Page 97 of A Highland Bride Disciplined
Scarlett lingered, her hand resting on Elise’s cradle as Morag settled the babe to sleep in a quiet corner of the hall.
He watched Morag ease the tension that twisted along Scarlett’s shoulders. She nodded, but her hand lingered a moment longer before she let go.
As Kian watched, something unsettled moving through him. He’d seen her command men, soothe babes, spar with words sharp as steel. But this quiet, aching tenderness stole his breath.
“Should just go talk to her,” Tam muttered at his shoulder.
Kian shot him a look.
Tam only grinned, wiping foam from his beard. “Nay shame in enjoyin’ the company of yer wife, Laird. None at all.”
Kian rolled his eyes and waved the man away. Tam left shrugged but left him, his deep laugh lingering in his wake.
The hall slowly emptied, servants clearing trenchers, banked fires casting the last glow of the evening. Kian rose, stretching the stiffness from his shoulders, and caught Scarlett watching him from across the table. He smirked and closed the distance between them.
As he approached, her grin grew slowly to match his, and he bowed his head ever so slightly.
“Husband,” he heard her say softly.
He rose and offered his arm. “Wife.”
She hesitated, then rose, sliding her hand into the crook of his elbow. Her touch was light and cautious. Together they walked the length of the hall, past Morag, past the cradle where Elise slept, past the last of the embers.
“Do ye wish to join us on the hunt tomorrow, lass?”
“I think I’ll stay in the keep with me sisters.”
“Aye, of course. If ye wished to, though, I’ll have a horse saddled.”
“Thank ye,” she said, as they slowly took to the stairs.
Not wanted to feel the pressure of the silence, Kian continued, “And how are yer sisters?”
“They’re all good… Skylar was —” a laugh interjected but she waved it off. “Never mind.”
Unsatisfied, but respectful of her privacy, Kian nodded. “Good,” he said finally, and continued down the corridor to her chamber door.
The gold hue of her hearth danced under the threshold of her chamber door causing him to slow to a stop, and Kian led Scarlett around to stand in front of him.
“If ye change yer mind in the morning, lass, just send word. We’ll leave a day break after the last of the guests arrive.”
“I will, thank ye,” she managed, and dipped her head before turning away from him.
He didn’t know what came over him. Some feeling of dissatisfaction or duty or that accusatory look that Skylar left him down in the hall, but he reached out for her then. His arm crossing her chest and landing on her shoulder, urging her toface him again, and when she did, he lowered his head and kissed her.
The kiss was not heavy or heated. It didn’t mean he would push them into her chambers and take her again. It was gentle. Kind. A peace offering. As fast as a heartbeat. And then it was over.
Kian straightened and smiled down at her. “I’m glad yer family has made it safely.”
Her eyes searched his for a moment longer before she smiled back at him warmly. “Me too…”
Her hand lingered on the door for another breath before she pressed into her chambers slowly, brokering only a sliver of opportunity for him to join her. Kian simply stood there, smiling, and then bowed his head slightly. “Goodnight, lass.”
Before turning away and walking to his own chambers for the night he let her soft voice caress his spine, “Goodnight, Kian.”
The next morning, the hunt broke sharp and cold, the kind of air that cut through the lungs and made men feel alive. Kian stood in the courtyard, watching the arrival of more guests, his arms folded across his chest.
Horses stamped and snorted as grooms led them toward the stables. The banners of friendly clans rippled in the breeze, a show of loyalty and curiosity. Everyone wanted to witness Crawford rising again.
