Page 11 of To Wed a Witch
She studied his face, taking in the steady gaze, the slight smile that softened what could have been a harsh expression."I can see that.But why are ye here?"
"I came to fetch ye.Ye gave me no chance to speak to ye so we can ken one another."
Heat flooded her cheeks."Oh.I see.I suppose that was...rather rude of me.But perhaps if ye return to the Keep, I can join ye there...later."
Noticing her obvious nervousness with his presence, Bhaltair gentled his voice."Sìne, I ken this arrangement is not what either of us planned, but we're to be wed in mere days.It seems wise that we should at least be able to come to an understanding."
Sìne looked up at him, surprised by his reasonableness.She'd expected anger at her disappearance.Instead, he stood patiently in her garden as if he had all the time in the world.
She caught sight of his men waiting beyond her gate."Aye, well, that does sound reasonable, but unfortunately I will need some time to ready myself to receive ye.If ye and yer men remain out here, I could fetch some cider and fresh bannocks.Mayhap ye can take yer leave and we can continue this back at the Keep."
Dugald's face immediately brightened at the mention of fresh bannocks, and he took a hopeful step forward.The other men shifted eagerly, clearly tempted by the offer of food and drink after their ride through the misty forest.
Bhaltair scowled and shot a sharp look at his men, particularly Dugald, who looked as if he was about to barge his way into their conversation."My men will remain outside of the gate," he said firmly.
Dugald snorted."But laird, surely we could stop for a wee bit of—"
"Outside, Dugald," Bhaltair growled, not taking his eyes off Sìne."All of ye.Guard the perimeter."
The men exchanged glances, and Dugald muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "possessive bastard" before stepping back with obvious reluctance.
"I would welcome the chance to speak with ye privately," Bhaltair continued to Sìne.
Something in his tone made her pulse quicken.There was an intimacy to the idea of being alone with him that both thrilled and terrified her.But then she remembered why he could not set foot inside...not yet.She found herself unsure what to do.Her maid Paisley was still running errands in the village, and that meant Sìne would need to find another way to keep the determined man out of her cottage.
"Of course.But would ye mind waiting a moment so I might ready the hearth to receive ye properly?"
Bhaltair frowned at her behavior.If he was not mistaken, Sìne seemed desperate to have him leave.Her eyes kept darting about with nervousness toward the cottage.What is she hiding?he wondered.It was then a sound came from within.It was a gentle thudding noise followed by what sounded almost like...babbling?
Sìne froze, her face going pale.Bhaltair's eyes narrowed, his warrior's instincts immediately alert.
"What was that?"he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion.
"Nothing," Sìne said quickly, too quickly."Just...the wind.Or perhaps one of the goats got loose."
But even as she spoke, another sound drifted through the door.
Bhaltair wondered why she would not let him inside.Then he was struck with all manner of thoughts he did not want to entertain."Is there a man inside?Do ye have a lover ye scurried back here to meet?"he demanded.For some reason, he was filled with jealousy over the fact.
He caught the panicked look on her face.Guilty!
Before Sìne could respond, Bhaltair did not wait.He barged past her and stormed toward the cottage as Sìne ran after him desperately trying to prevent him.But when he opened the door, he inhaled a shocked breath as he took in what he was seeing.By the hearth sat a cradle, and within it a small bonnie toddler with large brown eyes and curly hair was sitting up inside it, banging her small hands against the cradle and frowning at him.
Bhaltair stopped in his tracks."Whose babe?"
Sìne, despite her protests, had moved swiftly to place herself between him and the child.
"She...she is mine."
Bhaltair stared in shock for a moment, then asked, "And her father?"
"He was killed in a skirmish before she was born, but even before that he refused to acknowledge her once he kenned I was with child."
"So ye were not married then."
She blushed and shook her head.That was enough for Bhaltair to realize what was really happening now.
He clenched his fists and asked, "Do ye love him?"
