Page 21 of Kilted Seduction
She drawled the last word with an upraised eyebrow of her own, followed by a pointed flick of her gaze downward. “Besides, I’ve heard it said that even the best o’ men cannae perform when the cold shrinks them. I wouldnae want ye tae lose yer warmthandyer dignity.”
She kept her voice low enough to avoid embarrassing him in front of the tavern, which was crowded with folk who’d stopped in. That didn’t stop Mac from hearing her and dissolving into barely smothered laughter. “Och, I fear the lass has the right o’ it. Besides, we’ll never get tae our destination, if ye’re so busy makin’ a point tae yer lady that ye forget where ye’re meant tae be going.”
“Then I suppose we’ll all have tae make dae with warmed bannocks and heavy cloaks - and some good stew and mulled wine inside us.” Aedan lifted his hand to wave the tavern keeper over.
The stew and the wine did help, and one of the serving lasses took their cloaks to dry by the fire. The warmth, after so long in the frigid air was enough to make Thora sleepy, but she forcedthe impulse to close her eyes away. There would be time enough for that when they arrived at Castle Ross. She didn’t want to cause the group to be delayed any more than they had to be.
They remounted a candle-mark later, warmer and drier, but with a sense of urgency. By the time they’d finished their meal, the weather had worsened. The snow was heavier, the wind sharper. The sky was leaden with the promise of a true blizzard to come.
Aedan rode up beside her as they departed the village. “’Tis two candle-marks tae Castle Ross, and the weather will be poor all the way. The faster we ride, the less chance we have o’ bein’ caught in the worst o’ it. Can ye keep Steadfast on pace and on course, or dae I need tae give ye a lead rein?”
She was tempted to ask for the lead rein, but pride wouldn’t let her. Besides, if the horse did startle or founder, she didn’t want to drag another down with her. “I can manage. But…” She took a breath. “Might be best if I’m nae at lead or the end o’ the party.”
“Aye… Mac will lead. I’ll follow behind ye.” Aedan turned to give orders to his men, then the whole party kicked their horses into a moderately paced trot.
Thora set Steadfast to his paces behind Mac’s horse, and steeled herself for the ride ahead.
By the time Castle Ross appeared out of the late afternoon gloom, Aedan’s hands were frozen, and the snow was coming down thick enough that it was hard to see more than two or three horse-lengths ahead. As glad as he was to reach shelter, the weather had him in a sour mood, and not just because he was chilled to the bone.
A storm like this would make travel impossible for some time. The road would be treacherous at best, impassable at worst, and at this time of year, a storm could blow into a blizzard with barely any warning.
Whether he liked it or not, it was very likely he’d be stuck at Castle Ross for the entirety of the Yule Celebration, and possibly into the turning year. It was a miserable thought.
It also meant he’d be stuck playing his role as Thora’s beloved, and loving, husband. And that role, he feared, was likely to be every bit as treacherous and difficult as travel on the roads beyond the castle walls. Especially since some foolhardy part of him insisted on enjoying their exchanges, even when Thora got the better of him, as she had at the tavern earlier.
Still, being forced into close proximity with several people he hardly knew and didn’t trust, in the castle of a man who was an uncomfortable ally at best - Aedan would far rather be back in Cameron Castle, celebrating with his own folk.
A stable boy came to take their horses, and three servants to take their packs, and Lachlan Ross’s steward came forward to greet them. The man looked somewhat harried, and Aedan couldn’t fault him for that. Hosting any sort of major celebration was a difficult task.
“Laird and Lady Cameron? If ye’ll accompany me, I’ll show ye tae yer room. One o’ the lads will guide yer manservant tae the quarters we’ve set aside fer senior servants o’ visiting lairds and ladies. Yer guards, o’ course, are welcome tae bunk in the guardhouse, the stable, or the village, as they choose.”
Aedan exchanged a quick glance with Mac. Their guards would most certainly not be sleeping in the village, where they’d be unable to act quickly in an emergency. Aedan would see to setting up tents and some sort of temporary bivouac in the gardens before he permitted that.
The rest of the arrangements were fairly standard, however, and Aedan only stooped to grab the last of his satchels - it held his spare daggers - before he and Thora followed the steward.
The man kept speaking as they walked along, conveying information in a calm, unhurried manner, overlaid with the weariness of someone who has spoken the same words several times already, and expects to say them several more.
“The opening feast o’ the Yule will be this evening in four candle-marks. Twill be a long one, with dancing and entertainment, so ye may wish tae rest afore the meal. Ye can order a bath tae be prepared in yer chamber whenever ye wish.”
A hot bath sounded wonderful, but Aedan wasn’t sure he wanted to walk the length of the castle for one. The stone corridors were as well sealed and well-insulated as they could be, but there was still a chill in the air. It was a common enough problem, and one Aedan experienced quite frequently in his own home.
The steward finally stopped in front of a door. “I fear accommodations are a little sparse, me laird, however we’ve done our best tae offer rooms appropriate tae ye and yer lady.” He looked at them with a sense of uncertainty stamped on his rough features. “If we’d kent ye were bringing yer bride, me laird…”
“I ken. ‘Tis nae fault o’ yers. I’m sure the room is fine.” All Aedan wanted was to relax, to stretch out his back and warm his frozen limbs. Perhaps even take a brief sleep before he was forced to don the persona of ‘newly wed Laird Cameron’ at the evening feast.
“As ye will, me laird. Dinnae hesitate tae ask if there’s aught ye need.” The steward bowed them into the room. With a final nod - and a copper to the man for his courtesy - Aedan stepped inside and shut the door.
The room was a large single room, with discrete screens set where they could be used to divide the space into a ‘visiting area’ and a sleeping area. The fire was already roaring in the fireplace, filling the space with welcome warmth. Their bags were also present, and clothing had been put into the wardrobe, or the chest at the foot of the bed.
The bed. It took a moment before his mind wrapped around that, and Thora voiced the thought before he did. “’Tis only one bed.”
Aedan grunted. “Aye. As we’re supposed tae be married - and lovers as well – ‘tis only sensible.”
“But… I…”
“’Tis what it is, lass. We’ll have tae get used tae it while we’re here.” Aedan could sympathize with her clear dismay. However, as Thora was the reason they were in the position they were, he couldn’t find it in himself to be allthatsympathetic.
“Ye’re sleeping on the floor. There’s a soft rug that should be comfortable enough.” Thora scowled at him.
