Highland Courage(58)

“Nay, Oren, don’t,” Mairead managed to say between fits of laughter. “Let him go, he meant no harm.”

“My lady, he never means any harm, and yet trouble follows him closer than his shadow.”

Tadhg decided it was time to step in. Although he wanted desperately to laugh, he frowned and adopted his best I’m the laird and I’m not happy voice. “What is going on here?” He shooed puppies off his giggling wife and helped her to her feet, giving her a sly wink.

Clearly misunderstanding whom the laird intended to be stern with, Duff jumped to Lady Mairead’s defense. “Laird, it isn’t Lady Matheson’s fault, it’s mine. She didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry, Laird, I found these puppies, and I thought she might like to see them.”

Found them? “Where did ye find these puppies? Surely not in the stables? Are these Heck’s puppies, from his best hunters?” Tadhg grabbed two of the wiggling creatures who, having been pulled off Mairead looked suspiciously like they were seeking a good spot to relieve themselves.

“Lad, yer in for it now if ye have swiped Heck’s puppies,” warned Oren.

“Nay, Oren, he didn’t steal them. He just wanted me to see them, and I do love puppies.” Mairead brushed her clothes in a vain attempt to undo some of the damage.

Oren scowled. “Look at this mess. Your da will be livid when he hears about this, Duff.”

Duff looked scared and on the edge of tears, but Mairead stepped in. “Duff, lad, I loved seeing the puppies, and it was kind of ye to think of showing them to me. But we have made a bit of a mess. How about ye and I gather up this lot and take them back to their mama in the stable. Then we’ll tidy up the mess we made. Your da can’t be too angry with ye if we do that.”

Oren looked askance. “The mess ye made? My lady, ye had no part in it.”

Mairead smiled warmly as she picked up a pair of puppies. “Oren, do ye not remember being a wee lad? Can ye not see the humor in this?”

Oren’s mouth twitched. “Aye, well. I suppose. But next time, lad, maybe ye’ll consider taking yer lady to see the puppies rather than allowing them to lay waste to the great hall.”

Tadhg chuckled. “I’ll help ye with the puppies.” He picked up one more, Mairead held her two, and Duff carried the last one as they walked out of the hall and toward the stables. “How did ye get them all into the hall, lad?”

“They followed me.”

Tadhg stopped walking and looked at the lad incredulously, “They followed ye all the way from the stables?” Mairead started laughing again.

“Aye, they did, Laird. I just dropped bits of bread and they followed me.”

Tadhg rolled his eyes, and his demure little wife practically snorted with laughter. He didn’t think he would ever tire of that joyful sound. As far as he was concerned, Duff could bring muddy puppies into the keep every day if this was the reward.

~ * ~

All vestiges of the nervous, tense lass he married seemed to have disappeared, that is, until just before Easter. They received word Rowan’s wedding to Eara Fraser would be held at Duncurra, in May, two days after Roodmas.

“Duncurra? Not Carraigile?” she asked Tadhg when he gave her the news at the midday meal. Noticing her furrowed brow, Tadhg said, “Sweetling, if ye were hoping for a visit with your family at Carraigile, ye needn’t wait until May. If the weather holds, perhaps we can visit at Easter.”

“Nay, that isn’t it. I mean, I would love to visit Carraigile, I am just surprised the wedding will be at Duncurra.”

“King David has asked Fingal MacIan to help stabilize Clan MacLennan so Rowan has become a permanent member of Laird MacIan’s guard.”

“I see.” She broke off a piece of bread and chewed on it. Her tension was palpable.

When Mairead withdrew, pushing her for an explanation never worked, so he let the subject drop for the moment. When the meal was finished, he left the great hall long enough to arrange an escort and for Hamish to continue the afternoon training without him. When he returned to the hall, she was helping clear the tables. He grabbed her from behind, giving her a kiss behind the ear. The servants grinned, and he was treated to the sound of her giggle. “Let’s go for a ride.” He walked toward the door, pulling her at his side.

“Why are we going for a ride?”

“Because I want to talk with ye, and I am afraid if we went to our chambers, talking isn’t what we would do.” He gave her a roguish wink, enjoying her responsive blush.

When they reached the stables, four guardsmen were mounted, waiting for them. The stable master had Tadhg’s horse saddled but Mairead’s palfrey was not to be seen. “I thought ye said we were going for a ride.”