Page 23 of Highland Guard
Kieran replied, “I admit she can get under my skin, but she’ll soon learn who is in charge. I’ll make sure she is under control before I dump her at the nunnery.”
“Who are we talking about?” Sorcha asked as she strode into her husband’s council room. Kieran noticed Bram’s face lit up as he smiled at his wife. Sorcha moved straight to Bram. He pulled her to sit by his side, giving her a quick peck on the lips before Sorcha leaned over and kissed their baby son on the forehead. Bram wrapped his free arm about her, and they exchanged a loving glance between them.
It was known throughout the Keep that Bram loved his wife Sorcha to distraction, and he did not hide it from anyone. Kieran witnessed their open display of affection as their son slept between them and not for the first time, he wondered what it would be like to have a loving wife and bairns underfoot.
“We were just talking about Naomi. Kieran has offered to escort her back to the abbey,” Bram replied.
Sorcha seemed surprised. “Really? But you despise her.”
“No. I find her opinionated for someone who sheltered away in an abbey. That does not mean I dinnae think she needs protecting.”
“When were you planning on doing this?” Sorcha asked.
“This morn. Whether or not Naomi likes it, I shall be her escort and I’ll not let her out of my sight for one second,” Kieran replied. He folded his arms across his chest with a determined look on his face.
“But she’s already left,” Sorcha replied, looking confused.
Kieran stilled and whispered, “What did you just say?”
“Naomi left three hours past. She farewelled us all before leaving.”
Kieran looked at Bram and then squinted his eyes because Bram was trying to stifle a laugh. “You knew?” Kieran demanded, with his hands on his hips.
Bram couldn’t hold it in any longer. He chuckled quietly so as not to wake his son. “I’m sorry, Kieran, but Naomi asked me last nightnotto let you escort her because she findsyouannoying. Her words, not mine.”
Kieran scowled and asked, “Then who did she go with?”
“Dermid.”
Kieran quietly cursed under his breath. “Dermid? You let her go with thatskunner? He canna ken his arse from his face. She’ll pull the wool over his eyes, she will.”
Bram just shrugged and said, “Still, Naomi finds him less irritating.”
Kieran shook his head and gathered his sword and targe. “That wee termagant. Well, I’m telling you now tis I and not that dumb-shit, Dermid, who is going to guard that daft lass to Perthshire if it’s the last thing I ever do!” With those impassioned words, Kieran turned on his heel and marched out the door.
“Then I wish you luck, Kieran,” Bram replied. All he heard was muttering in response.
Sorcha pinched Bram on the arm. “Husband, you should not trifle with Kieran. He is on edge as it is. I tried to intervene yesterday, and it was a disaster. Neither one of them would speak to each other when they returned from the village.”
Bram grinned and replied, “I ken the type of man Kieran is. There’s a lot of pride involved. But given his reaction just now, it’ll do him good to chase after a lass for a change. He’s so used to women throwing themselves at him, tis time he faced a real challenge.”
“What if it all ends in tears?” Sorcha asked.
Bram held Sorcha closer and said, “Love, dinnae worry. I am sure Kieran will treat Naomi with care. There’s no fear of her shedding any tears.”
“It’s not Naomi I’m worried about. I was talking about Kieran,” Sorcha replied in all seriousness.
***
