“Aye, my lady!” he turned to the lass and bowed and yelled, “So sorry!” before escaping as fast as he could.
Madeline reached the lass, wrapping her arm around her as the poor girl shivered.
“Come along. Laird Grant and I will escort you home safely.” Alex gave Mac some instructions before leaving.
“Where do you live?” Maddie asked.
“My father is the tanner,” she pointed to the cottage not far away.
“Lass, you know there will be many strangers about. Please be careful who you talk to and don’t wander unescorted,” Alex warned her quietly.
“I did not know what he wanted. He was very insistent. Thank you, my laird,” she curtsied in front of her house. Silent tears had made their way down her face.
Alex knocked on the door and briefly explained the incident to her mother and father. Her mother hugged her daughter and ushered her inside the cottage. Alex spoke quietly with the tanner before he and Maddie returned to the hall.
Alex glanced over and saw the tears Madeline fought.
“Oh, Alex, I am so emotional. I hope it does not scare you away. I just cannot help myself sometimes. It seems I cry at anything and everything lately. I will focus on guaranteeing that no lass will ever be mistreated on our lands, well, when they are our lands,” she said sheepishly.
Alex turned her to face him. “Nay, Maddie, I do not mind that you are emotional. I have known many cold women, and they are not for me. I will gladly deal with your emotions. With all you have dealt with, I believe your emotions are expected. I just hope that someday with my help, they will become tears of joy.” He wiped the tears from her face, and escorted her into the great hall.
“And it pleases me to hear you say ‘our lands.’ They will be ours soon.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Her wedding day had finally arrived. That was the first thought that crossed Maddie’s mind when she woke. She also realized that it would be the last time she would be in bed alone. Since Father MacGregor had returned, Alice shamed her into sleeping by herself last night. She missed Alex now that she had grown accustomed to sleeping in his arms every night. No nightmares existed for her when wrapped in his warm embrace.
She sighed, wistfully thinking of the day to come. She was a little nervous about the ceremony because there would be so many in attendance, but believed she could handle it. The wedding night still caused her anxiety even though she trusted Alex, but he had been clear he expected her to accept him completely tonight. Various excuses had surfaced in her mind over the past few days, but she had decided not to use them. She believed she owed Alex this much after all he had done for her. Besides, unable to deny the feelings Alex stirred in her, curiosity was starting to win her over. Anxious to finish what they had started many times, she entered into this marriage with positive thoughts and hopes.
Having this behind her was another positive way to view her impending marriage. Why, a fortnight from now, she might not mind the marriage bed at all. She enjoyed kissing Alex. Maybe he would allow her to kiss him whenever she wanted after they were wed.
Maddie descended the stairs to break her fast, noting how busy the hall was, and that everyone smiled at her. She heard the expression “special day” over and over again. Alex was nowhere to be seen, but she thought it better not to see him until the ceremony.
After she finished her porridge, she decided to move on to see the progression of the many activities. The great hall was in total disarray to fit the tables necessary for the large number of attendees, so she decided to leave. Cook invited her back into the kitchens to sample some of the fare for the feast. She spent some time sampling with wee Jennie, but decided she would be unable to fit in her dress if she continued. But she had nothing specific she had to do other than bathe and dress. Of course, this was probably for the best as her concentration was not the same as usual.
She wandered to the battlements and gazed over the land, Alex’s land, but soon to be hers as well. She thought about all that had transpired in the last fortnight or two. She had one elbow on the edge and her chin propped in her hand, wondering about Kenneth.
In an instant, two hands wrapped around her waist and she jumped. Turning quickly, she stared into her betrothed’s steel gray eyes.
“Alex, you startled me!”
“And what were you so deep in thought about, sweeting?”
“You do not really want to know,” Maddie sighed. “I was thinking about Kenneth, wondering if he was still out there, or if I might be able to discover him sneaking about from up here.”
“Aye, I have failed you, love. I promised to find him and I have no’. I apologize to you, but I do not want you fretting about him today,” Alex said as he pulled her in tight. Still gazing out across the land, she leaned back into Alex’s body.