one, everyone left. She seemed more alarmed than relieved to find herself alone with him.

  “Our families are not overly subtle are they?” he said in an attempt to set her at ease. “Do you have questions for me?”

  “Aye,” she stood and neared then settled into a chair across from him. The table between them made it impossible to see what she did with her hands. He guessed she grasped them together. “Why did you change your mind?”

  He met her gaze. She was so lovely, so utterly beautiful that he ached to see the confusion in her eyes. “In truth because our families have been friends for so long, I don’t want to be the cause of a rift.”

  Her brows crinkled into a slight frown. “That is true. But I am sure our fathers will always remain friends. You don’t have to do this.”

  “Am I that repugnant as a husband Cairstine?”

  Her mouth formed an “O”. “Of course not, it’s just that you are not ready for marriage. You will not be a good husband, admit it.” The challenge in her expression caught him off guard. “Everyone knows you are an incorrigible scoundrel.”

  “I have been yes. The reason we are in this predicament.”

  “There you see,” she said pointing a delicate finger into his face. “You see me as a problem, something to deal with. I am a woman who wishes to fall in love and have children with a husband who cares for me at least a little.”

  “Come sit by me. I would try to round the table, but as you know I’d require assistance.”

  After a moment, Cairstine let out a sigh and stood. She rounded the table and settled next to him. “Very well, what do you have to say?”

  She squeaked when he cupped her face with both hands and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was like he imagined. Sweet, innocent and after a few moments returned. The moment she allowed herself free reign, her lips parted and he was more than happy to take what she offered.

  Her arms circled his shoulders and Declan entire body responded to her touch. She was going to be his entirely, a siren to his senses and unfortunately the one woman who would ruin him for all others.

  Trailing his lips from her mouth and jawline, made her shiver and Declan’s lips curved. She was a passionate woman who’d fulfill his every need. Pressing a kiss to the soft skin by her ear, he whispered. “I already care for you.”

  She gasped when his tongue darted into her ear, he then nibbled the delicate lobe and once again her intake of breath sent tendrils of awakening to between his legs.

  Thankfully, she had more sense than he did and pushed back. “We can’t continue this. The servants...someone could walk in...”

  “On a couple that is about to be married and is kissing?”

  Cairstine’s lips curved into a soft smile and it took all his strength not to kiss her again. “I’ll go find mother. There is much to do. Should I fetch someone to help you?”

  “No, I plan to eat.”

  Her gaze met his for a long time. “Thank you for reassuring me. However, I know this is not what you would wish for given a choice.”

  Before he could reply, she walked away.

  She was right. Although it was not the worst situation, he would have preferred to remain unattached for a few years yet.

  The ceremony was vastly different than the one dashed by Declan’s absence. As most of the guests had long left, there were only a few families in attendance.

  Upon entering the great room, Cairstine walked on her brother’s arm to the front of the room.

  A pale, gray-haired clergyman waited. He was flanked on his right by Declan. On the opposite side of the man were Laird Murray and Gordan.

  Her family stood at the front facing the clergyman. Along the sides of the room stood the guardsmen. Although most were silent, the murmurs of the women in attendance followed her every move.

  Everyone knew Declan was a reluctant groom. And she was seen as an opportunist who’d obviously lured him to her bedchamber and then called out in order to trap him.

  Only she, Declan and their parents knew the truth.

  Declan was resplendent in a dark gray tunic with a Clan Murray tartan wrapped about his body and over his shoulder. The garment was fastened in place with the Murray crest.

  His hair was brushed back allowing his handsome, strong features prominence. The dark-slashed eyebrows remained straight and his expression was placid.

  Both Declan’s brother and father were dressed similarly. It proved a stark reminder she would now be a Murray.

  Her father and brother wore the Reid colors, a stark contrast to the black and red as they wore green and yellow. Although her family was already part of Clan Murray, the Reid tartan today represented the hypothetical union of two clans.

  She walked past Arabella who glared at her, lips pinched and nostrils flared. Unable to keep from it, she slid a look to the woman and then shrugged in dismissal. Immediately, Arabella began whispering to a couple of other women who stood n
ext to her. No doubt, the woman spouted all kinds of rumors in a last attempt to get back at Cairstine.

  By the disapproval in the clergyman’s hard stare, it was obvious he’d heard the rumors painting her as a seductress. Somehow, over time, she’d have to find a way to get to know the man. In the long run, she was sure she’d win his approval.

  “Are ye ready?” the clergyman asked no one in particular.

  Declan nodded.

  “Take my hand.” He reached for her right hand and they stood facing the clergyman, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.

  It was hard to tell who needed the other the most in that instant. Although he was a bit pale, Declan seemed stronger than earlier when he’d entered the great room. That morning, by the pinched expression and lack of color he’d been in pain. Now standing tall next to her, he seemed almost recovered. A stark contrast.

  The clergyman bound their hands and they spoke their vows. Declan’s voice was strong and loud, ensuring the room heard him clearly.

  She, on the other hand, spoke normally, not caring what the rest heard as long as Declan and her family could.

  Finally, the vows completed, they turned to the room. Laird Murray toasted them and spoke to the people gathered.

  “There will be a small feast. And then I will ask ye to excuse us as we finish the ceremony in private. As Declan is not yet fully recovered.”

  Once again, there were murmurs and Cairstine avoided looking directly at anyone. At her side, Declan seemed unfazed, his flat expression scanning the faces.

  They sat at the high board as the heads of different households stood and spoke, each welcoming Cairstine and wishing them well. Some wishes were hearty. Others were lukewarm as, no doubt, they’d hoped to marry one of their daughters to the laird’s son.

  When Arabella’s father stood, the scorned woman crossed her arms and looked up to the ceiling with obvious displeasure. Her father’s welcome was enthusiastic, as the unaware man seemed genuinely happy for them.