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A Perfect Wife(17)

By:Reece Butler


Duff’s bark of laughter took her by surprise. “There’s more. A three-story section is beyond what ye can see, and that’s even bigger. ’Twill take us all a wee while to learn our roles here.”

She’d managed to care for Castle Leod after her mother’s death. She would learn how to do the same here. Unless stories about her had been spread…

“I hope they accept me,” she murmured hesitantly.

“They said they were eager to see ye when we were here.”

“That might have changed after the stories my father no doubt told them about me.”

“Malcolm ordered there’d be no tales told of ye, Kiera.” Duff squeezed her hand once more. “He said ye’d make yer own way and he’d allow no one, not even yer lord, to take that from ye.”

She gave him a speaking glance. “He stood up to my father?”

“Aye. Why should that surprise ye? Malcolm is yer husband and yer laird. Ye are his, to have and to hold.” Duff tugged on her hand. “And we’ll be wanting to hold ye, and have ye, this night.” He winked. “I sent our bed ahead so Silean’s aunt couldn’t have it. Ye’ll be able to have a wee nap in comfort after ye bathe.”

“Our bed!” Tears sprung forth. As it was raining and none could tell, this once she let them fall. “Oh, Duff!” She wiped her eyes with the chilled back of her hand. “Thank you.”

When she looked back at him all traces of joking had faded. “Sweetling, I said I’d take care of ye when we handfasted,” he murmured for her ears only. “Marrying my brother doesna change that. Ye’re still my wee Kiera.” He chuckled. “I wish to enjoy sleeping beside ye in that bed. Aye, and more. ’Tis the right height for me to lie ye down and—”

A roar filled the air. Startled, she pulled her eyes from Duff. The wall walk was filled with people cheering and waving. Through the mist she watched the MacKenzie flag rise to show the laird and lady were in residence. She burst into tears. Her heart ached at the joyful welcome. They wanted her, and the strong men she brought.

“They’re raising the MacKenzie flag for us!” She sniffled, full of emotion, no longer cold, sore, or miserable.

“They didna do that last time.” Duff stood in his stirrups to see better.

“They wouldn’t have had a MacKenzie flag until Father brought it. This was Urquhart land. Now that we’re here the flag will stay up.”

“I see flames on it. What’s supposed to be burning?”

“It’s a mountain on fire. Our motto is I shine, not burn.”

“The MacDougal clan motto is Conquer or die,” he replied. He turned his eager blue eyes on her again. “I conquered ye, and since I am for the MacKenzies now, I shall make ye shine for me, my lady. Every chance I can.” He gave her the look that made her insides heat. “’Tis a big castle. My brother and I shall make ye scream in every room. Starting with our tower chamber, tonight!”

He touched his heels to his horse and was gone before she could reply. At Malcolm’s encouraging wave, Kiera moved to the left and slightly behind him. Lady Kiera and Laird Malcolm of Kinrowan would enter together. Back straight, head high, and hood back, she rode through the east gate into the bailey. Duff rode half a length behind on Malcolm’s right, mask in place. They were soaked, their hair plastered to their heads. She smiled while her husbands nodded regally in reply to their welcome. The people gathered in the bailey, now their people, cheered.

“Thank ye for greeting us,” said Malcolm while still on horseback. He placed his hand over his heart and bowed. “Yer warm welcome makes up for this rain.” He encouraged Kiera forward. “My lady has always had ye in her heart.” He took her right hand, raised it to his mouth, and kissed it. “I give ye Lady Kiera MacKenzie of Kinrowan!”

Her wide smile fought with tears at the cheers that rang forth. She knew his gesture was to win them over rather than show his love publicly, but she still appreciated it.

“Thank you so much,” she looked around at the faces. “We may appear strangers now, but not for long. I look forward to getting to know each of you.”

Malcolm beckoned Duff to move forward. “As ye ken from afore, my brother, Master Duff MacDougal, is my steward. His orders come from me, and shall be taken as such.”

Duff made the same bow, hand over his heart. He said nothing.

“Where is the wee surprise for my wife?” asked Malcolm.

“Let him go, Roddy!”

A familiar bark made her catch her breath. “Chester?”

A dark streak dashed through the crowd. She couldn’t see him, but she could hear his barks. Malcolm dismounted and helped her down. He held her until her legs were steady. By then Chester was leaping up, his front paws on her dirty skirts. She laughed and gave him a good scratch around the ears, praising him for welcoming her. She’d assumed Malcolm wouldn’t let her bring her dog, especially as he and Chester had a few disagreements as to who was laird.