Page 49 of The Laird's Unwanted Wife
Nothing more, nothing less.
Tightening and tying off his bandage, Gerald once more found himself staring out the window. Aileen had a stick in hand, Mollie insisting on something excitedly with a wave of her arms as the other adults followed suit. Her face reddened further, that beautiful smile somehow brighter than the sun against the freshly fallen snow. Before she could throw it, Bannock managed to snatch it out of her hand and bounded off into the snowy banks, the remainder of the pack tearing after her in a chorus of yips and howls.
He watched as the MacDonnells offered laughter and reassurance, as Mollie covered her mouth to hide her owngiggles. It was only when Nathan approached with an unheard word and boldly took Aileen’s hands that Gerald felt a sudden twang of irritation. With a rumbling snarl, the Laird of MacLiddel pulled his own cloak off the back of his chair and started toward the door, his freshly cut hand beginning to throb alongside his beating heart.
“Ye’re hands all right, me Lady?” Nathan asked, raising her hands to inspect her palms carefully. “That was quite the rip of the stick.”
Aileen quickly shook her head, even with her hands slightly aching from the bark tearing against her bare skin. “Aye! I’m quite all right. I shouldnae have held the stick so low for Bannock to grab.”
“She’s nae supposed to grab it at all!” Mollie insisted, a huff of frustration tumbling out as a thick fog of cold breath. “I thought she got the hang of it, but she still willnae stay at me side.”
“Bannock is nae a pup anymore, love,” Olivia reassured. “She willnae take to commands as quickly as our hounds do.”
“Aye, but a great hound master willnae let that stop them,” Arthur laughed. “Just keep workin’ on yer ‘wait’ command, Mollie. If ye daenae give up on Bannock, she willnae either.”
Nathan nodded his agreement, quickly letting Aileen’s hands go before taking a few steps back. Before she could ask, another pair of shoes began to crunch across the courtyard, and she glanced over her shoulder to find Gerald approaching.
“Laird MacLiddel. It’s an honor to see ye in person.” Nathan offered a bow, his hands kept respectfully at his side. “Thank ye again for the invitation. I’m humbled to be called upon ye for me meager talents.”
Aileen noted the brief glint of malice behind her husband’s gaze, but it quickly melded into nonchalance. “Ye belittle yerself, for yer talent as hound master is well-known across the Highlands. I trust ye’ve been teaching Miss Mollie all ye ken?”
“And more, me Laird.” Nathan straightened upright, his face remaining carefully neutral. It was a strange sight to Aileen. The man had been far more at ease mere moments ago, even smiling as he worked alongside Mollie. Truly, her husband’s title held far more weight than she first realized.
“Gerald, Gerald!” Mollie immediately bounded across the snow, tackling Gerald to force an embrace out of him. “Nathan’s been teaching me how to make Bannock sit and stay!”
“Has he, now?” the difference in tone was so immediate that it took Aileen by surprise. Gerald spoke now with such warmth and reverence as if he were conversing with his own daughter. The thought caused a pleasant wave to ripple throughout Aileen, and it took all she had to remain upright. Gracious, he’d only spoken three words, and already, she wanted him entirely.
“The lass is goin’ to be a fierce hounds woman when she grows older,” Arthur praised. “I’ve never seen our dogs take so fast to a stranger. She had them following her all around the court just an hour or so ago!”
“But I cannae get Bannock to come when she’s called,” Mollie grumbled sourly.
“Let me see if I can help, lamb.” Setting Mollie back onto the ground, Gerald straightened himself and cupped a hand over his mouth, barking out the order, “Bannock! Come!”
Aileen watched as the deerhound cocked her head upright, the stick still in her mouth, as the other hounds froze in place. She soon came bounding back toward the group, her tail wagging low as she meekly approached the Laird of MacLiddel.
“Leave it,” Gerald commanded, gesturing to the stick. Bannock did so and, as her husband picked the stick up off the ground, he gestured once more, indicating his side. And, again, Bannock hastily obeyed.
“I daenae ken why ye called upon me services, me Laird,” Nathan mused. “Ye seem a natural yerself.”
“Aye, but I fear I can only get ye so far,” Gerald replied. Arching his arm back, he let the stick fly an incredible distance, pulling a startled gasp from Aileen and a squeal of excitement from Mollie. Truly, she forgot at times how strong her husband truly was.
“That was magic!” Mollie exclaimed, bouncing around the Laird with an excited spring to her step. “I want to throw that hard one day, too!”
“Ye keep cleanin’ yer plate as ye have, and I’m certain ye will, lamb,” Gerald replied gently.
Mollie offered a furious nod. “Aye, aye! I will, Da! Promise!”
Aileen’s expression froze, realizing she had registered her sister’s slip before Mollie had. Before she could say anything, Mollie’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, her face flushed with embarrassment.
“Mollie,” Gerald began reassuringly.
“I … I have to go do something inside! Excuse me!” Quick as a whip, Mollie spun on her heel and sprinted toward the castle door, Bannock hot on her heel as the other dogs followed suit. Something akin to a groan escaped Nathan as he followed after the beasts, trying to get them to listen to his commands. Only the lairds and ladies were left outside in the snow, with Aileen looking as startled as her husband did.
“That was the first time she called ye, ‘Da’, then?” Arthur teased.
Aileen was amazed to watch Gerald’s usually ruddy face turn a shade darker. “It’s nae such a big problem,” he grumbled, causing Aileen’s heart to skip a beat. Then, he truly didn’t mind her sister?
“I think Mollie has the right idea, anyway,” Olivia piped up, abandoning her husband’s side to loop an arm around Aileen’s. “Why daenae we go and make some hot drinks while the pair of ye help Nathan? I daenae think the Lady of the house will appreciate her floors becoming all muddied from hounds she doesnae own.”
