A Perfect Wife [Highland Menage 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Reece Butler

  “She wishes to improve the sheep flocks so the wool is finer for weaving,” added Duff.

  Colin nodded as if he’d heard it before. “And what of the cattle?”

  “She is wise enough to realize she’d best leave that to her men,” said Malcolm.

  “So Kiera is learning a wee bit of wisdom as well as all the rest?”

  “Aye,” answered Malcolm, “and that ’tis best if none ken we talk with her or that we listen. A clan wants a strong, decisive laird. I have learned from yer father, and also from Somerled.”

  “Our laird is grim and responsible, but Niall, his twin, yanks the stick out of his arse now and then,” said Duff. "As I do with mine.” He barely ducked the swat Malcolm aimed at his head.

  “And here I was thinkin’ I could be the one causing trouble for once,” complained Colin.

  “The heir to Clan MacKenzie?” Duff rolled his eyes. “Ye willna get in trouble no matter what ye do.”

  Colin suddenly grinned. “I might if I elope with my wee bride.”

  “Elope?”

  “Kiera did, so why shouldn’t I do the same? Barbara’s father keeps putting off the wedding.” Colin adjusted the leather thong holding his eye patch snug. “First my father marries a woman my age, then your brothers come here with Alana Sinclair, and now you two are locked up with my sister all hours.” He grimaced. “They’re all having babes and I’ve not had a wedding night. I’m going to steal her away.”

  “She lives at Grantown-on-Spey, ye fool,” said Duff, shaking his head. “Yer father’s new wife is a Chisholm, and they’re feuding with the Grants. Fraser of Lovat is their ally, so he willna help.”

  “Barbara’s father is at home, aye, but my fiancée is visiting elsewhere. ’Tis only a wee ride through Fraser land to Loch Ness and then a wee boat ride. They’ll let me into Urquhart Castle as I am to be her husband and am ever so responsible.” He preened.

  “Ye ken the place?” asked Duff. “We looked from the far side of Loch Ness on our way here.” He shook his head at Colin. “Grant’s built himself a fine towerhouse on the point. Ye may get in but will they let the two of ye out again?”

  Colin’s easy expression hardened. “We have a signed marriage contract so I’ve the right to bed Barbara. I’m making what we both want happen, just like Cormac and James did with Alana. We’ll handfast, then take the boat back to my men, ones with fast horses.’”

  “Does the Lady Barbara wish to have ye?” asked Malcolm. “It would not be right to shame her.”

  Colin grinned and clapped both of them on the shoulders. “Your brothers had a wee word with me while they were here. They said what to do to make my lady smile. I’d not thought learning my letters would be so useful.” He winked. “Barbara’s still a virgin, but I made her very happy. More than once.” He winked, a strange thing with only one eye visible. “I’m not the only one wishing to wed.”

  “The Lord of Kintail willna be pleased,” said Malcolm. “Nor will her father. He’s Lord Strathspey, aye?”

  “The lords willna be pleased, but my father will,” replied Colin. “He will bluster at me as a lord should but there is a contract so they canna do much once Barbara is well bedded. And she will be.”

  “Where will ye go?”

  “We’ll visit my brother Roderick Mor at Redcastle. We’ll take a boat across Beauly Basin from Inverness.”

  Duff turned to Malcolm with a false groan. “Now I ken why Kiera is trouble. Her father is a bold man and her brother, the heir, wild. Kiera has it from both of them.”

  “We have heard nothing of whatever this lad was jabbering about, Duff.” Malcolm tilted his head toward the hall. “We’ve been speaking of what to bring. Our bed—”

  “Is already on the way to Kinrowan,” said Duff. He smirked. “I heard Mistress Chisholm shrieked when she returned to find it replaced with a thin pallet.”

  “Good,” said Colin. “I’ll send her home on the slowest, most uncomfortable cart I can find.”

  “Do ye ken why would she attack Kiera?” asked Malcolm.

  “Aye. Dougal Chisholm is her son. She thought she’d get to control Kinrowan when he married Kiera.”

  “He the one Kiera heard plotting how to take her dowry and lock her up, so told yer father?”

  “Aye. Kiera was fifteen at the time. She hasn’t trusted a man since. Until you two.” Colin’s one-eyed glare was fierce. “Dinna harm my wee sister, or when I’m the Lord of Kintail I’ll—”

  “Dinna fash,” said Duff. “We like Kiera too much to harm her. Now, spanking’s a different matter. Ye have heard the best way to do that, aye?” He put his arm around Colin. “Let’s get an ale, and we’ll tell ye all about it.”

  Chapter Six

  Kiera knew Cromarty Firth was downhill to her left. On a clear day no doubt it would be a pretty sight. Now all she cared about was going home, for the first time. She focused on that wonderful thought rather than the rain. It was to be expected this time of year but she was cold, wet, and sore from riding. Riding her men as well as her horse. A flash of heat at what they’d done the last few nights momentarily warmed her.

  Soon.

  Perfect wives did not complain. Malcolm wanted to be the perfect laird and Duff wished to be the best steward ever, even if neither had done the job before. As their wife, and Lady of Kinrowan, it was her duty to help them any way she could. That meant giving advice in private, usually when asked, and creating a welcoming, comfortable home.

  She would show them all! No one would ever connect her with the mean-spirited woman she’d been for a while at Castle Leod.

  “Please let it be over this hill,” she murmured while shifting in the saddle once more. If she could see it through the rain her pain might vanish. A horse stepped aside from the plodding column in front of her. She couldn’t be sure who as they were all hooded. He waited until she caught up, and then joined her. He pushed back his hood enough for her to see Duff’s wet leather mask.

  “This is not weather to welcome a lady to her home,” he said wryly. “’Twas far more pleasant when Malcolm and I rode up. It is a far different country than near Duncladach. There is rolling land to grow crops, not rocks and a sea’s vicious winds. We will do well here.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes, but he tried. “Once it stops raining.”

  “I will soon be home at Kinrowan Castle. ’Tis all that matters.” She wiped rain from her face and forced her own attempt at a smile. “I think ’tis easing now.”

  “I sent a rider ahead. There’ll be a hot bath, a fire, and food waiting in our chamber for ye.”

  The thought of warmth made her shiver anew. “Thank you, Duff. It sounds wonderful.”

  “My duty is to make all well for the laird. It is my joy to make ye smile.”

  “You willna join me?”

  “Laird Kinrowan and I will have much to do. Playing with our wife must wait. By then ye’ll be dry, warm, full, and rested.”

  “What of you? I’m not the only one cold and wet.”

  “Ah, but my lady, yer very presence heats my blood.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “You’ve been listening to my father’s bard. He has a way with words.”

  “Seeing ye makes my heart speed up and my cock harden.”

  “Gillebride the Bard never said that!”

  He leaned closer. “I promised ye truth when we swam and played chess at the sheiling, aye?”

  “So you did.”

  She thought back to those warm days and eager nights. He was right. Being near him did warm her. Not her toes and fingers, but certainly the parts between her saddle and her chin.

  He squeezed her hand. “Are ye ready? The rain eased just in time. Take a look at yer new home, Lady Kiera of Kinrowan.”

  She realized they’d topped the rise as they spoke. Fallow fields and wooded areas rolled down to the sea on all sides. Cromarty was on a point with a headland to the east and another across a narrow strait half as wide as Loch Ness. Before it, on a rise, was a great t
ower, rising six stories. Round turrets with conical roofs marked the corners of the parapet. A straight section the same height went off to the right. The bailey's walls were far higher than a man’s head. Kinrowan was magnificent, far more grand than her father’s castle.

  “Oh, my! ’Tis bigger than Castle Leod.”

  Duff’s bark of laughter took her by surprise. “There’s more. A three-story section is beyond what ye can see, and that’s even bigger. ’Twill take us all a wee while to learn our roles here.”

  She’d managed to care for Castle Leod after her mother’s death. She would learn how to do the same here. Unless stories about her had been spread…

  “I hope they accept me,” she murmured hesitantly.

  “They said they were eager to see ye when we were here.”

  “That might have changed after the stories my father no doubt told them about me.”

  “Malcolm ordered there’d be no tales told of ye, Kiera.” Duff squeezed her hand once more. “He said ye’d make yer own way and he’d allow no one, not even yer lord, to take that from ye.”

  She gave him a speaking glance. “He stood up to my father?”

  “Aye. Why should that surprise ye? Malcolm is yer husband and yer laird. Ye are his, to have and to hold.” Duff tugged on her hand. “And we’ll be wanting to hold ye, and have ye, this night.” He winked. “I sent our bed ahead so Silean’s aunt couldn’t have it. Ye’ll be able to have a wee nap in comfort after ye bathe.”

  “Our bed!” Tears sprung forth. As it was raining and none could tell, this once she let them fall. “Oh, Duff!” She wiped her eyes with the chilled back of her hand. “Thank you.”

  When she looked back at him all traces of joking had faded. “Sweetling, I said I’d take care of ye when we handfasted,” he murmured for her ears only. “Marrying my brother doesna change that. Ye’re still my wee Kiera.” He chuckled. “I wish to enjoy sleeping beside ye in that bed. Aye, and more. ’Tis the right height for me to lie ye down and—”

  A roar filled the air. Startled, she pulled her eyes from Duff. The wall walk was filled with people cheering and waving. Through the mist she watched the MacKenzie flag rise to show the laird and lady were in residence. She burst into tears. Her heart ached at the joyful welcome. They wanted her, and the strong men she brought.

  “They’re raising the MacKenzie flag for us!” She sniffled, full of emotion, no longer cold, sore, or miserable.

  “They didna do that last time.” Duff stood in his stirrups to see better.

  “They wouldn’t have had a MacKenzie flag until Father brought it. This was Urquhart land. Now that we’re here the flag will stay up.”

  “I see flames on it. What’s supposed to be burning?”

  “It’s a mountain on fire. Our motto is I shine, not burn.”

  “The MacDougal clan motto is Conquer or die,” he replied. He turned his eager blue eyes on her again. “I conquered ye, and since I am for the MacKenzies now, I shall make ye shine for me, my lady. Every chance I can.” He gave her the look that made her insides heat. “’Tis a big castle. My brother and I shall make ye scream in every room. Starting with our tower chamber, tonight!”

  He touched his heels to his horse and was gone before she could reply. At Malcolm’s encouraging wave, Kiera moved to the left and slightly behind him. Lady Kiera and Laird Malcolm of Kinrowan would enter together. Back straight, head high, and hood back, she rode through the east gate into the bailey. Duff rode half a length behind on Malcolm’s right, mask in place. They were soaked, their hair plastered to their heads. She smiled while her husbands nodded regally in reply to their welcome. The people gathered in the bailey, now their people, cheered.

  “Thank ye for greeting us,” said Malcolm while still on horseback. He placed his hand over his heart and bowed. “Yer warm welcome makes up for this rain.” He encouraged Kiera forward. “My lady has always had ye in her heart.” He took her right hand, raised it to his mouth, and kissed it. “I give ye Lady Kiera MacKenzie of Kinrowan!”

  Her wide smile fought with tears at the cheers that rang forth. She knew his gesture was to win them over rather than show his love publicly, but she still appreciated it.

  “Thank you so much,” she looked around at the faces. “We may appear strangers now, but not for long. I look forward to getting to know each of you.”

  Malcolm beckoned Duff to move forward. “As ye ken from afore, my brother, Master Duff MacDougal, is my steward. His orders come from me, and shall be taken as such.”

  Duff made the same bow, hand over his heart. He said nothing.

  “Where is the wee surprise for my wife?” asked Malcolm.

  “Let him go, Roddy!”

  A familiar bark made her catch her breath. “Chester?”

  A dark streak dashed through the crowd. She couldn’t see him, but she could hear his barks. Malcolm dismounted and helped her down. He held her until her legs were steady. By then Chester was leaping up, his front paws on her dirty skirts. She laughed and gave him a good scratch around the ears, praising him for welcoming her. She’d assumed Malcolm wouldn’t let her bring her dog, especially as he and Chester had a few disagreements as to who was laird.

  “My lady, if ye’ll come with me, we’ll get ye dry and warm.”

  The familiar face and voice, one she’d counted on for years and never thought to hear again, made her knees buckle. Malcolm’s arm went around her ribs to hold her up.

  “Bessie?” she croaked. Her eyes filled once more.

  “Aye.” The wrinkled old woman beckoned her forward. “Ye’d not think I’d leave ye after carin’ for ye since afore ye was born?”

  “We asked her to be your lady’s maid. She came ahead, with Chester and your bed, as the weather was clear,” said Malcolm. “Bessie wished it to be a surprise. Does this please ye?”

  Kiera pressed her lips together, unable to talk. Malcolm was often gruff outside their chamber, making her think he didn’t care. Then he did something like this. She nodded.

  “Thank you,” she managed to whisper.

  “Duff, help our lady into our new home.”

  Duff took one arm, Bessie the other. Chester pranced around them, proud as only a small, well-fed dog could be.

  “Malcolm told ye the wee beastie wouldna travel with us, not that he’d be left behind,” murmured Duff in her ear. “He’s gruff as the role of laird rests heavily on his shoulders. Yet he cares for ye, as do I.” He dropped his hand to pat her bottom. “We’ll be proving that to ye after ye bathe.”

  Chapter Seven

  Kiera turned to her left and faced her new home. As Duff had said, the large, six-story tower was only part of the living quarters. An even larger section went to the right, all the way to the north wall. More pepper-pot coned turrets edged those corridors as well. As Lady, she was now responsible for managing it.

  She walked through a sea of faces, some smiling, some eager, and some no doubt unhappy having MacKenzies take over what had once belonged to Clan Urquhart. It had passed through dowered property, so at least no blood had been spilled during the transfer. She would learn about these people in time.

  A pair of women waited at the foot of the steps. Both wore white aprons over their clean working garb. Bessie gave a respectful bob to them. As Kiera’s lady’s maid, Bessie was in a difficult spot. Normally a lady’s maid reported to the housekeeper, but as Bessie was a longtime servant, one who’d served Kiera’s mother and helped raise their new lady, it complicated matters.

  “My lady,” said Bessie, “this is Mistress Hetty, Kinrowan’s housekeeper, and Cook. They’ve been very good to me.”

  Kiera welcomed them with her most gracious smile. These two women could make or break her as they had ruled Kinrowan for many years.

  “My father, the Lord of Kintail, said I would learn many things from you. My laird husband spoke of how well you cared for them. And Master Duff said he ate better here than anywhere afore.”

  “’Tis true,” said Duff. He
patted his flat, hard belly. “I would have gained weight while I was here if I hadna trained so much with the men.”

  The two women beamed. Cook bobbed. “I’d best get back to my kitchens. There’s hot stew with fresh bread and butter in the men’s hall when ye are ready for it, Master Duff.”

  He held his hand on his heart and pretended to swoon. “Ye make it hard to obey my laird brother when ye say such sweet things in my ear, Cook.”

  She turned pink, swatted his arm as if he were a lad, and bustled across to the north wall. Not only was the pathway covered, stone pavers ran from one side of the bailey to the other in front of the buildings. It would save people from getting wet and from tracking in as much mud. Kiera followed Hetty through the doorway. Inside was a small entryway. A set of straight stairs led down to the right while an extra-wide spiral staircase went up. Narrow windows brought enough light to see well.

  “There’s two cellars and a prison pit down there,” said Hetty. “But ye can only get to the pit through the trap in the floor above.”

  “I have no wish to see that,” she replied with a grimace.

  “My brother Gillis met his wife Fiona in a pit,” said Duff. “They escaped Campbell of Glenorchy’s men, and now they have a tower on Loch Lochy.”

  There was so much she didn’t know about her husbands. History would have to wait, as there was so much to learn about now.

  “This stair is so wide,” she exclaimed, thinking of the narrow one she’d had to climb to her chamber at Castle Leod.

  “’Tis a man’s stair, wide enough that I can raise my sword arm without hitting the wall with my blade,” said Duff. “It goes to the top, to the wall walk. The third floor is ours. Yer loom and spinning wheel will go in the solar. Our chamber has two windows to the southwest, facing Nigg Bay, and one looking down on the bailey.” Duff looked up with concern. “Do ye think ye can climb that many stairs?”

  “For a hot bath, dry clothes, and food I’d climb to the top!” Kiera shooed him away. “Our laird needs you more than I.”