Page 29 of A Fearless Rebel

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Two days later, a carriage flanked by four horsemen, which was followed by a contingent of twenty warriors, entered through the gates.

Along with his parents, Keithen stood at the entrance to the home waiting for the visitors to appear.

This had to be so very hard for Ava to be sent back to the husband who’d rejected her. Of course, there was a reason for it, in which Ava had no choice in the matter.

First, two horsemen dismounted. One walked toward them and handed his father a missive. “My laird sends his regards and thanks ye for yer hospitality.”

His father nodded in response, his gaze moving to the carriage. The door opened and an older man emerged. Dressed neutrally, he did not don the Mackenzie colors. With silvered sideburns and hair that was pulled back into a queue, he seemed more English than Scottish.

The man held out an arm and from the carriage emerged an older woman, obviously his wife. She was dressed much like Keithen’s mother in a gown of muted tones.

Finally, Ava appeared. With her dark hair pulled back and swept up, she looked refined and composed. Her dark blue skirts flowed out behind her as she stepped down from the carriage. Across her shoulders she wore a shawl in a dark shade of green. A subtle nod to the Mackenzie colors.

The older couple and Ava walked toward them and Keithen could not keep from admiring his proud wife. Her gaze remained forward, chin up and shoulders back. There was a serenity about her, as if she were some sort of fabled creature, untouchable and beautiful.

“Greet yer wife,” his mother prodded, bringing him out of being struck silent by her appearance.

Keithen stepped forward and held out his arm. “Wife.”

For a long moment, he did not think she’d accept it. But after a moment’s hesitation, she placed her hand on the crook of his arm. “Husband.” Her voice was husky and velvety. He remembered the tone of it long after seeing her for what he thought was the last time.

Unlike the last time, this time she would remain with him as he vowed to never humiliate her by rejecting her again. If he did, as she’d been pronounced no longer a “Mackenzie”, she would have nowhere to go.

They turned and waited for her uncle to introduce himself and his wife. Once that was done, the group went inside.

The visitors were escorted to a rarely used dining room that was reserved for family meals. Since they usually ate in the great room, this room was saved mainly for special visitors.

Brandy was poured for everyone and trays of bread, cheese and a tart of poached pears were set out. Ava’s aunt and uncle, Liam and Theresa Mackenzie, were pleasant. Although Liam maintained a cool demeanor, his intelligent gaze seemed to take in every nuance.

The woman, Theresa, praised the room’s décor and began to ask his mother questions about the garden she’d managed to sneak a peek of somehow.

The entire time, Ava remained quiet. Other than taking a sip of the brandy that was placed in front of her, she did not eat.

Keithen was at a loss as to what to say to her. It wasn’t as if any kind of pleasant conversation would set either of them at ease.

“Ava, do ye like pears?” his mother asked. “They are poached with honey before being placed in the tart.”

His wife’s face paled and she swallowed visibly. It became apparent that the poor woman’s emotions were barely held in check. “I do.”

When his mother looked to him and then to the tartlet, he cut a slice, slid it on a plate and placed it in front of her.

“Are ye to be living at the keep now that yer brother has gone?” his father asked the visiting man.

“No, we live in the south still on Mackenzie lands. We have a large estate there. I prefer the southern area. It is much warmer. The weather here is much too frigid.”

Keithen met his father’s gaze. Did these people travel for two days to speak of the weather?

The man’s lips curved. “If I may be so bold as to explain our presence. We come to escort Ava as we will continue on our travel home. We’ve spent the last month visiting with my brother’s family after his passing.”

“I was led to believe there was another reason for yer visit,” his father said. It was not courteous to do so, but being that the two clans were not on friendly terms, there was no need to mince words.

Liam Mackenzie nodded. “My nephew wishes to strengthen the bonds of yer alliance. That, I believe, is why we are here to deposit Ava.”

At the words, Ava looked to her uncle, but did not speak.

“A true alliance is not made through force,” Keithen said, “but by mutual agreement. Although we are bound to yer nephew by our marriage, know that we will never fight alongside him, nor will we defend him if called upon.”