Page 30 of To Wed a Witch
Sìne's blush deepened as she stood."Thank ye all for yer warm welcome," she said."Aidyn and I are honored to call Ferguson Keep our home."
The cheers that followed were genuine and heartfelt.As the clan settled back into their seats and proceeded to fill their bellies, several of the women approached the head table.Agnes, the head cook, bustled forward with obvious delight.
"My lady," she beamed, "it's been far too long since we've had a proper mistress of the Keep.Might I show ye the kitchens tomorrow?Ada said it would be good ye have the knowledge of things."
"I'd be delighted," Sìne replied, her natural warmth breaking through her shyness.
An elderly woman tottered over with the help of her walking stick."The bairn's bonnie as a spring morning," she declared, peering at Aidyn."Has she been sleeping well in her new chambers?"
"Better than I expected," Sìne admitted."Though I fear she may be spoiled with all the attention she's receiving."
Bhaltair chuckled, adjusting his hold on the baby."She's a Ferguson now.A bit of spoiling will not hurt her."
As more women gathered around Sìne, drawing her into conversations about everything from weaving to winter preparations, Bhaltair remained close, one eye always on his new family.Little Aidyn, now old enough for soft foods, sat on his lap as he fed her a mix of pottage and milk during the meal.He talked to the men as he patiently spooned the mixture into her mouth.Aidyn chewed and kicked her legs with delight whilst Bhaltair wiped her chin with tenderness.
"Never thought I'd see the day," muttered a member of his war band, approaching with a cup of ale."Bhaltair Ferguson playing nursemaid."
"Careful, Greig," Bhaltair warned with a grin, "or ye'll find yerself on stable duty for a week."
"No jest, laird.'Tis good to see ye happy."The man's expression grew serious."The whole clan needed this.We were beginning to wonder if the Ferguson luck had run out entirely."
Bhaltair's smile faded slightly."Speaking of luck, any word from the scouts?"
"Still camped beyond the south border.No movement toward our lands, but they're not leaving either."Greig lowered his voice."Fifteen men.Well-armed."
A protective instinct flared in Bhaltair's chest as he looked down at Aidyn, then across at Sìne laughing softly with the clan women."Double the watch.I want to ken the moment they cross the border."
"Already done."
The evening continued with music and stories, and Bhaltair found himself reluctant to let either his wife or daughter stray far from his side.As the night wore on and little Aidyn grew drowsy in his lap, rubbing her eyes with tiny fists, he caught Sìne's eye across the conversation of women surrounding her.
She excused herself gracefully and came to his side."She's tired," she said softly, reaching for the child."I'll put her to bed."
Bhaltair stood, lifting Aidyn gently.He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, then leaned over to brush his lips against Sìne's cheek.Her skin was warm and smelled faintly of lavender.
"Remember what we discussed last evening," he murmured close to her ear, his voice low enough that only she could hear."I'll be expecting ye in our chambers when I retire."
Sìne's cheeks flushed, but she nodded, her eyes meeting his briefly before looking away."Aye," she whispered.
Paisley, who had been hovering nearby, came to Sìne's aid.
"There's no need, Paisley.Ye stay here awhile and enjoy the festivities," Sìne said, noting that Paisley had been in a heated discussion with Dugald.
"'Tis no bother," Paisley replied."I'd prefer to help ye and Aidyn."
As they stepped away from the dais, Bhaltair caught the eye of Dugald."Escort the ladies upstairs."
"Aye, laird," the burly man replied, already moving toward the main door.
Bhaltair watched as his small family made their way from the hall, Sìne's gown swaying as she walked, Aidyn's head resting against her shoulder.Something deep in his chest tightened with an emotion he couldn't quite name: possession, protection, and something far tenderer.The sound of laughter, the sight of full plates, the knowledge that his people would sleep warm and secure...all of it possible because of the remarkable woman who'd become his wife.
But beneath the contentment lay a sharp awareness of the dangers beyond their borders.He would not—could not—allow anything to threaten this newfound calm.Not the mercenaries, not old enemies, not anything that might cast shadows over the light that had finally returned to Ferguson Keep.
***
IN THE COZY NURSERYchamber, little Aidyn slept peacefully in her small bed, one tiny fist curled beneath her chin.The room was warm and quiet, lit only by the soft glow of a single candle on the bedside table.
In the large bedchamber beyond, Paisley hummed softly as she helped Sìne dry off from her warm scented lavender bath and don her nightshift.She'd brushed her teeth with an aromatic mint paste earlier.
