Caelen's Wife: Book One - A Murmur of Providence (Clan McDunnah Series 1) Read Online Free Page A

skull.
    He searched his mind for something, anything that he may have done the day before, or even over the past months, that would lead anyone to believe he’d offered for a woman’s hand. There was that comely bar wench in Stirling, but that was at least six months past. Even though he’d been quite drunk at the time, he knew he hadn’t proposed to her. She was, after all, a bar wench.
    Try as he might, he couldn’t think of anything that even remotely resembled a proposal. Besides, he hadn’t seen anyone from the McPherson clan for more than a year. Still, doubts lingered as dread began to seep into his achy bones.
    “How bloody drunk did I get?”

Chapter 4
    C ollin led the way into the McDunnah keep, with William and Brodie bringing up the rear. Surrounding their chief — likely more for the protection of the McDunnah men than Fiona’s own well-being — were Seamus, Richard and three other McPherson men.
    Fiona knew that each of them were silently praying she’d not do anything foolish when she met with the McDunnah. As long as the McDunnah does nothin’ foolish, we should all leave as safely as we arrived.
    They were led into the keep, down a flight of narrow stairs, and into a large gathering room. Because of the wall of men surrounding her, it was difficult for Fiona to get a good look at her surroundings. Besides the two heavy chandeliers that hung from the ceiling and the McDunnah crest carved into a piece of dark wood mounted over the large hearth, there was little else she could make out. If only she knew where each of the exits lie and how many McDunnah men might be lurking about, she might feel better.
    Quashing the urge to kick her brother in order to get him to move, Fiona did her best to wait patiently. She knew the men meant well and that by surrounding her they were only trying to protect her. Or the McDunnah. Or their own heads. Only time with the McDunnah would tell which of those would be needed most.
    Silently, she began counting to one hundred in order to steady her temper and make the time seem to pass more quickly. She’d barely made it past two and thirty when she heard people entering the room.
    Brodie was the first to speak. “Caelen,” he said more cheerfully than Fiona thought necessary, considering the reason they were here. As he stepped away from the circle, William immediately took his spot and blocked Fiona’s view. She jabbed him in the kidney with her gloved hand. It didn’t garner so much as a grunt from her brother. He remained still and quiet.
    She heard a man’s voice return her brother’s greeting. “Brodie,” he said.
    Knowing it would do no good to burst through the wall of men to hurl accusations or demand answers, she remained quiet and listened, and tried to take in more of her surroundings.
    Over the large hearth, next to the McDunnah crest, Fiona spotted the head of a wolf. Brodie had mentioned earlier that Caelen oft wore that ceremonial headdress into battle, more to frighten his opponents than to pay homage to something.
    On the opposite side of the crest were two crossed swords, the edges of both looking as though they carried the blood from some previous battle. Who knew with the McDunnah? As far as she knew, the man was tetched. Until she was able to speak to him to discover for herself if that rumor was true, she’d continue to believe it.

    C aelen hadn’t taken the time to shave. It took some doing, but he had managed to wash quickly and don clean tunic and trews, hoping he did not look as hellish as he felt.
    Though his mind still felt muddled and the throbbing in his skull grew worse with each step he took, he had made his way down to the gathering room, with Kenneth by his side. Instantly, he recognized Brodie McPherson standing in the crowd of men.
    Caelen greeted the dark haired man with an extended arm. “Brodie,” he said with a smile as he scanned the group of men across the room. Relief washed over him when he found no woman with an