Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The moment they returned to the solar, Elsie and Maureen claimed her once more, laughing and pulling her into their midst, so that all thoughts of rebels and the king once again slipped to the back of her mind.
That evening, the celebration unfolded exactly as planned.
Members of the Council arrived with their wives, filling the great hall with fine clothes and murmured conversation.
One by one, Selene was introduced to them as she sat beside Kenneth at the high table.
She felt the weight of curious glances — assessing, appraising — but she held herself steady, her hand resting lightly on Kenneth’s arm.
“It is only tae be expected,” she murmured to him.
Kenneth grinned and leaned close. “They are all in love with ye,” he whispered. “Just as I am.”
Music filled the hall — pipers and fiddlers playing between the roaring peat fires that blazed in the great hearths.
Light danced across the stone walls as laughter echoed beneath the high rafters.
After the feast was served — roasted wild boar, rabbit pie, rich sauces, sweetmeats and honeyed cakes — everyone sat back groaning with contentment.
Then came the dancing.
A handsome young squire claimed Maureen’s hand, while Callum swept Elsie onto the floor. Selene watched, smiling, as they all joined in — reels and circles, turning and weaving, feet flying in time with the music. Laughter rang out as skirts swirled and breathless dancers spun past one another.
At last, the musicians paused to rest, and the storytellers took their turn. One after another, voices rose with tales of old — the first of the MacDonalds to come from Ireland, the fierce exploits of Viking ancestors who had fought and died to keep these lands safe.
Then, to Selene’s surprise, Kenneth strode into the center of the hall.
Silence fell as he raised a hand, his eyes bright with mischief.
His tale drew laughter almost at once — the story of a young mAidan who crept to the kitchens late at night in search of a morsel, only to encounter the ghost of the castle.
The ghost, it seemed, was a mAidan herself, doomed to wander in search of her lost love.
The hall erupted with laughter as Kenneth described the mAidan’s terror — and her rescue by her beloved, who found not only courage enough to banish the ghost, but also cheese and bannocks to satisfy her hunger before taking her into his arms.
Selene laughed harder than anyone, her cheeks warm, remembering all too clearly the night she herself had gone searching for food — and Kenneth had frightened her senseless with tales of the ghost that haunted the ramparts.
The laughter subsided when the great doors of the hall burst open with a rush of cold air, voices, and the unmistakable sound of boots on stone.
Conversation faltered. Music stopped. Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Four men strode into the hall, their cloaks dusted with snow, their faces ruddy from wind and cold.
“Oh my goodness,” Elsie squealed.
She leapt to her feet and ran across the hall, skirts flying, straight into the arms of the first man. He caught her easily, laughter breaking from him as he bent to kiss her.
“Why, it’s Halvard,” Selene breathed, surprised. They had not been expecting him for another two days.
Halvard released Elsie only long enough to stride forward, his presence commanding even before he spoke. Maureen had already hurried off, already calling for food and drink to be brought for him and the three men who accompanied him, directing them toward one of the side tables.
Halvard shrugged off his damp cloak and handed it to a waiting servant. “Oh Lord, it is good tae be warm again,” he said heartily. “We encountered snow and sleet, vicious winds, rough seas – exactly what one expects at this time of the year.”
Elsie could not contain herself. She flung her arms around him again, pressing kisses into his wind-damp hair. “Oh, me darling,” she said breathlessly. “I am so happy tae see ye. I thought ye wouldnae be here fer another two days at least.”
He laughed and held her close, looking down at her as though she were the only person in the hall. “I hastened tae finish every task set before me so I could come tae ye sooner. I missed ye, Elsie – far more than I care tae admit.”
She laughed in delight, her eyes shining. “Oh, me husband,” she said softly. “I am so happy ye are here.”
From their place at the high table, Selene exchanged a smile with Kenneth. The joy between Elsie and Halvard was unmistakable. They shared a loving warmth that was easy between them. And certain. It filled Selene with a quiet happiness… and a poignant longing for the same.
Soon, Kenneth and I will be man and wife too. Soon we will share the same bed, the same life – openly, without restraint or fear.
As the hall slowly returned to laughter and music, Selene savored that knowledge, letting it steady her heart like a promise whispered just for her.
Kenneth rose from his seat and lifted his goblet high. The hall gradually quieted, the low murmur of conversation fading as all eyes turned toward him.
“Let us drink,” he said clearly, his voice carrying with ease, “tae me soon-tae-be braither-in-law Laird Halvard MacLeod of the Isle of Raasay. He has joined us this night tae celebrate with us, and tae be a guest at our forthcoming wedding. And tae his wife, Lady Elsie, sister tae me bride, the Lady Selene.”
Selene felt a warm flush spread through her as Kenneth spoke her name so confidently, so publicly. She glanced down the length of the table to where Elsie stood beside Halvard, glowing with happiness.
“Raise yer glasses,” Kenneth continued, smiling broadly. “Tae Laird Halvard and Lady Elsie.”
A low rumble of assent rolled through the hall as everyone stood. Goblets were lifted high, voices joining together in a hearty cheer.
“Tae Laird Halvard! Tae Lady Elsie!”
Kenneth drank, still grinning, the candlelight catching in his dark hair. Selene raised her own glass, her heart swelling with pride and affection.
Halvard remained standing when the cheers subsided. “I thank ye,” he said, his tone warm and sincere. “And I thank all of Clan MacDonald fer yer hospitality. I look forward greatly tae the alliance that will soon unite our clans through the marriage of Laird Kenneth and Lady Selene.”
Selene’s breath caught slightly at the sound of it spoken aloud, affirmed before witnesses.
“I would like tae return the favor,” Halvard continued, lifting his goblet. “And wish me future braither- and sister-in-law good health, happiness, and strength. Many thanks again fer yer welcome.”
He grinned at Kenneth, who returned it in kind, and once more the hall rang with cheers.
“Lady Selene! Laird Kenneth! Slàinte Mhath. Good health tae ye both!”
When they finally took their seats again, Kenneth leaned toward Halvard, lowering his voice.
“I thank ye, Halvard. I am glad tae see ye here safely. In the coming days, I look forward tae showing ye our lands, and the people who will soon be your allies.” His expression sobered slightly.
“And there is one matter I must speak with ye about. Nae tonight, but soon. A letter has come from King George. Its contents concern us all.”
Halvard nodded, his face grave. “I suspected as much. This blood feud with Aidan MacLeay casts a long shadow.”
Kenneth inclined his head. “Aye. But we will speak of it on the morrow. Taenight is fer celebration, tae raise a cup of good cheer fer being taegether.”
Selene watched the exchange with a faint tightening in her chest. Even there, amid joy and laughter, the weight of what lay ahead pressed close. Still, she was grateful for that night, that pause before the storm.
Food was brought for Halvard and his men, and when the music struck up again, Elsie was quickly swept onto the floor by her husband, laughter spilling from them both as they danced. Callum, watching them, shook his head with a grin.
“Well,” he said lightly, “it seems I’ve nay partner now.”
The night wore on in a blur of warmth and merriment. Fear and worry were set aside – not banished, but quieted – long enough for laughter to reign. Whisky and wine flowed freely.
One by one, the members of the Council and their ladies slipped away, leaving only the glow of the fires and the soft echo of music behind.
At last, Kenneth took Selene’s hand. “Perhaps it is time we made our departure,” he murmured.
She smiled up at him, her fingers tightening around his. “Yes,” she said softly. “It has been a wonderful celebration.”
She paused, her gaze steady and full. “And I am looking forward – more than I can say – to the day when I shall become the Lady of Clan MacDonald.”
Kenneth’s answering smile was tender and certain, and together they turned away from the hall, carrying with them the promise of all that was still to come.