The Pledge (17 page)

Morrigan would’ve pulled back if Hugh had let her.

Holding her close, he looked up, frowning. “Dilla?”

“Milord, I’ve been told there’s a cavalcade coming. Would you have me prepare for guests?”

“Guests? We just had wedding guests crawling all over us. I thought I was to be alone with my bride,” he grumbled.

Morrigan tried to ignore Dilla’s smile but knew she’d reddened.

When MacKay looked around at her, noting her color, he frowned. Then his look lightened. “Rest easy,
beloved. Dilla’s had an armful of children, and Andra still chases after her.”

Morrigan frowned.

Dilla laughed. “I’ll see to all, milord.”

“Don’t make them too comfortable. I’ll not want them around for long.”

“Hugh!”

He whirled as though the sound of his name on her lips shocked him. “Should you call me by name at any time, I’ll be there,
beloved.” He reached down and scooped her into his arms, carrying her out of the great room and up the stone stairs.

“Will you?” She circled his neck with her arms, holding him.

“I will. ’Tis my covenant to you.”

She pressed hard against him when he entered their chamber and kicked the door shut. In moments he had her out of her clothes,
kissing her, squeezing her bare skin with questing fingers.

“Hugh, we can’t…” She wanted him so much she wished the arrivals to perdition.

“I know. I hate it.” He kissed her again.

Morrigan forgot what she was going to say. “I… I should ready myself to greet our guests.” She was repeating herself! Why
did words seem so meaningless when all she wanted was Hugh’s loving? She yanked at his tunic until it was removed.

He pulled back from her. “Do.”

She inclined her head. “When you leave.”

He shook his head.

Morrigan looked down at herself. “You must. I’m unclothed.”

“I know. I unclothed you. How could I forget?” He moved back from her, his gaze going up and down her form.

She felt deliciously hot, but not shamed or embarrassed. His body was so beautiful and she loved looking at him.

Sighing, she backed to the bed and sat down. “We must be sensible. We cannot have what we had before when others expect our
presence.”

He approached, leaning over her, bracing his hands on the bed to both sides of her. “ ’Twas wondrous what we had. I would
have it again and again.”

She gasped when he lifted her up once more, holding her aloft in front of him. “Sirrah…” At his shake of the head, she started
once more. “Hugh—”

“Ah. Better.” He touched his mouth to hers, his tongue intruding. They clung as though they couldn’t let go.

Morrigan sighed into his mouth when he pulled back.

“I don’t want it to end, either, beloved.” He kissed her again. “Soon we’ll be alone.” He released her, grimacing. “I can’t
look at you without wanting you, wife.” He scowled toward the door. “See to the fools who interrupt us. I would talk to Toric.”

Eyes widening, Morrigan stared after him. “But… but you must greet—”

“I’ll be there, wife,” he called back.

“You’re not fully clothed,” she whispered, not sure why the thought of Dilla or any other seeing him that way would anger
her.

After his departure a vacuum ensued when nothing seemed alive or moving.

Then, like clockwork, the castle was put in motion again. Morrigan donned a robe, sighing at the joy in her life with the
wonderful MacKay.

In moments hot water was being trekked across to the caldarium. Morrigan had heard of the special rooms for hot baths that
had come with the Romans when Hadrian’s wall had been built. She knew that there were a few Welsh who had them. She’d never
seen one until coming to Castle MacKay.

“ ’Tis ready, milady,” Mavis said, peeking at her from the aperture leading to the caldarium. “If you would prefer I will
lave you—”

“I will do it, Mavis. Thank you.”

The attendant beamed. “The boy is with Eamon, milady. The guests have been given tidbits at the trencher board. Garments have
been taken to the laird. I will put bricks on your bliaut, milady. All is in readiness, as you would wish.”

“I thank you.” Morrigan couldn’t help but like the friendly MacKays. Nor could she fault the seeming ease with which they
organized everything. None seemed to hurry or fret, but a great deal was accomplished in short order, and done well.

She hurried through her laving, wondering if the rules
of etiquette used in Wales were the same as those of Scotland. She would need to have instruction so that she wouldn’t offend
by omission of act or commission of error.

She washed as she pondered this, astonished at her body’s tenderness. A vision of Hugh rose in her mind, their coupling a
colorful memory.

Hurrying as best she could, she dressed with Mavis’s help in a very plain cloth of Cathay gown with an embroidered bliaut
over it. The rich sea green made her hair glow with a thousand red lights through the ebony. Though she wore little jewelry,
her spousal ring, surrounded as it was with diamonds, was opulent enough. Her head cover was a filmy veil with a circlet of
gold holding it in place.

The attendant returned to put the chamber in order.

“You are most lovely, milady,” Mavis remarked, her tone shy. “All MacKays are most proud of your beauty and acumen.”

Unaccustomed to compliments from her rough-hewn family, Morrigan felt emotion rise in her throat. “I thank you for your kind
words.” She reached out and squeezed Mavis’s hand, then turned toward the door. She missed the look of wonder on the attendant’s
face.

She descended the stairs almost at a run, wondering who it could be, wishing she’d asked Mavis.

Dilla was at the bottom. “ ’Tis Lady MacKenzie and Lord Kieran who await you. They seem extremely overset. I’ve given them
refreshments.”

Morrigan touched Dilla’s arm. “Thank you. Lord MacKay is with them?”

Dilla bit her lip. “Not yet. ’Tis the mare, you see. She’s about to foal, and her time is never easy.”

Morrigan wanted to laugh, but didn’t. Being Welsh she realized how important the equines were, and how some were more dear
than others.

Dilla moved aside and Morrigan moved to the top of the step leading down to the great room. Lady MacKenzie was there, threading
her hands together. Kieran had crooked his arm on the high mantel, resting his forehead there.

Morrigan paused. Mother and son did, indeed, look overset. “Good day to you.”

Lady MacKenzie was on her feet, about to rush toward her, arms wide, when she stopped, eyes dilated as she looked at Morrigan.
“Surely ’Tis a new fashion in mourning.”

“I… I beg your pardon.” Morrigan looked at a very surprised Kieran, whose gaze seemed locked to her raiment. “I don’t understand.”

“Do not try to be brave, milady,” Kieran said, his strong voice solemn. “We heard from the runners, and came as soon as we
could.”

Lady MacKenzie opened her arms, her smile sad. “We’ve come to solace you, my dear.”

“You have?” Morrigan tried to think who could have expired in her family.

“Yes. We’ve heard all the details from the runners.”

“Runners? What runners? For what?”

Lady Maud MacKenzie studied her, then eyed her son. “This has been too much for you, has it not, poor dear?”

“Madame, I—”

Hugh burst into the room, smiling at her.

Lady MacKenzie gave a sharp cry and swayed.

Morrigan rushed forward. She and Kieran reached the woman at the same time, catching her as she swooned.

“Christ!” MacKay smacked the gong to the side of the wide entrance to the great room. “I’ve not had that effect on females.”

Morrigan looked over her shoulder, frowning. He shrugged.

Dilla came running, eyeing her laird.

“Get something for her ladyship. She’s fainted.”

Dilla nodded once and was off at the run.

Hugh then moved past his wife and Kieran, lifting Maud into one of the heavy fireside chairs so much favored by Egyptian builders.

Morrigan dabbed her hanky in cool wine and wiped Maud’s forehead. “I think it was you that worried her, Hugh.”

“Why?”

Kieran glanced away from his mother for a moment. “Runners came from the king telling us you were killed.”

“What? How could that be? No one knew I was ill but the clan. And none thought me dying.”

Kieran shrugged. “I could wish that such a message had never been sent. It devastated my mother.”

“I’m so sorry,” Morrigan said, looking up, feeling confused. “I don’t know how that happened, or how such a rumor spread to
the king’s runners. If I had known such a thing was happening, I would’ve stopped such gossip.” Her glance slipped to Hugh
and back again. “You see I was closeted with him all through the first night. In the days following his affliction he needed
constant care. I never even thought to send messages.” Contrite, Morrigan looked back at the quivering Lady MacKenzie, whose
eyes had fluttered open. “Lie still, dear lady. Soon you’ll be put to rights.”

Kieran nodded. “I understand. No doubt ’twas one of the handmaidens who sent word.”

Morrigan inhaled, her voice shaking. “ ’Twas a terrible time. Sometimes I didn’t think I would save him.”

“I beg pardon. ’Tis not like me to swoon. I couldn’t credit my joy at seeing Hugh…” Tears welled in Maud’s eyes.

“Shhh. All is well,” Morrigan comforted.

Hugh watched her, then his gaze went to Maud. “Morrigan is right. Be at ease.” Questions left his mind when he noted the haunted,
pain-filled look on her face. Maud had been through plenty. Her husband had expired early, his treasures scattered among various
lenders. There would’ve been even less than the castle they had and the small holding if Ermuth hadn’t expired in his bed
from overeating. None of the MacKenzies
had ever been too stable. Ermuth had taken it another step and wagered on anything that moved until he’d depleted his inheritance
beyond repair. Now she’d received another blow. She’d thought him dead. Then he appeared in front of her. “Don’t fret yourself,
Maud. All will be well.”

“Thank you, Hugh. Your wife is a most caring female.”

“She is, indeed.” His heart swelled in his chest as he looked at Morrigan. “To be sure she is an excellent purveyor of medicaments.
My life would’ve been forfeit had she not been so knowledgeable. You are in good care, Maud. All the MacKays trust Morrigan.”

Morrigan’s smile was fleeting. “Some do.” She looked down at Lady MacKenzie, gratified to see color in her face, the glazed
look gone from her expression. “I will order a special tea for you, milady, if you please.”

“Thank you. A restorative would be kind.”

Morrigan nodded and turned when she saw Dilla hovering in the doorway. She made her request and the other woman answered.

“I will get what you need, milady.”

“Thank you.” She turned back and saw Kieran smiling. “What?”

“You trust your new family, I see.”

Hugh said nothing, his arms crossed in front of him.

Morrigan’s gaze skated off him and back to Kieran. “They are MacKays, and therefore to be trusted.” She felt Hugh’s warm glance.
When Kieran laughed she smiled.

“You’ve indoctrinated her, Hugh,” he said, grinning, his relief at his mother’s smile obvious.

“Nay! She saw the light herself.”

Maud chuckled, trying to sit upright.

“I think you should stay still, Mother,” Kieran warned.

“I shall. Ah, here’s your woman with the mixtures.”

Morrigan smiled. “Thank you, Dilla.” She took the small cloth bags from her, going to the fireplace. She spooned small measures
into the kettle that steamed between Dilla and herself.

Pouring some into a cup, she carried it over to Lady MacKenzie, holding it while the other woman sipped. When Maud sat back,
Dilla came forward and pushed a stool in front of Lady MacKenzie’s chair. Then she placed the steaming kettle, some cloths,
and a plate of tiny scones on a small stool.

Lady MacKenzie smiled, lifting her cup again and sipping. “This is a delicious brew, Morrigan. You must tell me how ’Tis fashioned.”

“ ’Tis a mix of teas, milady, from far-off lands, plus a good share of sassafras to keep the body balanced.”

Maud nodded. “I know the worth of such mixes.”

When Dilla turned to go, Morrigan followed her. She felt Hugh’s stare though she didn’t look at him. “Dilla, did someone send
messages about the laird’s illness?”

Dilla frowned. “I’m not sure. I know there was consternation among the people. Even if nothing was sent abroad, the word went
out, far and wide, to be sure. Some thought he was lost to us.” Her glance went past
Morrigan to her laird. “Woe to us if we lose him. So many covet the treasures of Morgan.” She looked back at Morrigan. “You
saved him for us. The debt can never be repaid, milady.”

“Thank you.” She touched Dilla’s arm. “I could wish that no such message had been sent to Kieran’s parent. She was most distraught.”

“That she was.”

Morrigan wanted to ask Dilla more, but in deference to her guests she couldn’t linger.

Dilla smiled. “We love him, as you do milady.” She turned and hurried back to her kitchen.

Morrigan was frozen to the floor, knowing full well her mouth had dropped, her heart had stopped. Did all the MacKays know?
No! How could it be? She was Welsh. She hid her feelings well. She sighed. Of course it was foolish to love a wild Scot. Too
late—

“What ails, my love?” Hugh said, coming up behind her, his mouth in her hair.

“Ah, nothing. I was listening to Dilla.”

He leaned down and caught her lower lip between his teeth, his body hiding her from the MacKenzies. “I would have you give
me the same engrossing attention, love.”

Edward Baliol was cross. No! He was damn well furious, though he struggled to hide it. Years of warfare when he hadn’t known
foe from friend had taught him to school his features, give no thoughts away. Right now it took every facet of his being to
keep him from screaming the castle down, calling out his army to smite those who would gainsay him.