Page 13 of Highlander’s Wild Lass (Wild McLeans #1)

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C elestia and her siblings were back home just before sunup, the festival had gone on long and had grown in its celebrations after the announcement.

Her head felt light, her stomach a bit woozy from drink, but she was—even she had to admit—at ease that the clan was thrilled about the impending marriage.

The entire way home and still as they got ready for bed, trying not to be too loud to wake their father, Auralia and the twins wouldn’t stop talking about it.

“I cannae believe ye dinnae tell us first,” Chester said, looking stern but his smile fought to take over.

“That was my plan all along, even Anthony agreed—”

“Ah!” Auralia exclaimed, clasping her hands together looking whimsical. “How sweet that ye two are already makin’ plans together.”

Celestia grumbled. “His uncles and sister came upon us and found us together.”

“Together!” Hugo shouted. “Alone?”

All three shushed him.

Hugo scowled and lowered his voice, “What were ye two doin’ by yerselves?”

“Oh, shut it and go change into yer nightclothes,” Auralia told him. “They’re to be married, who cares if they’re alone.”

Hugo looked affronted as Auralia shoved him towards his bedroom. Chester was just coming out of it and fought for purchase as Hugo made his way through the doorway.

“Are we goin’ to move into the castle?” Chester asked.

Celestia nodded slowly. “I suppose we will.”

“When?” Hugo yelled from inside the bedroom.

Another round of harsh shushes came from Celestia, Auralia, and Chester. Just then, their father’s bedroom door swung open.

They froze, their heads snapping in that direction.

Their father stepped into the light of the hallway. “What is goin’ on? Ye should all be in bed at this hour.”

“Da, we just got back from the festival,” Hugo told him, sticking his head into the hallway.

“Sorry if we woke ye,” Celestia said as she slightly loosened her stays.

“Seein’ that it’s nearly mornin’, I cannae be very angry.”

“Ye’ll never believe what happened, Da!” Auralia exclaimed, skipping dreamily to her father.

Celestia watched Brannan stabilize himself with his cane each step further into the hallway. “What happened, lass?”

“Anthony and Celestia—”

“I accepted the chief’s proposal.”

Brannan’s face lit up. More than it had in years, really. She felt a sort of calmness overcome her, that everything was going to be all right for her family.

Anthony would provide for them, in all ways. She was sure of that.

“It was truly mad, Da,” Hugo explained. “Two of his uncles pulled them onto the platform and announced it to entire clan!”

Brannan smiled, nodding just before he looked at Celestia. “Celestia, I ken ye would come to realize what a good match this is,” Brannan said, eyes shining.

“Da...” Celestia murmured, feeling a lump form in her throat.

Chester must not have noticed Brannan’s emotion because he blurted out, “Let’s get back to this movin’ to the castle business.”

“Aye, that would make sense for us to live there, especially while ye are still young,” Brannan said.

Chester nodded, a serious look on his face. “I wonder if the chief will give us lessons in weaponry and how to defend ourselves in battle.”

“I’m sure he will, lad,” Brannan told him, stomping his cane on the solid wood floor. “Off to bed with ye’s or ye willnae wake up till late this afternoon.”

Chester and Hugo tried to argue but went into their bedroom and closed the door. Auralia was the last one into her room and she looked at Celestia, grinning from ear to ear.

“I ken ye are doin’ this for us, but I think ye’ll be happy with yer choice,” she said just before she closed her door.

Celestia looked at her father, the happiness still clearly written into the wrinkles on his face. “Auralia is right, ye ken, lass.”

She nodded.

“How are ye feelin’ about it?” Brannan said, leaning his weight against the doorway now.

Celestia shrugged, bringing her hand to her heart. “I feel an easiness in my chest that I havenae felt in years, but there is also...unease. It feels foolish to even say out loud.”

“That is love, ye ken. It’s always been a fool’s game.”

She frowned, not liking being thought of as a fool nor really feeling like she was in love with Anthony. “I daenae ken if I love him, but I am grateful for what he is offerin’ all of us.”

Brannan shrugged. “I ken there is some feelin’ there or ye wouldnae have agreed.”

“Maybe, Da, I dinna ken,” she told him.

He only nodded before bidding her goodnight and disappearing back into his darkened room.

* * *

After the embarrassing show from his uncles, when they all were putting themselves to bed finally, Eleanor told him she would stay on at Castle Ferguson to help with the wedding. To repent for her slip up, she told him before retiring.

Anthony’s uncles—blessedly—left the following afternoon, and he was happy to see the back of them, but they promised to be back for the wedding in a week.

Today was the day that the McLean’s were officially moving into the castle. He wanted to make this as seamless and as welcoming as possible for them. Mrs. Duncan saw to that by sending her maids into the family quarters of the castle and cleaning it from top to bottom.

Every door was opened, and the curtains were pulled back letting the sun spill in across the floorboards and furniture. The mattresses had been turned and beaten, the bedding washed, the pillows fluffed. All to Anthony’s explicit directions, he wanted things to be pristine when Celestia arrived.

Mrs. Duncan nearly crashed into him as she came out of one of the rooms with her head down and hands full of linens.

“Careful,” Anthony said, catching her by her shoulders.

“Dinnae see ye there, Anthony.” Her cheeks were rosy from exertion. “We’re almost done, I was goin’ to have the maids come through once more and polish everythin’ before the McLean’s come.”

“Very good, Mrs. Duncan.”

“Are ye excited?”

“A bit, I suppose,” he said, but that was a lie. He was excited for the wing to be filled with a family. He knew Chester and Hugo would bring life to this castle that it hadn’t seen in over a decade, Auralia would give the library a new purpose, and Celestia...well, he didn’t know what to expect or hope for with her. Or where she would truly find her place within the castle grounds.

There was passion there, that much was obvious. But after the festival, Anthony could tell that she was still hesitant about the entire arrangement.

“Aye,” Mrs. Duncan said. “It’ll be like old times havin’ this rooms filled to the brim. And who kens, maybe even a bairn in a year’s time.”

Anthony reddened. “Only time will tell.”

“I’ll be prayin’ every single night until ye and Celestia are blessed with a child.”

“That’s very thoughtful of ye, Mrs. Duncan.”

“Well, I best be carryin’ on, they’ll be here any moment. Ye best get downstairs to greet them,” she said and disappeared down the hallways towards the servant staircase.

“Anthony!” It was Sebastian.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Sebastian!” Mrs. Duncan exclaimed from somewhere on the stairs. “Watch where ye’re goin!”

“Apologies, auntie,” Sebastian said and then finally appeared on the landing and spotted Anthony in the middle of the hallway. “They’re comin’ through the gates now.”

Anthony nodded and together they went into the courtyard to greet them. The courtyard was the tidiest he’d seen it in weeks. The mud had been scrubbed from the gigantic flagstones that covered the ground, and there were no loitering chickens nor empty carts parked along the castle walls.

The echoes of horses approaching bounced off every stone as the cart he sent with some men to bring the McLean’s belongings pulled in. They were followed by the twins on their two black horses and Auralia on her spotted white pony.

No one else followed them.

He walked further into the courtyard to peer down the entryway and Celestia wasn’t to be seen. Nor was the carriage he had sent for Mr. McLean so that he was as comfortable as he could be on the short journey to the castle. He turned to Sebastian who just shrugged and went to help Auralia from her saddle.

One of the men that were driving the cart came up to him, taking off his gloves as he did. “The carriage was delayed a bit, m’laird. One of the horses’ shoes needed to be replaced.”

“And Celestia?”

“She stayed with her faither. They’ll be along any moment.”

“Thank ye,” he said. “Will ye carry everythin’ from the cart and bring it into the foyer. I’ll have someone bring it to the rooms so ye can care for the horses.”

“Aye, sir.”

Anthony turned back to the McLean’s, feeling relieved. He had thought Celestia had decided to stay behind.

“Brother!”

He turned to see Chester bounding toward him. Hugo jumped from his saddle and followed him.

“Brother?” Anthony inquired.

“That’s what ye will be in a week’s time, will ye nae?” Chester asked.

“Aye, I will.” He couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped passed his lips.

“Well, then, brother, when will ye start trainin’ us how to fight so we can defend the borders of our land when scheming clans want war?” Hugo asked.

“Sebastian,” Anthony called, keeping his eyes on the twins. “How would ye like to beat up on some young lads tomorrow mornin’?”

“Oh, I would love nothin’ more,” Sebastian answered, then narrowed his eyes menacingly at the twins and returned to helping Auralia with her luggage.

“Well, brothers,” Anthony started, glancing once more down the empty entryway. “Grab yer things, Sebastian will show ye to yer rooms. And ye get separate rooms too if you truly desire to have yer own.”

“Our own rooms!?” Hugo exclaimed, exchanging a glance with Chester. They broke out in a run after Sebastian.

Anthony was left alone in the courtyard with his men bustling about unloading the cart and taking the horses to the stables. He didn’t know many times was too many to look down the entryway, waiting to hear another set of horses approaching.

“They’re here then?” Anthony turned to see Eleanor standing nearby with her hands on her hips.

“Most of them.”

“Most?”

“Aye,” he said, explaining what delayed Celestia and her father.

Eleanor stood beside him. “I’ve called the seamstress from Inverness here. She’ll arrive tomorrow. I was thinkin’ navy blue for her dress to go with the clan tartan?”

Anthony nodded, his eyes straying to the entryway. “Sure, make sure Celestia likes it as well.”

Eleanor followed Anthony’s line of sight. “She will be along soon, dinnae worry.”

“I am nae worried,” he said emphatically

She patted him on the back. “If ye say so. I’m goin’ to make sure everyone is settlin’ in.”

Just as Eleanor disappeared, the carriage came into view. He could see Brannan McLean’s hand holding onto the window frame as it came near.

Still no Celestia.

“Good afternoon, sir!” Anthony called, forcing a smile on his face.

“Same to ye!” Mr. McLean said with a wave of his hand.

Anthony opened the carriage door for him. “I hope the ride wasnae too bumpy.”

“It was perfect, lad,” Mr. McLean said, using his cane and the side of the carriage to stand. He took Anthony’s proffered hand and he slowly clambered down the two steps to the ground.

“Daenae worry, lad,” Brannan said. “She isnae far behind.”

Anthony swallowed compulsively. “I am nae worried.”

“Of course, of course.”

“I wasnae sure if ye’d rather have a room on the ground floor or the first floor with the rest of yer family,” Anthony said as he helped Mr. McLean walk into his new home.

“Oh, I think the ground floor would make most sense,” Mr. McLean said genially. “The healer will get to me faster if I have need of her.”

Anthony offered a warm smile. “Helena will attend to ye whenever ye need her.”

Sebastian was coming down the stairs just then. “Ah, I’ll take ye to yer room, Mr. McLean. What did ye decide, ground floor or first?”

“Ground.”

“Ah, perfect. That’s the biggest room,” Sebastian said with a wink, taking hold of Mr. McLean’s arm and leading him toward his new bedroom.

Anthony headed back to the courtyard to wait.

* * *

Celestia pulled her horse to a stop just outside the castle gates. There was an empty pit in her stomach, and she felt a bit sick. She’d been in this castle a hundred times before, so why was she having difficulty riding through the gates today?

She looked down the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of her house. It was a foolish attempt; she was over a mile away from her home with a forest between here and there.

“Just go, just ride through,” she ground out.

She nudged Grannus forward. He took a few steps and then she halted him again. “Ye coward, ye damn coward,” she mumbled. If anyone would have passed by, they would think she was mad.

She took a deep breath and tried to coax herself into moving forward. “It will be fine. This is goin’ to be fine. It’s for yer family, nothin’ else. He even said we could do our own thing, live separate lives.”

She nodded determinedly. “Separate lives. Run the business. Take care of everyone. That’s all this is.”

Celestia nudged Grannus forward again, sure she would lose her nerve if she did not go now. And off they went through the gates of the castle. If they were to lead separate lives, then why did her heart ache at the very thought of it?

Grannus trotted under the portcullis, his horseshoes echoing off the stone entryway that was more like a small tunnel into the innards of the castle courtyard.

The only thing in the courtyard was the carriage that had carried her father here. Auralia’s pony was gone as were Castor and Pollux, the twins’ horses. Even the cart that brought all their things had been put away already. She knew Anthony was an efficient man, but this seemed almost too efficient.

She pushed her hood from her head and saw Anthony approaching.

“Good day, lass,” he said, a relaxed smile crossing his face as he looked up at her.

“My family is all here?” she asked in a rush, the sight of him made her mind go blank. It was the first thing that came to her mind but seeing his smile falter a bit, she knew it was not the right thing to say.

He stopped midstride. “Aye, they’ve been settlin’ in.”

“And my faither?”

“Sebastian led him to his rooms.”

“Good.”

Celestia couldn’t seem to help the awkwardness from tumbling and trembling out of her. Her stomach did a flip as he approached, looking handsome as ever with midday sun on him.

She needed to relax, being stiff with each other wasn’t their way. She took a breath and flashed him a teasing smile. “Are ye goin’ to help me down from my horse?”

Anthony rolled his eyes and returned her smile. “I suppose I must,” he said, holding up a hand to her.

She took hold of it and swung down from her horse, landing steadily on her feet. “So, we marry at week’s end?” she said, businesslike.

The groom that had taken hold of Grannus’ lead walked him off to the stables as soon as the two bags Celestia attached to his saddle were removed.

“Aye,” he said as he led her over the threshold, carrying one of her bags while she held onto the other. “Eleanor was persistent, she’s stayin’ here in the castle to help us get ready for it. She’s ordered a seamstress to fit ye for a dress.”

“Really? I was goin’ to just wear my best skirts.”

Anthony sighed. “I daenae mind what ye wear on the day, but I am chief and there are certain standards expected of my—our—weddin’ day.”

“A-alright,” she stammered, going over how much a new dress would cost, especially one that was expected to be ornate and beautiful. “I’m sure I can sell the pigs to pay for it—”

“Lass, it’s taken care of, ye daenae need to worry about payin’ for it,” he told her. “I told ye when ye accepted my offer, ye would need nae worry about finances anymore.”

Right. She knew that. That had been one of the reasons he named for wanting this arrangement in the first place. It was just going to be a little hard to get used to after a lifetime of hard work and six months of struggling to put food on the table.

“Just get used to the castle for the next few days until the weddin’—Mrs. Duncan and my sister are plannin’ the whole thing down to the last drop of liquor and flower petal.”

They began up the stairs; with each step, they heard the commotion coming from the family quarters.

“It’s good to have people livin’ in the rooms again,” he told her, a genuine smile painted on his face. “I think this is goin’ to be grand.”

Celestia truly thought he looked pleased with having her family take over the castle. He’d been living here alone since his sister married and his father died. She wondered if he ever felt lonely.