Chapter 20 #2
“And where is that Norse king now? Do ye see his ships on our bay, or his men driving away the siege force around us? What value is his strength to us?”
Ailsa wished she could see her father’s face. He must be red with fury. Her mother’s attempt to force him to see reason could make him even more resistant.
“And do ye remember the prince’s reaction to the negotiation?
” Her mother’s tone softened. “I was there, and I do. I watched him when his father broke the news. He was no’ in favor.
Likely he has his eye on another lass his father kens naught about.
He will be as happy as yer daughter to see ye annul the betrothal. ”
“Ye dinna ken that.”
He didn’t shout, as Ailsa expected. But he didn’t sound ready to agree, either.
“As well as ye do, Love. The prince was surprised, then angry. Ye’d recall it if ye thought about it for a moment or two.
I imagine he and his father had words after we left the chamber.
Perhaps by now, the prince has made his father so miserable, he’ll be relieved to hear yer daughter willna accept his son.
He willna be dismayed at a quick response. ’Tis done all the time.”
“No’ by Sinclair.”
The solar got very quiet. Ailsa held her breath. What other arguments could her mother marshal?
“Ye say yer daughter’s happiness is no’ a factor.
Perhaps that is true, though as her father, ye must feel something for the lass ye have raised from a wee bairn.
Ye loved carrying her about, hearing her laugh, teaching her to ride, to swim.
I believe deep down ye still care, even though that wee lass is grown.
Ye have always said she is bonnie and bright.
She deserves the respect required to make her own choices.
And in this case, her choice will benefit Sinclair and bring to us a host of alliances within Scotland that we sorely need. ”
His sigh was so heavy, Ailsa heard it.
“Ye speak wisely, Wife, as ye always have. I should never have begun to listen to Boden when I have ye by my side.”
Ailsa wondered where her brother was. Locked in one of the cells in the dungeon, she hoped.
“For all our lives, Husband. I swore that to ye on the day we wed. Hear me now. Make yer daughter happy, and make me happy. Ye ken how much ye like the ways I reward ye when ye do.”
Ailsa had to summon a smile. Her mother’s tone had softened even further, cajoling and promising things best left unspoken.
“Damn it, Wife.”
Ailsa heard the capitulation in his tone and wanted to jump up, run to her mother and hug her. But not until she was certain his signature was firmly affixed to that document.
“Here,” he said. “I’ve signed it. Both copies. She can marry that Sutherland. Anders. If she had aught to do with their escape, ’tis better she leave Sinclair, anyway, and soon, before someone betrays her and I am forced to punish her.”
Ailsa’s breath left her in a long sigh of relief. In the next moment, she wanted to run out of the gate to Anders and tell him the news. But she dared not anger her father any further.
“Write yer letter to the king,” her mother said, her tone still softly cajoling. “I’ll find Ailsa and give her the good news.”
Ailsa stood, fairly vibrating with excitement as her mother came out and found her. In her hand she held the rolled up betrothal agreement. “Ye heard all that?”
“I did. Thank ye, Mother.” Ailsa reached for her and hugged her tightly.
“Yer da doesna need to see ye. Best if ye stay out of his sight for the rest of the day. We have a wedding to plan. Send Tasgall to the Sutherland with this,” she said and proffered the rolled up betrothal agreement.
“I want to take it.”
“Nay, Daughter. Ye may no’. Now is the time to demand the respect from Anders’ clan due to his betrothed.
They sent two copies, so yer da has one for Sinclair’s records.
Once they receive this signed copy, they can begin to take part in the preparations.
I will arrange them with the Sutherland’s man, whomever he sends.
They can hunt and fish to stock our larder for a wedding feast. And call in their allies from our bay.
While I do that, ye and Anders can have some quiet time together. No’ before then.”
“I canna wait, Mother.”
“Ye can, and ye will. Ye have waited yer whole life for the right man to find ye, or for ye to find him. A few more hours willna matter. Go to yer friends and give them the good news, or I’ll send ye to the kitchen to help Cook. That will keep ye occupied.”
Ailsa laughed. “I hear ye. I’ll find Siobhan. She’ll need to start on a suitable dress for the wedding.”
“Good thinking. Go on with ye.” She leaned in and kissed Ailsa on the cheek. “I love ye, my bonnie daughter. I pray ye will be very happy in yer new life.”
Ailsa fought tears, knowing her mother was already looking ahead to the day when she would leave Sinclair. “Thank ye, Mother. I will visit as often as I can.”
“And bring my grandbairns, too.”
That brought a chuckle out of Ailsa, making a tear leak from her eye. “I love ye, too, Mother. Thank ye for making Da see sense.”