Chapter Twenty-Eight

Eli rode next to Alaric two days later, nearly on Grant land. She'd spent much of her time on Cameron land with Jennie, anxious to learn anything she could from the wise healer. Unfortunately, she didn't know much more about her grandmother's affliction than Aunt Brenna did. The longer she was away from the woman, the more she worried.

Alaric had busied himself in the lists when he hadn't been patrolling the land for the skunk named Egan, but no one had seen any evidence of the fool since the first night.

Eli had to admit she was getting anxious to return to her grandmother to check on how she was doing. Worried that she was going to lose her, this next journey could take her two ways. One was to talk with Gracie, the primary healer on Grant land, about Grandmama's affliction.

Her second thought, more of a fear, was whether she would return to Ramsay land too late, if she rode from healer to healer looking for answers.

Alaric held her hand, riding abreast of her, as they approached. "Sweeting, ye are thoughtful. Ye arenae worried about the visit, are ye?" He glanced over at her, and the look on his face swelled her heart a bit.

He did love her, and even more frightening was that she loved him. A part of her didn't wish to be attached to anyone because that meant she could lose him. The fear of losing her grandmother was crossing into every part of her life.

"I'm just worried about Grandmama."

"I understand. Ye will chat with my mother about sickness?"

"Aye," she replied, not willing to admit that she'd nearly lost hope.

"I know that Aunt Jennie and Aunt Brenna are the most renowned, but it cannae hurt to talk to every healer ye meet, aye?'

"Agreed." She took a deep breath. She was also a wee bit nervous about meeting Alaric's parents. She'd met them before when she'd been here for summer festivals, but this was different. He was introducing her as his wife.

She wasn't given much time to think about it. The bellows of the Grant war whoop reached her ears, startling her, and the thundering of hoofbeats convinced her they were nearly there.

The look on Alaric's face told her he was glad to be home. She couldn't help but wonder where they would live—Grant land or Ramsay land? She wasn't given much time to consider her quandary before a sea of red plaids on horseback surrounded them, the riders hooting loud enough to scare the birds out of the trees.

"Elshander? Is that ye?" Alaric called out. "Ye are back to yer usual state?"

Their younger brother, Jowell, called out, "He rides better than he walks, Alaric, but he's working on it."

Alaric's smile lit up Eli's entire being. He'd dropped her hand and grabbed both reins. "Can ye race me, Els?" He glanced over to her, and she waved him on.

Lads loved to compete, no matter how old they were. She watched as Els yelled out to him as he spun his horse, and the two raced toward the castle.

Eli gasped. It had been a while since she'd visited Grant Castle, and the size of it always astounded her. They had the most towers of any castle she'd ever seen. Her gaze took in all the beauty of the Highlands around the castle.

A small village sat in front of the curtain wall, with fields being readied for planting spreading around it. To the far side of the castle were the beautiful hills of the Highlands, rocky in spots but lush in other small areas with the promise of impending summer. In the distance, the mountains looked as though the peaks nearly touched the clouds. A loch sat on the far side of the village, beyond a large orchard of apple and pear trees.

The loch reminded her of the memories she loved most. The two clans alternated their summer festival, entertaining each other with feasting, competitions, and entertainment. Her favorite had always been the swimming competitions in the loch. This loch was larger than the Ramsay loch, and it had several cottages on the far side of it.

She'd caught her first fish off one of the two docks on this loch. And she'd dared to go on the contraption Alex had built, with the help of his armorer, on the end, one they could slide on with a burlap bag. It sat partway up the hill and once on it, the slippery surface would take you directly into the water.

She recalled staring at it in awe, and Uncle Quade had strode up to Alex and said, "Ye just had to try and outdo me, did ye no', Grant?"

Alex had laughed and clasped his shoulder. "And I did, did I no'?"

Uncle Quade had narrowed his gaze and said, "Mayhap for this year. Wait until ye see what I have next year."

And the competition carried on. She'd loved sliding down that contraption, landing with a big splash at the end. She and her cousins ate fruit tarts and pastries until their bellies ached, and they'd competed in multiple archery tournaments every year.

It just hit her that she was now a true member of Clan Grant, and that thought brought tears to her eyes. She loved the Grants with all her heart, and she adored the man who was shouting and laughing with his brothers as they approached the castle gates. She was in awe of how much her life had changed in such a short time.

Once they arrived at the castle, Alaric helped her dismount, something she swore she'd never allow, but she found out she rather liked her husband's hands at her waist, giving them the opportunity for a wee bit of intimacy when others were around. Once they stepped away from the stable lads, Alaric tugged her close as he approached his two brothers, his father seated in a large chair in the courtyard a short distance away. He waited until he was close to his sire, his brothers following. "Meet my wife, Eli. We handfasted while on patrol."

Els looked at her and asked, "Are… ye… sick, lass?" His words came out slower than usual, but he had a big smile on his face.

She shook her head and laughed.

Jowell picked up the joke. "She had to be ill to agree to marry ye, Alaric."

His father said, "Welcome to Clan Grant as a Grant this time, lass. We are pleased to have ye as a true part of the family. Lads, help me inside. Yer mother will wish to know this news right away." Jowell and Els lifted him, getting Jamie settled in Els's arms so he could carry him inside, Jowell guarding the still splinted leg.

The laughter and teasing continued, but Alaric set his hand at the small of her back and ushered her inside, introducing her to everyone as his wife.

His mother rushed down the steps from the balcony toward them, her eyes widening when she saw that he had his hand at her waist.

"We have news, Mama," Alaric said. "Eli and I handfasted."

"A Ramsay-Grant wedding! I love it!" She hugged Eli, then her son, tears misting her gaze. Gracie looked frazzled, but even so, she was lovely. Eli recalled hearing that Gracie had been considered one of the loveliest lasses in the Highlands, and she was still beautiful.

It was a chaotic but happy arrival, but it didn't take long before Eli was suddenly overcome by exhaustion. They'd been on the road for most of the day. She leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Alaric, I think I need to rest."

His mother must have heard her because she bolted up from her chair and said, "Alaric, the poor lass is exhausted. Allow me to show her to yer new chamber."

"A new chamber?" Alaric asked in surprise.

"Aye, ye arenae sleeping in the same chamber as yer brother. Ye may have the guest chamber. 'Tis always at the ready so it will fit ye perfectly. Eli deserves a lovely chamber for her first night here as a Grant."

"Do ye mind going with her, or would ye rather I take ye?" Alaric whispered in her ear.

"I have questions for your mother, so stay with yer brothers." She knew he had much to say to Els, so she gave him a push.

"Come," Gracie said, motioning for Eli to follow her up the stairs. "Ye have surprised me, but I'm pleased with Alaric's choice. How is yer family, Eli?"

"Mama and Papa are fine, but Grandmama is not doing well."

Gracie gave her a questioning look as they walked down the passageway and into a chamber at the end. "This chamber has a lovely view of the mountains when ye pull the fur back. We are getting shutters made for our windows, but we havenae installed them all yet. The lads will bring yer saddlebag up for ye, and I'll send an ewer of fresh water so ye may wash up. I'll send some dried fruit and an apple along also. Is there anything else I can get for ye?"

"Nay, but may I ask ye a question or two, if ye please?"

"Of course." There were two chairs in front of the hearth. Gracie sat in one and motioned for her to sit in the other. "Ask whatever ye wish."

Eli explained the situation with her grandmother's knee and told her what she knew of Aunt Brenna's treatments thus far. "Naught is working. Have ye any suggestions on what else could be done?"

Gracie thought for a moment, then said, "Ye came from Cameron land? Did ye ask Jennie?"

"I did. She didnae have any suggestions."

"Hmmm. Allow me to think on it a bit, and I'll confer with my mother, but I doubt we have anything that Aunt Brenna and Aunt Jennie would not have suggested. We both learned all our skills from them."

"Is there another healer in the area that ye are familiar with?"

"Nay, we are the only healers around. The closest ones to Inverness are Brigid, Tara, and Jennet, but ye know they were trained the same as we were. Ye have already consulted with the best in the land. I am sorry they couldnae offer any help."

"I feared ye would say that."

Gracie patted her hand and said, "I've found that sometimes the patient has to make the decision to heal. We cannae help everyone, I'm sorry to tell ye. I wish we could. But if Aunt Brenna cannae help Gwyneth, I dinnae know of anyone else to refer ye to. I'm so sorry."

"Dinnae be. I expected yer answer. I know how special Aunt Brenna and Aunt Jennie are."

"And sometimes, all of a sudden someone heals and we cannae explain it. Ye could go home and find yer grandmother all better. Sometimes, people heal themselves. 'Tis rare, though."

She had to pray that would be the case. Otherwise, the situation for her dear grandmother was hopeless.

Gracie stood and headed toward the chamber door, then she paused. "Lass, would ye like to soak in the tub? I just had one filled for myself, but I would like to visit with Alaric first. Would ye like to make use of the warm water? Ye recall Maddie's bathing room? The tub is full, the towels and the oils are all ready for ye. And ye will find a dressing gown for when ye are ready to return to yer room."

Eli's eyes widened at the thought. "I would love that. 'Tis at the other end of the passageway, correct?"

"Aye. Ye enjoy it and everything ye need will be in yer chamber when ye are finished." Gracie patted her hand, and Eli nearly ran down the passageway.

She stripped out of her clothing quickly, set a toe into the steaming liquid, then sighed, sinking into the heat slowly to savor the pleasure. Living on Grant land definitely had some benefits, and this fine bathing chamber was one of them.

Settling back in the tub so her entire body was covered, she closed her eyes and smiled, thinking of all that had taken place. Ignoring the worst, her grandmother's health, there had been much good in her life. She'd participated in a successful battle and survived, her sister was hale and happy, and she'd become closer to many of her cousins like Thea and Wenna.

And then there was Alaric. How had she never truly noticed him before?

She hadn't been looking for a man, of course. Even deliberately not looking. Sometimes her stubbornness did her more harm than good, perhaps. Reyna had been absolutely correct. She'd had no idea that coupling with a man would be so pleasurable. The first night had been good, besides the brief pain, but their night together in Aunt Brenna's cottage had been so wonderful. Who knew you could do it that often?

And last eve on Cameron land? She'd admitted to being sore, between the horse and their activities, so Alaric had just held her, and she'd been so warm she fell asleep instantly. Married life had some benefits, and she had a feeling she was just beginning to learn about Alaric Grant.

Once the water cooled, she stepped out, loving the smell and the feel of the lavender oil on her skin. She rubbed her skin dry then wrapped a dressing gown around her body and the towel around her hair. She had to admit that this towel was thicker and bigger than any she had in her home. Someday she'd ask Gracie who made them; she'd love one of her own. She gathered up her clothes and left the warm chamber.

In the passageway, she overheard the men all laughing and chatting in the hall. She stopped at the balcony, leaned over, and the noise instantly quieted as the group all turned to stare up at her.

"Alaric, I'm going to bed. Come whenever."

Alaric's expression was one of shock. "What are ye wearing?"

"A dressing gown. I just got out of the bathing tub."

"The bathing tub? Ye had hot water?"

"I did and it was heavenly. 'Tis still a wee bit warm if ye'd like to wash up a wee bit." Then she leaned over, and once she realized his mother and father were no longer there, gave him that look of desire that would rile him for sure.

She headed down the passageway, breaking into giggles when Alaric said, "See ye all on the morrow."

More hoots and hollers and laughter followed. She stepped into the bedchamber, almost closing the door, but he opened it behind her. "I'll be right back, Eli. I'm going to wash up. Promise not to fall asleep?"

She dropped the dressing gown and said, "I'll be waiting for ye."

He left the chamber so fast that she laughed. Gracie had left a beautiful night rail on the bed, so she donned that, moving over to sit in front of the fire while she brushed her hair.

The door opened a few moments later and she stood, turning to look at her husband. He entered and dropped his towel.

She wished she could whistle but she didn't have that skill. "Ye look so clean."

She took two steps, but he held his hand up. "Stop, please."

Casting a puzzled gaze his way, she waited to see what his issue was.

"Lassie mine, ye are so beautiful. I can see through that gown and yer profile is so…"

She didn't give him the chance to finish, instead making her way over and slowly tossing her gown onto a chair. "I'm here and I'm ready for ye."

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, devouring him, the taste of ale fresh on his lips. She teased him with her tongue just long enough until he swept her up in his arms and pulled the coverlet back to deposit her in the bed.

"Ye smell of lavender," he said. "Everywhere?"

Flat on her back, she stared up at the ceiling while her husband kissed every part of her body, letting her know which spots were the most fragrant.

But when his lips landed there …she pushed up on her elbows and said, "What the hell are ye doing?"

He lifted his head and said, "Tasting ye. Why do ye no' lie back and see if ye like it?"

Still scowling, she did as he asked.

"Alaric!" How the hell could something like that feel so good? She had wished to tell him to stop because it was so odd, but now she only had one thought. Hell, nay! Keep going.

She wriggled and writhed, finally grabbing his hair to keep him exactly where she wanted, fighting to keep her moans quiet. This was something meant to be private. Of that much she was certain.

She nearly crossed the chasm into her orgasm, but he lifted his head and said, "Eli? Will ye let go of my hair?"

Her hands flew away. What the hell should she do with them now? They landed on her breasts, and she pinched her nipples without thinking. Alaric's eyes widened.

"'Tis enough for now. I need ye, lass."

He entered her quickly, their moans mingling together. She lifted her legs and wrapped them around him, and he thrust into her, plunging so deep that she moaned again, this time a wee bit too loud.

Then she crashed over the precipice, calling out to her husband as he finished with a roar.

Marriage was fun.