“Once you’ve had a short rest.” She traced her thumbs under his eyes. “I dinnae care for these black circles and you need to be at your most alert while journeying across MacDonald land. We’ll depart closer to dusk. Traveling the roads during the dark will also ensure less notice is drawn to you and Ivor. There will be no harm in waiting a few more hours. Do you agree?”
“Aye, agreed.” He rubbed against her, surrounded himself in her delicious womanly scent. Sweet vanilla swirled around him and his cock twitched and rose back to life. “I want to be buried deep inside you again.”
“I want that too, but for now, come and meet my kin.” She towed him to the door and swished out into the main room.
Next to the fireplace, an elderly man with thick hair and a beard sat in an unusual chair, the base made of two half-moon shaped wooden wedges attached to the legs. Chair creaking, he rocked back and forth, his hands curled around the smooth wooden armrests and his gaze moving from Ella to him and back to Ella again. In dark trews and a brown tunic, the man nodded as if what he saw pleased him. “You’re Duncan, I take it?”
“Aye, and I apologize for my unannounced arrival.”
“Think naught of it.” He waved his concern away. “My granddaughter appears content now, no’ as anxious as she did this morn upon her arrival. Your man, Ivor, explained your trek here to us. Welcome to our home, Duncan. I’m Ewen.” He gestured to Ella’s grandma sitting at the table, her gray hair piled high upon her head and her blue woolen skirts fluffed around her. “This is my wife, Marie.”
“’Tis good to meet you both.”
“’Tis lovely to meet you too, Duncan.” Marie offered him a wide smile.
“Duncan and I have spoken.” Ella crossed to her grandpa, popped a kiss on his cheek then popped another on her grandma’s cheek as well. “Both he and Ivor will be traveling with us to Dunscaith, both with a hooded cloak to disguise themselves. Grandma, you and I will need to compel any unwanted attention away from them both should they garner any.”
“Aye, that I can easily do.” Marie nodded.
Ewen rocked back and forth in his chair. “We’ll need to secure another two mounts for the ride. ’Twill be easily enough done though.”
“We’ve decided to leave at dusk and travel the roads during the dark of night. Less notice will be drawn to us if we do.” Ella glanced at Duncan. “Are you hungry, my stubborn one?”
“Famished.” He winked at her and she blushed.
“Naughty husband. I didnae mean that kind of hunger.” She caught his hand, led him to the bench seat before the table and continued on to the kitchen. “Sit and talk to Grandma while I rustle us all up a meal.”
“Aye, I would like to speak to them about my birth and how I came to be your husband.” Ivor remained outside so he could do so without the knowledge going any further than the four of them. Ella trusted her grandparents and so too would he. No more secrets. Not with her most beloved kin.
Eyes alight, Ella picked up the jug and poured cider into four tankards and set the drinks on the table. She rummaged about in the cupboards and laid out platters of food. Bread, cheeses and a selection of meats, a pot of raspberry jam and a tub of honey too.
She was so at home here, just as he wished for her to be at home at Ardan House, the lady of his keep as she oversaw all. Her grandparents too followed her every move, love shining bright in their eyes. How he wanted to meet her mama and brother as well, to ensure all her nearest and dearest were aware they’d always be welcome at his home, no matter he was a MacKenzie and currently their clan’s greatest enemy.
The door squeaked open and Ivor eyed him from the doorway. “Is all well?”
“Aye. We’ll leave at dusk. Rest as you can, but keep a close eye on all outside as well.”
“Wait a moment, Ivor.” Ella laid slivers of beef on a thick slice of bread, added cheese and a handful of nuts to the side of the plate then handed it to his man along with a drink. “If you need more, return and help yourself. My grandma thrives on keeper her larder full of food, always has plenty for those who might visit.”
“Thank you, my lady.” With a quick bow to her and then to Marie, he slipped outside with his food and shut the door behind himself.
Ella squeezed Duncan’s shoulder as she sat, then nudged his tankard closer. “Drink.”
A compelled command and he sipped his mulled cider, the delectable brew sliding down his parched throat. He licked his lips, the drink both apple-sweet and cinnamon-spicy, but there was something else.”
“’Tis delicious, dinnae you think?” Under the table, Ella stroked his leg, her fingers sliding around his inner thigh and moving perilously close to his cock which once again ached for more of her touch. “Grandma adds a secret ingredient to the apple cider, one I’m afraid she’ll never spill the details about, although Mama knows exactly how to make it too. Unfortunately, I’ve never learnt.”
“Then your kin will need to visit us at Ardan House and ensure the barrels are filled with this brew.”