Chapter 146

The maid held her cheek and nodded tearfully.

Teárlag whispered, "He doesn't care what I do as long as Thorburn doesn't fuck my cunt and leave a bastard in my belly. I'm to surrender any other part of my body Thorburn wishes to have. That is all you need to know about it. If you're careless again, I'll kill you myself and tell him it was because you were foolish enough to mention his name in this house."

Bonnie nodded again, frightened.

Aloud, "Get my dress, girl. Get me ready."

As soon as she was dressed, Teárlag had her gather the items she needed to fix her hair and they opened the door. Thorburn was leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the hall.

"Laird, how long have you been waiting in the hall?" Teárlag asked.

"Since I left," Thorburn responded. "As you said you would only take about fifteen minutes, I waited."

Teárlag glanced meaningfully at Bonnie, who didn't misunderstand the look.

"Is anyone in Stuart's room?" Teárlag asked. "If it's free, the maid can do up my hair in front of Ailene's mirror."

"He's already dressed. The room is empty."

"Thank you, Laird."

Teárlag led the way to Stuart's room and sat down in front of Ailene's mirror. She whispered, "We're lucky he was on the opposite side of the hall. If he was next to his door, he'd have heard you blurt that name."

"Are you sure he didn't hear it?" Bonnie whispered.

"I'm sure."

"How do you know?"

"Because if he heard, we'd both be in hanging in chains praying for our lives, that's why. Now make me beautiful. Something similar to the way you prepared it for the Midsummer Festival. Thorburn liked that look."

"Yes, Mistress."

In fifteen minutes Bonnie had Teárlag's hair done up as close as she could get it without more time. They started down the hall and Thorburn came out of room as they passed and offered his arm to Teárlag. She gratefully accepted it, happy for the smallest touch. Bonnie followed about ten feet behind. Far enough behind, she might make it to the window and crash through it to the ground below if Teárlag was in any way wrong about Thorburn hearing her. A quick death by sudden fall was preferable to chains in the Cameron's dungeon. She'd heard Thorburn beat Lady Isobel for striking one of Thorburn's maids. If he beat a Lady, what would he do to a lowly maid. Moreover, she'd seen the condition of Màiri's body. If Cameron did the same thing as Blackthorne...she shivered...a quick death was preferable.

Almost all of Cameron's Keep was gathered in the courtyard except for those on guard duty. They remained vigilant, constantly searching outside the walls for any sign of trouble. Thorburn put his arm around Teárlag's waist and stood on the steps leading into the house and faced all of his retainers, calling for their attention.

When he had it, he said in a loud voice which reached to the edges of the crowd, "Lady Teárlag Mackintosh has consented to be my wife and is to become the Lady of the House, replacing Stuart's wife, Lady Ailene. I'm sure they have some things to work out for that to happen, which will occur after Lady Ailene is finished with her training and rejoins us here at the Keep. I'm very happy Teárlag's agreed to accept my hand in marriage and expect everyone here to extend her every courtesy and consideration, as you would any Cameron. As she's a widow, and no longer a maiden, she's accepted my invitation to reside here until the nuptials take place. She will be sharing my bedroom. We haven't yet set a date for the ceremony, which will be announced at a later time. In celebration, we have refreshments and food set up for everyone at the North end of the courtyard. Please help yourselves and please join me in welcoming Lady Mackintosh to our home."

The crowd started cheering, accepting Thorburn's choice with almost universal acclaim. The only ones not fully pleased were those Thorburn occasionally took to his bed before Teárlag became a part of his life, though most realized it was a temporary thing. Thorburn accepted the cheers and support respectfully, nodding to those who spoke well of his choice. He suddenly bent and pulled Teárlag to him and delivered up a big kiss, causing more cheering along with some friendly hoots and hollers.

Teárlag melted into his arms, responding warmly to his kiss, and sorry when he ended it. People started to drift to the tables to get some of the food. Thorburn continued to accept the congratulations of everyone until they drifted off.

Thorburn told Teárlag, "There's more food and drink set up in the dining room for the family. Help yourself. Enjoy yourself. I'll see you later at bedtime." He left suddenly and Teárlag was left staring at the door he disappeared into, before the door closed.

I suppose it was too much to hope that Thorburn could pretend any longer than he had to, Teárlag thought tearfully. Stuart came up and took her arm.

"Come inside, Teárlag and have something to eat. There's several kinds of meat and sweet rolls," Stuart said, "and Thorburn cracked open some really good whiskey and wine."

"Thank you, Stuart. You're very kind. I'd like that very much." He couldn't fail to notice the tracks of the tears rolling down her cheeks as she smiled up at him.