Chapter 18

BEATRICE woke with a start when a light knock on her door had her nearly tumbling out of bed. From the sound of it, it couldna have been Colin, so she could only imagine it had to be someone from the kitchens seeking her assistance with something.

She answered the door and was quite surprised to find Lady McIntyre standing there with a smile.

“My lady, please come in.”

Colin’s mother entered and sat in a chair by the hearth, and Beatrice sat at the table.

“What can I do for ye? I canna imagine yer terribly impressed with my disgraceful display earlier,” Beatrice admitted.

“Not particularly, but I do understand why ye ran out, and so does Colin, even if he doesna outwardly display his emotions. Lass, I know that my boy wasna clear on his plans, but that’s no reason to reject him.”

“Nay, it isna, but I hardly know him. I am grateful that he thinks by offering me Sinclair’s lands it will somehow make up for past atrocities, but the truth of the matter is, I doona understand why I even object to the idea of marrying him. He’s handsome, strong, and an incredible leader. Most women would kill for the opportunity…”

“But?”

“But it’s as I say. How can I marry a man that I do not know, and I’m not even sure if I love him?”

Beatrice couldna believe she had spoken the words. When lady McIntyre smiled, she moved her chair closer to her.

“My dear, if all the men of the Highlands waited for their manners to improve before a wife selected them, they’d all have died waiting. Highlanders take what they want and ask questions later. Their wives are not exempt from that way of thinking. Most matches are excellent while others…well, those aren’t important. What I’m trying to say is that my son is different with ye than he’s been with other women. Yer the first to risk yer life for him, and yer the first to get under his skin. If those actions alone mean he hasn’t developed feelings for you, then I doona know what does.”

“My lady, do not think me impudent, but why are ye really here?”

“I wanted you to consider on staying on here and give the thought of being my daughter-in-law a chance. Colin is every ounce a gentleman as he is a warrior and would keep ye from harm’s way. I will even stay on so that ye’ll have a companion ye can trust in.”

Beatrice shrugged. She supposed she wouldna mind the company and could use the time to get to know Colin better.

“Does the laird know ye will be staying on? I believe after insulting him the way I did, he’d hardly want to marry me now.”

“I’m certain he would expect me to stay on. He wouldna approve of me leaving for our keep with uncertainty in the air.”

“Of course not. I say, I could use some air. Would you join me then?”

Colin’s mama all but smiled. “Let us go find Giric then, so he and his men will accompany us.”

* * * *

Colin waited for what seemed an eternity for Giric to return with a report of how things went during their walk, all the while trying to keep his lust in check. He wanted the damned lass and hadn’t managed to get her out of his mind since that night.

His wound ached something fierce, and Deidre checked on him every few hours to ensure infection hadn’t set in. He found her annoying at times but knew she was doing her job.

The priest had finally arrived to aid in the burial of the men he’d lost and those formerly of the Sinclair clan.

A messenger from his allies also advised they would be arriving at his home in a few days in celebration of his upcoming wedding and the successful overthrow of Sinclair.

None of his scouts had found where the daughters of Sinclair had run off to, but he suspected they were hiding in a convent by now close to the Lowlands. He didna want to have to worry about them sending rebels up this way, yet in the event they did, his men would be ready.

If Giric didna arrive soon to give him a full report of how his mother and Beatrice were doing, he’d venture off and take care of things himself.

Before he wandered off to his makeshift bedchamber, he heard the castle door open. Colin turned to find Giric standing there, smiling. Was the man smiling from relief in being away from the women, who he knew had a talent for driving him crazy, or did he bring other news instead?

“Ye have impeccable timing as always, Giric. What news do ye bring?”

“Lady McIntyre has warmed to Beatrice as expected. Last I heard, they were whispering about ye, though I didna hear what they were saying. Yer mother saw fit in chasing me out of the cottage while they were discussing womanly things, advising me I should consider being leg shackled too. Och, I confess it didna take much to have me running. I’m na ready for such nonsense and quite frankly, I find the idea off-putting.”

Colin laughed. “Ye know I used to think the same way. My mother went as far as to create a nursery because I allowed her to. If I didna indulge her whim, she’d have lined up the lassies nightly until she found a suitable bride.”

“It’s nay that, Laird. If I wanted to settle down, I already fancy a lass at home. The complication lies in that I may have to leave at a moment’s notice with my uncle ill and I’m the only heir to his clan.”

Colin acknowledged the warrior’s worry. “Giric, I know when that time comes, ye will make an excellent leader. So why wait to take a bride?”

“Ye, of all people, are asking me that question? Is it not enough that the times are dangerous…but to leave a bride at home alone with a bairn and never come back if something dreadful were to happen? I couldna do that to Abigail.”

Colin grunted. “So the rumors are true…It’s the cook’s daughter ye fancy. That explains why Gertie seems impatient when yer around. If Abigail is who ye want, doona wait too long. Ye wouldna want one of the other men to snag her from yer reach.”

His warrior sighed with defeat.

“Giric, if yer seeking my blessing to marry the girl, ye have it. But I willna be a party in any head games ye might be playing. If yer delay is on the count of na having proper lodgings for a wife, there is an empty cottage that I will give ye and yer family to help out. Give it some thought. The priest will return with me, and for the celebrations, our allied clans will join us.”

“Just what are ye getting at, laird?”

“That if ye want to marry, the priest will already be there for my wedding to Beatrice.”

“Ha,” Giric snorted at him. “Good luck with that, laird. The lass is determined in having time to consider yer offer.”

“You doona mean to say she thinks to have a courtship first? Hell! What does she think this is? England?”

“Aye, I do say. I heard her and Lady McIntyre conversing on the very subject.”

“Do ye think she’ll keep me waiting long?”

“Nay.”

Colin patted his friend on the back. “Good work.”

He began walking to his room and shouted back at Giric.

“We return to the keep tomorrow, and Cormac has agreed to stay until my return.”

“How long do ye guess we’ll be gone for?”

“I’m not certain. All will depend much on what Beatrice desires. There’s a spare room across the hall from me. Yer more than welcome to spend the night in the keep.”

“Nay, I think I’ll stay outside tonight by Beatrice’s cottage. Someone has to keep an eye on the comings and going of those two ladies, but thank ye kindly.”

Colin went on to his room to think over how he was going to break to her that they were getting married, that any idea of her wanting a courtship was ludicrous, and that they were meant to be together.

She would be his, whether she understood it or not. He couldna in good conscience let her have the opportunity to have the upper hand here. Not after what they’d shared. Beatrice gave him peace, something he quite hadna understood until now.