Chapter Twenty-Four #3
“Your mama and I will be fine. You may choose to live wherever you would like. ’Tis your choice. Together.”
“But he has to ask you for my hand first. I know he will.”
“He already did, but it wasn’t the best situation, so he’ll ask again, I’m sure. Until then, we’re nearly on Grant land, so you know what that means, do you not?”
“Aye, I’m home finally.” She sat up straight and swiped at the tears running down her cheeks.
“Cover your ears, lass. We just crossed the border, and ’tis time to let Maddie know you’re safe.”
Her father let out a loud war whoop and her brothers all followed suit, setting their horses into a gallop across the meadow and up the hill to Grant Castle, their banners hoisted in the air.
The noise from all the warriors causing such a din that she did indeed cover her ears, laughing as her father sent Midnight into a full gallop. “Hang on, lassie. We won.”
She giggled as they trounced across the meadow, watching Gil out of the corner of her eye. She knew he was still in a great deal of pain, but he was smiling at her like she’d just become his betrothed. How she wished it were true.
When they arrived outside the gates, she could see her mother standing at the opening waiting for them, Maeve and Kyla next to her. A line of stable lads awaited the horses.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alex loses another daughter…
Gil celebrated outside with all the warriors, but as soon as he caught sight of Alex alone, he hurried over to him. “Laird, may I have a word with you in private?”
Alex nodded. “Follow me.” He led him through the crowded courtyard, everyone stepping aside to make way for the former laird, and Gil was pleased to receive several pats on the back as he followed him.
They entered the solar, and Alex closed the door after Gil entered, pointing to a chair for him before he took a seat behind one of the desks. The solar had been expanded not long ago to accommodate all three brothers along with their father.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t wait long,” Alex said with a flat expression.
Gil could feel the sweat in his palms and the twist deep in his gut, but he had to do this. “My lord, I’d like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. I love her with all my heart, and I believe I can protect her. I’ll always treat her well.”
Alex leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of him. “A few questions first if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. I’ll answer anything for you if I can.”
“I’d like to know more about your background. How exactly did you end up at Buchan Castle?”
He told him the whole story, from his parents’ and sister’s deaths to the promises de La Porte had made and the meat pie that had seemed impossibly big to a hungry orphan.
He shrugged. “He promised a good life at the castle to many of us lads. Said he’d make us warriors.
I accepted. I was chosen to help Simon because I was small back then, and two other men decided beating on me would be their entertainment.
I helped Finlay and Kyla escape, and I will forever be grateful to Finlay for allowing me to come along with them. ”
Alex studied him for a moment, his scrutiny unnerving. “So that tells me that your constitution was formed by two good parents. You were raised well, and you did the right thing. So why wait so long to ask for my daughter’s hand?”
Gil thought long and hard before he answered, a lump in his throat telling him it was time to admit the truth to this man. “I was afraid of your answer. I didn’t think I’d be good enough for your daughter. With barons and lairds all pursuing her, how could I measure up?”
Alex moved around to the front of the desk and leaned back against it, crossing his arms in front of him.
“Gil, I recall a time when a young lad bravely came into the middle of a sea of mighty warriors to tell me he knew where to find my eldest daughter. You led me to her, and when I found her, she’d told me you were the one who’d saved her life.
Were you not the protector of my daughter Kyla when we first met? ”
Gil, humbled by this praise, mumbled, “Aye, my lord.”
“Then I believe I can trust you to protect this daughter as well. I’d be honored to have you as a son-in-law. Stand up, please.”
Gil did as instructed and squared his shoulders to stand in front of the mighty swordsman.
“You have my permission to marry my daughter, if she’ll have you.
I don’t care if you live at Castle Curanta or here, but no farther, please.
With our king dead and the English bastards attempting to take control of our verra lives, I’d prefer for my daughters to remain in the Highlands. Will you agree to this?”
“Aye, Laird. And I will treat her with honor and respect at all times.”
“I know you will, Gil. Now, when will you propose to ask her so we can announce the betrothal?”
Gil smiled, suddenly feeling lighter than ever. He’d already asked her twice, but this time he’d do it with her sire’s permission, and that made all the difference. Still, he’d have to do it differently this time. “How does now sound?”
Alex smiled and clasped his shoulder. “That pleases me verra much. Go find her.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Another wedding, another daughter given away…
The wedding took place a sennight later, mostly because her father didn’t want anyone thinking Elizabeth was still available.
She was most decidedly not. The day began with a heavy mist over the area, but by midday, the sun peeked out through the clouds. Her mother called up the stairs to her, “Elizabeth, are you ready yet? Your father is coming with the others.”
Elizabeth looked at her sisters and whispered, “Well? How do I look?”
“Splendid!” Maeve said.
Kyla kissed her cheek, careful not to touch her hair. Lily had come in with her daughters, Lise and Liliana, and they’d arranged her hair, entwining flowers and ribbons with the long waves that hung down her back.
“Looks much better than that creation you made at MacTear’s,” Kyla said with a grin. “How could you forget to take that out after it was all over?”
“I forgot.” She lifted her eyebrows. “I was more worried about my betrothed and whether Papa had survived the sword fight and the boiling oil than about my hair.”
Kyla’s grin widened. “Just teasing you. You look absolutely gorgeous, sister.”
Her dress was a pastel blue, the cut and color a perfect match for her. Two others would be wearing the same gown today. She looked down at one of them, reaching a hand to her. “Are you ready, daughter?”
Sabina giggled and nodded, smoothing her dress exactly as Elizabeth had.
She and Gil had decided to adopt Sabina so she’d never have any fears of losing them again.
The lassie had taken to sleeping in Elizabeth’s chamber at Grant Castle until after the wedding.
Their cottage was being worked on back at Castle Curanta.
They’d decided to add two chambers to it, hoping to fill it with another bairn before long.
They moved down the steps, Kyla and Maeve helping her with the long skirt, but she nearly came to a stop when she saw their mother in the great hall. “Mama, that color is perfect for you.”
“Just as it is on you,” her mother said with a wide smile. For she was the third person in a pastel blue gown.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Sabina rushed over to hug her new grandmother, giggling. When she ended the hug, she stood between mother and daughter, a look of wonder on her face.
Elizabeth knelt down and kissed her wee lassie’s cheek. “And you are lovely, as well, daughter. You have fun staying with Grandmama this eve.” Sabina giggled, the same way she did whenever Elizabeth called her daughter—which was why she did it so often.
“Aye, Mama.”
Oh, how she loved being called Mama by Sabina, a sound that was the sweetest music of all.
The door opened, so they turned around, and a gasp escaped Elizabeth at the sight that came through the door. First her father, looking splendid in his dress plaid, followed by her three brothers, Jamie, Jake, and Connor.
“All is arranged for you, lass,” her father said. “You look lovely.” He kissed her cheek, then Maddie’s. “You all do.”
Behind them came the four cousins, all in their finest: Alasdair, Alick, and Elshander, with Dyna following them in.
“You all look so wonderful,” Elizabeth said, directing her comment to her nephews and niece, but then she stepped onto her tiptoes to kiss her sire’s cheek and whisper to him how special he looked.
“We made Dyna come in last,” Alick said while Els giggled.
Dyna just smirked and waited, as if she were only allowing them to think it a victory. Knowing her canny mind, Elizabeth thought that was probably true.
“This is the way we will travel to the chapel,” her father said. “No horses, we’re walking today. So everyone may turn around, and this is the order in which we’ll travel.”
They all did as instructed, Alex, Maddie, and Elizabeth in the back. Kyla and Maeve fell in on either side of Sabina, just in front of Elizabeth. The brothers traveled in front of the women. The cousins in front of the brothers.
And in the very front? Dyna, who turned her head enough to look at the three boys and say a quick, “Hmmph.”
Jake said, “Will they never learn who the quickest is?”
Connor just laughed.
The door to the great hall was opened, held by Loki and Finlay, and they exited in order. As soon as they reached the bottom steps, a group of orphans carrying flowers surrounded their group.
All was quiet as the members of the clan lined the path, watching the group head to the chapel, mothers holding linen squares to mop up their tears.
The onlookers followed as the group continued on to the chapel in the farthest corner of the bailey.
The cousins tried to tell Dyna which way to go, but she ignored them, choosing the best route herself, judging mostly by the mass of observers.
The wedding group arrived at the chapel, and Elizabeth gasped as soon as she saw Gil.