Page 10 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

She nodded and pointed to him. Then pointed inside. Their silent communication was working again.

“Nay. I stay at the castle. I’m the war chief so I have to be close if I’m needed.” This wasn’t exactly true. Lachlan would have let him live with his wife if Bryce had wanted to. His cottage was not far from the castle; he’d be able to get there quickly if called. But the excuse was handy so he used it.

She pointed to herself and then toward the castle.

“You stay here. I’ll check in. You’ll be fine.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving his new wife alone.

He’d done his duty. He’d married her. He’d provided a home for her as well as food and anything else she might need. He wouldn’t feel guilty that he was leaving her.

He wouldn’t.

“Damn it to hell.” Instead of going up to the castle, he stopped at the cottage where one of their guards lived. His young son was always looking for things to do.

“Chief,” Gordon greeted him upon opening the door. “What brings ye here?”

“I wondered if your lad might be up for a job.”

“Of course.” He pushed the boy toward the door. He was a thin lad, his face spotted with youth. He’d reached thirteen years last fall.

“I’d like you to deliver wood to my house for my new wife so she has it to cook. Check in on her and let me know if she’s running low in anything.”

The boy nodded, not a big talker. He’d get on fine with Dorie.

Satisfied that he’d done his duty, he continued to the castle without the burden of guilt.

…

Dorie took in her new home. From the farthest room where a large comfy bed sat, it was only eleven steps to the door. She’d taken those eleven steps four times since Bryce left.

Just to be sure the door still opened.

She stopped by each of the windows. They were small, but they opened and she would fit out through the openings. She’d tried that only once. After falling on her backside with a heavy plop, she decided to leave that route for an emergency.

From the far window she could see the castle. She wondered if Bryce could see the cottage from the battlements. She supposed he could if he wanted to, but why would he?

When the sun was gone, she made a fire in the hearth, then went to the storage area to see what she had to eat. Most of the sacks held ingredients, but she didn’t know what they were used for.

She’d never cooked in her life. As a child, she’d been the laird’s daughter and above any form of labor. But then things changed and she was a prisoner. Less than a servant. She’d been fed gruel and stale bannocks.

“Cheese,” she said upon finding it in one of the sacks. Now that she was alone, she was free to speak aloud.

Rascal barked and came over to share her treat.

“Don’t tell anyone I can talk. It shall be our secret.”

She and Rascal shared the cheese. Her companion lay at her feet while she sat by the fire reading aloud to him. The books on the shelves were meant for an adult, rather than a child, as were the books she’d had at her room in Baehaven Castle. Some of the words were difficult to make out, though she was certain the dog didn’t mind when she stumbled over a word here and there.

Soon he fell asleep, his legs twitching as dreams of chasing rabbits filled his scruffy head.

When she could not hold her head up any longer, she gave in and went to the bed. Taking off the straggly dress, she hung it on a peg and slipped under the covers in nothing but her shift. After lying there a few minutes, she got up and went to the door to make sure it opened and she could leave if she wished.

The night chill made her shiver, and she closed the door again. As soon as she snuggled back in her bed, Rascal decided he wanted to go out.

That was fine. It gave her another opportunity to check the door. It still opened.

She opened it a few more times while waiting for Rascal to return. When he didn’t, she got in bed and closed her eyes.

Rascal barked at the door.