The Highlander's Stolen heart (Macinnes Sisters Trilogy) (28 page)

Rogan entered his father’s bedchamber, pleased to see him sitting up and looking so alert. He had thought to rush this talk with his da, but seeing him looking better than he had in some time and not being into his cups made him change his mind.

“You are looking well, Da,” Rogan said, approaching the bed.

“Like his old self,” Bertha said with a smile and continued on before Angus could say a word. “I will be leaving you two to talk.” She wagged her finger at Angus. “And don’t you be getting out of that bed.” She turned her wagging finger on Rogan. “And don’t you let him be talking you into helping him out of bed.” She emphasized her point with one sharp wag of her finger and marched out of the room.

Both men looked at each other as Rogan took a seat in the chair by the bed. “I do not know about you, Da, but I would not cross Bertha and I would not dare cross my wife.” He smiled and it spread slowly into a huge grin.

“Sometimes it is good to let women think they have some control,” Angus said with a nod and a grin of his own.

“I think you mean that women let
us
think we have some control when we have none.”

Angus laughed. “Aye, it was like that with your mum, though she always insisted she was an obedient wife. I still do not know how she got her way all the time.”

“Love,” Rogan said. “She loved you and you loved her.”

“You are right. It does make all the difference, and I am sorry that you got stuck in a loveless marriage. I wanted more for you.”

“Fate saw that I got what you wanted for me. I love Emma and she loves me. I could not have asked for a more loving, generous, and stubborn woman.”

A tear came to Angus’s eye. “She reminds me of your mum, and she is prettier than I first thought.”

“She is beautiful, Da, and I am lucky to have her as my wife.”

“I am happy for you, my son, and knowing you have a loving and supportive wife, gives me all the more reason to make you Laird of the MacClennan Clan.” Angus raised his hand to stop any protests from Rogan. “It is time. You are young, strong, and more than capable of leading the clan. Besides, you have been leading this clan since soon after your mother died. You had no choice with me failing to attend to my duties. You have the right to carry the title of Laird of the MacClennan Clan.”

“If you are certain, Da, I will accept the title with honor.” Rogan had expected this, though now that the time had come it seemed surreal. That his father thought enough of him to declare him laird of the clan while he, himself, still lived was a great honor. However, he could not help but wonder if his father would once again suffer a great loss as he had when Rogan’s mother had died. He prayed and hoped that this loss would not affect his father as badly as losing his wife had.

Angus sighed. “I am certain and relieved to officially hand the title and all that goes with it over to you. We can have a celebration once I am well and can stand firm on my two feet. For now, tell me of any news I have missed.”

~~~

Emma talked with the men working on the kitchen garden, explaining exactly how she wanted the patch extended and designating where paths were to be situated between the rows of plants. When she finished, she went to the planting fields to examine the soil and see what the farmers planned for spring planting. She noted changes that would need to be made and as with the kitchen garden the planting fields also needed to be extended and more of a variety of plants added.

She put off examining the animals and pens where they were kept for another day. It was not where she wanted Rogan to find her when he came looking for her. It would not be a place conducive for making love, and she so wanted to make love with her husband. He had left her with a lovely throb in her loins and she could not wait to have it satisfied.

Sometimes she wondered if it was proper for her to enjoy making love with her husband so much. She had heard more women speak of it as a duty or a chore one suffered through rather than enjoyed. It was no duty to her and far from a chore, though she thought much too often on it.

She shook her head as she walked through the village. She had to stop thinking of all the delicious things her husband did to her and the thoroughly delicious things she was learning to do to him. She had matters that needed her attention and her body crying out for her husband to mount and ride her hard fast should not be foremost on her mind.

Her cheeks flamed. Good Lord, what was the matter with her? She was not at all a proper wife, demanding that her husband pleasure her. But Rogan seemed to find nothing wrong with it and even encouraged her, so why should she feel improper about wanting her husband?

She had a lot to learn about being a wife and she smiled at the prospect. After all, she did love to learn.

She slowed her pace, her eyes catching sight of many things that needed repairing and refreshing now that spring had set in. Several roofs needed thatching, pens needed repairing, tools needed tending, and garments needed mending. She realized then that the village and its people had declined along with its laird. But that would be no more. Angus MacClennan had requested her help and he was about to get much more help than he expected.

Her eyes caught sight of an abandoned cottage. It looked so forlorn sitting off by itself, as if purposely separated from the others. A bench, broken and rotted sat under a large oak, the branches looming over the cottage like a protective shield. Remnants of a garden were overgrown with weeds and brush. For some reason, her heart went out to the neglected little cottage.

“It belonged to Lady Anna, Rogan’s mother,” Ina said, coming to stand beside Emma.

“Why did she have a cottage?”

“She wanted a place where only women could come and bring their troubles, a place where they would feel free to speak with her and not worry of repercussions. Lady Anna would listen and if she could help in any way, she would find a way to do so without betraying their trust. Her husband, at first, thought it foolish, but he loved his wife and allowed her to use the cottage as she wished. I do not think he knows how much that cottage helped, not just the women, but his warriors. The women miss it and Lady Anna very much.”

“Then perhaps we should give it life again,” Emma said with a smile and headed for it, Ina following.

As soon as other women saw Emma and Ina cleaning Lady Anna’s cottage, they joined in to help. Word spread and before they knew it, women were weeding the garden and others cleaning around the tree, carting off the broken bench. Another woman had her husband up on the roof repairing the thatching. Chatter and laughter filled the air as the women worked together, pleased that once again Lady Anna’s cottage would be open to them and even more pleased that the new lady of the cottage was a fine healer.

Bertha entered the cottage and grinned from ear to ear while tears stung her eyes. “Lady Anna would be proud and pleased to see her cottage cared for once again.” She nodded to the narrow bed in the corner. “Women who needed a night or two away from their husbands spent it there.” She wiped at her wet eyes. “I will fetch fresh linens for it and a nice soft blanket.”

Ina turned to Emma when the woman left. “You have brought not only life back to this place, but hope as well.” She placed her hand to her stomach.

“Do not be disappointed if you bleed this month. It may take a month or two for the wild carrot to leave your body.”

Ina smiled. “Thank you for letting me know that or I would have wound up crying my eyes out.”

“I think soon it will be tears of joy you cry.”

“It is so very good you are here. You have brought much happiness with you.”

Emma’s smile faded and she turned her head away.

“I have a foolish tongue. I am sorry,” Ina said apologetically. “Here I talk of happiness when your sisters are still missing. Please forgive my selfishness.”

Emma turned around, shaking her head. “You are not selfish, and I am glad you are here to help me as I am appreciative of all the women who help.” She reached her hand out to Ina and the woman took it. “I do not feel alone with you here and my sisters would be so pleased to know that.”

The two women continued working and that was how Rogan found his wife, busy cleaning his mother’s cottage and it gave his heart a jolt. His mum had loved the time she spent there. She would return to the keep feeling renewed as she would say, though there had been times a woman’s problem would weigh heavily on her. Never, though, had she ever betrayed any of the women’s confidences.

Emma turned when a large shadow blocked the light coming through the open door. She smiled as soon as she saw it was her husband. Then she recalled what she had told him.
Find me. I will be wet and willing.
Her smile faded, for how did she desert these women who so generously and eagerly had come to help her? And how did she deny her husband, especially when it was the last thing she wanted to do.

Rogan saw the dilemma on her face and walked over to her. “What can I do to help, wife?”

Emma threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I will make this up to you,” she whispered.

“All night,” he whispered back.

“And morning too,” she murmured before stepping away from him.

He grinned, so very pleased to know she would be in his arms in the morning.

A few hours later Rogan and Emma stood in front of the cottage along with Liam and Ina and several women. All of them were smiling. The small cottage had been brought back to life. A lovely twig wreath decked with spring flowers hung on the repaired door and a new bonnet of thatching graced her roof. The garden was cleared of weeds, revealing a patch of blooming pink rock daisies. A fresh wood pile was stocked on the side of the cottage and two benches now welcomed women to sit and enjoy the shade of the towering oak.

Emma loved it and her beaming smile showed how pleased she was.

Rogan kissed her cheek. “Thank you. Mum would be grateful.” He raised his voice for all to hear. “What say we all celebrate our hard work? A feast for all in the Great Hall.”

A cheer went up and word spread and soon the Great Hall was filled with talk and laughter and joy that had been absent too long. Flute music filled the air and Ina was soon encouraged to sing.

Emma was startled by her beautiful voice and sitting there listening to her and seeing all the happy faces made her realize that this was her clan now... her family. Joy, along with sadness, filled her heart. She loved her life with her father and sisters and her clan, and she would sorely miss it. But she felt an excitement and hope for a good future here, starting a new life with her husband. Guilt washed over her for feeling so happy.

As soon as Rogan’s arm slipped around her, she leaned closer to him, seeking the solace she knew he would offer.

“What troubles you?” he whispered.

“I am happy,” she admitted, guilt still weighing heavily on her.

“You have a right to be.”

“My sisters—”

“Will one day find happiness and you will rejoice for them as they would for you now. Happiness comes in its own time, Emma. Your sisters will find it when it is their time. This is your time. Do not let senseless guilt rob you of it. From what you tell me of your sisters, they would be disappointed in you if you did.”

Emma smiled. “You are ri—”

Rogan grinned. “What was that you were about to say, wife?”

Emma shook her head, though kept smiling. “You are right, husband.”

Rogan turned to Liam to his left. “Did you hear that, Liam? My wife says I am right.”

Liam raised his tankard. “Enjoy the one time.”

“It is the fourth time she has told me I am right,” Rogan beamed.

“Then you are truly a lucky man,” Liam said and Ina who had finished singing and returned to her husband’s side playfully punched him in the arm.

Rogan turned to his wife. “I am a very lucky man.”

Emma kept her voice low. “You will be even luckier when we retire for the evening.”

Rogan gave an exaggerated yawn. “I am tired. It is time to retire.”

“Another drink first,” Liam said, raising his tankard and getting a warning look from Rogan.

Emma laughed and filled Rogan’s tankard. “A few more minutes with our clan, and then the evening will be ours.”

Talk continued and soon tales were being told about the mighty MacClennan clan and Rogan was forced to remain and listen to his warriors boast about their feats. He soon joined in and had the hall laughing out loud with funny mistakes made by various warriors. The evening went on until finally the hour grew late, and Rogan announced he was retiring. It was another hour before Emma and he could take their leave, warriors and wives rushing to thank him and Emma.

Emma remained seated while Rogan stepped around the dais to speak with one of his warriors. Liam and Ina had taken their leave and Emma smiled, knowing Ina was doing all she could to make certain she would soon carry a babe.

“My lady,” a soft voice said.

Emma turned to see a petite, slim woman with pure white hair that hung in a braid over her shoulder to rest on her right breast, standing to the side of the dais. A few wrinkles framed her lovely blue eyes, though barely any marred her soft smile. She recognized her as one of the women who helped at the cottage today.

“I am Murdina and I wanted to tell you how grateful I am that Lady Anna’s cottage is now available to us once again. Lady Anna was a great help to me when I lost my Harold. I would be pleased and feel it a privilege to help you whenever needed.”

“That is very generous of you, Murdina. I truly appreciate it. How long has it been since your Harold has passed?”

“Four years now and I still miss him greatly. He was a good man and a wonderful husband.”

“There is much work yet to do at the cottage. I would be only too glad for your help.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Murdina said with a bob of her head.

“I will see you tomorrow, Murdina,” Emma said and the woman bowed her head before walking away.

Emma eased herself out of the chair, her body letting her know that she had done more than her fair share of work today. She saw that Rogan had finished speaking to the warrior and was pleased. She was eager for them to retire to their bedchamber and make love.