Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Falling asleep after the near-kiss he’d shared with Thora was difficult. If it hadn’t been for the weariness caused by his exertions rescuing the boy, as well as the lassitude caused by the chill of the water, he wasn’t sure he would have managed.

Waking up scarcely three candle-marks later to the sound of a scandalized gasp and the sight of a startled maid was no easier, and distinctly less pleasant. He was still trying to sort out what was causing the startled look on her face when she managed to speak. “Me laird, why are ye sleepin’ on the floor?”

Aedan came awake all at once, tension banishing any sleepiness from his mind as panicked awareness flooded his thoughts.

They’d slept too long. Before, they’d always roused early enough to set the bed to rights and make sure no sign of their sleeping arrangements was evident. He’d intended to do the same this morning, even if he let Thora sleep through it. Now it was too late.

Worse, he had no doubt Lachlan would hear of it before the breakfast had passed, either through rumors or a report from one of his servants.

He heaved himself from the blankets, and stretched, pretending nonchalance while he thought. In the end, all he could think of was some of the things he’d heard the guards say, when they were quarreling with a wife or lover. “A proper gentleman doesnae tak’ the bed from a lady, even in the midst o’ an argument, nae even if he’s tired and technically her laird.”

“Dinnae act as if ye were bein’ gracious. Ye took the warmest o’ the blankets.” Thora sat up, awakened by their speech. She managed to adopt an irritated expression as she threw a pillow at his face. “I didnae make ye sleep on the floor. I only warned ye that ye’d lose yer manhood if ye touched me. Ye’re the one that decided ye’d rather brave the floor than risk that I’d mak’ good me word if ye were too restless at night.”

Aedan restrained a sigh of relief that she’d guessed at his ruse and managed to make it look convincing. Now all he had to do was play his part, and follow her lead. “Thora…”

“Och, leave me be, Aedan. I may nae be quite so vexed with ye this morn, but dinnae think I wouldnae consider making good on me word even now.” The glare she gave him was convincing enough that Aedan almost wondered if it was real, and he’d done something to offend her in truth. Though if that was the case, he’d no idea what he might have done to earn her ire, especially after the events of the night.

“I was only attempting to be courteous…”

“Courteous? Is that what ye call gossiping with the other men about our relationship, and tellin’ tales about us at the supper table? Dinnae think I didnae see the looks they were giving me, nor hear the way they whispered. And then, fer ye tae suggest I’d only be vexed because I was on me moon cycle…”

Oh. He hadn’t even considered that. But he couldn’t let the excuse go to waste. “Well, what else was I supposed tae think when ye…”

The sound of fleeing footsteps and a closing door were clearly audible, even over their voices, as the maid made a hurried escape. Aedan stopped, listening in case she was returning, but the footsteps faded quickly away, and he heard no others coming toward their door.

No doubt the maid would be off to warn all her fellow servants about the argument, and the dangers of braving ‘Laird and Lady Cameron’s tempers’. That, or she’d gone to report their behavior straight to Lachlan Ross. Either was possible, but at least the ruse had bought them some time to head off Lachlan’s suspicions.

“Och, wonderful…” The soft, resigned exclamation drew his attention back to Thora. She was staring at the door with an expression of consternation on her face. Their eyes met, and she blushed. “I’m sorry… I didnae even think…”

Aedan shook his head. “’Tis all right. Ye did offer me the bed.” It was as much his fault as hers, that he’d been too tired and too ‘gentlemanly’ to suggest an alternative, or that they share. He wished he had thought of such things, but it was too late to do anything about it now. The damage had been done. “Dae ye think Lachlan Ross will believe what he’s likely tae hear?”

“I dinnae ken. He might accept it, or he might be suspicious and question us. We’ll have tae be ready fer either situation, I suppose.” Thora brushed her hair back from her face. “But sayin’ we quarreled… ‘twas quick thinkin’ on yer part, fer I was too startled tae think o’ any excuse.”

Aedan shrugged. “’Twas luck. I happened tae recall something I’d heard warriors in my castle talk about when they’d fought with their wives.” He recalled what else she’d accused him of saying. “On another matter… just tae be clear… are ye actually…”

Thora made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a muffled laugh, lips twitching in a small smile as she answered. “Nae at all. Me moon cycle doesnae enter that phase fer another seven-day at least. And even then, if we’re still here, me sister makes a tea that soothes the worst o’ it fer me.” To Aedan’s surprise, Thora blushed. “Tis like yer suggestion o’ quarreling. ‘Twas something I overheard said between one o’ me brothers in an argument, and it seemed a useful excuse.”

“From all I ken o’ the subject, it is.” Aedan shrugged. “I dinnae ken how the womenfolk talk o’ it, but every man born kens that a woman’s mood is changeable as the tides durin’ her time.”

It was awkward for Aedan to speak the words, or even think about the subject. It was some consolation, however, that Thora found it equally embarrassing, if the flush on her pale cheeks was anything to judge by.

After a moment, she sighed. “’Twill serve well enough fer any awkwardness. Even so, we dare nae be caught sleepin’ apart again.”

Aedan nodded. He hadn’t wanted to be the first to say it, but he’d been thinking much the same thing. One night, they might pass off as an argument. If they were caught again, however, it would elicit suspicion, especially since they claimed to be such close and passionate lovers.

Even worse if someone caught him sleeping on the floor again. He was the Laird Cameron, and Thora was supposedly a simple village lass. Even with her supposed new status as Lady Cameron, she was still of lesser rank, and would be expected to act like it, as would he. And a laird would not be above dismissing a lady from his chambers, even if that lady was his wife - if there was strife between them.

A part of him was glad there’d be no more nights spent on cold stone and hard ground. The rest of him was more concerned with the consequences of sharing a bed with the beautiful, beguiling woman who’d proved far too skilled at getting past his guard.

Last night he’d told her more in that quiet, moonlit confidence than he ever admitted to most people, even Mac. And had the servants not interrupted them and brought them to their senses, he knew he would have kissed her. Not for an audience, or a ruse, but simply to kiss her and feel her in his arms.

He was almost equally certain that she would have let him, even encouraged him. She’d certainly responded favorably to his earlier touches. And therein lay the danger.

He’d sworn to keep his guard up around the enigmatic, beautiful lass that had walked into his castle and taken over his life, but the circumstances were making it increasingly difficult. The longer they spent together, the more he got to know about her, the more his resolve to avoid being entangled with her beyond what was strictly necessary wavered. He could blame it on the enforced intimacy of the ruse they’d agreed to enact to mask their true motives for coming to Ross Castle, but that didn’t alter the truth.

Aedan knew he was in danger of being permanently ensnared, heart and mind alike, by Thora MacTavish. Unfortunately, he had not the slightest idea what to do about it.

Thora followed Aedan down to the Great Hall for the morning meal with a feeling of trepidation building in her stomach. A part of it, she knew, was that they’d have to continue the ruse of both marriage and the ‘argument’ of the night before, and they had to make it believable.

Part of it was her awareness of her growing attraction to the man walking beside her. She’d never intended to have such feelings. Clan Cameron and Clan MacLeod were not allies, and until just under a fortnight ago, Aedan Cameron had been a stranger to her. Had it not been for her vision, she would never have dared approach him.

She’d never intended for their ruse of marriage to be anything more than a convenient trick to keep Lachlan Ross from guessing her real identity, or her real purpose. But with every day that passed, and every interaction they shared, she found herself drawing closer to Aedan, and she was terrified where it might lead.

Aedan had no idea who she truly was. He knew she wasn’t a simple village lass, but not what clan she came from. She feared what would happen when and if the truth was revealed to him. But the more they were bound, the more dire the consequences.

If he came to hate her now, it would hurt, but she knew she would recover. But if she gave him her heart, or accepted his before the truth was known? She wasn’t sure she could live with that heartbreak, whether she was its recipient or the cause of it. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to prevent them both from falling further, not without making Liard Ross suspicious.

There was another reason for her nervousness as well. She knew the sensation of that particular, formless fear well, even if she wasn’t yet sure of the cause. Her foresight was trying to give her some warning. Not a vision this time, just a sense of unease and uncertainty.

Something was going to happen. Something that might have terrible consequences. What it was, she had no idea. It was frustrating, especially after the clarity of the warning she’d received the night before. And yet, that was the way her Gift worked. One moment the warnings would be clear, easy-to-interpret visions, the next they would be vague premonitions that might be attributed to a simple attack of nerves.

She had to think of a way to warn Aedan, without letting anyone else know of her Gift. It was imperative that no hint of her power ever reach Lachlan Ross’s ears. Not only would he want to take it for himself, but he might have heard enough of her family’s powers to guess her true identity, no matter how hard they tried to keep them a secret.

“Ye may want tae have yer wits about ye afore we enter.” Aedan’s quiet admonishment startled her from her thoughts. She realized they’d arrived at the Great Hall. His voice was pitched low to avoid being overheard as he continued. “Shall we act the part o’ quarreling lovers, or have we mended our grievances?”

Thora considered. “Mayhap… mended our grievances, after the embarrassment o’ being caught arguing by the servants? Slightly strained, but nae longer angered with each other?”

“Aye.” Aedan nodded.

For a moment, she wanted to tell him about the warning from her Gift. In the end, however, she couldn’t bring herself to do so, not when it was so vague and she’d no idea what the warning was in regard to. Instead, she considered the picture they made, then took a half step away from him, leaving her arm linked in his.

A married couple presenting a united front, though with more difficult than usual. That was the image they wanted to present. And as they’d hinted she was the reason for the quarrel, she adopted a slightly troubled, slightly abashed look.

She knew they’d made the right decision when everyone turned to look at them as they entered. Word had indeed spread, and she could see the speculative gleam in Lachlan Ross’s eye. “Laird Cameron. I wasnae sure ye and yer lady would be joining us this morn.”

“And why nae?” Aedan adopted a relaxed air as he pulled out her seat, then took his own. “What purpose would allowing a single quarrel tae disrupt our attendance in the festivities serve? Especially as I believe ye said we’ll be goin’ out tae seek the Yule log after the morning meal?”

“Ye have that correct. But I was wonderin’...” Ross was interrupted by the approach of a guard. With a start, Thora recognized him as the one who’d run up to greet them at the gate. The lad Keevan’s father. At the same time, a woman from the kitchens approached, her hands uncharacteristically empty. “What is the meanin’ o’ this?”

“Forgive us, me laird.” The guard bowed and the woman - she must be his wife - dipped herself into a deep curtsy, almost to the floor. “Me wife and I would beg the indulgence o’ a quick word with Laird and Lady Cameron.”

“Laird Cameron?” Lachlan Ross turned his head. “Ye ken me guards?”

It was a dangerous question. And yet, they couldn’t pretend ignorance. Word of what they’d done in saving the boy would be all around the castle. It was surprising that Laird Ross hadn’t heard that rumor - though perhaps he’d counted it as less important than the one about their supposed argument.

Aedan spoke before she could think of what to say. “A brief encounter, last night.” He turned to the guard. “How is yer son?”

“Well enough. He’ll be confined tae the kitchens or our cottage for a seven-day, save fer visitin’ the healer. But I’d nae have a son, were it nae fer ye and yer lady.” The guard bowed again, the depth of it just shy of the extent of his bow to his liege laird. “Thank ye, me laird. Ye and yer lady… I havenae much, and neither has me wife, but if there’s aught in our power tae give, ye have it, savin’ that it might go against our laird.”

That was a weighty pledge, and not lightly given. Thora caught a flash of anger on Lachlan Ross’s face before he resumed his bland expression. The laird of Clan Ross was not happy that any man should have a secondary claim on one of his own.

She was tempted to release the guard and wife from such a pledge, if only to protect them from the possibility of Lachlan’s anger. However, her intuition warned her that it might be valuable. There were limits to the guard’s promise, but whatever he could offer might yet be helpful.

Aedan seemed to thinking along the same lines. “I dinnae ken what we might need, when yer laird is such an excellent host, but I will keep yer words in mind.”

That was enough, apparently. Both of the Ross clan-folk excused themselves. As soon as they were gone, one of the guests spoke up. “Now, here’s a tale I havenae heard. What on earth were ye doin’, and when?”

“Aye. I must confess, I am curious meself.” Lachlan’s voice was smooth, almost toneless save for an air of mild curiosity, but Thora felt instantly wary all the same. “It sounds as if… were ye outside, in the weather we’ve been havin’? And… ye couldnae have been out after dark, surely?”

He was looking for a hole in their stories. Anything he could use to catch them in a falsehood. Thora thought quickly, then dropped her eyes. “Och, well in truth I was a little irritable about some rumors I’d heard,” she looked pointedly at Aedan, “so, I went out tae cool me temper. Aedan followed tae scold me fer bein’ so foolish as tae go out. We were… well… discussin’ the matter, when we heard someone cry out, and a splash. A young lad had fallen intae the river. I had the light, so I saw him first, and then Aedan went in tae rescue him. We thought… well, he could have been anyone’s lad…”

“Ye went in the river? ‘Tis near frozen!”

“Aye. I ken.” Aedan grimaced. “We came back and were warmin’ up and the argument resumed over me foolishness in goin’ in the river an’ went from there.”

“I see. Well, I commend ye fer yer action. Though tae go walking by the river after dark…”

“Aye. I ken. ‘Tis just… there’s a rill near me home. I’m so used tae walking along the bank when I’m nae in the best mood. Me family’s too large tae get any peace any other way.” Thora deliberately brought to mind how she’d reacted to Aedan seeing her undressed and allowed the blush to paint her cheeks. “I… now… I dae realize Aedan was right tae fuss… I just…”

“Aye, aye.” One of the other men - the one she recognized as having been drunk the day before - made a gesture. “A woman’s whims are foolish, and Laird Cameron is noble enough tae both indulge them and save a child in the bargain. But if we dinnae finish eating, we’ll be out after dark taenight, searchin’ the Yule log. Laird Cameron may be fine with freezin’ his bollocks off, especially if he had nay other use fer ‘em, but I’m nae so noble nor so subject tae a woman’s fancy, thank ye.”

Laughter echoed around the table, and Thora’s flush deepened without any effort on her part. Still, the outburst seemed to have distracted Lachlan, so that was all to the good. She could bear a bit of public embarrassment for the sake of keeping his suspicions dormant.

Something about the man’s words, though, sparked her uneasiness once more. The premonition tingled in the back of her thoughts, insistent but stubbornly elusive. Thora forced herself to go back over the man’s words, trying to pinpoint the feeling.

It had nothing to do with saving the child, or with comments about womanly behavior. Nor did her concern increase when she thought about Aedan ‘freezing his bollocks off’.

Then she thought of the proposed activity for the men for the day. Going out to hunt and seek a proper tree to furnish the Yule Log.

The Yule Log. Those words made her feeling an alarm jolt, like the warning bell at Castle MacLeod when they were under attack.

Something was going to happen during the Yule Log outing. She was sure of it.

But how could she prevent it, or tell Aedan to be wary, when she had no idea what sort of disaster she was warning him against?