Chapter Thirty-Nine
Meg
As soon as the castle came into view, her belly did those somersaults she hated so. Flip-flop, flip-flop. Where was her sister? Would she be happy to see Meg? Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four… Her fingers ticked away against her leg.
They traveled down the path toward the water, Lennox pointing toward the fishing vessels. It was such a beautiful sight that it nearly made Meg cry, but she held the tears in because she didn’t want to blur her vision. She couldn’t wait to see Tamsin.
They rounded the bend and approached the gates. Lennox moved in front of her but took her hand to keep her horse close to him. “Lennox MacVey for your chieftain Thane. He’s expecting us.”
The gates opened, and Meg could hear Magni’s shouts of excitement and Lia’s giggles. She feared she would fall off her horse because she was so unsteady, glad that Lennox held her hand.
They crossed the bridge, went under the portcullis, and Meg searched the area for her sister but didn’t see her.
Lennox dismounted and helped Meg down, and she lost her composure. “What if she’s forgotten me, Lennox? Or what if she doesn’t wish to see me? Mayhap she’s so happy she won’t want me around. Mayhap I’ll be a bother to her.”
She gripped his forearms, but he kissed her forehead and said, “You are the most wonderful, giving person I’ve ever met, Meg. Of course, your sister will wish to see you.”
A squeal rent the air, cutting through all the other voices because she knew it so well.
“Tamsin!” Meg turned away from Lennox and caught sight of her sister, running to her. “Tamsin. Is it truly you?”
The next thing she knew, she was hugging her sister, both young women crying and stepping back to look at each other and then crying some more. Tamsin dropped her sister’s hands and took the hand of a lass behind her. “Alana, this is your aunt Meg. You may call her Auntie Meg.”
“Gweetings, Aunnie Meg.”
“She’s beautiful, Tamsin. She looks just like you. I cannot wait to get to play with you, Alana.” She bent down and kissed the top of Alana’s head.
Tamsin handed Alana to another lass, then took Meg’s hand. “Come, I must greet the man who saved my sister and brought her to me.”
Meg couldn’t stop smiling as they approached Lennox, her tears flowing freely no matter how much she tried to swipe them away. Tamsin held her hand and marched up to Lennox. “I owe you my thanks, Chief MacVey, for bringing my sister to the Isle of Mull and to me now. I appreciate all you’ve done for her. Please come inside. Our evening meal is about to be served, and I would be honored if you would join us.”
Thane came up behind Tamsin and said, “You’ve met my betrothed, MacVey?”
“Betrothed? Congratulations to both of you,” Lennox said, clasping Thane’s shoulder.
Magni shouted, “He proposed last eve, and she said she’d marry him. We’re going to have a wedding.”
It would have been the perfect time to introduce Lennox as her husband, but the words didn’t come. Instead, Meg buried her face in his chest and sobbed tears of joy.
Thane said, “Time to go inside for a glass of wine. Let Tamsin and Meg get reacquainted. It’s been more than two years, and my sister Mora is anxious to meet you, Meg.”
The group proceeded into the great hall, Meg with one arm around Lennox’s waist and the opposite holding on to her sister’s hand.
Once inside, a beautiful young lass rushed over to her. Tamsin said, “This is Thane’s sister Mora. His brother Brian is behind her.”
Mora gushed, “I’ve been waiting to meet you, Meg. I have so many questions. How did you have the courage to escape the locked chamber? And how did you know that man was following you? And where did you learn to throw an axe? Would you mind teaching me sometime?”
Thane’s hands came over Mora’s shoulders, and he turned his sister around to their parents. Mora said, “Oh, and this is my mother and father, but you know them already. Can you believe we’ve found them after all these years? I was so surprised when Thane came home and told us he’d found our parents. And all this time we thought someone else was our mother, which couldn’t be because my real mother is the sweetest woman in all the land, and I adore her.”
Myra took her daughter’s hand and said, “Mora, why don’t we allow Meg to have a seat in front of the hearth? She’s had a long journey.”
“I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean—”
“Hush, lass. You were fine.” Her father patted her shoulder. “I’m sure Meg enjoyed hearing your thoughts.”
“I did. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mora.”
Finally able to stop her tears, Meg looked to Tamsin who said, “Come, I’ll show you to your chamber so you can change into something that isn’t covered in dust from your journey.”
Thane said, “Join me in an ale, MacVey?”
Lennox glanced at her and asked, “Do you want your bag, Meg?”
Magni shouted, “I’ll get it for you, Meg!” Out he flew, the door banging behind him.
Tamsin led Meg up the stairs, chattering along the way, this and that about the castle. Once inside the chamber, Meg looked around and said, “This is beautiful, Tamsin.” She touched the needlework of a cushion in the chair by the hearth. “This is your work. I would know it anywhere.”
“It is.” She gave Meg an odd look.
Meg fell into the chair. “Tell me. Just tell me one thing, Tamsin, and the rest can wait. Are you happy to be betrothed to Thane? Do you wish to spend all your time with him, share his bed?” She stared up at her sister, holding her breath. “Can marriage be a wonderful thing?”
Tamsin sat and took Meg’s hands in hers. “Aye. I love Thane with all my heart. He is a wonderful man, and he will be a good father to Alana. I know the difference because the man our father betrothed me to was horrid. Raghnall was evil. He beat me and tried to kill me. If not for Thane, I would not be here now. So aye, I am verra pleased that he asked me to marry him. I’ve never been happier, especially with you here now. I have so much to tell you, but it can wait until the morrow.” She helped Meg change into one of her gowns, then gave her another sisterly hug.
“I’m so happy for you.” Meg didn’t know what else to say, exhaustion suddenly overwhelming her. She stood and moved to the bed. “Would you mind if I took a wee rest, Tamsin?”
“Go ahead. I’ll awaken you when our meal is ready. You must be exhausted. I’ve heard of all you’ve done. Magni and Lia have not stopped talking about your adventures. You’ve been to Oban and Drimnin and Loch Aline and even more. You’ve traveled farther than I have, sister, and I’ve been here for two years. You definitely deserve a rest.”
Meg removed her boots and reclined on her side, closing her eyes for a moment. She fell fast asleep.