Chapter 14
The kiss had lingered with Islay for the rest of the day and night.
She and Callum had remained by the loch until the sun began to descend.
They shared shy smiles and a few more kisses.
Something had been opened inside Islay’s heart, as though a spring flower had blossomed.
His kiss had been tender but strong, and overall she was overwhelmed by the feeling that she was safe with him.
Her mind was alive, and rapid thoughts careened through like shooting stars.
She had been unable to wipe the smile from her face, which was quite the turnaround after having been so eager to pull away from him.
She had never imagined anything could be like that, and her mind was dizzy with thoughts of what else there was to discover in life.
By the time they had returned to Callum’s keep, the sun had set, and they both decided it was too late for her to return to Kilin.
Islay couldn’t say that she was disappointed by the decision.
She couldn’t help but smile at herself, for when she arrived, she had only intended to stay for dinner and be such a dour companion that he would not be enamored with her at all.
She had instead stayed for two nights. The second night was more of what she had expected; there was a better feast arranged, and they filled their bellies.
The evening sparkled with lively conversation.
She and Callum talked well into the wee hours of the night about all kinds of things.
They spoke of their parents and shared some reflections on their grief.
They also talked about old stories they had heard.
There seemed to be no end to the things they could talk about, and Islay felt entirely comfortable in his presence.
When it eventually came time to retire disappointment flared in her heart.
She yawned and surrendered to slumber, dreaming happy dreams and sleeping sweetly.
The following day, she awoke and knew she had to return home.
The maids had cleaned and dried her clothes, so she was able to wear them again, although Callum insisted that she keep the clothes she had worn during her stay there as a memento.
As Cloud was prepared, she and Callum bid their farewells.
“I suppose the next time I see ye will be our marriage,” he said.
Islay wore an uncertain smile. There was still conflict within her heart, and she wasn’t entirely sure if it would be settled by the time they would be married, but now more than ever, she was ready to do her duty and meet her destiny.
There were certainly worse fates than ending up with a man like Callum as her husband.
Perhaps she had to have faith in her father’s choice as Callum had had in his father’s choice.
After all, the kiss had certainly been pleasing, and while she wasn’t sure what it meant, she knew it meant something.
Just before Islay mounted Cloud and prepared to ride away, Callum took her hands and kissed her on the cheek, just by her mouth.
It was a soft kiss, and she sensed that there was something promised with it.
She left blushing, and rode back to Kilin with thoughts of Callum on her mind, and what it would be like to be the wife of a laird.
The smile soon fell from her face when she returned to Kilin.
After leaving Cloud in the stables, she returned to the main house and prepared to see her father, Iona, and Kirsten again.
Her father was waiting for her, and had a stern expression on his face.
Because of all that had happened during the past few days, she had forgotten that she had snuck away without the protection of guards.
“Islay,” he growled, “what did ye think ye were daeing gaeing out there by yerself? Ye disobeyed a direct order from me. Thankfully Callum sent me word that ye hae arrived safely, otherwise I would hae driven myself sick with worry again. I told ye that ye couldnae behave like this anymore.”
His words were stern, and they caught the attention of others nearby.
Word of Islay’s return had spread. Kirsten, among others, joined them and watched.
Islay felt more than a little self-conscious about having to be rebuked by her father in public, but perhaps that was what her behavior had deserved.
“But Da, I was only trying tae show that ye could trust me. I wanted tae prove tae ye that I wouldnae run off,” Islay said.
“But it is nae about that. It is about respecting what I say. I hae tried tae be lenient with ye, but I realize I cannae trust ye any longer. Ye dinnae seem tae understand the threat of the bandits. I dinnae understand why ye would gae out there again on yer own after what happened. Hae ye lost yer mind? What is wrong with ye? Ye could hae been killed!” he said.
Islay gazed at the ground, starting to fully understand the scope of her father’s anger.
She had been so happy spending time with Callum over the past couple of days that she hadn’t thought about her father, stewing in his anger, waiting for her to return so that it could all boil over.
Islay knew she had done something wrong.
She knew it from the very beginning, and yet she had done it anyway.
She had acted in her own self-interest, and it was time that she stopped being like this.
“I am sorry, Da,” she said quietly. The words seemed to take Laird Gallach by surprise. He tilted his head and gazed at her.
“What did ye say?”
“I said, I’m sorry. I know that I upset ye. I haed my reasons for daeing what I did, but I should hae been more responsible and listened tae ye. It wilnae happen again.”
Laird Gallach seemed perturbed that his daughter had offered an apology so willingly. Usually, it had to be wrestled out of her, and even then, it was typically empty of meaning. He regarded her coolly and grunted.
“That’s all well and good, Islay, but it doesnae dae much tae help us, daes it?
I cannae trust that ye wilnae ride off again, sae ye cannae risk yerself.
I hae decided tae bring the wedding forward tae tomorrow.
I hae already sent a messenger tae Laird Connall.
Yer time of running away from this is over.
The sooner ye are married, the better, for all of us,” he said.
The judgment came with a gasp from around the room.
By this point, a large crowd had gathered, and they were all watching with bated breath, for they all anticipated a fight.
Over the years, there had been plenty of times when Islay and her father had butted heads.
Sometimes the arguments were so fierce that they could be heard all through Kilin.
Islay’s intention to escape her destiny was something of an open secret among the people of Kilin.
Most of them assumed that she would bow down to destiny, as all of them did eventually, but they knew she was likely to react vehemently to an order like this.
So, they waited for sparks to fly and for the world to shake as father and daughter clashed.
But they were all shocked when Islay bowed her head and offered meek surrender.
“As ye wish, Da,” she said solemnly. Even Laird Gallach seemed surprised. He arched an eyebrow and rocked back on his heels.
“Well…good. I suggest ye gae and prepare yerself. There is still much tae be done,” he said.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as he turned and marched away, holding his head up proudly as finally, his daughter was obeying him without fighting back.
Eyes turned towards Islay, looking at her curiously, wondering what had happened to make her lose her fight.
Some of them wondered if she had been scared by the bandits in wanting to be married.
Others guessed correctly that she had fallen under the spell of the laird, but none of them would know Islay’s true feelings.
To them, she was still an enigma, and she wanted it to stay that way.
Islay turned and saw Kirsten looking at her with shock. Islay allowed herself a secret smile and then moved towards her friend. They walked away from the hall to a separate room, where they could be alone. Kirsten’s face was a picture of shock.
“What was that out there?” she asked. “I dinnae think I hae ever seen ye react like that.”
“Is it sae rare for a daughter tae obey her father?”
“Nae a daughter, but ye?” Kirsten exhaled deeply.
“I didnae think I would ever see the day. What happened tae ye out there? Ye should hae been here, Islay. Yer da was pacing around all the time, muttering tae himself. I thought he had lost his mind! He only stopped himself from sending the guards tae escort ye back because Callum said ye were safe with him.”
“I was,” Islay sighed, swooning a little. Kirsten narrowed her eyes and looked at Islay a little more intently.
“What happened tae ye? Hae ye changed yer mind about marriage? Or just about Callum?” Kirsten shot her a teasing look.
Islay inhaled deeply before she spoke. “A lot haes happened tae me recently, and it’s made me look at things from a different perspective.
I spent some time talking with Callum as well and learning about his family.
He’s nae at all like I thought he would be.
He’s thoughtful and kind and only wants the best for people... the best for me.”
“Sounds like ye are falling in love with him,” Kirsten said. Islay’s eyes shot up to look directly at Kirsten. She went rigid for a moment, but then relaxed.
“I wouldnae declare love yet, but there is certainly something there…I’m just nae sure what. But it’s enough for me tae want tae find out more.”
“And tae realize that it’s nae worth running away from,” Kirsten added.
Islay nodded. As soon as she did this, Kirsten squealed and clapped her hands together.
She danced on the spot and then ran over to Islay and flung her arms around her in a tight hug.
“Oh, this is sae exciting! I thought ye would never understand that marriage doesnae hae tae be a death sentence. Ye are gaeing tae be married!” The way Kirsten was acting made it seem as though she was the one getting married rather than Islay.
Islay forced a smile and felt a little guilty that she did not share Kirsten’s enthusiasm, but perhaps that would come in time when she was actually married and could look to a new future.
“And ye know what happens after marriage,” Kirsten said, fluttering her eyelashes. “It wilnae be long before we hear the patter of tiny feet.”
Her smiled was wide, but whatever faint humor had been on Islay’s face now faded as she thought about the prospect of having a family.
“How many dae ye think ye are gaeing tae hae? Ye could be like the kitchen cat and hae a whole litter!” Kirsten fell into laughter and held her stomach.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she didn’t notice that Islay wasn’t laughing.
Despite Callum’s talk of legacy, Islay hadn’t put much thought into what was going to happen.
She had been so focused on her own feelings and the prospect of getting married that she had not thought fully about the prospect of children.
There were so many things she was yet to understand about life; how could she bring another life into the world when she was filled with such uncertainty?
The thought of carrying a child filled her with fear as there was so much that was unknown about it, and it made her think that her future really was written for her already.
Her duty was to have a child, even if she didn’t want one yet.
“We’d better start thinking up names, Islay! If ye hae a girl I must recommend Kirsten. It’s a name of elegance and beauty,” Kirsten said, before collapsing into another fit of giggles.