Rescued by a Highlander(74)
A short time later, Robbie stuck his head in the door and yelled to her. Maddie hurried to the door.
“Has he arrived yet, Robbie?” she asked.
“Aye, I hear the horses, they will be arriving soon.”
“Robbie, would you mind escorting me to the stables. I would like to be there when he returns.”
“Of course, my lady. I will take you now if you are ready, as I need to see him as well.”
Maddie put away her ink and followed Robbie to the stables.
“There are many strangers here, are there not?” Maddie asked.
“Aye, the clan members are starting to arrive for the big event. The tents are being assembled around the keep and outside as well. Some people like to make sure they arrive early enough to raise their tent in the outer bailey instead of outside the walls of the keep.”
“Isn’t it more difficult to protect everyone, Robbie?” she asked nervously as she looked around at the crowds.
“Aye, but we have done it many times before. This is similar to a fair or tournament. There will be people selling wares outside the keep walls. I promise you we will be watching for Kenneth. We know most of these people, and I do not allow anyone to stay inside the gates unless I know them well. You will not see us practicing in the lists at all, either. This is when our guardsmen do their best work. They will be searching for Kenneth. The laird made it very clear to the guards that your safety is the priority.”
They were almost to the stable when Maddie heard the horses’ hooves above the din in the bailey. She quickly moved into Midnight’s stall.
“If you do not mind, Robbie, I will wait for Alex here. I hoped for a private moment with him.”
“Aye, my lady, there is no one here now. I think it will be safe for you, and Alex is almost here.”
A few minutes later, she heard Alex shouting to Old Hugh to grab the other horses. She knew Alex preferred to rub Midnight down himself if he had the time. Seconds, later, he opened the door ahead of Midnight and stopped. Still holding the reins in his hands, he couldn’t hide his surprise when Maddie strode over to him, cupped his face with her one hand and gave him a passionate kiss on the mouth. When she ran her tongue across his bottom lip to tease him, he dropped the reins and grabbed her, pulling her tight to his body. He groaned and kissed her exactly the way she needed, desire evident in his strong hold and rigid body.
She stopped and gazed into his eyes, “This pleases you, Laird Grant?”
“Aye. Mayhap you will greet me like that every day after we are married. Or is there a special reason?” his eyebrow quirked as he stared into her eyes.
“Aye, actually there is. I came to thank you for the bolts of cloth. They are beautiful.”
How fortunate she was to have found Alex. She enjoyed seeing the hungry look in his eyes when he glanced at her body. Her limbs tingled whenever he was near. Maybe the marriage bed could be enjoyable. Her mother had always been happy. She must not have minded it. Hope blossomed in her heart at the prospects of living her life with this man.
He kissed her again gently. “The cloths are not as beautiful as you, my lady.”
A rustling from the opposite end of the stables interrupted their interlude.
“Leave me alone, please!” A young girl’s plea wrenched the air.
They heard a slap followed by a male voice, “Be quiet, wench, you know you want this!”
Then another shriek, “Nay!”
Madeline bolted out the door and ran to the end of the stables. “Unhand her!” she shouted. The red in her face blossomed down her neck and her arms as her blood boiled.
“Mind your own business, lady!” the lad yelled back.
Alex stood directly behind her, but the lad had not noticed him yet. Alex grabbed the lad by the neck, lifting him clear off the ground.
“You are her business, lad, and I suggest you start apologizing to my betrothed!” he barked in the lad’s face.
The lad scrambled, “Laird Grant, I am sorry, I had no idea she was your betrothed. You know I would never speak to her like that!” Strange choking noises erupted from him as he talked.
“Who is your father, lad?” Alex ground out.
The lass froze in the corner witnessing the fury in her laird’s features.
“Uh, Gavin Grant, Laird. I promise, it will never happen again.”
“You are right about that. I do not allow rape on my lands. Now get yourself out before I change my mind and decide to take a whip to you, and you are no longer welcome at our wedding feast! Understood?” Alex set him down fast enough to cause him to lose his balance directly in front of Madeline’s feet.
“My lady, I beg your forgiveness,” he cried.
“You need to beg the forgiveness of the lass,” she whispered. “You will never mishandle a lass on our lands, do you hear?”