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Chapter Sixteen

A lexander sat in the tavern with Knox and another pair of guards. The wedding party had gone leaving only them and a group of men at a table by the doorway.

After emptying his tankard, he placed it on the surface before the barkeep. "One more Angus."

The burly man promptly took the tankard and refilled it from a pitcher. "There ye are, Laird."

"There seems to be something on yer mind," Knox said interrupting his thoughts. He'd been considering whether or not it was a good idea to ask Nala to join him in bed again that night.

She'd probably rebuff him. The more times he lay with her, the greater the chances of producing a bairn. He would never sire a child out of wedlock. No child of his would be born a bastard.

"I am considering something. One way or another, both alternatives are nae good."

Knox shook his head. "Then forget about whatever it is. Ye have enough to worry about without adding a new problem to yer life."

"Ye are right," Alexander replied. "That is what I should do."

The reply from Knox was a bland look. "Ah, ye are going to do one or the other. Ye will make a mistake."

Alexander looked to the ceiling. Was he going to dive into something deeper with Nala? Could he walk away?

The entire ride back to the keep, his mind kept going back to the night before. It would be impossible to attend to his responsibilities if he couldn't concentrate on matters at hand.

Alexander shook his head in an attempt to dislodge thoughts of the beautiful woman who'd been in his bed. Never had he beheld such a woman, from her smooth skin the color of an autumn leaf to her perfect shapely legs, rounded hips, and pert breasts. She was someone he could never tire of sharing his bed with.

Was this what happened to his brothers? Is this why their heads stopped turning when a bonny lass was in sight? He couldn't think of any woman getting his attention, not as long as Nala was his.

The thought was as terrifying as it was alluring. To share his bed with her night after night, to awaken to the sight of her.

At the last thought, he frowned. She'd slipped out without waking him. He woke up and reached to her only to find the space beside him empty. The sprite had escaped taking with her an opportunity for morning time together.

The keep came into sight, and he studied the proud structure. His home, and the gathering place for Clan Ross. Now all he had to do was to consider what to do about Nala. He'd speak to her first and gauge her thoughts on marriage. Nae, not on marriage. Her thoughts about marrying him.

His stomach lurched at the idea. Tying himself to a woman was not something he'd ever thought of as something he'd wish to do. Alexander let out a slow breath. Was he ready for such a commitment?

Once the horses were taken away, Alexander walked toward the main house. Cynden stood outside with a man who climbed onto the bench of his wagon and headed toward the gates.

"Who was that?" Alexander asked upon nearing his brother.

"He came to ask to be considered for providing hogs next season," Cynden replied and then cocked his head to the side and studied Alexander. "There is something different about ye." His brother's lips quivered as if he fought laughter.

Alexander ran his hands down his face and studied his palms. Other than dirt, there wasn't anything on his face. "What do ye mean?"

"I saw something very curious this morn." Cynden gave him a pointed look and then glanced over his shoulder looking to the upper levels of the house. "In the corridor."

Unsure what his brother went on about, Alexander gave him a droll look. "A wee ghosty scared ye?"

"No, I saw a beautiful lass hurrying away from yer bedchamber. She ran into me. Looked every bit like a lassie who'd been recently ravaged."

For a moment Alexander wasn't sure what to say. He grabbed Cynden's arm and pulled him to the side garden. "What happened exactly?"

"Just what I said," Cynden was obviously enjoying the situation. "I was walking back from the kitchens to bring Ainslie cider when the lass practically ran me over. She said to be lost and then hurried away."

His brother grinned. "She was nae lost, was she?"

"Dinnae say anything about it." Alexander paced. "I have to decide what I must do. Nae, I ken what I must do. It is just that…" He raked his fingers through his hair.

"The idea of marriage terrifies ye," Cynden finished for him. "I dinnae ken why. It is past time, Alex."

Retracing his steps, Alexander blew out a harsh breath. "I must marry her. I cannae take her maidenhood and not. It is the right thing to do."

There was a rustling sound as if something or someone hurried away. Both he and Cynden turned but didn't see anything.

"Probably scared a hare with all yer ramblings," Cynden said turning his attention back to Alexander. "Do ye not care for her?"

"I can think of nothing else but Nala. I believe to be bewitched." Alexander shook his head. "But marriage—"

Cynden interrupted, "What scares ye brother? The idea of nae having another woman once ye are married? Or the idea of being tied down?"

"I am nae scared. What if what we feel for each other is nae enough? What if she does nae wish to marry me? What will happen if there is nae love, ever?"

"How do ye feel when thinking of Nala?"

It was as if the burden on his shoulders lightened. "Everything about her is perfect. Have ye ever seen such a beautiful shade as her skin? I think of her independent nature and am enthralled. Her archery skills are enviable. The way she responded to my touch… I care for her and cannae imagine Nala with another."

Cynden placed his palm on Alexander's shoulder. "Sounds like ye are well on yer way to love. I pity any man that tries to come between ye and the bonny lass."

Just the thought quickened his heart. "Perhaps ye are right."

His brother looked toward the interior of the house. "There are a few more people waiting to be heard," Cynden said. "I came out to get a breath of air. Today those who've come to seek an audience with ye have mostly had arguments that have taken all my patience. But if ye wish to seek out Nala, I can continue to take yer place."

Alexander shook his head. "Nay. I need time to consider everything. I will address the rest of those inside."

There was a look of relief on Cynden's face. The duties of a laird were many and at times Alexander himself had a hard time not losing his temper. For the most part, he enjoyed helping the clan's people, but he agreed with Cynden that it could be draining.

"Laird." A man walked up when he entered. "I am next." He motioned to a man who stood ramrod straight in front of the high board. "He thinks to be first because he stands there. I was in the front but had to go to the privy."

He looked at the man before him. "What do ye wish to speak to me about? Ye are in front of me, have my attention, ye could have stated whatever it is by now."

The man blinked up at him. "Oh, aye, Laird. I came to ask for a larger portion of land so I can plant more and therefore have more to provide the clan."

Alexander knew the man to be a good farmer. Although he had the personality of an angry boar, the man usually kept to himself. "Very well, ye can have an additional acre."

The man's face brightened. "Thank ye, Laird, Thank ye." He gave Alexander a slight bow and hurried away to speak to the scribe.

The rest of the day went by quickly until it was last meal. Alexander was exhausted, the candlelight in the great room making his eyelids heavy. He scanned the room and noticed that Nala wasn't at the table with his mother and wondered if perhaps she felt poorly.

Just as the meal was ending, the guard leaders came to where he sat. Hendry spoke for them. "Laird, ye asked us to be here to discuss work shifts and rotation with the guards returning to Uist."

He'd forgotten about it. He motioned to a nearby maid. "Bring mead to my study and see about something sweet for me." The woman hurried away as Alexander stood and walked with his men to the study ignoring the call from his body to go to bed.

The following morning, Alexander woke feeling refreshed. He'd slept in late, which annoyed him, but he was glad for the rest. Once he washed up and dressed, he went down the stairs to find food to break his fast.

Somehow upon waking and realizing Nala was the first thing on his mind, he finally understood how deep his feelings were for her. As soon as possible, he'd find Nala and clear things up and declare himself.

In a way he wasn't sure it was love. The word was startling, but he'd never felt so strongly for a woman before, so he supposed it was.

The great room was surprisingly empty except for a trio of people sitting at a table, making him realize that he did indeed sleep in longer than usual. As he neared the hearth, he noticed his mother and Ainslie, heads together whispering about something. Nala was not with them, and he wondered if she'd gone outside or perhaps returned to her bedchamber after first meal.

He walked to the women and cleared his throat. Both jumped. His mother looked at him and gave him a tight smile.

"Ye must have been very tired to have slept in so late." There was something about her, a sort of unease.

He looked from her to Ainslie, who looked just as bothered as his mother. "Is something wrong?"

"Of course not, nothing of importance," his mother replied not looking at him. "I will alert Cook to bring ye food. People will soon arrive seeking an audience." She got up and hurried away.

Narrowing his gaze at Ainslie, he noted she paled under his scrutiny. "Is something wrong with ye? Yer…"—he looked to her midsection—"Is it the bairn?"

"All is well." She patted her stomach, her lips curving. "It is normal for me to feel a bit unsteady in the mornings. Yer mother assures me it will pass."

Glad it was nothing more than Ainslie feeling a bit poorly, he patted her shoulder and went to a nearby table where Cynden and Knox sat with the constable from the village.

Knox looked to him when Alexander sat. "Constable Macbean came to tell us what happened after we left yesterday."

The constable nodded. "All is well, Laird. The couple went home and apparently Cormac remained at the tavern until he had to be carried home. He was a sobbing mess, the poor lad."

Alexander shook his head. "Do ye think he'll cause more trouble?"

"Nae today, I bet his head is heavy from the drink," Cynden said with a smirk. "I feel badly for him, but naught to be done about things now."

"Aye," the constable agreed. "Cormac is nae a violent man. He will brood for a bit, but soon will be over it, I am sure."

Food was brought and placed before him, the thinly sliced meat and boiled potatoes with mashed peas were a perfect meal for a busy day of seeing to the clan.

The last man finally came forward to speak and Alexander was glad for it. It was late afternoon, and he grew tired, wanting to go outside for fresh air. He planned to spar with the guards and perhaps ride out to visit an older farmer and his wife. They'd been on his mind since hearing the wife was gravely ill.

The man looked to him, he had a bruise on his right cheek and a knot on his forehead. He let out a long sigh whilst fidgeting with a dirty hat. "Laird, I beg yer help with my issue. My wife is gone with our bairns. Says she cannae live with me if I continue to go to the tavern. I did plan to stop, but she left anyway."

"Where did she go, Fergus?" Alexander asked studying the forlorn man.

"To her sister's cottage. I tried to visit, but they threw rocks at me and would nae let me near."

Alexander pressed his lips together, not sure if he felt badly for the man or wanted to laugh at the picture in his mind.

He looked to Cynden who shrugged and then Knox who shook his head. Neither were much help. "I say ye go home and clean yer house. Ensure yer sheep are taken care of and the garden kept up. Stay away from the tavern. Since they nae allow ye near, send a lad over to tell her ye are awaiting her return. Then wait."

The man gave him a confused look. "Can ye nae go and order her to return home?"

"Will ye stay away from the tavern? If nae, then she will leave again. I cannae force her to put up with yer antics."

Fergus' shoulders drooped. "Vera well, Laird. I will do as ye say."

"Return in a sennight and inform me of what happens," Alexander said and motioned to the scribe. "Remind me."

"Let us go spar," he said to Cynden and Knox. "I require fresh air."

He rose and went to find his sword, Cynden came alongside. "Did ye notice someone is nae here?"

"Do ye mean the council? I dinnae expect them for two days."

When Cynden gave him a pointed look, he stopped in his tracks. "Do ye mean Nala?"

"Aye, she left, yesterday. Mother said she came to her and said she needed to go home. Said she seemed cross."

"Did ye see her?"

"Nae. It was when ye and I were outside talking." Cynden's eyes widened. "Do ye think she heard us?"

"The rustling…" Alexander let out a long breath to keep his temper in check. "Why wait to tell me? Ye should have woken me as soon as ye found out."

His brother nodded. "I was going to, but we ken where she is and perhaps Nala requires some time to calm down. Mother said she was furious about something."

If not for the fact his chest tightened and stomach dropped, he would have hit Cynden. Alexander closed his eyes. "I will go find her."

"I can come…"

"Nae," Alexander interrupted him. "I will go alone."

Cynden lifted both hands in surrender. "Ye best tread lightly. The lass is a fiery one."

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