Page 66 of Kilted Hate

After some time considering the situation, Domhnall pushed himself from behind his desk and left the study. There was only so much time he was willing to assign to something that he could do little about. At least for now.

“Where are ye heading tae with such a determined stride?” Kai asked when they met in the corridor near the great hall.

“I’m in search o’ Katherine. Have ye seen her?”

“Aye,” Kai replied, nodding his head toward the entrance. “She’s out taking a stroll in the gardens with Enya, Thora, and Ava. They are discussing the Yule banquet.”

A teasing smile grew on Domhnall’s lips. “And how was yer journey with the delightful daughter o’ Laird MacDonald?”

Kai smirked. “Wouldnae ye like tae ken.”

Domhnall chuckled. “Actually, I’m nae sure I would. I ken ye too well.”

Kai grinned, and then, the smile slipped from his lips. “What word from the scouts?”

After Kai had arrived back last night, Domhnall and Magnus had apprised him of the situation. Kai had expressed guilt for not being there to help, but Domhnall had reassured him that his presence in the castle would have made little difference given the attack had happened outside the castle walls.

He and Magnus had then told Kai what they planned to do as the wedding neared. In fact, the plan had been implemented that very morning, for there were guards already dressed in commoner’s clothes, currently wandering around the castle grounds, alert and ready for anything or anyone that looked like they didn’t belong.

“Naething o’ any use so far,” Domhnall replied. “But I have faith we’ll discover something soon.”

Kai nodded. “Let’s hope that happens ‘afore another attack.”

After leaving Kai, Domhnall headed outside to find the woman who was soon to become his wife. The wind was bitter, but he hardly noticed. He had long become accustomed to the winters on the island he called home.

It didn’t take long to find them, all four women wrapped up warm in cloaks, hats and scarves.

“Good day tae ye all,” Domhnall said, greeting them courteously. “Ava, it is good tae see ye again. I was sorry tae hear yer faither, maither and sister will nae be able tae mak’ the journey.”

The young lass smiled and nodded. “They send their best wishes, me laird. Faither is ill, and hasnae been able tae get out o’ bed fer a week and me maither wanted tae make sure he’s all right. Lyla is visiting our family on the mainland.”

Domhnall frowned. “I am sorry tae here that. I will be sure tae write him a missive.” He then turned to Katherine. “I wonder if I might have a word with ye, Katherine.”

At his words, Katherine frowned, as though worried at his request. Her reaction surprised him a little, but wanting to reassure her, he said, “All is fine. Only, with our wedding in just a few days, I would like tae tak’ ye intae the village.”

That seemed to pacify her, for the frown dissolved, and, bidding her farewells to the others, she took his offered hand as he led her away.

“Why are we going into the village?” Katherine asked.

Domhnall gazed down at her with a knowing smile. “Ye’ll see.”

Once in the village, they dismounted, Domhnall taking the two horses and tying them to a post.

“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing here?” Katherine said, as they began to walk down the cobbled street.

“Ye’re as impatient as ye are stubborn, dae ye ken that?” he teased.

She smiled, but unlike the times before, her expression did not reach her eyes.

“There is something troubling ye,” he said.

Katherine looked surprised and shook her head. “The only thing I’m worried about is where we are going.”

He gave her a long look, trying to decipher if that was the truth, and then nodded. Of the many things he had discovered about her of late, her need to be in control was a high contender. Afterall, had she not been controlled by everyone else for the entirety of her life?

He turned down into another street and continued on, the creases on Katherine’s brow deepening at every step, which amused him greatly. Eventually, at the very end of the row of small cottages, he came to a stop.

Turning to her, he said, “Are ye ready?”

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