Page 44 of To Wed a Witch
Instead of the refined beauty she'd imagined, the woman who swept into their Great Hall was practical-looking, with intelligent eyes and unruly hair that escaped its pins in cheerful disarray.She was pretty rather than beautiful, with slight laugh lines around her eyes and ink stains on her fingers that spoke of a woman more concerned with substance than appearance.
Her husband, Laird Ewan MacNeil, was another surprise.Tall and broad-shouldered like Bhaltair, he had the bearing of a warrior but gentle eyes that never strayed far from his wife.
"Ferguson!"Ewan called out as they entered the hall."When ye didn't appear for our meeting, Lil practically nagged me to death until I agreed to see what urgent matters kept ye from us."
Sìne heard Lileas snort and mutter, "I didn't nag ye.Ye were just as curious, husband."
"MacNeil!"Bhaltair moved forward to clasp his friend's arm."I had hoped to attend.But there have been complications."
"So we've heard."Lileas stepped forward, her bright eyes taking in everything with obvious curiosity."The whole countryside is buzzing with tales of the happily wedded Ferguson laird.We simply had to meet this wife of yers for ourselves."
"Then allow me to present my wife," Bhaltair said formally, his hand finding Sìne's waist in a gesture of support."Sìne, these are my friends Ewan and Lileas MacNeil."
"So ye're the Mad MacKay Witch!"Lileas exclaimed with delight, clapping her hands together."I kenned ye were real.Ewan doubted it...my sister-in-law Fiona...well, she is not going to believe this!But ye look rather well for a mythical creature."Her tone was so cheerfully irreverent that Sìne found herself fighting back a smile despite her nerves.
"Lileas!Mind yer manners," Ewan replied in exasperation.
"Oh, I am sorry.I...my mouth just says what it thinks with little thought for the consequences," Lileas said with a rueful smile as they greeted one another.
Sìne grinned, not taking any offense at all.In fact, she found them quite funny together.For the first time she understood why Bhaltair liked them, and instantly her jealousy left her.There was something so genuine about the woman that it was impossible not to warm to her immediately.
At that moment, Aidyn's babbling could be heard from the upper levels, followed by Paisley's gentle voice as she brought the child down to meet the visitors.
"Oh, who is this precious babe?"Lileas asked as Paisley appeared with Aidyn in her arms.
"Our daughter," Bhaltair replied, taking Aidyn and settling her comfortably in the crook of his arm.
Ewan grinned."Well, she is a bonnie wee lass, that's for certain," he said without missing a beat, his easy acceptance clear in his voice.
"She's beautiful," Lileas added warmly, reaching out to let Aidyn grasp her finger."And she has yer eyes.So alert and intelligent."
It wasn't long before Dugald appeared.He seemed to hover wherever Paisley was lately.When he saw Lileas MacNeil, he quickly tried to sidestep and make himself scarce.
Lileas caught him trying to retreat and shouted, "Dugald!Ye old goat."
Dugald cringed, then gave her his most reverent bow."Lady MacNeil."
"Dinnae Lady MacNeil me.What are ye about?Did ye kidnap this one as well?Is that how Bhaltair came to be married to a MacKay?"
Chuckling could be heard from Ewan and Bhaltair as Dugald squirmed.He'd apologized several times in the past, especially after Bhaltair had punished him for his efforts.But Lileas MacNeil still took great pleasure in reminding him about his misguided kidnapping attempts.
Sìne and Paisley seemed confused until Laird Ewan explained that Dugald had kidnapped Lileas for the Ferguson clan, and it had not gone so well for him.
"How can ye laugh about this?"Paisley asked, somewhat perturbed.
Dugald replied, "Because I've done my penance, and I regret the day I ever tried to kidnap Lady MacNeil.She was the most troublesome woman I ever met, and I'm so grateful she's not our mistress."
That had the men laughing, and even Lileas was grinning at him.
***
LATER, OVER PRIVATErefreshments in the family solar, Bhaltair shared with the MacNeils why he missed their meeting.They were curious because he had not missed a single one since they first began their alliance.
"Sutherland," Bhaltair replied grimly."We believe he's behind the whole thing."
Lileas and Ewan exchanged a look.
"Sutherland," Ewan repeated thoughtfully."That explains a great deal.We've had our own dealings with that family, and subtlety was never their strong suit."
