Chapter Fourteen
The Journey Home and Wedding
The rest of their journey was uneventful.
They stopped at the forge so she could see her parents and Thomas first. Cailean dismounted and lifted Elayne from the saddle.
Tears glistened in William’s eyes as he saw his daughter returned safe and sound to him.
William wrapped Elayne in a bear hug as Thomas, relieved and happy, ran to notify Mrs. Logan that Elayne was back home.
When Thomas returned with Mrs. Logan, they each gave Elayne a big hug.
William noticed the closeness between Cailean and Elayne, the special looks they gave each other, and Cailean’s possessiveness of her.
“Before I left to find Elayne, the laird gave me his blessing to wed yer daughter. I ask ye for yer blessing too. I love Elayne and want her to be my wife. When I journeyed to the Grant clan with the garment ye gave me, a woman confirmed it was the dress she had sewn for Laird and Lady Grant’s daughter, Elayne.
The Grant clan wants Elayne to return to lead them.
We ask for yer blessing on that as well. ”
Cailean and Elayne were beaming with happiness, their love evident.
“I am happy to give ye my blessing. I kent when Elayne arrived that I would be privileged to care for her as my own daughter until a man she loved claimed her heart, and that man is clearly ye.”
“Thank ye. I will return Elayne to yer care after we seek an audience with my family. We hope to be wed soon and travel to the Grant clan after the summer games and fair.”
“Aye, that is a good and reasonable plan. I’m sure the ladies will have much to discuss for the wedding.
Thank ye, Cailean, for returning my daughter to me safely.
” Cailean and Elayne led their horses to the stable, then entered the castle.
The guards had obviously been alerted Cailean’s family of his return since they had gathered in the great hall and were all talking at the same time excitedly.
Cailean introduced Elayne to his family, even though she was still dressed as a lad.
“Lady Elayne Grant from the Grant clan has graciously accepted to be my wife, and we are betrothed. It is none other than Lady Grant who my men and I owe our freedom to. Elayne rode alone to the Cameron clan, sought an audience with the laird, and bartered with her life and skills for six months to release us from the dungeon.”
Cailean heard gasps from his audience before he continued.
“She labored seven days a week from sunrise to sundown for six months, sacrificing her freedom for ours. Our clan owes her for her courageous actions in averting bloodshed and war. I love her with all my heart and owe her my life.” Cailean beamed at her, holding her protectively against his side.
“I ken ye all have many questions, and we shall happily answer them soon. But first I’d like to tell you that we would like a small wedding for our clan as soon as possible.
We plan to travel to the Grant clan after the summer games, where Lady Grant will assume her duties as the leader for her clan, the same role as a laird.
And I will aid her in whatever capacity she needs me.
” Cailean and Elayne were applauded, hugged, and kissed, and Elayne was heartily welcomed into the family.
Cailean’s mother shed many tears of happiness and the men clapped him on the back and poured generous glasses of whiskey to toast the betrothed couple.
“When we first arrived home, we stopped long enough for Elayne to greet her father. I promised to return her to their care after we informed ye.”
Elayne smiled shyly at her new family, whose acceptance of her and her new status pleased her.
Cailean’s mother whispered to his father, and Cailean saw him nod.
His father announced, “We will have a feast tomorrow to celebrate yer betrothal. We shall leave it to the ladies to let us ken how soon we can hold the wedding. I will agree to holding a small wedding for the clan for ye. Ye must agree to stay until we’ve met with the lairds at the summer games. ”
“Aye, my laird.”
“Ye both can meet me in my study in the morning to draft a letter to the elders of the Grant clan and inform them of yer betrothal and intentions. We shall discuss who best to invite from the clans to travel here before the wedding in yer support. My lady, ye are welcome to stay and sup with us tonight, but I ken yer father and family wish ye by their side this eve. I shall make sure they ken about attending the feast in honor of yer betrothal tomorrow.”
Elayne curtsied to the laird and lady with a cheeky grin, dressed as a lad, and they all laughed heartily.
“I will walk Elayne to her parents and return,” Cailean announced, and they left to visit Bessie in the kitchens. Bessie screamed in delight, seeing both of them. Cailean announced their betrothal, and that they had informed the laird and his family of his betrothal to Lady Elayne Grant.
“I ken ye are eager to see yer family, lass.”
On the way out of the kitchens, Cailean found a secluded alcove and kissed Elayne passionately, savoring each taste and the press of their lips together.
“Ye ken I do nae wish to leave ye with yer parents, especially after the last few days together, but until we are married, we can only find a few stolen moments to be alone. I shall miss ye, Elayne.”
“Nae, more than I shall miss ye, Cailean. I slept so well in yer arms. Ye made me feel cherished and safe. Thank ye for coming to get me.”
“Early in the morning, I will escort ye to the castle. We will meet with my father and family, so ye can have time getting to ken my family. My sisters have many questions to ask ye about the wedding, I’m sure. Do ye have a dress for the feast, or should I ask my sisters for one?”
“I have a dress to wear for the feast tomorrow. I will need dresses made for our wedding, the summer games, and to wear in my role as laird for my clan later. Perhaps Mrs. Logan and I can meet with yer seamstress, and we can begin sewing these. Once we arrive at Ballindalloch Castle, we both will have much to do. There will be nae time for fittings and sewing dresses. More important clan issues will occupy us.”
“Aye, as ye say. What do ye think ye want to do first when we reach the Grant clan?”
“First, I would have ye see to the clan defenses. We should inquire as to the status of the defenses, the numbers of warriors and archers, and what is needed to make it more secure. After the clan is secure, we can concentrate on expanding our crops, ensuring more livestock, and seeing to other needed items. What do ye think?”
“I agree. Security is the primary concern. That will mean training more warriors for defense. We may think about asking young married couples to come to the Grant clan to live and farm. Families here with many children may send their young men to be fostered and trained as warriors. It would provide security for the families and lessen the burden to feed and provide for them.”
“Aye, I was amazed at how much Thomas can eat at every meal. Thomas eats as much or more than my father.” They both laughed and sauntered back to her home.
Cailean cupped her face in his hands and tenderly kissed her before they entered the forge. “I love ye, Elayne.”
“I love ye, Cailean. I look forward to seeing ye tomorrow morning.”
Cailean invited her father to their betrothal feast the next evening. “The laird had requested to meet with us in the morning to discuss arrangements with the elders for the Grant clan. I will return to escort Elayne to the castle to meet with the laird.”
“Aye, I imagine ye have much to discuss and set in motion. We all look forward to celebrating yer betrothal tomorrow evening. Congratulations Elayne. I am so happy for ye.” Cailean kissed Elayne’s hand and gazed at her with longing before leaving the forge.
Elayne accompanied Mrs. Logan inside the house to talk before dinner.
Later, Elayne washed and changed into a dress and helped prepare the meal.
While they worked, she explained what had transpired and that her identity had remained a secret because of her diligence and self-imposed isolation in the Cameron clan.
After dinner was prepared, Elayne walked into the garden, which delighted her.
She was thrilled to find that the male and female goats had two babies early this year while she was gone.
The heather shimmered in the afternoon sun and its fragrance floated on the breeze.
Her father sought her out in the garden's privacy and asked how the Cameron's laird and clan had treated her.
“They treated me well, Papa, considering that they kent me as a lad. I had my room among the servants, so I could keep my privacy and identity secret. Although I dinna ken what would have happened if they learned I was a woman. I am most grateful to ye for all yer training and teachings so I could use the skills ye taught me to free Cailean and his warriors, avoiding war and bloodshed. I shudder to think what could have happened if they remained prisoners.”
“I am grateful ye are back home and safe and that ye were nae harmed. I wanted to come free ye but was concerned that we would jeopardize yer safety and welfare further.”
“I tried to negotiate a shorter period with the laird, but I am fortunate he agreed to six months of work in exchange for the freedom of seven men. When he saw my workmanship, he kent he could make more money off me in six months than waiting for our laird to secure the high ransom he was going to demand. I believe his son captured Cailean and his men and did not truly ken who he had captured. I ken his father was embarrassed by his son’s actions, but when he realized the error, it was already too late.
So he sought to make a profit for his clan.
I worked from sunrise to sunset every day and could nae ride or leave the castle.
I ate my meals in the great hall but kept to myself to hide my identity. ”