Page 57 of My Scarred Laird

Callum had never seen Culloden give anyone the time of day. His brother was short-tempered, didn’t like people and most definitely didn’t like women.

Most of the girls in the castle and the village had tried to get Culloden to notice them and he would glare their way or ignored them completely.

As they got closer, Callum noted that the girl had bright red hair, but that she looked eerily similar to the lass that sat upstairs in his solar.

This must be Daracha. Islay’s sister. He had sent Culloden to retrieve her so that they could wed, but Islay had taken her place after Culloden had already left.

Where they had been and what they had been doing was sort of a mystery. But seeing Culloden kiss Daracha’s hair and squeeze her waist showed Callum that his brother had found his bride.

He was eternally grateful that Islay had taken Daracha’s place. He knew Islay was meant to be his, and that Daracha hadn’t been.

She was beautiful to be certain, but his body didn’t come alive in her presence like it did anytime Islay was around.

Culloden pulled his horse to a stop, then swung off the back, reaching up to help Daracha down.

Daracha stood a little taller than Islay, and had similar eyes, but that was it.

The girls were different, and Callum liked that.

Culloden cleared his throat, shuffling his feet, which shocked Callum again.

His brother was strong, tough, mean, and didn’t hesitate to say what needed to be said, or do what needed to be done.

“This is Daracha Brodie. My bride.”

Callum lifted an eyebrow, “Ye married her?”

Culloden nodded, “Aye. We handfasted days ago. We may not be married in the eyes of the church, but we are wed in the old ways.”

Callum’s other eyebrow joined the first, “Well.”

Culloden looked angry, “Well? Tha’ is all ye have ta say brother?”

Callum let out a breath, “I’m happy for ye brother. Truly. Ye deserve it.”

Culloden looked as if he wanted to yell, but then confusion crossed his face, “Ye arena angry?”

Callum shook his head, “Why would I be angry?”

“Because I took the woman that was meant ta be your bride.”

Callum coughed to hide his laugh, “Aye. Ye did. But did ye not ken I’m ta wed tomorrow?”

Culloden shook his head, “Nay. I didna hear tha’. We just came ta get your blessing.”

Callum smiled, “Ye have it. Only if I have yer blessing Cull.”

Culloden looked confused again, “Why?”

“Because I’m ta wed Islay.”

Daracha gasped, “Ye are goin’ ta wed her?”

“Aye. I love her.”

Her gasp sounded through the bailey again, and Islay came out the door, “Daracha!!!”

She ran down the stairs toward her sister and the two hugged fiercely.