Once Upon a Highland Christmas(37)

“It was necessary to wed because we love each other.” Grim frowned back at him, not liking the old man’s suspicion. “Everything was right proper, ne’er you worry.”

“Aye, well…” Archie looked from Grim to Breena and back, flicking at his sleeve. “I’d have gone after you if I’d known. As is”—he waved his crummock at the hall’s arched entry where so much light and laughter spilled out into the passage—“thon folk started arriving with gifts and Yuletide gew-gaws to drape about the hall. I couldnae have hied myself anywhere.”

“You have had your hands full, we understand.” Breena spoke with warmth, her heart in her eyes. “Indeed”—she reached to touch the garland of holly Greer MacGregor had jauntily draped around his shoulders—“it would seem your friends are enjoying your hospitality.

“Who would’ve thought we’d return to such a jolly celebration?” She paused, blinking against the brightness in her eyes. “Some might say it’s a Christmas miracle.”

“Humph!” Archie glanced aside, the gruffness in his voice and the way he busily scratched his ear—a ploy to dash telltale dampness from his cheek—saying so much more than his scowls and bluster.

“Belike folk couldn’t do without the grand Yule feasts we used to have here.” Archie propped his walking stick against the wall again and set his hands on his hips. “Bet neither of you kent how well liked I am, eh? There be folk in the hall from near and far this night, all come to feast and carouse at Duncreag.

“No other laird could do a better a Yule.” He crossed his arms, satisfaction sparking in his eye. “There be some chieftains”—he slid a look at Greer—“who cannae host a good feast.

“Word gets out whose hall hosts the grandest Christmas.” Archie’s chin lifted, his beard jutting.

Beside him, Greer stifled a chuckle.

“Is that so?” Grim, too, could hardly keep a straight face.

He didn’t dare glance at Breena.

Apparently no one had shared their secret. The true reason for their holiday journey.

Archie thought their neighbors had come because they missed Archie and his once-famous Yuletide revels. That was fine with Grim. Indeed, it was better than he’d hoped.

Archie was welcome to the glory.

That’d been the idea.

Now that he and Breena had accomplished their goal, Archie seemingly pleased and—Grim hoped—well on his way to regaining the pleasure he’d once taken in life, all that mattered to Grim was making Breena happy. He’d do anything for her, carry her on his shoulders through life, spare her every difficulty, and treat her—

“Mercy me!” Breena clutched his arm. “My Uncle Dermot! I’m sure I just saw him in the hall!” She wheeled on Archie, her eyes wide. “The big man near the dais, with a shock of rust-colored hair, who is he? He looks like my—”

“He is your Uncle Dermot!” Archie’s chest swelled. He beamed, his earlier disgruntlement forgotten. He was clearly delighted to be the bearer of such great news. “Came riding in here the other day, asking for you. Said he’d been searching for you all this time.”

“But he’s dead!” Breena spun again to peer into the hall, but the big man had disappeared into the throng. “How can he be here? Everyone in my village was killed, I’m sure of it.” She turned back to Archie, gripped his hands. “Now my uncle is here. Why didn’t you tell me when we arrived?”

“Indeed.” Grim stepped up to them, disappointed in his friend. “You shouldn’t have held your tongue. Breena loves her uncle dearly.”

“So the man said.” Archie freed himself from Breena’s grasp and brushed at his plaid. “He claimed to feel the same about her. He also made me swear to say nothing until he’d approached her himself. He’s her kin, laddie.” His eyes glittered, his tone underscoring the weight of family. “Who was I to deny him?

“Archie speaks true.” Greer sided with Archie, nodding vigorously. “I heard him press Archie to keep his peace and no’ interfere in family matters.”

“I am Breena’s family now.” Grim’s chest tightened on the words, emotions more powerful than any he’d ever known rising inside him. “She is my wife.”

“Aye, and her uncle is one more reason you should’ve waited to speak your vows.” Archie’s voice turned reproachful. “Breena’s only surviving uncle ought to have seen her wed. You’ve taken that honor from him.”

“We didn’t know.” Grim felt a stab of guilt. He turned to Breena, feeling worse to find she no longer stood beside him.