Highland Warrior by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online

and pranced about the hall. Swarthy men wearing dark clothing and brilliant-hued jackets, and women, their multicolored, bell-trimmed skirts swirling around their golden thighs, mesmerized Gillian with their energy and verve.
    Entranced, she clapped along with the others when the performance ended. She didn’t notice when Ross caught Gizela’s eye and nodded. In fact, she was far from ready when the old woman came up to her and touched her arm.
    “ ’Tis time, lass. I am called Gizela. I will take you to the laird’s chamber and answer any questions you might have.”
    Gillian skewered Ross with a look that would have turned him to cinders had he been a lesser man. “The celebration hasna ended yet.”
    Ross’s gaze turned dark. “’Tis finished for you, wife. We will long be abed before the celebration ends.”
    Gizela pulled gently on her arm. “Come along, lass.”
    When Gillian balked, Tearlach leaned over and said, “Do your duty, daughter. Your clan is depending upon your obedience to your husband.”
    Silently fuming, Gillian followed the old woman up the stairs to the solar, through a sitting room, and into the sleeping chamber. The chamber was too masculine for Gillian’s tastes, but she hoped MacKenna would relegate her to lesser quarters once she did her “duty” to him and he replaced her with his leman.
    “Let me help you disrobe and climb into bed, lass,” Gizela said. “The men will be here soon.”
    “Men? More than one?” Gillian squeaked.
    “ ’Tis the custom. The laird’s kinsmen will carry him up and put him to bed.”
    “With me?”
    Gizela chuckled. “Of course with you.” She turned Gillian around and began untying tapes until she had removed everything but Gillian’s shift, slippers, and stockings. Then she led her to the bed. “Sit, lass.”
    The picture of Ross’s kinsmen carrying him to bed was so ludicrous that Gillian obeyed without thinking. Gizela removed Gillian’s slippers and stockings, but when she started to lift the hem of the shift, Gillian refused to part with it.
    “Where is my night rail?”
    “ ’Tis your wedding night, lass; you doona need one. Lift your arms and I will have you tucked into bed in no time. Then you can ask me anything you like.”
    “I will keep my shift,” Gillian said firmly. Her eyes darted about the chamber. The room was curiously bereft of weapons, highly unusual in a warrior’s bedchamber. A warrior usually kept his sword close at hand.
    Gizela shrugged. “Have it your way, lass, but you ken you will end up naked sooner rather than later.” She lifted the covers. “In with you, now.”
    Gillian obeyed, if only to get rid of the old woman. But Gizela seemed in no hurry to depart. She found a hairbrush on a nearby chest and returned to the bed. “I will brush your hair for you, lass. Tomorrow you will have a proper maid, but the laird thought you should have someone to answer your questions tonight. So ask away while I brush.”
    “I ... doona know what to ask.”
    “Do you know how the mating takes place?” Gizela asked bluntly.
    “I’ve seen horses.”
    “Oh, aye, horses.”
    “The female screams and carries on when she is mounted, so I assume it will be painful for me as well.”
    “Only the first time, lass. But if I know our laird, there will be pleasure, too.”
    Gillian digested that while Gizela slid the brush smoothly through her waist-length hair.
    “Your hair truly is a living flame,” the old woman murmured. “I saw you and the laird surrounded by flames in a vision. I told him if he welcomed the flame, he would conquer it. If he failed, it would devour him.”
    Gillian shuddered. Are you a witch?”
    “A witch? Nay, I am a healer. If I say strange things sometimes, ’tis because of what I feel and see. You d do well to heed me.”
    She ran the brush through Gillian’s hair one last time and rose. “I vow you know all you need to know, lass. Trust your husband to show you the rest.”
    “I will