Читать книгу Highlanders Collection - Бренда Джойс, Ann Lethbridge - Страница 30

Winter came and went, and although there was still unrest in Scotland, the clans were united by a common enemy in King Edward Longshanks. Bram and Alex had supported Robert the Bruce, and that spring they saw him crowned king of Scotland. The fight for Scotland’s freedom had not ended, but it had taken a turn for the better.

When Bram returned from Scone, he noticed a transformation in his wife. Laren had given Nairna free rein to handle the household and she’d spent the past few months sorting through the accounts, selling unneeded items and trading with the merchants.

His wife indeed had a talent for making money, just as she’d once told him. Because of her efforts, they were starting to rebuild Glen Arrin. With nothing remaining of the original keep, his brother Alex had redesigned the structure into a true castle.

Bram shielded his eyes from the morning sunlight, watching his kinsmen and brother Callum as they lifted stones, laying mortar to hold them steady. His mother Grizel was ordering her grandchildren around, using a wet thumb to wipe a smudge from Mairin’s face.

And though she had never once apologised to any of them, Grizel had made herself useful in the household, assigning tasks to everyone until it ran smoothly. Nairna had found a way to manage his mother, by letting her believe that she had control.

Despite the way things were improving at Glen Arrin, Bram hadn’t seen any improvement in his younger brother. Ever since Lady Marguerite had left, Callum had grown more morose, the silence continuing. He spent his time either rebuilding the walls of the keep or practising with his bow and arrows. Sometimes he disappeared for days on end.

Although Bram held out hope that one day his brother would fully heal, he wasn’t certain it would happen. Time would tell.

In the meantime, he had brought a gift for Nairna back from Scone, one that had been given by the new Scottish king. Robert the Bruce had given many tokens to the chiefs who had offered their support.

Although Bram had returned last night, he hadn’t had time to give it to Nairna. They’d spent every hour in each other’s arms, until neither had slept well.

‘I’ve been looking for you,’ Nairna said, greeting him with a warm smile. Her hair was veiled, and at her side Caen wagged his tail in greeting. ‘I was hoping to ask you about the sheep.’

Bram kissed her, adjusting the bundle beneath his arms. ‘The sheep?’

‘Yes. I’d like to purchase more, to increase our flock.

I think, with the additional wool, our women could weave cloth to sell. The sheep are mating well, but not quick enough and—’

‘Not quick enough?’ A mischievous thought occurred to him, and he teased, ‘Were you wanting me to coach them on how to satisfy their females? Is quicker really better?’

Shocked, she turned bright red. ‘No, that’s not I meant and you know it.’

He bit back his amusement. ‘Or perhaps they should be mated more often?’

Nairna’s blush deepened, and she shook her head in exasperation. ‘Now, stop. You are quite good at satisfying a woman, I’ll be the first to admit. But I don’t think it’s necessary to share that knowledge with the sheep.’

He laughed and picked her up, moving her around in a circle. ‘I’ll share everything I know with you, Nairna.’

When he set her down, he handed her the package. ‘I brought you something. It’s a gift from the king.’

She tore open the package and saw a length of crimson samite and a necklace formed from perfectly shaped pearls. ‘Bram, do you have any idea what these are worth?’ She clasped the package to her as if it were their clan’s salvation. He could read her thoughts, and immediately he stopped them.

‘You cannot sell a gift from the king. They are meant for you to wear. Sew a gown from the samite, and when we go to meet with him, you’ll wear the pearls.’

She held still, not speaking. Bram took the pearls from her and fastened them around her throat. ‘I know you are trying to take care of our clan. But you have nothing of your own.’ He rested his hands upon the matched pearls. ‘Years ago, I gave you pebbles and pretty stones. But these are what I wanted to give to you.’

She turned to look at him. ‘Bram, I don’t need pearls.’ ‘I want you to wear them for me. I want to see you in the gowns and jewels you deserve.’

‘I can’t accept gifts like these. Not when our clan needs so much.’

‘You would offend our king if you don’t take them.’ He pulled her into his arms. ‘It’s a mark of your status, as my wife. Give our people a reason to be proud of their lady.’

‘I’m not their lady.’

‘You are. In every way that Laren cannot be.’ Though she started to argue with him, he cut her off with a kiss. ‘It’s not a criticism of her, only a fact. You enjoy being in charge of the household more than she ever did.’ ‘I suppose.’

‘Now, a good wife would offer thanks to her husband for bringing her gifts like these.’ He settled his arm around her waist. ‘Unless you’d rather I spent my time talking to the sheep.’

She shook her head, sending him a shy smile. ‘Thank you, Bram.’

He held her in his arms, stroking her hair. ‘Would that I could give you everything of your heart’s desire. One day, perhaps.’

She lifted her face to his. ‘I already have my heart’s desire, Bram. You’re standing here before me, alive and well.’

Bram leaned in to rest his cheek against hers. ‘But you want a child, too.’

A faint smile crossed over her face. ‘There’s hope. It’s too soon to tell, but it’s possible … in winter.’ Her hand went to rest upon her midsection and Bram covered her fingers with his own.

The light on her face made him kiss her, for he wanted nothing more than to see Nairna happy. He loved her so much, there weren’t words enough to say it. He could only show her, every day, for the rest of their lives.

And he intended to do just that.