True to the Highlander(74)

“I won’t have you worry about the future another moment. As my wife your place is secure. Today is our wedding day, Alethia. I had intended that we would wed since the day I found you by the side of the road. ’Twas my wish to wait until spring and my father’s return.”

“Spring?” Her mind went back to their day in the forest. “When you said you couldn’t wait until spring, that day we…”

“Aye, mo céile, and I’ve already sent for a priest. We may see one ere long. Will you agree to be my wife if we say our vows before a priest?”

His expression was so tender and hopeful her heart melted in her chest. She snuggled closer to his body. “Now you’re asking?” She snorted against his shoulder. “What does mo céile mean anyway?”

“My wife.”

“What’s the word for husband?”

He took her earlobe between his teeth, sending a delicious shiver racing down her spine, and whispered into her ear.

“Boss.”

“Ha! In your dreams.” She burrowed her head into his shoulder to hide her smile. “Yes, Malcolm. I will agree to be your wife. Do you think…?”

“The word for husband is the same as the word for wife. Do I think what, Alethia?”

“Is this what I was sent here to do?” She touched his wounded arm. “Has the danger passed?”

He put his finger under her chin, tilting her face up so their eyes met. “There will always be danger. ’Tis the way of things.”

She nodded and let go of the final thread of resistance. Today was her wedding day, and Malcolm her husband. And if she stayed in his arms until the trembling stopped, maybe everything would be all right. Reality sank deep into her bones—her future lay here in the past. Her family, Gran—they’d be fine without her, and she’d keep them always in her heart. “Don’t you ever do that again.”

“You have my word. I willna leave without letting you know first, but I canna promise never to defend our people again.” His eyes held hers until she nodded. “Where is Hunter?” he asked, releasing her from his arms. “’Tis time we return to the island.”

Pointing to the oak, True moved to the trunk. “He’s supposed to be my guard.” She peered up into the tree where the trunk split. “The little traitor, he’s asleep.” She smiled. “About Hunter…”

Malcolm reached up and lifted him from his perch. “From this day forward, he is our son.”

Hunter’s eyes opened in confusion as Malcolm settled him against his chest. His eyes sought hers, and she told him the news. “Malcolm and I are husband and wife. He is your foster father.” She watched as Hunter’s expression turned to wonder. He leaned back to look into Malcolm’s face for a moment, put his small arms around his new father’s neck, his head on his shoulder, and smiled at her as if he knew all along this was how things would work out.

“We’ve a wedding feast to attend. Are you recovered enough for my men to return?”

“Malcolm, about your men—”

“They’ve been guarding your camp since the first day you lit a fire, True. The smoke gave you away.”

“Oh.” Why hadn’t she thought of that? “Why didn’t Liam say anything?”

Malcolm gave her the smile that always made her weak in the knees. “Aye, well…he likes a good coney stew.”





CHAPTER FIFTEEN



From her place in Elaine’s chamber, Alethia could hear the sounds of the pipes and bodhran from the great hall below. “Beth,” she said, glancing at the young woman over her shoulder. “You should be downstairs dancing.”

“Aye, Lady True. I will be ere long.” She smiled. “After I’ve seen ye ready for your wedding night.”

Color flooded her cheeks. It wasn’t that she didn’t know what to expect, and it wasn’t prudishness that made her cheeks heat up. Everyone in the keep—no, make that everyone on the entire island—would know that she and Malcolm were consummating their vows tonight. The notion sent mortification burning straight through her.

Beth pulled the brush through her hair as Alethia sat by the hearth. Her meager belongings had already been moved to Malcolm’s room. She’d seen to it herself to ensure that no one fished around in her duffel. Bathed, petted and pampered before attending the hastily thrown together wedding feast, she’d not had a single moment by herself to think about all that had happened. Funny how drastically one’s life could change in a single day.

Even though their wedding celebration had been a last-minute affair, the atmosphere had been festive and joyous, and the clan took the news of their handfasting with happy acceptance. She’d been humbled by all the well-wishers. Gifts of linens, wool, candles and small tokens had begun to pile up in the great hall all afternoon.