McKinnon's Bride - Laird's Love Vol. 1

The End

"The McIntyres seek a treaty," Laird Cameron stated, his unimpressed tones carrying in the room. Laird MacArthur snorted while Donovan rolled his eyes.

"Only because they know we'd destroy them," Donovan stated, his pride evident. Bryce sighed and thought, looking upon the maps of the land.

Donovan wasn't wrong, but taking a keep and holding it were two different things – especially without the agreement of the clan over whom a new Laird would have to keep an eye. As Bryce was about to speak, a soft rap came to the door of the study in which the men had gathered. Donovan was closest and so he opened the wood and then stepped back. There, leading three young women laden with food and drink, was Bryce's wife.

Bryce heard the indrawn breaths of the visiting Lairds as his Josephine approached. She paid neither mind as her eyes met his, her expression kind. When she stopped before him, she raised a hand to his face.

The fighting had been going for nearly two months. His beard had increased in that time, as had his feeling for this beautiful woman. Although he could not crawl between the covers with her every night, his heart had stayed with her.

"You haven't eaten," she noted, her voice easy in the room.

"Aye," he replied, his hands coming to rest upon her hips. "'Twas Donovan's fault," he said with amusement. Josephine laughed as his best friend sputtered in the background.

"Donna believe that shite, Lady Joey," Donovan commanded. He'd taken to Erin's nickname for Bryce's wife, as many around the castle had done.

"Well," Josephine said with a twinkle in her eye. "Regardless of whom I should blame," she continued as she looked to each man in the room. "Perhaps you could endeavor to eat while you strategize?" she asked.

"Aye, Lady Josephine," Laird Cameron and Laird MacArthur said in unison.

They'd seen Bryce's wife many times over the months they'd been in the keep, but it hadn't seemed to matter. Her presence was such that it always caught their attention. It was a shame, too, because it was abundantly clear she had no interest in any but the man before her.

Bryce pulled her close and kissed her, unable to let her leave without the taste of her upon his lips. When he released her, she smiled and then turned toward the door, leading the women who'd brought food for the four men. As the door shut, Cameron spoke.

"You're blessed, McKinnon," the Laird said, turning his dark blue eyes on Bryce. MacArthur nodded, in complete agreement. Having such a bonnie lass in love with you was one thing. Having a loving, bonnie wife who was strong and loyal was quite something else.

"I know," Bryce replied. He let his mind wander to Josephine for a moment before he turned back to the maps.

"We should take penance," he finally stated as he ate.

"Why no' just take the land?" Donovan challenged.

"Because no one here wants to move to McIntyre's territory," Laird MacArthur replied drily. Donovan nodded with twisted lips.

"How can we be sure he doesna try again?" Laird Cameron asked. They all went quiet as thoughts rose.

"He has a son, does he not?" Bryce asked. The other three nodded, their brows furrowed.

"We sponsor the lad among the three clans," Bryce suggested.

"Wha'?" Donovan asked, but the other two Lairds were nodding.

"Aye," Laird MacArthur said. "We each have the lad for a season, until he reaches maturity," he explained. "It will ensure that the boy appreciates the ties and will keep McIntyre in line. If he fails to produce the lad, then we take his head."

Bryce nodded as Laird Cameron sighed. The other men looked at him in question. He flicked his hand to the maps.

"I'd almost rather take his swamp than his blood," he groused. Bryce rose a brow and Cameron huffed. "Canna you see how difficult it will be?" Cameron asked. "We'll have to untrain all the shite McIntyre has put in the lad's head." Bryce's lips twitched as Laird MacArthur chuckled.

"Then, we're agreed?" Bryce asked. The other two nodded and Bryce gestured to the food on the side table. "Good," he said. "Now eat so that my wife's tender heart doesna get bruised."

The men laughed as they did as Bryce bid. It was true enough that the Lady Josephine was soft-hearted, but each had either heard of or knew of her character. It hadn't taken long for the story of her solo ride to the Laird McKinnon to make the rounds. The woman might be beautiful and kind, but her dress hid a spine stronger than any broadsword.

--

"Here you are," Bryce said upon finding his wife in the back of the keep. She was kneeled upon a patch of ground, playing with the kittens of one of the cats kept to fight off rodents. Her dress was soiled at its base and her hair was piled upon her head. She was a vision.

Standing from her play, Josephine wiped her hands upon the apron she'd donned and stepped toward her husband. He'd been gone for two weeks, securing the treaty with the McIntyres with the other two Lairds. No one had warned her of his arrival, which meant that she was not dressed as she would have wished to greet him.

"I'm sorry," she said wrily, looking down on her person. "If I'd known you would be here," she began, but Bryce interrupted her with his lips.

As from the first, she returned his kiss with ardor that left him breathless, his knees weak. He could feel her hands in his hair, her breasts against his chest. And, as he pulled back to speak to her, he smiled.

"If you'd known, love," he said. "Then I wouldna been able to surprise you." Josephine nodded and leaned up, running her nose over his neck as her hand rested near the opposite ear. While Bryce's mind fractured, she nipped the skin of his throat and then soothed it with her tongue.

"But," she whispered. "What if I wished to surprise you?"

Bryce's hands tightened on her as he leaned back to capture her gaze. His tongue streaked out to wet his lips as he nodded. Then, without another word, he bent and lifted her against him.

Josephine laughed as her husband carried her past the amused glances of his warriors. He didn't set her down the entire time, rather keeping her close to his heart as he made his way to their chamber. Once in it, he moved to the bed and set her carefully down.

"And what would you surprise me with, beautiful wife?" he asked, his voice rough with need. Josephine knew what it was he anticipated, which only made her surprise that much sweeter.

"The knowledge that you have the love of two waiting at home," she answered.

Bryce's hands stopped from their task of removing his clothing as his eyes drifted to Josephine's stomach. His breath caught when his gaze came back up and he saw her tremulous smile. With a whoop of pure joy, he closed the distance and pulled her back into his arms.

"Ah," he whispered against her lips. "My Josephine," he continued. "I love you with each breath an' I always will."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this departure for the norm from me. I'll be back to fandoms by Friday. Happy reading! ~OQ