by Lynsay Sands
"Nay," Aulay said firmly. "It just does no' make sense fer him to kill her when he planned to make money from her. But ye came damned close to dying last night and if nothing else, yer marrying her will see Murine safe if the next attack kills ye."
Dougall merely turned and continued on toward Saidh's room. He still couldn't think of anyone who would want to kill him. But the arrow couldn't have been meant for Murine. As Aulay had said, it made no sense for Danvries to want her dead and he couldn't imagine she'd made any enemies. Except maybe . . .
Pausing abruptly, he turned to face Aulay. "That woman who tried to kill our Saidh and Lady Sinclair?"
"Aye?" Aulay paused too, his brows pulling together in a frown as he tried to sort out what Dougall was thinking.
"What happened to her?" he asked.
"I don't know," Aulay admitted.
"She would ha'e been executed," Uncle Acair announced, catching up to them.
Dougall noticed again that the older man was limping. There was no sign that he'd broken anything in the tumble down the stairs Murine had sent him on, but he must have twisted an ankle or something, he thought and then shifted his attention from the man's gait to his face as his uncle added, "Or banished to a nunnery if her family was powerful enough to keep her alive."
Dougall nodded slowly. That made sense, he thought and then pointed out, "If she was no' executed, she could be seeking revenge on Murine for foiling her plan. Or her family might be seeking it for her."
"Possible," his uncle murmured thoughtfully. "Her actions must ha'e been a great stain on the family name when she was caught."
"I'll look into it," Aulay said quietly.
"Thank ye," Dougall muttered and then jerked around to catch Alick by the arm and pull him to a halt when he tried to rush past them. The door to Saidh's room was the only one left at this end of the hall, so he knew where the lad had been headed, but still barked, "Where do ye think ye're going?"
"To give Murine me shirt," Alick answered, tugging at his arm.
"Yer shirt?" Dougall peered down at the soft linen in the boy's hands, then back to his face. "Why the devil would she want one o' yer shirts?"
"Because all o' Saidh's and Mother's gowns that we gave her went up in flames when the lodge burned," Alick pointed out with a grimace. "The only thing we left behind here were a pair o' braies Saidh likes to wear under her gowns. Murine's going to wear those, but she's got no dress to wear o'er them so"--he raised the hand holding the shirt and shrugged--"she needs something to cover the top o' her."
"God's teeth," Dougall muttered, jerking the shirt from Alick's hand and turning to continue on to the door to Saidh's room. There was no damned way his woman was running about in braies and a shirt. No way on God's green earth.
They'd sort out something else . . . and quickly. Because Murine was obviously awake, and his instinct was telling him to bundle her up and get her out of there. He'd rather camp in the MacDonnell woods and approach the castle where his sister and her husband lived the minute Danvries left than wait to hear from the men Aulay had sent. He wanted the wedding done and Murine safe as soon as possible.
Chapter 13
Dougall watched Murine raise herself slightly on the mare she was riding, astride, to tug at the bottom of her braies as if they were crawling into places only he should be, and had to swallow the sudden rush of liquid in his mouth. He'd have been more than happy to tug at the braies for her, and not just to stop their crawling. He'd like to drag them right off, pull her onto his lap and slide into her warm, moist--
"I'm surprised ye let Murine wear the braies," Aulay said, interrupting his lascivious thoughts.
"I can no' let her do anything. She's no' me wife yet," Dougall growled. They were the exact words Murine had said to him when he'd reached her room and announced she couldn't wear the braies, that they'd have to find something else. She'd followed that up by announcing that there was nothing else, and there was no time for her to sew anything since she was quite sure they didn't want to remain at Buchanan any longer than necessary and risk her brother returning to find her there.
Dougall hadn't been able to argue with any of it, especially the part about remaining at Buchanan. He himself had wanted her away from there as soon as possible. So, he'd tossed her the linen shirt, turned on his heel and marched out to order his horse readied. By the time Murine was dressed and came below, his horse, as well as seven others, had been waiting at the base of the keep steps. Six were each of his brothers' mounts, the seventh was the mare he'd gifted Murine with when he'd decided to marry her. He'd learned then that Aulay had decided that the whole family should travel to MacDonnell. All of his brothers wanted to attend the wedding. They also wanted to see their sister, Saidh.
Understanding this, Uncle Acair had offered to remain behind and look after Buchanan until Aulay's return. While their uncle hadn't broken anything in the tumble he'd taken down the stairs, and he was sorry to miss the wedding himself, he'd also apparently gained several bumps and bruises that would have made riding extremely uncomfortable.
Dougall was glad to have his brothers along to help keep Murine safe, but was less happy about her riding her own mount. While she hadn't shown signs of fainting since before she'd been shot with the arrow, she'd also spent most of that time asleep. Now, on top of everything else, he had to worry about her fainting and falling off her horse.
And that was the only reason his eyes hadn't left her braies-clad bottom since they'd departed Buchanan two hours ago, he assured himself and then almost snorted aloud at his own lie. Damn, she looked fine in those braies. Too fine. They made him want to lay her down, strip them off and bite her on the arse . . . and that was not an urge he'd ever experienced before with anyone. But it was just one of the ideas of what he'd like to do to her that had rolled through his mind during this ride.
Dougall was toying with some of those ideas when Geordie, Niels and Alick came charging around the bend ahead, racing toward them. Dougall immediately dug his heels into his horse to urge him to a run, aware that Aulay was doing the same. They quickly caught up with Murine where she rode with Conran and Rory on either side. They'd spaced themselves out that way on purpose. Since they expected trouble to come from ahead, they'd had Geordie, Niels and Alick ride out in front of the group to watch for approaching parties. Conran and Rory had stayed with Murine to guard her, and Aulay and Dougall had ridden a good distance behind. At least they'd started out a good distance behind, but Dougall had found himself reducing the distance with every mile they'd passed, finding himself drawn to the woman like a bee to a flower.
"What is it?" he barked when his brothers reached them and reined in. He scanned the road ahead tensely as he waited for the answer, mentally preparing himself to drag Murine off her horse to his own and race off into the woods with her if the lads had bad news.
"Our boys are on the road ahead, riding this way," Geordie announced.
Dougall relaxed a bit in the saddle.
"Danvries must have left MacDonnell," Aulay commented.
Dougall nodded. Aulay had told him that he'd sent men ahead to find out if Danvries was still at MacDonnell. If he was, they'd been ordered to wait until Murine's brother and his party left, and then ride back with that news. If they were returning, Danvries must have left MacDonnell, no doubt headed north toward Sinclair. Unless he was heading south and the Buchanan men were just riding ahead of them, trying to reach Buchanan with a warning ere Danvries could get there.
That last thought made Dougall frown and he asked, "Did ye talk to them?"
"Nay. They were still a good distance away when we turned back to bring ye the news," Niels admitted. "We thought we'd do that ere riding to meet them."
Dougall nodded. "You and Alick ride ahead now and make sure they're no' bringing news that Danvries is headed this way. Signal us if he is, so we can get Murine off the road."
The two men immediately turned their horses and raced back the way they'd come. Dougall then urged h
is horse up between Conran's mount and Murine's mare. Hooking his arm around her waist, he dragged her from her horse and onto his lap.
"Just in case," he murmured by way of explanation as he watched his brothers ride away.
Murine didn't comment and simply slipped her arms around his waist and shifted about to find a more comfortable position. Dougall glanced down then and found himself peering straight down the shirt she wore. While Alick was the smallest of the brothers, he was still quite a bit larger than Murine and the neckline was presently gaping, allowing him a perfect view of at least two thirds of the top of each breast. The only thing hidden from him were her nipples.
It was a damned fine sight, Dougall decided, fighting the urge to tug the cloth down and lavish the rounded globes with attention.
"Are ye still mad at me?"
Dougall blinked and glanced blankly to Murine's face at her question.
"Fer insisting on wearing the braies when ye did no' want me to," she explained.
"Oh." He shrugged, and admitted, "I was. But I've found I quite enjoy the view."
Murine's eyes widened and then she blushed at his words and ducked her head with shyness or embarrassment. Sadly, the action blocked his view of her breasts.
"There's Geordie."
Dougall jerked his gaze to the road ahead to see his brother ride into view and rein in to give him the signal for the all-clear. Danvries had not headed south. They could ride straight to MacDonnell.
"Looks like the sup will be a wedding feast," Aulay said, and then added with a grin, "And judging by the way ye were looking down Murine's top, it's no' a moment too soon."
When Murine turned her face into his chest with a moan of embarrassment, Dougall suggested his brother do something that was physically impossible and put his spurs to his horse. He was eager to get Murine to MacDonnell and get her wedded.
"Truly?" Murine asked, watching Saidh closely. They had arrived a little more than two hours ago. There had been greetings and quick explanations and then Saidh had rushed Murine above stairs to her bedchamber to "prepare" her for the wedding. She'd been bathed and powdered, and now Saidh's maid, Joyce, was fussing with her hair while Saidh searched through her chest of gowns for one Murine could wear.
"Truly, what?" Saidh asked distractedly, holding up a gown, considering it, then tossing it aside.
"Ye do no' mind? About Dougall marrying me?"
"Murine," Saidh drew out her name with exasperation, dropped the gown she'd just picked up and crossed the room to clasp her by the arms. "I truly am glad that ye're marrying Dougall," she assured her solemnly, then smiled wryly and admitted, "It ne'er occurred to me until Dougall announced he was wedding ye, but I think the two o' ye are perfect for each other. I should ha'e dragged ye home to him that first time we met."
Murine let her breath out on a relieved little sigh, and pulled away from Joyce's fussing to hug her friend. "Thank goodness."
"I do no' ken why ye'd think I would no' be pleased," Saidh commented, hugging her back. "Ye've become a dear friend. I'm happy ye and Dougall found each other."
Murine's eyes opened and she frowned at the words and stepped back to remind her, "I ha'e no dower, Saidh. Does he marry me, he gets only me."
"And that is a lot," Saidh assured her firmly. Releasing her then, she turned to walk back across the room. Bending to continue her sorting of gowns, she added, "Dowers are quickly spent and soon forgotten. The bride is not and ye will be a fine wife to Dougall. He's lucky to ha'e ye."
Murine sagged with relief at these words. She'd been concerned that Saidh might think Dougall deserved a bride with a dower, not a bride with a brother who not only gambled away her dower, but then tried to whore her out like a--
"Do ye ken?" Saidh said suddenly, interrupting her thoughts and Murine glanced over as her friend turned from the chest to stare at her briefly before pointing out, "We'll be sisters."
Murine blinked at the announcement and then a slow smile blossomed on her face. "Aye, we will."
"Me best friend and me sister," Saidh said with a smile and shook her head as she turned back to her chest. "I ne'er imagined for a minute the day we arrived at Sinclair that I would gain so much and it would all turn out so well."
"Neither did I," Murine murmured and realized that it had all turned out well. She'd learned on arriving that Saidh had never received the messages she'd sent to her. She'd also learned that Saidh had sent her several as well. None of which had reached her. Montrose had obviously been blocking the messages both ways. And probably any messages to and from Jo and Edith too. They were all still her friends. And now, she was about to marry Dougall and not just gain a wonderful husband, but Saidh for sister, six wonderful brothers, and countless cousins, aunts and uncles.
The thought of the number of relatives she was gaining was rather dizzying. On the ride here, Conran and Rory had been discussing how disappointed their extended family would be at missing Dougall's wedding. Rory had even suggested that perhaps they should hold a belated wedding feast for the whole family at some later date after everything was cleared up and they were sure she was safe. Curious, Murine had asked about their family and the men had started listing off the Buchanans . . . and there were many. The Buchanans were a prolific lot. She was gaining a large family and while it couldn't make up for the loss of her parents and brothers, it would go a long way toward helping soothe the hurt.
At the moment, her future looked very bright indeed.
So long as Montrose didn't arrive before they could exchange vows, she thought a little anxiously.
And so long as whoever had shot her with an arrow, and then drugged the cider and set the hunting lodge on fire didn't attack again and hurt or kill any of her new family.
Perhaps everything was not as settled as she'd hoped, Murine now thought with a frown.
"Here!" Saidh straightened from the chest and held up a golden gown with satisfaction. "This will look perfect on ye. Do ye like it?" she asked, turning the gown so Murine could get a better look.
"Aye," she whispered, reaching out to touch it when Saidh brought it closer. The gown was beautiful.
"'Twill bring out the gold in yer hair," Saidh murmured, glancing to her head and then smiled and added, "Ye've outdone yerself, Joyce. Her hair looks perfect."
"Thank ye, m'lady," Joyce murmured as she stepped away. "Shall we get her dressed then?"
"I'll help her with that," Saidh said quickly. "Why do ye no' go see if ye can help below? I want a few minutes to talk to Murine alone . . . about the night ahead," she added meaningfully.
"Ah. O' course," Joyce murmured, and then squeezing Murine's arm she said, "Ye make a beautiful bride," before slipping from the room.
Murine watched her go, then turned reluctantly back to Saidh, wondering if she dare tell her that there was no talk necessary. Before she could decide, a knock sounded at the door and Saidh tossed the gold gown over the end of the bed and rushed to answer the summons. Murine watched her accept a tray from the woman in the hall with a thank-you, then push the door closed with her foot as she turned back into the room.
"Here we are," Saidh said cheerfully, carrying the tray to a table by the fire. "Ye go ahead and start dressing, and I'll pour us both some wine, then help ye with the stays," she suggested.
Nodding, Murine dropped the linen Joyce had wrapped around her after her bath and picked up the gown Saidh had set on the end of the bed. By the time she pulled on the gown and crossed the room to Saidh, the drinks were poured and waiting and Saidh had taken two other items from the tray and appeared to be contemplating them solemnly.
"Oh, good," Saidh said, noting her arrival. Setting down the loaf of bread and carrot she'd been considering, Saidh hurried to help her with her stays, then stepped back to look her over. Smiling, she said, "Perfect."
Murine grinned and relaxed a bit, then glanced to the loaf of bread and carrot and asked, "What's this?" The bread might have been meant as a snack to have with the wine, she suppose
d, but had no idea why the servants would send up a knobby, dirty carrot, so fresh from the ground there was still dirt clinging to it.
"Sit down," Saidh instructed, moving to the table to collect their wine.
Murine dutifully sat down, accepted her wine when Saidh held one out to her, then sipped at it, when Saidh raised her own drink to her lips. Much to her surprise, rather than sip at her own wine, Saidh downed the liquid in one long gulp, then set her goblet down with a little grimace.
"All right," Saidh murmured, picking up the loaf of bread and the carrot and turning to her. Holding the loaf up, she announced, "This is you."
Murine's eyebrows rose and she murmured uncertainly, "It is?"
Saidh frowned and peered at the loaf, then turned to set it on the table, pulled a sgian-dubh from her waist and sliced it in half. She then sliced a slit down the center of the loaf as well before setting down her sgian-dubh and turning back to Murine with them.
"This is you," she said, holding up the altered bread so the crusty side was against her hand and the soft center with the slit faced Murine. Raising the carrot, she added, "And this is Dougall."
"Oh," Murine breathed, suddenly understanding what Saidh was doing. Shaking her head, she murmured, "Saidh, I--"
"Do no' interrupt, Muri," Saidh admonished, using the nickname the other women had taken to using when they were all together. "This is difficult enough."
"Sorry," Murine murmured.
Saidh nodded, sighed, considered her props, and then stuck the carrot down the neckline of her gown between her breasts and moved back to the table to pour herself another goblet of wine. After downing that one as quickly as the first, she turned back to move in front of Murine again.
"Right. This is you, and this is--oh hell," she muttered, realizing she held the empty goblet instead of the carrot. The carrot was still in her decolletage. Saidh hurriedly set the empty goblet on the table, retrieved the carrot from her gown, then positioned herself in front of Murine and started again. "This is you, and this is Dougall."
She turned the loaf of bread so the open side with the slit faced the carrot, then proceeded to push the larger end of the carrot into the slit of the bread. "And this," she said, withdrawing and pushing the carrot back into the bread, "is what will happen tonight."