Chapter 6

Kira told herself she was happy that Alec had not returned to the marriage chamber to attempt to claim his husbandly rights for the last three nights. To admit that she secretly lamented the fact he had not even tried was unthinkable. Not that she would have given in! Still, each time she laid down in that big bed alone and smelled his manly scent on the pillows, she could not help thrilling again at the memory of the pleasurable touch of his fingers and his commanding kisses.

She had spent much of those days exploring the library or with Catreena and Ilyssa, sewing and learning the castle gossip, riding out in the beautiful countryside, and following the two girls about the castle and its grounds as they showed her around. The place was impressive, and it was impossible to take in that she was now Lady Mackintosh.

However, one afternoon, she developed a slight headache and decided to go for a walk to try to get rid of it in the fresh air. The weather was pleasantly mild, so she strolled around the gardens, admiring their beauty, and wondering if Alec would appear that night in the bedchamber and demand she perform her conjugal duties.

Her anxiety was eclipsed when the air grew colder, and she looked up to see dark clouds gathering in the distance over the mountains. Immediately, she felt a twinge of fear. Her fingers went at once to her scarf, toying with it nervously, for she was terrified of thunderstorms. It was during such a storm that she had lost her mother. She stood frowning, looking at the darkening clouds, silently praying a storm would not come.

Deciding not to take a chance, she began to retrace her steps back to the safety of the indoors. But as she passed a clump of ash trees, she suddenly glimpsed a flash of color behind one of the trunks. Investigating, she came across Catreena sitting with her back against the trunk.

"Hello. What are ye reading?" she asked, going around to greet her. Catreena smiled warmly and held up her book.

"Ah, another about healing, I see," Kira said, returning Catreena's smile. She had already learned about Catreena's passion for the healing arts and her ambition to become a healer herself. She thought it admirable.

"Come and sit with me a while, Kira," her sister-in-law invited, patting the grass next to her.

"Is it nae too cold tae be outside," Kira hedged, glancing nervously back at the clouds, touching her scarf once more. The clouds seemed to be darkening and advancing rapidly in their direction.

"Nay, nae at all. I find it peaceful out here," Catreena replied. At the sound of girlish laughter ringing out nearby, they both turned their heads. Ilyssa was not far away, standing talking to Bran. But when she spotted them, she waved. Quickly taking her leave of her friend, she began walking over to join them.

"I have a feeling yer peace is about tae be disrupted," Kira joked. Catreena laughed and shut her book.

"I think ye're right," she said.

"Hello, me friends," Ilyssa greeted them merrily as she came up to them. She flung herself down on the grass next to Catreena. "What are ye up tae? Och, dinnae bother tae answer, Catreena. I see ye have yer nose in another of yer healing books." She looked up at Kira and smiled. "What about ye, Lady Mackintosh?"

"I was just takin' a wee walk. I was goin' back inside because I think there's a storm comin'."

"D'ye nae like storms?" Ilyssa asked curiously, seeming to notice Kira's anxious mood. Kira saw the two girls exchange a worried glance.

"Nay," Kira admitted, embarrassed. "I'm afeared of them. I hate the thunder." She did not want to mention her mother and spoil the girls' cheerful mood.

"Och, ye poor thing. Well, I'm sure I can come up with somethin' tae take yer mind off it," Ilyssa said. She thought for a moment, her finger to her cheek. Then she said excitedly, "I ken, let's go down tae the loch and swim."