Still sounding miffed, Katherine asked, “If I wasn’t allowed outside of the walls without an escort, why did you not tell me that?”
“I didn’t think I had to.”
“But you had to tell your men.”
“Nay, I didn’t. Sweetling, like your father, I rarely leave Duncurra alone. My men know the dangers and would certainly not let ye venture out without a guard, whether I had given an order or not.”
She sighed and after a moment said, “I guess I can’t stay angry with you, then.”
“Nay, ye cannot. I won’t allow it.” He buried his face in her neck, kissing her until she giggled. Then he captured her lips in a kiss intended to make her forget she was ever angry in the first place.
He carried her gently to the bed, removed her shift, and made slow tender love to her. Later, as she lay sleeping in his arms, he marveled once again at his good fortune in gaining such a sweet bride. The thought of what might have happened to her in the years under her uncle’s control made him shudder. The thought of losing her now chilled his very soul. He finally admitted to himself it was neither admiration nor gratitude giving rise to these feelings. He was fond of her. Perhaps he was more than fond.
Eleven
The next morning, Niall waited for Katherine at the breakfast table. “This is a surprise,” she said happily as she joined him.
“It is the first of several I have planned today,” he said mysteriously.
“Who else do you plan to surprise?” she asked, laughing.
“Oh, my sweet little wife, the surprises are all for ye.” Her face split into the brilliant smile he adored. “I realize I have spent very little time getting to know ye since we were wed.”
She blushed and said very softly, “My dear husband, if we spent any more time ‘knowing’ each other, I fear nothing would ever be accomplished here.”
He laughed and said, “Aren’t ye the cheeky little wench this morning?” causing her to blush more. “Now that ye mention it, I may have to allow a bit of time for that particular pursuit, but I had something else in mind. It looks to be a fine day, and I thought perhaps ye would like to go out riding with me. Ye can see more of the MacIan lands than Duncurra and its village, and we can spend some time alone.”
“I would love to go riding with you,” she answered, appearing overjoyed.
When they finished eating, he said, “Shall we go?”
“I will meet you in the stable. There are some things I need Edna to take care of today. I will only be a few minutes.” When she arrived at the stable, Cairbre, Muir, and Turcuil also prepared mounts. She whispered to Niall, “I thought you said we were spending the day alone?”
He whispered back, “I thought I told ye I rarely left Duncurra without guardsmen, and ye were never to leave without them. But don’t worry, they will keep their distance.” Then in a normal voice, he said, “What have ye brought there?”
“The supplies required to collect the odd herb or plant I might find.”
“Lass, this is not a day for work. Ye can gather herbs tomorrow—with an escort.”
She laughed and grinned. “I won’t gather common herbs, but if I see something rarer to come by, it would be foolish to leave it behind, would it not?”
“I suppose,” he agreed, feigning disappointment and she laughed again.
He helped her mount Eachann and they headed out. “Niall, what about Tomas?” she said in alarm before they reached the barbican.
“Taken care of,” he said smugly. “I have assigned Uncle Fingal to keep an eye on him today. Later Alan, or Keith, will go with them to the loch to fish and swim.” At the look of surprise on her face, he said, “My foster son doesn’t leave Duncurra without a sufficient escort, either.”
“Aye, husband, I’m beginning to see a pattern. You’ve made your point.”
When they reached the heath, as Niall had promised, the guardsmen fell back to a discreet distance. Katherine appeared suddenly and inexplicably shy. Finally breaking the silence, she asked “Where are we going?”
“I thought we would ride around the northern side of Loch Craos, then east a bit. The raids have occurred at the western edge of my holding and, while none were during the day, I don’t want you anywhere near Matheson land.”
Midmorning they came to a marshy area on the northeastern side of the loch and she asked, “Niall, can we stop here for a bit? Marshes harbor many useful plants and herbs.”
“Katherine, I did not intend for ye to work on this excursion.”
“It isn’t work, Niall. Please, I just want to see what might be growing here.”