Page 38 of Kilted Seduction
Then she thought of the proposed activity for the men for the day. Going out to hunt and seek a proper tree to furnish the Yule Log.
The Yule Log. Those words made her feeling an alarm jolt, like the warning bell at Castle MacLeod when they were under attack.
Something was going to happen during the Yule Log outing. She was sure of it.
But how could she prevent it, or tell Aedan to be wary, when she had no idea what sort of disaster she was warning him against?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Preparing for the Yule Log gathering was somewhat of a relief to Aedan. It was a common Yule activity, but this time, he wasn’t going to lead. There was a curious freedom in not having to be responsible for guiding the party through the woods.
The air was crisp and cold, but the snow had stopped falling, and though the sky was somewhat overcast, it lacked the heavy gray clouds of the days before. It was almost ideal weather for seeking a Yule Log, and Aedan was grateful for the break in the storms. He didn’t think Lachlan Ross would have risked his own comfort and well-being for tradition’s sake, but he hadn’t wanted to find out he was wrong.
The ride and the effort of carving the log would also allow his sore muscles some much needed exercise. And, with any luck, he would be tired enough not to think too much about sleeping beside Thora, but not touching her, despite his ever-growing desire.
He was just finishing lacing up his boots, and his heavy winter cloak when Thora approached him, a serious look on her face. Aedan’s heart sank when he beheld her winter clothing, even before she said much dreaded words. “I need tae speak tae ye.”
Aedan sighed and waved to Laird Ross, tipping his head to indicate the cause of his delay. That earned him a knowing smile and some smirks - and would earn him more teasing later, he was sure - but the laird waved him away.
He followed Thora to an alcove. “What is it?”
“I need tae come with ye.”
“What?” He’d never heard of a woman going on the hunt for the Yule Log. It was an activity for men, and men only. Women stayed at the castle and sewed Yule gifts or assisted in the baking and decorating in other parts of the castle. They didn’t go out to wander the snowy woods.
“Did ye see something?”
Thora grimaced. “I… nae clearly. I just… I ken there’s danger out there in the woods, and something will go wrong. I dinnae see what, or when, only that it will, so I must go with ye.”
Aedan just barely managed to swallow a groan of frustration and disbelief. “Ye want me tae bring ye along on a task that is traditionally only fer males, with nay more explanation than ‘danger in the woods’?”
“Aye. Aedan, I ken…”
“Nay. Clearly ye dinnae. If ye kent anything at all, ye’d nae make such a foolish suggestion.” Aedan clenched his fist in frustration. “This is a man’s task. I cannae just bring me wife along. ‘Twould earn me mockery at best, insults most likely, and even accusations o’ bein’ a milksop or bringin’ bad luck tae the festivities. Nay. I’ll be watchful if ye wish, but ye’re nae comin’.”
“I ken ye’re frustrated. So am I. I wish this warning were clearer. But I cannae stay behind. Somethin’ terrible will happen if I dinnae come.”
“Ye dinnae ken that. Ye said ye’ve nay clear idea. Might just be nerves. The woods are never completely safe. Every man kens that.”
“This is different.”
“How?” Aedan met her gaze, his own challenging. “Tell me how. Otherwise, ye’re stayin’ here.”
“I cannae explain. But I ken what I ken. And if ye leave me behind, I will leave and follow ye on me own.” Her eyes met his own without flinching, and he saw in them her resolve to do as she’d said. She would follow them, no matter the consequences, if he refused her.
“And what if ye’re the reason bad luck or danger comes?”
“I willnae be. The danger is if ye go alone.”
“Ye’ve warned me. Is that nae enough?”
“Nay.” She seemed so assured, as if she saw it as clearly as she’d dreamed the child’s danger. He wanted to shake her.
He could accept dream visions. He’d seen the proof of that last night. But this? This was foolishness, he was sure of it. Worse, it was going to make them both look foolish. She would look possessive and desperate to cling to him. He would look like a weak-willed fool who hadn’t the spine to deny his wife anything. Both were unacceptable.
“And what excuse am I supposed tae give? I dinnae think ye want tae tell them about yer ‘gift’.” He couldn’t help sneering the word slightly, and he saw the flash of indignation in her eyes. “So what am I tae say?”
“Say I’m used tae goin’ with me braithers, and I was missing them, since ‘tis me first Yule without them. Say ye agreed tae indulge me, as a kindness, since I told ye it was likely the reason I was so irritable o’ late. There’s truth enough in it and I can see they’ll accept it.”
