Page 22 of Stolen Highland Dreams (The Highlanders #9)

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B ac rushed into the great hall where Dashiell and Ella were conducting the simple marriage ceremony, looking concerned, his brow furrowed. Dashiell knew there had to be trouble, or his guard wouldn’t interrupt the ceremony.

“Beg pardon for interrupting this most sacred of ceremonies, but Lennox Gunn has arrived at the castle gates with thirty-one men, including his son, Michael. He insists on seeing you.”

Irritated that Lennox would interrupt this most special occasion but trying not to show annoyance, Dashiell looked down at Ella. “What say you?”

“We marry, and then he can come to wish us well, but the rest of his men must stay beyond the gates.”

“And Michael?”

“He and his father can both wish us well.”

“Do as the lady says, Bac,” Dashiell said.

“Aye.” Bac hurried off.

Then Dashiell and Ella vowed to marry each other, and he kissed Ella soundly as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him like she was ready to take this to the bedchamber. But first, the feast.

Everyone clapped and cheered. Then, a much-relieved Dashiell and his wife were ready to celebrate their wedding. He was holding her hand, not wanting to let go ever.

She smiled at him. “I’m so happy.”

“Aye, as am I. I will have Lennox sit on the other side of me and Michael on the other side of him. My aunt will sit on your other side,” Dashiell said.

“That will be good.”

Everyone was getting ready to take their seats, eagerly waiting for Dashiell and Ella to sit down first when Ruadh and three other guards arrived at the great hall. Quinn welcomed them and showed Lennox and Michael where they would be seated.

Michael glanced at Ella, clearly wanting to sit beside her and hoping she would allow him to, but Dashiell remained firm in his decision. Fallon then made a toast to the newly married couple, and everyone cheered except for Lennox and Michael.

They looked shocked, their mouths agape and their eyes wide as they stared at Dashiell and Ella. Dashiell was confident that this would end Lennox's attempts to claim Ella as his ward.

Wild boar and brown bread were served, and finally, Lennox said, “You canna have married her. She’s my ward, and I have every right to marry her to someone of my choosing. My son already came to see you about that.”

“We are married.”

“But the marriage has not been consummated.”

Dashiell smiled. “Aye, but it will be.”

“Amelda will be my ward. So will Finnegan.”

“Nay. The family stays together. I ken what you did with the revolt you’d incited against Ella’s da, your brother. Did you ken that MacAfee murdered the rest of her kin?” Dashiell took a bite of his boar. He really wondered if they had plotted together since the massacre had occurred only a couple of days after Lennox had been banished from the castle.

Lennox drank some more of his ale and shrugged. “I ken MacAfee. I believed my brother left with the rest of our kin, and Ella had been left behind somehow.”

Dashiell shook his head. Coinneach’s brother was a liar. “Did you think to give Ella to MacAfee to wed if you had made her your ward?”

“What I plan to do with her is not your concern.”

“After MacAfee murdered her kin because her da said no to him marrying Ella?—”

“Lady Margaret,” Lennox corrected.

“Ella,” Dashiell said. “You planned to marry her off to the brigand?”

Lennox ate some of his boar and didn’t deny it. So, he was the one Lennox wanted to marry her off to had he taken her back to his castle in the north. Dashiell was now convinced they had conspired together in the massacre of her family.

This would have been Lennox's way of getting back at Coinneach for being the clan chief instead of him. It was a strategy for MacAfee to ultimately gain what he desired—Ella. Dashiell refused to allow Lennox or his son to stay at the castle—not tonight or any other night. He was determined to make MacAfee pay for what he had done to Ella’s family.

“I had the strangest dream last night, Ella,” Yvaine told her. “I dreamt of you marrying my nephew when it wasna even planned.”

“Mayhap you had a premonition,” Ella told her, though she continued listening to what Dashiell told Lennox. She wanted to say something about her uncle taking her brother and cousin with him, but Dashiell had said they wouldn’t.

Yvaine cast her a small smile. “I told my nephew that you are a temptress.”

“Really?”

“Aye. He could think of naught else after learning about a mysterious being in the forest. Did you know that some say you turn into an owl at night?”

Ella smiled. “I willna this eve as I will be with the MacTavish.”

“Aye. We have heard you run with the wolves.”

“But I protect the deer in the forest. The wolves would eat them.”

“Certes. Were you no’ afraid that my nephew would find you and imprison you for stealing from his lands and living in his forest when ‘tis forbidden?”

“Nay, these are my lands too. My forest also. I have never left them, despite MacAfee murdering my people.”

Yvaine buttered some more bread and inclined her head. “Do you dance?”

“I…I learned when I was younger. Mina taught me the steps of some of our dances so that I would recall what I had forgotten. ‘Twas no’ often that we had time for such frivolity.”

Yvaine smiled at that comment. “I was saying the same to my nephew. He was always so serious about life until he met you, and then everything changed for him.”

Ella hoped that was a good thing.

“You might be a temptress, but you have been good for him. Even suffering from a life-threatening wound that he had received, he healed in no time. I’ve never seen him so lighthearted or so interested in anything. I’m happy to welcome you to the family, to our clan.”

“That means a lot to me,” Ella said, genuinely meaning it.

“I ken it does. Family means everything. I’m sorry about what MacAfee did to your family. And I’m sorry that Lady Lynette told an untruth about what had happened between you in the woods.”

“She lied.”

“Aye. She wouldna have been a good match for my nephew. Lady Lantana would have been, but you had already stolen my nephew’s heart. It worked out in the end.”

Ella would have preferred if Yvaine had said that Lantana wouldn’t have made a good match.

“Did you like Lady Lantana?” Ella assumed Yvaine had, or she wouldn’t have said what she did.

Yvaine waved her hand dismissively. “She would have been a satisfactory wife, but you? You have won no’ only my nephew’s heart but that of our people. Lady Lantana was still mostly unknown to everyone. You have survived in the woods for years.”

Ella nodded.

“You’ve proven how much you can help others here with their sickness, injuries, childbirth, and other chores. You’re not afraid to work hard to live. Lady Lantana has always lived at the king’s castle. She has been given everything in life. Aye, she has the proper mannerisms, the right words to say, the beauty, like you have, only a different kind of beauty, but in the end, you are the one my nephew needed in his life.”

Ella hadn’t thought of it that way, but she agreed.

“I like Lady Lantana, and she would have made him a proper wife, but now you would make him the perfect wife. Though I suspect he willna ever be able to bring venison to the table.”

Ella smiled.

“Do you prefer being called Ella to Margaret?”

“Aye. I had been Margaret longer, but Mina’s calling me Ella to protect me from MacAfee had become the name I wish to be known by.”

“I dinna blame you. About the key that was found in your hut…”

“To a chest?”

“Dashiell told me about it. Do you ken where the chest is?”

Ella thought for a while. “There’s a secret garden behind the herb garden. Did anyone find it?”

“Nay, or I would have heard of it. Can you show me where it is?”

“Aye, on the morrow?”

“Late tomorrow, as I am sure my nephew willna let you leave the marital bed until late.”

Ella smiled and blushed. She was excited about being with him tonight but also apprehensive.

“You will do well together,” Yvaine said.

Mina had already told Ella what to expect in the marriage bed since Mina had been married and lost her husband when she was young but had never remarried.

“Do you remember what was in the box?”

“My mother’s journal, mayhap. She used to sit in the garden and write in it. I’m no’ sure what else would be in the chest.”

The hearty meal had ended, and the clan members settled into their chairs, content with full bellies and warm spirits. As the last few mouthfuls were savored, a group of clansmen emerged, carrying musical instruments. A shawm, lute, and psaltry were brought in and the music began.

The psaltry was gently plucked as the shawm and lute blew out merry tunes, filling the hall with lively energy. The tables were quickly cleared and pushed towards the outer walls, creating a wide-open space in the center of the room. The fire crackled and danced in the background, adding to the ambiance.

The clansmen eagerly made their way to the center, and the joy it brought was evident on their faces. As the first notes of the music began to fill the room, the clansmen joined hands and started to dance, their feet tapping and bodies moving in perfect harmony.

It was a beautiful sight, this celebration of music and dance, and the room was soon filled with laughter and merriment. The worries of the outside world seemed to fade away in that moment as the clansmen lost themselves and embraced the joy of being alive.

Ella barely thought of her uncle and cousin, but she was glad Dashiell was truly pleased to enjoy the festivities. They danced, forgetting everything but the music, the fire, and the company of their fellow clansmen. For a brief time, they were free from the burdens of life, and nothing else mattered but the here and now.

Ella couldn't help but feel a rush of joy as she and Dashiell finally took a break and drank some ale while watching the clansmen and women dancing to the lively music. It was a rare sight to see, as the harsh realities of life often left little room for celebration. Yet here they were, her husband Dashiell and his and her family, all gathered to commemorate their union.

As she swayed to the beat, her eyes met Dashiell's, and she couldn't help but smile. He was a good, strong, kind man, and she was grateful to have him by her side.

Even Mina began dancing with an older gentleman. Dashiell squeezed Ella’s hand, “Joffrey oversees the breeding of our livestock. He is much taken with Mina.”

“I wondered about the bloom in her cheeks whenever she was near him and caught her smiling shyly at him.”

“Aye. He lost his wife years ago and never showed any interest in another lass. It appears he feels something for her.”

Ella smiled. “I’m so glad for her. She looks much better now that she has a comfortable bed and isna working herself to the bone.” Ella looked around at the faces of her loved ones, surrounded by music and laughter. She knew that they were in this together. That thought warmed her heart more than any fire could.

At that moment, Ella felt like she was home—not just in the physical sense but also in the emotional sense. This was where she always belonged—just like Mina had repeatedly told her—with her family and her clan, dancing and celebrating the love that bound them together.

Michael stood by, stony-faced, and Lennox wore a disgruntled expression, his arms folded across his chest.

Ruadh and two other guards were watching them. They’d been disarmed, but they still were making sure they didn’t cause any trouble for Ella and her family.

She was torn between feeling like she wanted them just to leave so she didn’t have to see or think of them—she couldn’t forgive her uncle for his men killing three of their guards as he tried to go after her da to kill him and wanting them to see how happy she was and that he didn’t get his way.

She was certain he hated her for cutting him twice.

Ale flowed freely, and everyone was in good spirits until late that night when Mina and Amelda retired to their chamber, two guards posted as usual.

Finnegan was also being guarded. No one wanted Lennox to grab the boy and take off with him.

“Were you no’ afraid that MacAfee and the men who laid siege to your castle would come looking for you in the woods?” Dashiell asked Ella as they settled at the head table to take a break from dancing.

He couldn’t imagine her, her kin, and Mina living all those years in the forest, trying to stay hidden from the brigands.

He loved Ella and was so glad he had taken her home to her castle where he could keep her safe. But he wanted to know how they had lived that long there without getting caught. He wanted to know if someone living among his people had been tipping off MacAfee that Ella had been living in the forest all that time.

“Aye. Mina wouldna let us out of the hut for several weeks, worried about MacAfee and his men searching for me. She had been hunting for mushrooms and berries when she heard MacAfee speaking to some of his men. She kept hidden and listened, saying that MacAfee swore I had escaped the castle with my brother.”

Dashiel wished he had been there to deal with the men then.

“He didna mention my baby cousin. He said naught about the blacksmith, either. I doubt he would have been trying to determine who all had died. He wouldna have known all our people. They never said anything about Mina either, probably for the same reason. But he would have known my brother and was looking for me.”

“He willna harm you again.” Dashiel would ensure it.

“It took forever before the number of people combing the woods for me finally dropped off. When I finally went to the village to barter for us, I saw some of MacAfee’s men looking at wares and hurried back to the forest. I stayed close to the hut, except for gathering wood and water. Eventually, we only saw anyone from the castle when the men hunted for food.”

“But you didna try to protect the deer in the forest then,” Dashiell suspected.

“Nay. They made themselves scarce, and so did I.”

“About the dreaming…”

Ella smiled a little.

“Did you make us dream of you?”

“Nay. I canna do such a thing.”

“Mina then?”

“She isna a witch.”

“Nay, a very good healer. Did she then make us dream? And then make us sleep the one night so thoroughly that you and your brother could slip out of the castle to return to the forest?”

“Aye. She wasna doing well. We had to take care of Amelda also. She couldna have fended for herself.”

“When MacAfee wanted to barter his castle for my land up north, he appeared haggard. So did his men. Also Lynette said she had a most terrifying nightmare when she was here.”

“Aye.”

“Did Mina make them dream?”

“Of their own making. I didna know about it for a very long time, but she finally explained that’s why MacAfee bartered his castle for your land. But it took years of her giving them their just rewards for slaughtering my people. She made them dream of what they had done and they finally couldna live with it.”

“And Lynette?” Her nightmare fit in with what had happened to MacAfee and his men.

“She had lied to you that I had hurt her. I thought you had brought her to see me so I would have a female friend my age. I wanted to take her to the meadow and show her the loch and the wildflowers. She climbed off her horse, and I thought she would smell the flowers. But instead, she hit me in the shoulder with her fist.”

Lynette was evil. He hadn’t realized she was until he knew Ella couldn’t speak.

“She tried to slap my face, but I grabbed her arm and threw her on her bum. I was much stronger than her because of all the work I do. Anyway, then she started to scream that I was trying to kill her, and I ran off. So I told Mina. I guess she helped her see what I’d experienced through a nightmare. It served her and MacAfee and his men right.”

“I agree, lass. I love you.”

She lifted her head and offered her mouth to him for a kiss. He quickly obliged. “I love you too.”

“Are you going to tell everyone we’re retiring for the night?” she asked.

“Nay. They’ll celebrate our wedding until they’re ready to retire. They’ll see us leave and know just what we have in mind to do.”

She blushed beautifully.

Dashiell finally pulled Ella into his arms and asked, “Are you ready to retire to bed?”

Her cheeks heated. She was ready, yet she wasn’t.