Gifted

Proposal

Magnus was torn between thwarted lust and grudging gratitude when Ainsley knocked at the threshold to the kitchen and saved Alina from imminent ravishment. His body very much wanted to finish what his minx started but his honor demanded that she agree to marry him before he claimed her virtue. He briefly wondered if she seduced him to avoid answering his repeated proposals. At least she wasn't saying no. Instinct told him, though, that they couldn't afford to wait. It's never led him wrong before.

His thumb was released from between her now berry-red lips with a soft, wet pop. They both turned to the red-cheeked blonde fidgeting in the doorway. He found he preferred the more subtle blush at his Alina's cheeks when she got heated. Ainsley cleared her throat again but still could not bring herself to say anything.

Alina said, "I expect it's time to check on Fergus. How has yer husband been the last couple hours?"

"The fever has come like ye said. I've been tryin to cool him and make him take his medicine but he thrashes about so. I'm worried he'll pull his stitches," Ainsley sniffled, hands rubbing worriedly over her belly.

"Don't ye worry, Fergus will be demanding to be let back in his kitchen in a sennight. We just need to get him through these first two nights. I'll come up with ye. Together, we'll get the medicine down his stubborn gullet," Alina said to her cousin before turning to Magnus. "The work will go faster if ye help us."

He nodded, keeping a hand at her back as they returned to Fergus in his bed. The women coaxed the barrel-chested baker into taking all of his medicine. Alina rechecked his stitches and replaced his bandages. Then Magnus helped turn the injured man while the women changed the sweat-soaked sheets.

Ainsley went downstairs to answer a knock at the door. She returned with a woman who looked like an older version of her. Orla introduced herself as Ainsley's mother and gave Magnus a brisk handshake. Her brows raised in surprise when Alina swept in and shook her hands, too, thanking the woman for coming to help. It was odd behavior as Alina was the one who arranged for family to provide Ainsley breaks from watching Fergus. Orla's gaze noted Alina's unbound hair and the love bites and scrapes along her neck.

Alina found less awkward ways to test her gift with Fergus and Ainsley. No visions with either. Magnus was aware of her mixed feelings about losing her foresight. They suspected it was a temporary loss. When they found a moment alone, she admitted that she may have overused her gift in preparation for what she thought was an invasion from his people. She'd touched hands with nearly everyone she knew in the last five days.

Orla seemed more comfortable with caring for the injured Fergus than did her daughter. She shooed Ainsley off to bed. The second room upstairs was set up as a nursery for the baby they expected come spring. Magnus wandered off when the three women started talking about bairns. The older woman sought Magnus out while Alina had one last talk with her cousin.

Magnus anticipated having to placate her and said, "I'll not dishonor Alina. I mean tae marry her. And not just tae become laird, either. She just needs convincing."

Orla considered him a moment then said, "My cottage currently sits empty near the docks. Ainsley is my youngest and she left home when she married this summer. Her bed is still in her room at home and ye're welcome to it."

She paused before adding. "I expect I'll be here for the next two days so..."

He thanked Orla and put his arm around Alina when she joined them.

"Don't stay out too late in this cold and see that our lass eats something today. She forgets to take care of herself," she continued before turning to Alina. "I've rabbit stew on the hearth, bread on the counter and a barrel of cider in my kitchen. Go on now. I'll see to those two upstairs."