Rescued by a Highlander(53)
“What about the guards that came with Kenneth?” Alex asked.
“I still have some of the MacDonald men under guard awaiting your decision.”
Brenna entered the great hall from outside and Jennie jumped down and threw herself at her sister. Brenna gathered her into her arms with a questioning look at her brothers. She carried Jennie over to the table and sat.
“As long as we are all here,” he reached for Madeline’s hand. “Maddie and I have an announcement to make, and I hope it will dry your tears, Jennie. Maddie has agreed to be my wife and we plan to marry in a fortnight.”
Jennie bounded out of Brenna’s lap. “Oh, Maddie MacD, you will be my new sister. I am so happy!” She hugged Madeline and then ran over to Alex and hugged him. “It does make me very happy, Alex. And can we have new bairns, too?”
“Slow down there, little squirrel, first we must marry. I hope someday we have bairns, but not quite yet.” He glanced over at his betrothed as she blushed a deep red for everyone.Brenna stopped short and said, “Oh, Alex, did you say a fortnight?”
Alex nodded. “Is that not acceptable, sister?”
“Oh, I think it is possible, but we will be very busy. We need to sew a dress for Maddie and plan a feast. We need to notify our neighbors. And what about the priest? We have to get in touch with Father MacGregor and see if he can be here by then.”
“Brenna, you and Maddie let me know what you need. I will plan a portion of my men for extra hunting the week before the feast. If you need more lasses from the village to help out, then hire them. Do whatever you need to do. I will not have this put off. I have waited long enough for my bride to come.” He glanced at Maddie with yearning, and she blushed again. “I have the blushing bride, get whatever else is necessary.” He leaned over and kissed Maddie’s cheek before heading out the door.
Halfway to the door, Maddie called out, “Alex, what about Kenneth?”
“Maddie, you take care of the wedding, I will take care of your stepbrother. I will not allow him to interfere with our marriage.”
***
Once outside, Alex spoke to Robbie. “We need to send a messenger with an escort to the king. Plan on leaving in two days. I need to notify our king of all that has transpired and of my plan to wed Madeline. I think he will approve, but I want to do things properly. He needs to know everything about the Comming and Kenneth, but it needs to be our version, no’ everyone else’s version that has his ear.
“I will have a list from Maddie or Brenna of anything else needed for the occasion. Check with me before the messengers leave. They may have invitations to deliver as well. Oh, and we will need to reach Father MacGregor as well. I will leave you here, Robbie, to address those issues. Brodie rides with me to search for Kenneth. We will return before the messenger leaves so as to write my own message to the king. I will also have a list of supplies to bring back.”
Several hours later, Alex returned to the keep in his chain mail to search for Maddie, but he didn’t have far to go. She perched in her chair diligently working on a project.
“Maddie, I am leaving shortly to search for Kenneth. I don’t know when I will return, but we should be gone no more than two days.”
She glanced up from her work and gave him a worried look. “I look forward to your safe return, Laird. Please be careful. I fear I will not sleep until you return.” She rose and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.
Lord, but the lass could take his breath away at times. After she returned to her seat, he peeked over her shoulder before asking, “What are you working on?”
“Oh, I thought I would make some drawings to go along with my stories for my wee ones. You know I enjoy the children. I have just started to try my hand at sketching again and I find I quite enjoy it, especially since it relaxes me. Can you guess what I am drawing?” She turned the image toward him.
Alex stared at his betrothed with wonder. How could one person have that much talent? What else would he learn about his new wife-to-be?
“Maddie, the forest you have drawn looks real enough to touch. I cannot believe you did that with just ink and parchment. Unbelievable!”
“Thank you, Alex. I hope the wee ones will enjoy it.”
She peered off into the distance and spoke softly, “Kenneth hated my drawings. He tore them to shreds. Even the ones I had done years ago with my father.” She smiled at her betrothed and said, “Now, I shall try again.”
Alex was without words. He bowed to his betrothed and reached for her hand. He placed a soft kiss on her skin and pulled her in close. “I will miss you, my lady.” He kissed her lips deeply before turning to leave.