Page 55 of Highlander's Wild Lass

“What better night than Beltane to announce the betrothal?” Ian wondered aloud, eyeing both Anthony and Celestia. “Ye ken how good tonight is for blessin’s and handfastin’s—ye’ll be blessed with an army of children if ye pass through the twin fires.”

Anthony folded his arms across his chest. “I daenae believe in the old legends.”

“Well, I do, lad. Yer faither did.”

“It is nae yer betrothal to be announcin’,” Anthony told him, clenching his jaw. He looked at Eleanor who still wore the horrified expression from earlier.

* * *

Anthony’s uncles were drunk, she could smell the whisky coming from them as they stumbled between where she sat and where Anthony stood.

“I’m sure the lass would love a big gesture like announcin’ yer betrothal at the Beltane festival,” Charlie said, looking at her. “Would ye nae, lass?”

“I have a name, ye ken,” Celestia said resolutely. These two middle-aged men were making fools of themselves and Eleanor, ever the meddler, was doing nothing to stop them.

Charlie and Ian erupted into laughter.

“What is yer name then?” Ian asked.

“Celestia McLean.”

“Oh, Brannan’s daughter?” Charlie wondered.

Puzzled that he knew her father, she nodded.

“So, yer the one takin’ over?” he asked again.

“I am.”

“I got yer letter the other day. It would be a pleasure to continue doin’ business with the finest Highland whisky maker.”

Celestia allowed herself a smile.

“Aye,” Charlie said. “Just as amazin’ as the news my nephew is goin’ to marry ye.”

“Enough of this,” Ian barked over them, placing his drink down. “Let’s announce this and give the clan somethin’ to really celebrate.”

“Uncle, I daenae want ye to be doin’ this,” Anthony protested. “Celestia wants to tell her family first.”

“Then what better way to do that than by tellin’ the entire clan,” Ian said, grabbing hold of his arm. Charlie reflexively grabbed up the other one.

Celestia watched Anthony struggle with his uncles, trying to loosen their hold on him.

“She will be leadin’ the clan with ye, will she nae? The entire clan is family,” Ian said as they pulled him toward the small platform that had been set up for today.

Eleanor turned sheepishly to Celestia, a look that rarely graced her face when they were younger. “Celestia, I dinnae mean to say anythin’ out loud. I had nay idea, he only mentioned he had asked ye.”

Celestia hopped down from the barrel and followed Anthony and his uncles. “Ye dinnae ken, it’s fine.”

She walked with Eleanor as they approached the platform. Anthony was struggling, cursing, and pleading the entire way with Charlie and Ian.

“They’re a bit much, are they nae?” Celestia asked Eleanor in a hushed voice.

Eleanor laughed lightly. “They’ve always been like that. My maither couldnae stand them for long.”

“I daenae blame her,” Celestia said, watching his uncles straining to pull Anthony up the wooden stairs. “At least they cannae always be this drunk.”

“Oh,” Eleanor said seriously. “I assure ye that they can.” She picked up her skirts and followed them up the stairs to the platform.