The Highlander’s Awakening Lairds of Dunkeld Series)

by Emilia Ferguson

  “You can say that again,” Alf said.

  “That was...”

  “Oh, hell! You and your tricks! You know what I meant,” Alf said, shooting him a wry look. Brodgar nodded.

  “Well,” he said at length, “that leaves us with some plans to make.”

  “Quite so,” Alf nodded. “You know...no.”

  “Alf, what?” Brodgar asked. His friend was frowning, looking through the window onto the black woodlands.

  “I was thinking...no – it's too risky.”

  “If you think so,” Brodgar said, setting the drink aside on the table, “it must be the wildest plan I can imagine.”

  Alf chuckled. “No. Not really. Just...it could go wrong.”

  “What, Alf?”

  “We could run away,” Alf said softly. “I mean, if I stole Ambeal, then her father would blame me, not your kin. The feud would end and, if MacDonnell spent the rest of his days with a burning vendetta against me, what matters it?”

  “Alf,” Brodgar said, feeling concerned. “No.”

  “Why not?” Alf said, his eyes bitter. “I have little to lose. And much to gain. I love her, Brodgar. I know you understand that.”

  “I do,” Brodgar nodded. He felt wretched inside.

  How could he let Alf risk everything? He would indeed be risking everything. If he left Bronley with Ambeal, there would be no turning back. He couldn't return here. The whole plan hinged on the fact that Dunkeld would keep aloof. He'd run away with her – he'd have to.

  He'd lose everything.

  “Alf,” Brodgar said slowly. “You know that changes everything, don't you?”

  Alf laughed. “Of course it does! But isn't that what we want? I care not, Brodgar! Understand me! All this...” he waved a hand that encompassed the castle, the town, the lands. “It means nothing. I love her. I know,” he said, looking at Brodgar's face. “I know you're thinking: I have known her for four days so how can I? But I do. You do understand.”

  Brodgar nodded slowly. He did understand. Understood very well. “I do,” he said. “I loved Henriette the moment I saw her. I know that.”

  “Well, then,” Alf said, and there was a smile on his lean, handsome face. “We're all set.”

  “Alf!” Brodgar said, incredulous. He laughed.

  “What?” Alf said ruefully.

  “You are contemplating walking out of your home. Never coming back. And you're so calm about it! You'll never fail to amaze me.” He laughed.

  “Well, if you were thinking about Ambeal, you'd be happy too,” Alf said with a smile. “All this – a castle, land, a name...a kingdom, even, if I was set to hold one, would be pearls to cast at her feet.”

  Brodgar chuckled. Always effusive and melodramatic, that was typical Alf. Nevertheless, he also knew he meant it. He knew how it felt.

  Would I turn my back on everything, for Henriette? Walk away from kin and homestead, never to return, to wed her? Would I?

  He imagined it: riding out with her beside him, on his horse, perhaps. Headed to some unknown destination with all they could carry between them and a heart full of hope to guide their steps.

  In that moment, he knew he would do it too. He would do it in a heartbeat. All this was nothing compared to having his life with her. He was just lucky it wasn't a choice he'd have to make.

  “Alf,” he said, facing him seriously. “Brother in all but name. I can't thank you enough.”

  Alf smiled. He took his hand. Looked into his eyes, a grin twisting his mouth lopsided. “My brother in my heart. If it weren't for you, I would never have met Ambeal. I thank you.”

  Brodgar smiled. They looked at each other for a long moment, friendship and the love of brother for brother in their eyes. He sighed. “It's crazy, how this turned out,” he admitted. “I mean, the fact that we're essentially swapping brides. Unimaginable.”

  “It is,” Alf grinned. “But then, we didn't make the rules. We were only born and found they didn't quite fit.”

  Brodgar laughed. “That's true.”

  “And there's no harm in adjusting things to suit yourself sometimes. Not since we can do it without a single shot being fired, as it were.”

  “Yes,” Brodgar said, and then frowned. There might be no shots fired between his clan and that of Lady Ambeal. However, what of Alf? “My brother, go carefully.” He sighed. “You know that MacDonnell will come after you. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. It would be my fault and I'd never forgive myself.”

  “I'll let you help me plan it, if you like,” Alf said with the same lopsided grin. “Then we know it'll be safe. Like it always is when you plan things. Remember when we were lads? You always found a way to make things safer; like scaling the orchard wall to steal apricots, or raiding the henhouse.”

  Brodgar chuckled, feeling uneasy with the expectation his friend placed on him. “I hope so. I'm not that good at planning.”

  “You're better than I am,” Alf grinned. “My idea of safe was choosing the bit of wall that wasn't ten feet high.”

  “But not the bit that didn't have a ten foot drop on the other side. I know. I remember.”

  They both chuckled at the memory. Brodgar shook his head. It had taken a lot of persuading to make Alf come down and try another approach.

  “Well, if you trust me, I'll try and help. I can't think I'll be much good, though.”

  “I know so,” Alf said, squeezing his shoulder. “Now. We should plan a bit, and then sleep. We want to be fit if we're going to do this soon.”

  “Yes,” Brodgar nodded. He felt his heart clench at the thought of it actually happening.

  “Before the gathering,” Alf said. “Safer that way.”

  Brodgar nodded. “Within the week would be best,” he agreed.

  “Yes,” Alf said.

  They sat and talked awhile, but the apprehension was clouding Brodgar's thoughts. At length, they decided to sleep.

  Brodgar, alone in his chamber, found his mind filled with Ettie. If Alf ran away, then it left him free to wed her. He imagined their wedding night. To his shame, he felt his loins stir as he thought of her, divested of her gown, her curves bared to firelight and lamplight. He wondered what she looked like under that dress. Built a picture of those high, firm breasts – he imagined the nipples pink – and her fine waist, her long legs, her soft, sweet body.

  As he imagined kissing her lips, his own body leveled over hers, thrusting deep into her, he knew that he would die of longing if it didn't happen soon.

  All they had to do now was plan, and wait. And hope. Trust. He closed his eyes, smiling as he recalled Alina's words and how carelessly he assumed he'd understood. Well, he was learning. He felt his eyes grow heavy with sleep and wished he could tell the seer he was, slowly, coming to understand.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  PREPARATIONS FOR THE GATHERING

  PREPARATIONS FOR THE GATHERING

  Ettie stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself. The girl who looked back at her was an exotic beauty. The magenta gown lapped around her feet, clung at her waist below the embroidered kirtle, the bodice cut low to show her creamy cleavage. She swung, her hair, loose-brushed, a curtain of bright gold.

  “It's just right,” she whispered to Aunt Chrissie. “I can't thank you. It's too much for words like thank you to do it justice.”

  Chrissie laughed. “My dear, no thanks necessary. I'm glad you like it. Now. Let's try the earrings...” she passed her a pair of matched green stones, shaped like tear-drops, the length of her thumb. Ettie looped the end-hooks through her ears and stared, awed, at the effect.

  “Oh...” she murmured, turning her head as the jewels sparkled in the light.

  The deep forest green was a shade more blue than the kirtle, and it picked up the blue in her eyes, sparkling gently as she turned her head. The girl in the mirror was beautiful. Ettie could no longer deny that.

  Chrissie drew in a long breath. “My dear, you'll be the talk of the gathering. Oh!” She put her finge
rs to her lips, giggling with pleasure.

  Ettie impulsively embraced her, breathing in the scent of sweetness and gardenia flowers. “Thank you! Thank you, Aunt!” She squeezed her tightly, making the petite woman wheeze and then chuckle as she released her.

  “Oh, my dear. No need to squish me!” she protested, fanning herself and laughing. “And I must show you what I plan to wear, too...my gown is almost finished...just some touches on the back.”

  “Oh, yes please,” Ettie smiled. “I want to see how it turned out. Since I was there from the beginning, as it were.” She grinned.

  “Here it is,” Chrissie said, lifting a deep blue bundle from the bed. “I'm going to wear pearls, I think. I always wear my pearls. Heaven alone knows where Blaine found them – they must have cost a little fortune, but I do love them dearly.”

  Ettie felt her own heart warm with the love those two clearly shared. She thought of her own love for Brodgar and felt her heart overflow with the sweet joy of it.

  He had asked her to marry him, and she’d agreed. She had no idea what would happen – his mother would surely hate her for this. It seemed almost as if she hated her already, though she was always polite and attentive. However, she had Chrissie's support, which was a blessing.

  “Chrissie?” Amice called from outside. Ettie stepped back into the shadow, somehow not wanting her friend to see her here. Chrissie nodded and stepped forward, her gown wrapped close.

  “Yes, dear?” she called.

  “Oh! There you are! I wanted to call you down. We're planning the music. The man I told you of – Mr. MacNeith – he's here for the rehearsing.”

  “Oh!” Chrissie nodded. “I'll be right down.” She put the fabric down on the coverlet and bustled out, turning in the door to give a nod before going.

  Ettie changed, heading to the solar. Organizing the gathering was a duty Amice shared with her mother, and the four ladies – Amabel and Alina, Amice and Chrissie – had to go and listen to a new musician Amice had found. Evidently delighted at a respite from Norries' repertoire, the three had followed Amice to the great hall.

  At least that gives me time alone.

  The solar was empty now, and the settee opposite the fire empty. Ettie slipped in and squinted at her stitches, trying to think straight. She wished her mother was here! How she would have loved to have some extra insight. Her mother was a few thousand miles away across the ocean. She had Amice to talk to, Chrissie to cheer her and, surprisingly, the encouragement of a powerful seer. I am not alone.

  The thought was comforting. Even so, when she heard footsteps in the hallway, her heart thumped. If it was Lady Amabel, returned early, she would make up an excuse. She didn't think she could face sitting there with her, maintaining a frosty silence or polite exchange. It was horrible.

  “I wish she'd understand,” she whispered. She bent over her stitches and tried to think of a way to sneak out without making anyone lose their temper with her.

  “Henriette?”

  “Oh!”

  It wasn't the lady of the castle after all, but her son. Ettie stared at him, feeling her heart thumping in her chest.

  “Sorry I startled you,” he said with a handsome smile. “I was hoping to find you alone.”

  “Oh.” Ettie blushed as he said that. “You had something you wished to ask me?”

  “I have things we have to discuss,” Brodgar said. The shy smile was back and he lowered himself carefully into the chair opposite.

  His knees were an inch from hers and Ettie found her breath catching in her throat. She felt as if she was trying to breathe syrup and looked away, smiling shyly. “What things, Brodgar?”

  Even saying his name made her heart do something strange. She smiled at him and he smiled back. His hands took hers.

  “Well, we have to make arrangements for our wedding,” he said. Ettie stared.

  “Wedding...us?”

  Brodgar laughed. “I did ask if you wished to wed me. I trust you've decided? I mean, I hope you'll take me. Will you?”

  Ettie felt her cheeks burn. She laughed. “Oh, Brodgar. Of course I shall! I love you.”

  He looked at her and she realized it was the first time she'd said that. She stared at him. He looked back. His eyes were damp, she realized with surprise. She swallowed, knowing that her own heart was overflowing with feelings too. She reached for his hands and he took hers, their fingers hot and clinging.

  “I love you too.”

  “Oh...”

  When he said that, it felt as if fire poured through Ettie's veins. She shivered and melted at once. When he leaned across and took her in his arms, holding her against his chest, she knew she was happier than she had ever been.

  Their lips clung tenderly to each other, a kiss where the passion melted into a sweetness that made Ettie feel her heart melt in her chest. She held him tightly now, her fingers stroking his hair as she tasted and touched and felt him and knew this was the one place she had wanted to be all her life, had she but known it.

  “My love,” Brodgar said, eyes sparkling, as he moved. “We must talk.”

  “We must.”

  Ettie waited for him to begin. He looked worried, and she wanted to say that she didn't want him to do anything that would hurt him. She would rather lose him than see him upset. She paused, thinking.

  “My dear, we should run away,” Brodgar said softly.

  “No!” Ettie was shocked. “No. There's a way to do this. A way to make everyone happy. I know it.”

  “My dearest girl,” he said gently, squeezing her hand. “You're so kind.”

  “No,” Ettie shook her head, smiling at the new endearment even as she thought. “No, I'm not kind. I just know that it's possible.” All possibilities are equally possible.

  “We have my father's agreement on it, now,” Brodgar said, and her eyes widened with surprise.

  “Truly? But how...”

  “Let's just say, Alf is taking care of it,” Brodgar said with a grin.

  “Alf? But how? What...”

  Brodgar chuckled. “Alf has agreed to swap with me. As it were. He gets Lady Ambeal, and all the trouble that ensues. I get you.”

  “What? Oh...” Ettie stared at him. “Oh, Brodgar! But I can't let you...can't let him...” She shook her head, feeling confused and elated and confounded.

  “It's more that I cannot prevent him,” Brodgar said with a grin. “I really can't. He's determined.”

  “Does he love her?” Ettie asked.

  “To madness,” Brodgar said, and then chuckled. “Alf's always been an impetuous hothead. But sometimes – most times – I wish myself like him. I admire him. He does what he wants. Doesn't worry.”

  “No, Brodgar,” Ettie scowled at him, playful. “I don't wish you to be anything different to what you are.”

  “Thank you, my love.” Brodgar squeezed her hand. Ettie kissed his wrist.

  “No,” Ettie said with a laugh. “Thank you.”

  Brodgar stroked her head.

  They sat for a while, silence between them. The fire burned lower, the cinders sliding over each other with the chalky whisper of charcoal against charcoal. The room warmed and the day cooled outside. Ettie moved closer and Brodgar sat beside her. They were alone in an island of quiet.

  “I should go,” Brodgar said at length. “Alf is planning. He needs me.”

  “You should go,” Ettie agreed, though she didn't move from where she lay against him and he didn't so much as lift a hand from where they rested on her knee.

  “Alf wants to leave before the gathering,” Brodgar said softly. “That's next week.”

  “I know,” Ettie said. “That's very soon.”

  “The sooner he moves, the less MacDonnell will have time to move to block him. Or so he thinks,” Brodgar sighed. “With the snow still making some of the tracks impassable, he hopes to deter pursuit.”

  “He'll leave for Edinburgh?”

  “I think he plans to. Thence to the port. Then?” he shrugged. “Ma
yhap go to France.”

  “His brother is there?”

  “Conn, yes.” Brodgar nodded. “My cousin – Alina's daughter Leona – inherited lands there. They settled them. Alf would do well. I'm sure Conn and Leona and the babe would be glad to have him in their household.”

  “They have a son?” Ettie asked.

  “A daughter.” He smiled. “I met her when they visited, a year before this. A beautiful child. Hair like firelight. Looks like a mix of Alina and Chrissie. Spoiled like an imp.” He chuckled.

  Ettie smiled. “I'm sure she's lovely.” She tried to imagine Alina with a baby – her daughter's daughter. Her mind gave up as a bad job. Alina was frankly ageless.

  “She is,” Brodgar nodded. “It's good to see them thus. So happy. They always planned to wed. I'm glad they did.”

  “Me too.”

  Ettie smiled and nestled her head onto his shoulder. She couldn't help but wish everyone in the world to be as happy as she herself was. She was so happy. In this moment, everything that mattered was within an arm's reach here.

  Brodgar must have felt it too, for he leaned over and kissed her brow. “My love.”

  She sighed. “You should go and find Alf,” she said.

  “I should,” Brodgar agreed. “He plans to take his horse and a change of trews. I have to persuade him to at least take a map.”

  Ettie chuckled. “Please! Go and persuade him then! He needs one.”

  “He does,” Brodgar nodded. He kissed her again, their lips tender on one another. Then he stood. “Well, farewell, dear.”

  “Until dinner time,” Ettie whispered.

  He grinned. “What a lovely thought.”

  The afternoon passed quickly after that. Ettie could barely believe the news Brodgar had brought to her: they would soon be wed! After Alf left, the way would be open to them. She would never have imagined things could work so well.

  She closed her eyes, gratitude welling up inside her. How had her life – dull and mundane – become so full of light?

  At dinner, she found herself seated opposite Alf and Brodgar. She saw Brodgar's eyes sparkle. She looked away, feeling her cheeks rise into a big smile.