Page 28 of The Laird’s Wicked Game (Highland Scandal #2)
Four days later …
“KYLIE GRANT AND I shall wed.”
Rae’s voice carried over the hushed hall, and despite that Kylie had known he’d make this announcement, embarrassment flushed over her.
The hall of Dounarwyse was packed this evening—all eyes were upon her.
Murmurs followed Rae’s words, and then, to Kylie’s surprise, the men seated at the trestle tables heaved themselves to their feet and held their cups of ale and mead aloft.
“Well met, Maclean!”
The heat in Kylie’s cheeks intensified. She felt as if she were glowing like the sun.
“Congratulations are in order! ”
Rae smiled back at his retainers, his eyes darkening with emotion. Like Kylie, he likely hadn’t expected such an enthusiastic response. Despite that they’d fended off their attackers, the casualties among the Guard had left a subdued mood over Dounarwyse in the days following.
Rae had wanted to announce their union immediately, although Kylie counseled him to wait a day or two—until they’d buried their dead and life had returned to normal within the broch.
All the same, the folk of Dounarwyse were still on edge.
Tormod MacDougall hadn’t been found. Jack’s men had scoured the coast both north and south of the broch, and some even traveled inland. But the warrior had disappeared. It seemed he’d somehow managed to swim to The Night Plunderer . Rae had been vexed that Tormod survived, and had sent word to the clan-chief, as well as the other Maclean chieftains, warning them to be on the lookout for the fugitive.
He’d resurface one day—and when he did, he’d be brought to justice.
Things hadn’t been the same at Dounarwyse since the attack. However, the news of their laird’s impending nuptials cleared the sadness away from the hall like spring sun on morning mist. A wedding represented hope. It was a reminder that although violence and treachery left a scar, they were no match for love.
It was the reminder all of them needed.
Nonetheless, across the table, Ailean and Lyle looked on, stunned. Likewise, Jack and Tara appeared poleaxed for a few moments before smiles split their faces. Passing Grace to her husband, Tara leaped up and skirted the table before throwing her arms around Rae .
He laughed at her exuberant response, but Tara wasn’t done. Eyes sparkling, she moved to where Kylie rose from the bench seat to meet her. The two women clung together in a fierce hug. “I’m so relieved,” Tara whispered to Kylie as the rest of the hall erupted in applause. “Ye both deserve happiness.” Her friend drew back then, tears glittering in her eyes. “When ye stayed on after the attack … I dared hope something had changed.”
“This is bonnie news indeed,” Jack added with a grin from a few feet away. “And if I didn’t have my hands full with these lassies, I’d congratulate ye both properly.” Indeed, Rae’s brother had two wriggling bairns upon his lap. Grace had just grabbed a piece of bread and was squashing it into her sister’s hair.
“Ye will have yer chance, I’m sure,” Rae replied, still smiling. “But for now, I wished everyone to know of our decision.”
“When’s the wedding, Maclean?” One of the men shouted.
“As soon as can be arranged,” Rae called back without hesitation. He cast Kylie a soft look then, one that made her heart squeeze. “Prepare yerself for a glorious day of celebration and feasting!”
Cheers went up at this news, and the tightness in Kylie’s chest intensified.
To think she’d been close to leaving this broch and the people who’d made her feel so welcome. She glanced over at the two lads who sat to their father’s right. Ailean and Lyle still had wide confused gazes—as if they weren’t sure what all the fuss was about.
“Won’t ye teach us anymore?” Ailean asked, his green eyes shadowing. Both the brothers had been delighted when she’d lingered after the attack and resumed their lessons the following day. Although, she’d sensed their worry that she’d soon reschedule her departure .
“Of course, I will,” she assured him, with a reassuring smile.
“But will I have to call ye ‘Ma’ now?” he asked, his expression still uncertain.
Her breathing hitched. Lyle also looked worried. She didn’t blame him. Days earlier, they’d thought she was leaving, and now their father had just told them she was to be their stepmother. They needed to have the situation explained fully.
Stepping away from Tara, Kylie moved around the table and stopped before her two charges. Rae’s sons had swiveled to face her, and she dropped to a crouch in front of them. Then, reaching out, she took their small hands in hers.
“I love yer Da,” she murmured. “And I will be his wife … but I will also continue to teach ye as I do now. Nothing will change.”
“Do ye promise not to leave us?” Ailean persisted.
“I promise.” She favored him with a soft smile then. “My place is here … with ye all.”
Ailean blinked rapidly at this admission, his eyes filling with tears, while Lyle started to sniff.
“Och, lads, don’t fret.” Rae joined them then, hunkering down and placing his hand over where Kylie still held theirs. “Everything will be well. We shall be a family.”
They both nodded. Relief loosened Kylie’s chest. They understood—and as she looked on, she marked the excitement that flickered to life in their eyes.
“Will ye still take us on walks?” Lyle asked Kylie, his apple-cheeked face hopeful. “Like ye used to?”
Her lips curved into a smile. “Aye … as long as ye behave yerself.”
With a squeal, the lad surprised them all by lurching forward and throwing his arms around her neck.
Dusk settled over Dounarwyse in a rosy veil. Rae and Kylie went up onto the walls to watch it. Hand in hand, their fingers entwined, they mounted the steps and walked to the western ramparts. The sky in that direction glowed pink and gold.
“I never tire of the view from these walls,” Kylie admitted with a sigh.
Rae cast her a sidelong glance, smiling. “So, ye like Dounarwyse then?”
Her full lips quirked. “Aye … isn’t it obvious?”
Warmth suffused his chest. He hid his worries well, but they were still there. “Well, it isn’t as grand as Meggernie Castle, I’d wager … and I’m no clan-chief.”
She gave a soft snort. “My father’s castle is a large one … but it’s nestled amongst woodland and soft green hills. Ye certainly can’t view the sea from its walls.” She paused then. “Rae Baird Maclean … I do believe ye are looking for compliments.”
He threw back his head and laughed, the deep sound echoing over the walls. “Guilty as charged.” In truth, he was a little embarrassed she’d seen through him so easily. Kylie was a shrewd woman and missed little.
He slung an arm around her shoulders then, and they fell into companionable silence for a short while, watching as the sunset flared brighter still.
“Ye walked into my life at the right time,” he admitted eventually. “I was becoming somewhat of a curmudgeon before ye came. ”
She snorted. “Aye, ye were intimidating. Ye have quite a temper when riled, Maclean.”
He pulled a face. “That’s what comes of pushing yer own needs aside, as if they don’t matter … eventually, ye boil over,” He paused then. “Not that it’s an excuse, mind.”
“Ye’re allowed to have flaws, ye know?” she replied with a rueful shake of her head. “None of us are perfect … least of all me.”
His mouth curved. “To me, ye are, lass.”
A faint blush rose to her cheeks at this, and he tightened his hold on her. He wasn’t a man given to empty words. It was the truth.
He cleared his throat then, as emotion swamped him. “It had all become too much … the responsibilities, the worry about the Ghost Raiders … the loneliness” —he paused before adding— “not to mention the tight balls.” He broke off then, snorting a laugh as heat crept up his neck.
Christ’s blood, he hoped his crudeness hadn’t offended her. Despite all the intimacies they’d shared over the past months, things were still new between them.
He needn’t have worried though, for Kylie’s laughter drifted across the walls. Nonetheless, he noted the flush to her cheeks had deepened. “I was lonely too,” she admitted softly, sobering. “I know how it leaves an ache, deep inside.” She turned to him then, her hand splaying across his chest. “No one can see it … but it’s always there.”
“Aye,” he agreed huskily. “We’re alike in many ways, aren’t we?”
Her lips tilted into a tender smile that made his chest tighten. “I noticed that from the first … maybe that’s why we’ve always go tten on so well.” She paused, her gaze gleaming. “I’ve always been able to be myself with ye.”
He smiled back. “Why couldn’t we have met years ago?”
She raised her hand to his face, her fingers tracing his jaw. “Because it wasn’t yet time … life unfolds as it’s meant to.”
“I truly believed I’d never find love, ye know?” he said roughly, his throat thickening. “To my shame, Jack’s good fortune turned me bitter for a time, as did my cousin Loch’s.” He lifted a hand and placed it gently over where hers now cupped his cheek. “But all this while, ye were waiting for me, weren’t ye?”
Her sensual mouth tipped up into another smile that made his breathing grow shallow. The setting sun gilded her proud features and turned her eyes luminous. “Aye, love,” she whispered. “I was.”