by Lynsay Sands
"Afraid the fevers affected me after all, husband?" she asked, amusement twisting at her lips now, then she patted his upper shoulder reassuringly. "I realize we did not have a courtship, my lord, and that was my point."
"Ah." He relaxed slightly, then shifted under her and asked, "Are ye very upset to find yerself wed to me?"
Kyla hesitated briefly, choosing her words with care before saying. "If you are asking me if I would rather have married the MacGregor, the answer is no."
"'Tis not what I am asking."
Sighing, Kyla began to pluck absently at the hairs on his chest, displeasure evident on her face. "How can I answer that? I hardly know you."
His eyes widened, the brows above them raising impossibly high on his forehead as he peered at her where she lay on his chest. Kyla rolled her eyes. "I did not mean in the biblical sense, my lord. Obviously I know you in that way." Blushing slightly, she shyly admitted, "In truth, I find more pleasure in that aspect of the marriage than I had ever dreamed possible."
"Really?" He puffed up like a bantam rooster at those words, his chest rising and lifting her with it.
Shaking her head, Kyla smiled slightly. "Aye. But other than that I know very little about you and that does trouble me."
Exhaling his breath slowly, he considered her briefly. "What would ye ken?"
Kyla blinked at that, her mind suddenly blank. It actually took a moment of searching to find a question she would like answered. "Are your parents alive?"
"Nay."
Kyla waited a moment for him to continue. When he did not, she prodded, "What happened to them?"
"Me father was killed in battle and me mother was taken by the plague."
"Ahh." She cast him a sympathetic glance. "How old were you when they died?"
His eyes moving past her shoulder to the sky above, he squinted briefly, then shrugged. "Young."
"I am sorry. My parents died when I was young as well."
"I ken."
She blinked at that. "You do?"
"Aye. Ye told me."
"When?"
"On the trip here. While down with--"
"Fever," Kyla filled in dryly.
"Aye."
Sighing, she shook her head. "I almost fear asking what else I told you."
"Everything," he answered promptly, and she laughed slightly at his certainty.
"Nay, my lord. I could not have told you all, else you surely would not have married me."
When he suddenly looked uncertain at that, she poked him in the ribs lightly. "'Twas a joke, my lord."
"Oh." He smiled lamely. "'Twas funny."
Eyes narrowing slightly at the obvious lie, Kyla murmured, "There is no need to humor me, my lord. I am not a daft wench who needs humoring."
Hearing the hurt beneath the teasing, Galen closed his arms around her and cuddled her closer as he reassured her, "I ken yer not daft."
"Do you?" she asked doubtfully.
"Aye. I'm no' saying I didn't have me doubts and fears earlier, but I ken now that ye were no' made daft by the fevers. In truth I begin to wonder if the rest of us are no' the daft ones to have misjudged ye so. Robbie told me the witch lied--and why."
Slightly mollified by that, Kyla leaned her head on his chest and smiled. "You took a risk marrying me when you knew so little about me."
"Nay. In truth I was lucky. I was expecting ye to be a peely-wally sow."
"Oh!" Rising up on his chest, Kyla struck out at his shoulders in retaliation for the insult, only to have him catch her by the shoulders and hold her still as he added, "'Twas fair glad I was to find meself saddled with a fiery beauty any man would be proud to call wife."
As intended, she melted against him at once at the compliment, and Galen leaned up to catch her lips in a deep, sweet kiss.
Pulling her mouth reluctantly away a moment later, Kyla sighed resignedly and lay her head on his chest again as she murmured, "They will be sitting down to sup, my lord. We should return."
"Nay."
Head lifting in surprise, she peered at his now closed eyes. "Nay?"
Opening one eye, he asked, "Are ye hungry?"
Kyla considered that briefly, then shrugged. "Not really, my lord."
Nodding, he closed the eye again and relaxed. "Then, nay."
She considered his expression briefly, her fingers toying absently with the hair on his chest, then asked, "Are you not hungry?"
"Aye."
Fingers pausing, she frowned at him in confusion. "Well, then we should--"
"My hunger can't be satisfied at table. Though 'tis an interesting idea," he added as an afterthought. He suddenly rose to a sitting position, bringing her upright with him. Easing her to sit on the sand then, he got to his feet.
Kyla stared up the length of his body in a confusion that began to clear when his plaid suddenly dropped to the ground, followed by his shirt. In the next instant, he reached down and drew her to her feet before him. "Yer gown is dry."
"Aye," Kyla murmured, gasping in surprise when he suddenly bent to grasp the bottom of it and quickly drew it up over her head and off.
"'Tis no sense in it getting wet again," he explained, dropping the tunic on his own clothes before sweeping her up into his arms.
"Are we getting wet again, my lord?" she asked with wry amusement.
"Aye," he announced, carrying her toward the surf.
"Why?"
"Well, ye see, loving. I have this vision haunting me--" He broke off to frown at her when she gave a small laugh. "Ye'd laugh at me?"
"Nay, husband." Kyla sobered at once and shook her head. "I find your visions most fascinating. Pray continue."
He eyed her a moment longer, then relented. "Well, on that first day--"
"The day I arrived."
"Aye. I was bathing ye."
"Purely for medicinal purposes."
"O' course." He cast a wounded glance her way. "Anyhow, I was bathing ye and ye suddenly lunged at me, throwing yerself around me like a trollop."
"I did not!" Kyla cried at once.
"Aye, ye did." Galen nodded his head firmly. "Soaking wet ye were--I like ye wet, by the by," he added with a wolfish smile that made Kyla flush. "Wrapped yer arms and legs around me and fair made me dizzy with wanting ye. I've thought o' little else but getting ye wet again ever since."
"You sir, are a rudesby," Kyla informed him succinctly, bringing him to a halt thigh-deep in the water.
"A rudesby?" he repeated with a frown. "What the Devil is a rudesby?"
Shrugging, Kyla turned her head away, her nose raising in the air. "A cad."
"A cad, am I?" He stared at her in amazement, then suddenly grinned. "Damn me, I guess I am." And with that, he opened his arms, dropping her.
Unprepared, Kyla could do little else but cry out in dismay as she sank into the water. She came out a moment later, sputtering and spitting water everywhere, then suddenly lunged at her husband, wrapping her arms about his shoulders and her legs around his hips as he had described but moments before.
Shouting at the chill of her damp flesh, Galen tried to untangle her limbs, but she was having none of it. Tightening her hold, she leaned up to bite his ear viciously, then asked, "Is this what you were wanting, my lord?"
Stilling now, Galen caught her buttocks in his hands and lifted her slightly until she rubbed against him. Pressing her tighter then, he groaned and dropped his head to her shoulder. "Aye, loving, this and a wee bit more."
The "wee bit more" proved an educational experience. Kyla hadn't realized that there were so many different ways to make love. Marriage was quite a learning experience for her. Kyla had always enjoyed learning.
Afterward, Galen carried her back to the beach and dropped to sit on the sand. He arranged her sideways in his lap before leaning his head on her shoulder as he waited to regain his breath.
Slightly winded herself, Kyla leaned her head against his and sat still for a moment or so, her hand moving absently up and down his back. Once her breathing and heart
beat had returned to normal, she sighed and slid the hand on his back up into his hair. "Husband?"
"Hmm?" he murmured, not raising his head.
"I think I am hungry now."
A laugh slipping from his lips, Galen briefly hugged her close, then lifted his head with a sigh. "Ye will be the death of me, wife. Where do ye find the strength?"
Kyla raised her eyebrows at that. "It takes little strength to be hungry."
"I would disagree with ye bitterly at this moment, woman." When Kyla remained silent at that, he sighed with resignation, then urged her to her feet. "Damn me, me legs are shaking with weakness," he exclaimed, following her up.
Lips splitting into a wide grin at that, Kyla moved to their small pile of clothes to retrieve her tunic. "Mayhap you are coming down with something, husband. I feel rather energetic myself."
"'Tis the curse."
Tugging her undertunic on, Kyla turned to glance at him. "Curse?"
"Aye," he muttered, moving to her side to retrieve his shirt from the sand. Shaking it out quickly, he tugged it on. "The curse of women. Every time a man spills his seed inside a woman, he is pouring a bit of his strength with it. She is stronger and he feels as limp as a damp plaid."
"Ahh," Kyla murmured, then shook her head with a laugh at his foolishness, and bent to retrieve the plaid she had been wearing. Shaking it out, she spread it open on the sand and knelt to fold the pleats. Moments later, she was standing beside him again, adjusting the pleats to her satisfaction.
"Ye've grown quite handy with that," Galen complimented.
"Thank you, my lord." Kyla murmured, then stilled when he suddenly caught her by the chin and tugged her face up to his.
"I ken ye like the beach, but ye must promise ye'll no' slip yer guard again."
Tilting her head, she considered the request briefly. "May I come to the beach if I bring my guard with me?"
"Nay. But--" He added swiftly when she opened her mouth on a protest. "Ye may come here with me if I have the time to bring ye."
"But--"
"'Tisn't safe," Galen told her firmly. "The MacGregor hasn't sought retribution yet. I'll no' have him stealing ye away. Marrying ye makes ye less likely a target, but I won't feel safe for ye until he has sought revenge in some other way. Promise ye'll no' come to the beach without me and ye'll no' slip yer guard again."
Sighing, Kyla tugged her face away. "It matters little, I suppose. Aelfread promised to come up to the keep on the morrow and help me take over the handling of the servants. I shall be too busy to come down here for awhile."
Relaxing, Galen nodded his head. "I'm sorry I didn't officially turn the castle servants over to ye ere this. But I'm glad to see ye interested in tending to them. It has been a strain at times, chasing after them as well as me soldiers."
"I am glad to be of help," Kyla told him honestly, a wide smile splitting her face as she leaned up to kiss him quickly.
Caressing her cheek briefly when she drew back after the kiss, Galen smiled at her softly, then took her hand in his and led her up the path. His mind was so full of the lecture he would give the servants on the morrow to ensure they followed Kyla's orders to the letter, that he was completely oblivious to the fact that she hadn't given any true promise not to return to the beach.
Chapter Thirteen
Kyla moved her king's pawn forward one square, then waited for Aelfread to make her next move. But after several moments had passed, she glanced up to see what the delay was. The delay was that Aelfread was not paying attention. Her gaze was turned toward the men still seated at the trestle tables, talking and laughing over their mugs of ale: Galen, Robbie, Gavin, Angus, and Tommy. They were supposedly discussing the next day's plans and scheduling who was to do what, but the repeated bursts of laughter belied that. Kyla sincerely doubted that deciding who was to train the men, who was to oversee the watch, and who was to trail her around would be that amusing. They were gossiping and from their amusement, it was good gossip. Though of course, they would deny it to the death. "Men don't gossip, don't ye ken?" they would say.
Smiling slightly, she glanced to her friend, her brows drawing together as the other woman sighed. "What is it, Aelfread?"
"What? Oh, nothing." Forcing a smile, she quickly took her turn.
Kyla was silent for a moment, apparently contemplating the board, then she reached out to make her move, idly commenting, "Things are running rather well now. There was not a hitch today."
It had been a week since their last sojourn to the beach. As promised, Aelfread had shown up at the keep the morning following their swim to help her take the servants in hand. Kyla had been prepared to battle for the respect that was rightfully hers. Instead, she had found the servants all pleasant and attentive, even eager to do her bidding. Unaware that Galen had spoken to them, she could only think the drastic change in behavior mostly due to Aelfread's presence and support.
"Aye," Aelfread agreed now, taking her turn as well.
"I could not have gained the servants' respect without you," she added, sliding her bishop out from its spot. "Thank you."
Aelfread shrugged. "'Twas not a difficult task to aid ye."
"Mayhap not, but it has taken you away from your own tasks and even your daily walks," she pointed out gently, finally getting to what she thought might be the heart of her friend's discontent. Kyla was grateful for her assistance, but suspected Aelfread was missing the fresh air and peace she was used to. She did not wish to see her friend unhappy. "There is no need for you to come tomorrow if you wish to do something else. I realize 'tis boring to be stuck indoors all day."
Her hand on her queen, Aelfread glanced up with surprise. "I haven't been bored," she assured her quickly. "I enjoy yer company, me lady."
"Kyla," she corrected quietly. "We are friends."
Aelfread smiled slightly. "Aye, we are."
"Anyway, bored or not, I noticed today that you were restless and while I enjoy your company, I know you are used to wandering the beach for a bit every day. I never intended for you to have to give that up. I would join you myself in a walk, were it not for my guards." Her gaze slid resentfully to the men at the table. While Galen had said he would accompany her to the beach, he had not yet found the time to take her. Between managing the men and his occasional trips to check on the mainlanders, he had very little time for anything. He was generally up and gone ere her rising and returned just in time for sup--which he often seemed to sit through in an exhausted daze. No matter how exhausted he was, however, he always found the energy to make love to her once they were alone in their room.
Afterward, he always dropped off into a dead sleep, though, leaving Kyla to frown and sigh at him. While she enjoyed their lovemaking, she found that afterward she had a desire to talk to him and get to know him better. But there was little chance of that when he was snoring loud enough to raise the rooftop. It was an uncomfortable predicament for Kyla. She quite liked what little she knew about the man she had married, but had had little chance to get to know him better. She still felt she shared her bed with a near stranger. Grimacing, she sighed aloud, glancing around in surprise when Aelfread's sigh joined her own.
"Aye. I ken well how annoying having a guard is," the other woman muttered grimly, reminding her of her own comment of a moment ago.
"What mean you by that?"
Her friend grimaced, "Robbie has set yer guards on to me as well."
"What?"
Aelfread nodded. "Aye, 'tis true. He's told the men that I'm to be kept here at the keep with ye all day until he can see to me. And with Galen's permission as well," she added with disgust.
Kyla blinked her surprise at that news. "But why?"
Aelfread looked uncomfortable for a moment, almost embarrassed, then admitted with quiet pride, "I'm carrying a bairn."
"Carrying a--" Kyla's eyes widened in amazement. "You are with child? Oh, but Aelfread that is wonderful!" she cried, jumping out of her seat and hurrying around the small table between th
em to hug the other woman. "That is grand news! You must be so happy."
Aelfread nodded, her face flushed with pleasure. "Aye."
"And Robbie must be so..." Her voice and smile faded slowly at the sudden expression change on her friend's face. "What?"
Aelfread sighed, her gaze sliding to the men still talking and laughing at the table. "Robbie is happy," she said carefully. "He would like a bairn or two as much as I, but he's been acting odd ever since I told him last week," she admitted on a sigh. "He doesn't want me cleaning or lifting. He doesn't even want me walking on the beach. He insists I sit up here, day-in and day-out and keep ye company. He acts like it's a favor I'm doing ye and the laird, but when I suggested last night that mayhap ye and I would please take a walk along the beach, he fair lost his brains. He set down the law, he did. Neither ye nor I was to leave the keep, he said. We would sit here and embroider, or some such thing, the day through like proper wives, and that was that. Angus wouldn't allow us out, he said. And he didn't, of course, as ye saw today when I suggested a walk and he overheard."
"Aye," Kyla murmured, recalling Angus and his blunt refusal of the suggestion. Kyla had felt bad at the time, thinking that her own restrictions were infringing on her friend's freedom, but now she saw that both husbands had gone a bit overboard in their attempts at protection.
Sighing, she moved back to her seat and dropped into it. "It sounds as though Robbie's just being protective. Like Galen. Mayhap both of them will ease up and give us a bit more freedom later."
"Not 'til I pop the bairn, I fear," Aelfread muttered with disgruntlement. "At least Robbie won't ease up his protectiveness on me until then. That should be in another six or seven months.... Mayhap Galen will ease up a bit on ye though," she added with forced brightness.
Kyla shook her head. "Not likely. I fear so long as the MacGregor lives, I'll have guards and be restricted." She smiled wryly. "I know 'tis a sin, but I am beginning to wish the man would die," she admitted cheerfully, not the least bit ashamed of admitting such a thing to her friend. As she expected, Aelfread accepted her words with calm amusement.
"I can see how that would be. Truthfully, I am beginning to regret being with child, though I have wished for a babe since marrying Robbie." Her gaze slid to her husband again and she sighed. "'Tis because of his size, ye ken...his fear, I mean. He's a big man, as was his father ere him. They were both large babies. And like his father's mother, his own mother died in the birthing. He fears I'll go the same way."
