Page 21 of An English Rose for the Highlander
“Och, to see ye make such faces brings light to every dark cloud today. It is simply too enjoyable to needle ye so.”
Rolling her lips between her teeth, Rose fought back a giggle. It was so strange to see the Laird like this. Dominik had been argumentative and rather closed off since they met. This side of him, the way his friend took such fun in jesting with him, was new and…delightful.
It’s almost as ifthisis the real him.
“Ye’ve just met the woman, for Christ’s sake. Can ye nae keep that trap shut for even a moment?”
Rose’s attention went to the other man who’d arrived with Ashton. He stood slightly behind him, reaching taller than even Dominik. With him so near, Rose had to stifle a shiver. He gave off such a stern air about him that she felt a bit nervous. It didn’t help his case that he had also used his first words to chastise his friend. Everything about this other man, who was probably a Laird like his friends, spoke of harshness and rigidity.
“Rose, this is Odhran Milligan, Laird McCallum.” She curtsied despite being told it was not necessary as her husband introduced the man, feeling her heartbeat in her throat. “Daenae fash over his grim attitude. He is like that to everyone, I’m afraid.”
Again, she was surprised that the men so easily ribbed each other, tossing about comments that would potentially be an act of war if anyone else were to say them. Still, she could not miss the way Odhran eyed her. He leveled her so fiercely with that glare that she wanted to shrink away and never be seen.
“And this is yerEnglishbride, Dominik? She’s managed nae to faint already. Ye must be so pleased.”
So that was it. Odhran did not like her because she was English. That was a common trait among many in the clan, but as she said to Fiona and Eilidh, she would do everything in her power to learn about their culture and earn their respect. Rose would just have to endure the man’s words until she’d earned it from him as well.
“Och, such a crabbit bastard, Odhran. Ye’ll send the poor thing back to England, and we will lose such a lovely sight in these bleak Scottish Highlands.”
A laugh did break free at that, and Rose covered her mouth, Dominik fuming beside her.
“I have a feeling, my laird,” she turned to him, patting the top of his arm where he rested it on his belt, “that your friend is doingthis solely to get a rise out of you. You are quite an easy mark, it would seem.”
Ashton laughed, and even Odhran raised his brows. When Dominik turned her way, Rose smiled, narrowing her eyes like he had with his friend. If the custom was to poke fun at each other, she could certainly learn that skill quickly enough.
“The canny woman indeed,” Dominik whispered, matching her energy. “Ye’ll do just fine with these gowks,wife.”
“And look upon the Laird’s face!” Ashton leaned forward, driving his elbow into Dominik’s ribs jokingly. “A smile? Nay, it couldnae be such a thing. On Laird MacKay? Why, the angels have smiled on us indeed.”
Dominik shoved back at Ashton, and they all laughed, even Odhran. In fact, Eilidh and Fiona laughed at the display as they watched from a few steps away. The hall suddenly felt warm and relaxed, and it truly was a wonder to see her husband like this. He was a different man when his friends were around, and she indeed enjoyed this side of him, the boyish playfulness compared to his stern behavior most of the time.
“But so sudden a marriage,” Ashton added. “Ye dinnae even inform us before ye left. Was there even a proper handfasting in that English church, or has the Laird sacrificed all his customs to appease his council of crusty auld men?”
“There was, in fact, a handfasting!” Dominik shot back, jabbing a finger at Ashton while trying to hide a grin. “I was able to have our customsandappease the council.Finally.”
At the last word, they both burst into laughter, clapping each other on the back while Odhran grumbled to himself, saying, “Why did ye drag me into all this nonsense? I was content in me keep, I assure ye.”
Seeing the man so grumpy in the face of all the laughter was, unfortunately, humorous, and Rose giggled as she did her best not to make eye contact with him. He was in as sour a mood today as Peggy seemed. The two of them would make quite the pair.
“I feel as though I should meet this council that you were so keen on appeasing, husband.” Rose’s voice yanked the attention of the group toward her, but she didn’t let the nerves get the best of her. “If it was such a task to find a bride for you, they may not believe I am indeed real without seeing me with their own eyes.”
There was a pause, and then Ashton barked out a laugh that rocked the room, looking to Dominik and enjoying his suffering far too much. Odhran, to his credit, grinned, cocking his head as if it was indeed challenging for her husband to find a match.
“Och, ye—” Dominik stopped himself, glaring down at Rose, with a grin lifting the corner of his mouth. “I shall have words with ye about that, just ye wait.”
Rose laughed, Ashton patting her on the back. In a few moments, all of them, even Eilidh and Fiona, scuttled toward the Great Hall to allow their guests a chance to sit and refresh themselves. The conversation went on, joking with each other, lobbing ribbing barbs in good fun this way and that. It was a joy to see such exuberance in her husband, and despite how much she was still nervous about what lay ahead, Rose found herself relaxing.
In fact, this side of Dominik made her heart flutter, and for the first time since she’d arrived, Rose wished to remain with him—with them all in this friendly group—until the wee hours of the morning.
Going to her chambers early was increasingly unappealing, and that felt wonderful.
11
That evening, Dominik’s friends were still within the keep walls, and it was truly a delight to have them there. Ashton and Odhran agreed to stay for the evening, leaving in the morning. As all of them sat in the Great Hall, chairs pulled up to the roaring fire in the hearth, Dominik turned to Rose, who cleared her throat.
“Aye, lass?”
She blushed slightly, the pink of intoxication flaring subtly in her cheeks. Holding onto her glass of the fine wine they’d pulled up from the cellar, Rose gestured at his friends with a grin.
