Kerr scowled, and Darach wrapped his arm around his shoulder. “Doona worry. I’ll bring Caitlin for a visit. She’ll have you and Isobel married in no time.”
Kerr’s face lightened into a broad smile. “Aye, now she’s a wonderful lass.”
The men all said “aye” with love-filled, sappy voices, and Maggie had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes. Men really were addled.
Someone cleared their throat, and Maggie looked up to see Father Lundie standing at the chapel door. “Father,” she said, moving forward to greet him. “I didn’t know you were here too.”
“Aye, lass. And I couldnae be happier to be presiding o’er the ceremony, even though by canon law, you’re already married.”
“Ceremony?” she asked, her heart beating faster, even though she’d guessed Callum’s intent.
Callum pressed a soft kiss to her lips, a touch that had her melting. When he pulled away and she opened her eyes, it was to find his foster brothers and Gregor watching them with those foolish expressions on their faces.
Gavin handed Callum a linen-wrapped package, and Callum unfolded it to reveal a stunning gold necklace set with rubies. “I know you said you didn’t want jewels as a wedding gift, but this was my mother’s. She’d want you to have it, as I do.” He held up the necklace. “Will you do me the honor, lass?”
She bit her lip to stop it quivering and nodded, tears coming from nowhere and flooding her eyes. She lifted her hair from the nape of her neck as he looped the chain around her neck and fastened it. His fingers trembled, and his mouth pressed into the crook of her neck before he turned her around so he could see.
The necklace nestled perfectly on her arisaid, the red jewel bringing out the red stripe in the design. “It’s beautiful, Callum. Thank you.”
“Not as beautiful as you are, lass. I am so happy and proud to be your husband. You are truly a remarkable woman.”
“Just as I am?” she asked. “Even though it’s in my nature to take risks?”
“Exactly as you are, even though sometimes I may be overprotective. That’s in my nature.”
“Aye. We’ll have to find a balance between the two.”
“Aye.” He raised her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Gregor will walk you in, and Aileen will stand with you. Is that agreeable?” On her nod, he said, “I wish your brothers could be here, and your parents.”
“And yours,” she added.
He smiled. “They would have loved you.” He looked like he was about to say something else, and Maggie found herself holding her breath, feeling like her heart was too big for her chest.
But then his foster brothers motioned him over. Callum cupped her cheeks one last time and kissed her before he joined them, the moment lost. They disappeared through the door with Father Lundie, leaving her wondering what he’d been about to say.
Maybe that he loved her?
Was that even possible? And did she want him to love her?
A lute began playing, a beautiful melody she’d never heard before. She raised a questioning eyebrow at Aileen. “Keith?” she asked.
“Aye, he composed it for you and Callum. Didn’t I tell you he was talented?”
“He is.”
Gregor held his arm out to her, and she found herself shaking. She and Callum were already joined, physically by the laws of man and spiritually by the laws of God. This ceremony held no real meaning except…it did. He’d planned all this, done this for her. It was a beautiful gesture of their life together.
Making her wonder… Can I love him? Do I already?
Gregor and Aileen nudged her toward the chapel door. When they passed through and approached the sanctuary at the front, she was surprised to see candles, flowers, and beautiful silks draped all around the balcony, which was open to the courtyard below. The courtyard was filled with Callum’s clan—her clan—dressed up in their best.
The two scaffolds still stood against the far wall, and the net, which now rested on the ground, still held some rocks, but they could barely be seen beneath all the decorations.
Father Lundie stood at the edge of the balcony with his back to the crowd, wearing a pristine white robe with a long purple stole around his neck and the holy book in his hands. Callum waited for her next to the priest, and his foster brothers lined up on either side of the balcony.
He smiled and stepped forward to take her hand, as if he couldn’t wait even one more second. She leaned up and kissed him, wanting so badly to press against him.
She stayed against his side, holding his hand for the entire ceremony and mass.
Father Lundie droned on a bit, but she found herself almost giddy with happiness. The words he uttered and had them utter passed by in a blur. Then Callum faced her, her hand in his as he vowed to love and cherish her forever before sliding a beautiful silver ring, intricately woven in an eternal knot, onto her finger. It was too big for her, but that could be fixed. She liked how heavy it was, feeling as if it represented the weight of Callum’s commitment to her.
Then it was her turn, and Maggie’s voice thickened with emotion as she promised to love and cherish him until death did they part. And she knew with a certainty she meant it.
Aye, I love him. With everything I am.
She slid her arms around his waist as he slid his hands into her hair and pulled her close, his mouth angling over hers in a kiss that was both sweet and passionate.
The priest was speaking again, but blood was roaring so loudly in her ears that she had no idea what he said and didn’t care. Even the cheer of the crowd around them wasn’t loud enough to disrupt their kiss.
Only the need to breathe had them breaking apart.
Father Lundie moved behind them, and Callum stepped with Maggie to the balcony rail, sliding his arm around her shoulders. “Lady Margaret MacLean,” he announced to the clan, his voice booming with pleasure around the courtyard. “My beloved wife and your cherished lady, who will fight for all of us with a strength, skill, and determination that leaves me humbled. To Lady MacLean!” Their clan cheered again.
“Maggie, look,” he said, pointing upward. She looked up to see that a net had been stretched across the open space, making her gasp.
“Is that my net?”
“Aye. Is it big enough, lass?”
“Oh, Callum, it’s wonderful!” She didn’t know what she would do with it yet, but she’d figure out something.
Then the net released on one side, and it fell to the opposite wall from where they stood, beside the second scaffold. Masses of dried flower petals floated down to the courtyard.
“Oh!” she gasped, awed by the beauty and the sweet smell of the roses, lavender, heather, and bluebells caught in the air drafts. The sky above was streaked with vibrant pinks and oranges, changing by the second as the sun set.
A few petals drifted right to them, and Maggie caught them in her fingers and brought them to her nose, inhaling their scent. “How did you do all this?” she asked her husband.
“I didn’t do all of it. Cook and our housekeeper, Linnette, have been planning for years. And they’ve been working constantly at it since we arrived. We have much to thank them for.”
“Aye, we do.”
He picked up her hand with the silver ring. “Do you like it?” he asked. “’Tis big, but we can make it fit. The ring belonged to my grandmother. My grandparents had a long, happy marriage. It’s what I hope for us, Maggie. An equal union filled with caring and commitment. And bairns, of course, if we’re so blessed.”
“I’m sure we will be if you e’er take me to bed.” She tried to sound aggrieved, but she knew her eyes were smiling at him. How could they not?
He cleared his throat. “When you’re well enough.”
She leaned into him, trailed her fingers along the collar of his shirt. “I’m feeling much better. You said an equal union, Call
um. That means listening to me and taking my words into consideration.”
He stared at her, his eyes growing wild, his skin flushing. She could see the pulse beating in his neck. She leaned up and kissed the spot, finding it smooth and warm. Her mouth opened, and her tongue pressed against it. He groaned and pulled her in for a tight hug. “God’s blood, how will I make it through the wedding feast?”
He said the last loudly, and Gregor slapped him on the shoulder. “With great difficulty. Just like I did with Kellie, Darach did with Caitlin, and Lachlan did with Amber. But the wait makes it all the more sweet.”
“Well, let’s get started then.” Callum leaned over the balcony, looked up, and whistled. Two sturdy ropes fell down from above in front of them.
He grinned and pulled Maggie to the edge. “Do you want to slide down your own rope? Or hold on to me as I slide down?”
She grasped the rope closest to her with her good hand, eyes wide in delight. “My own, for sure!”
Gregor and the lads burst out laughing.
“Aye, of course you do,” Callum said, “but let me go first so I can— Maggie!”
But she’d already stepped on top of the stone bannister. The men hooted with amusement as Callum scrambled to catch up to her. With her other hand, she held her skirts tight to her body and stepped off the ledge while looping the rope around her feet to control her descent. She and Callum slid down beside each other to another loud cheer.
They walked through the crowd, receiving well wishes and congratulations before finally reaching the head table set on a dais at one end of the courtyard. Petals adorned a white linen tablecloth, and candles lit the night. She looked up to see full dark was upon them, and stars were scattered across the sky.
“Oh, Callum. It’s magical! I couldnae have asked for a more perfect wedding.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it.
The servers brought out dishes filled with roast quail, pickled eel, and suckling pig; greens, parsnips, and onions; and the softest loaves of bread she’d ever tasted. The mead was sweetened with honey, and the cake afterward was filled with nuts and berries.
When the meal was finished, Keith and Aileen set up their instruments and Keith sang, his voice rich and full, about Maggie and Callum—from their initial betrothal as children to their courtship and the dangers they’d faced together over the past few weeks. At first, Maggie’s face flamed at the retelling, but soon she was entranced with the ballad and listened as all the others did, filled with excitement and dread, laughter and awe, almost forgetting the story was about her. When Callum finally made her his bride, she got as teary eyed as the other lasses in the courtyard. Not to mention many of Callum’s brothers and great big Gregor—whom, she’d discovered, had a heart as big as the loch and a soft spot for a love story.
When the ballad ended, she stood along with everyone else and cheered Keith and Aileen. She leaned over to Callum. “Did you know that Aileen wrote that? Keith is getting all the applause, but without Aileen, there would be no song to sing.”
“I’ve read some of her poems. This was by far her best.” He whistled loudly and shouted out Aileen’s name, telling those around him, “My sister wrote that!”
Keith reached for Aileen and pulled her forward so she stood beside him. He dropped her hand and bowed deeply to her. Maggie looked around curiously and saw Glynis standing stiffly at another table, her face a polite mask, her hands barely moving in appreciation.
Maggie nudged Callum, who looked over. “Not exactly a proud wife, is she?”
Glynis strode to the door as soon as the applause finished, and the tables were pushed back to make room for dancing. Several men playing bagpipes and a flute began a toe-tapping reel.
“Where do you think she’s going?” she asked, her voice rising.
Callum wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they sat down. “I doona know, lass. Maybe just to her chamber. Doona worry. Gavin assigned several men and a woman to follow her. I thought on your words and took them seriously. But keep in mind, it may not lead anywhere. Remember, she didn’t have enough time to run around the courtyard and up the stairs to cut the rope.”
Maggie sighed. “Aye, you may be right.” Still, she couldn’t let it lie. “Did you speak to Drustan about her?”
“Nay, he was busy with the investigation, and I was busy with Gregor and the lads going over the parchments you gave us—all while answering a hundred last-minute questions about the wedding. I’ll speak to him tonight if I can catch him alone.”
She looked around the courtyard but didn’t see him. “Strange. He’s not here.” A chill ran up her spine. “Does he know you have people following Glynis?”
“I haven’t seen him since this afternoon. And the trackers are Gavin’s people, so Drustan willna notice anyone pulled off duty. Maggie, he may be tupping Glynis, but I doona think he’s involved with the conspiracy. He fought beside us when we were attacked at the hot pools, and he was in the courtyard when the rocks fell. His life was in danger both times.”
“I saw that. Everyone else ran for cover, and he just stared up at the rocks. You had to pull him to safety.” She squeezed his leg. “I was so frightened for you.”
“There was no need. I could see your daggers would hold. I doona know what’s going on with him, but I think it has more to do with his late wife. He says you resemble her. I think seeing you has brought it all back to him.”
She placed her hand on her heart, and a soft sob broke through her lips. “That’s so sad. How did she die?”
“Kicked by a horse.”
Their eyes met and held, gazes filled with the knowledge that either one of them could be taken from the other just as suddenly and as randomly.
Callum leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Come, Wife. Let’s go dance and celebrate our union and our upcoming lives together. Then we’ll return to our bedchamber, and I’ll caress and kiss every inch of you as slowly as you walked up that mountain.”
She huffed in outrage at his words, even though secretly, she was thrilled. He laughed as he pulled her up from the bench.
“Just for that, I’ll expect three dances from you and one from each of your brothers and Gregor. And I canna forget Finnian, Drustan, Artair, and Gill, or any of the other men in my new clan. We may be here all night. Then we’ll see just how slowly you want to pleasure me, Husband.”
* * *
Callum stood at the rear of the courtyard, which had emptied out considerably in the last hour. The remaining revelers had crowded around the other end where Maggie danced with the old steward, Donald, who had a surprising amount of kick in his heels for his age. She had indeed danced with all his foster brothers and Gregor, plus Artair, Gill, and what seemed like every other man in the clan.
He loved watching her, her dance steps quick, her hair flying and cheeks flushed the rosiest of reds. Gregor had called her a vision, and he was right. But Callum was ready to claim his wife, and if need be, he’d throw her over his shoulder as Lachlan had done to Amber on their wedding night and carry her to their bedchamber.
He’d just taken a step toward her when Drustan entered the courtyard, looking…off. One shoulder was raised, and his steps were almost tentative, as if he had difficulty walking.
Callum hurried past the empty tables and benches toward him, thinking maybe he was hurt—but then Drustan stopped. And he looked at the dancers…at Maggie. A frisson of trepidation ran up Callum’s spine, and he clenched his hand into a fist.
Is Drustan a threat?
But when he reached his second-in-command, it was to find that the man had closed his eyes and was tapping one finger against his plaid as if he listened to the music. His shoulder had dropped so it was even with the other one.
“Drustan,” Callum said.
Drustan opened his eyes and looked at him. “Laird.”
“Are you well?”<
br />
He nodded. “I like the music. The rhythm…settles me.”
Callum peered in the direction Drustan had been staring. Maggie wasn’t there. He scanned the dance floor, and relief soared through him when he saw her dancing with Gregor.
He was seeing a problem where there wasn’t one. Returning his gaze to Drustan, he found his second-in-command had twisted his head to the side and was rubbing his nape. “Drustan!”
Drustan slowly looked at him.
“Is there something wrong with your neck?” he asked.
“It hurts.”
“Why?”
Drustan didn’t answer right away, then he said, “The horse. In the stable.”
“Did you get thrown?”
“No.” He closed his eyes. “I doona remember.”
Callum clenched his jaw, frustration getting the better of him. “Maybe you should go to bed. The rest might help. Doona worry about working tomorrow. Take a few days and get to your old self.”
“Aye. A rest will help.”
He turned away, and Callum saw Glynis watching them. When Drustan headed to the arched exit, she set a course to intercept him.
Callum scowled. “Drustan!” he called out for a third time.
The man turned around, his eyes more focused this time, looking stronger—more like his old self. “What is it, Laird?”
Callum closed the distance between them and lowered his voice. “I have to ask. Are you tupping Glynis?”
Drustan’s spine went rigid, his jaw set in a hard line. “What business is it of yours?”
“She’s my cousin’s wife. And as her laird, she’s under my protection. People know, Drustan. Keith knows. What were you thinking, getting involved with her? She’s married.”
“You think I’m the first man to tup a married woman? Especially one who makes herself available?”
“Of course not, but—”
“Your father did it. For years. Even when your mother was alive. Couldn’t keep his hands to himself.”
Highland Betrayal Page 26
