While Darack was in the meeting with Ewan and Chief Lindsay, Mairiana found her brother in the courtyard. She could not wait to tell him the news about Darack wanting to marry her. She rushed toward him, lest someone else call him away for some other duty. "Could I talk to you, Dugald?"

He turned, observing her closely with green eyes so like their father's. "Aye. What are you so happy about?"

Well, aye, she was indeed beaming. "'Tis what I want to speak with you about. Let's go into the garden." She rushed around the side of the castle to the spot beside the kitchen garden which contained a small orchard and roses climbing on the stone wall.

"What is it?" Dugald tilted his head and grinned. 'Twas so unlike him she was startled for a moment.

"First, a question," she said. "Why are you in such a good mood?"

"Why shouldn't I be? My sister is safe."

She narrowed her eyes. "Something is very different about you now than when I last saw you a month ago."

"Oh, well." He shrugged. "I did get married."

"What?" she yelled. "Married? When? To whom? You had best not be jesting with me."

He laughed. "Nay. 'Tis true."

She was shocked, for she had never seen him so happy. Did he have a love match? She had never thought to see the day. "When were you planning to tell me?"

"This is the first opportunity I've had. She's a beautiful, sweet, French fireball named Camille."

She could see the love in Dugald's eyes when he spoke of her. "When did you meet her? How? I want the whole story."

He snorted. "I'm certain she will enjoy telling you the story of our meeting far more than I would. Suffice it to say, she makes me happy… and she's amazing. Now, what were you wanting to tell me?"

Mairiana grinned, her joy and love for Darack rising to the forefront. "Darack is going to ask you for my hand in marriage."

"What?" Dugald's eyes widened. "Although, I don't know why I'm surprised."

"Indeed. Isn't it exciting?" Unable to stay on the ground, she bounced on her toes. "And you must tell him aye. I love him!"

Dugald sighed as if tired. "Mairiana, 'tis the same thing you told me about Alec."

His words brought her firmly back down to earth, though she did not allow this to dissuade her. "I was wrong about him. But you know Darack. He's a friend of yours and a good man. He was incredibly generous in protecting me on the journey here. And he was so grievously injured, I feared for a while that he would not survive." Tears burned her eyes as she remembered how she'd felt over the past several days. "He is the son of the last MacGregor chief."

"I ken it," Dugald said. "And if things were different, he would be a chief."

She nodded, wiping her tears away.

"I'm not concerned about his social status. Are you certain 'tis wise to marry so soon after you've broken off the engagement with Alec?"

"It does not seem soon to me. I was naïve when I thought I loved Alec. 'Twas only infatuation with his handsome face and charming ways—a false front. He and Darack are like night and day."

"I agree with that," Dugald admitted.

"Though it has only been a fortnight since I left Lenor Castle and Alec, I've been through so much it seems like half a lifetime. I have gotten to know Darack well during that time."

Dugald frowned, observing her for a long moment. "Has he compromised you?"

A shock went through her. "What? Nay!" Her face burned. "How can you ask such a thing?"

"Because I know men. I am one, after all."

She was tempted to tell him Darack was not like him, but she didn't want to insult him, lest he become unreasonable. Instead, she said, "Darack respects me."

Dugald crossed his arms over his chest. "I will think on it."

"Do you love your new wife?" she blurted, hoping to somehow convince him.

He glanced away, as if a bit uncomfortable discussing feelings. "Indeed."

"Well then, you understand how Darack and I feel about each other."

"We will see." Her brother then turned to leave the garden.

"Dugald!"

"There is naught more you need to say, sister," he said obscurely and strode away.

Blast him! What was he about? She followed him from the garden, but when she reached the courtyard, he was already talking to some of the men.

Surely he would approve of Darack as a husband for her, wouldn't he? Her stomach knotted with worry.

 

***

 

Hours later, after a nap where she did little but toss and turn, Mairiana descended the steps to the great hall. Because of being awake the night before, Darack had convinced her to try to sleep.

Now, he strode toward her. "How do you feel?"

A thrill shot through her upon seeing him. "Better now."

"You still look tired." Darack frowned but kissed her cheek. "Would you like to help me give the brooch to my mother before the cèilidh starts?"

"Aye. I can't wait." Though she wished she could spend several hours alone with him instead, that would have to wait.

"Come. I've asked her to meet us in her sitting room."

Once the three of them were seated, Nora said, "Do not worry over Father Bhradain. I've explained your healing had naught to do with heathen practices, Darack. I told him Ewan led a prayer beforehand."

"I'm relieved," Mairiana said. "I did not want him to be angry with us."

"Not to worry, lass. I'm sure he will be only too happy to perform your and Darack's wedding ceremony soon." She grinned.

Mairiana chuckled, for she could hardly wait for said wedding ceremony, and could not believe it when Darack's face reddened.

"'Tis not what we're here to discuss, Ma."

"What is it, then, dearest?"

"We have something to give you."

Nora's eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between them. "What?"

He reached into his sporran and, with the brooch hidden in his hand, he brought it out. "Hold out your hand." When she did, he placed it in her palm.

She gasped. "My brooch!"

"Aye." Darack smiled.

His mother leapt up and embraced him. "How on earth did you find it? I thought it was gone forever. Wait a minute…" She stepped back, her expression turning troubled. "That's why you were at the Lindsay's castle! You risked your life for this brooch? Are you mad?"

"I have no regrets." Darack grinned at Mairiana, then moved closer to her on the settle and took her hand.

His mother blew out a calming breath and reclaimed her seat. "All right." Tears welling in her eyes, she studied the brooch for a long moment, then lifted her gaze to Mairiana and Darack. "Everything worked out in a grand way, and I'm thankful for that. But please, son, promise me you will never risk your life for a material possession again. If I had lost you…" Tears dripped from her eyes.

Mairiana's eyes burned as well.

"Would you two please stop with the tears? You didn't lose me. As you may have guessed, 'twas not my time to go. My life has only just begun." He again looked at Mairiana and winked.

Happiness filled her and she couldn't wait to start her new life with Darack.

His mother wiped her tears away and a smile broke over her face. "I always wanted a daughter. You chose well, Darack." She came forward and hugged Mairiana.

"In truth, you have Mairiana to thank for your brooch being returned," Darack said.

"What do you mean?" Nora sent a questioning look toward her.

"Alec Lindsay gave me the brooch as a wedding gift," Mairiana said. "I had it with me when we escaped. Once Darack told me the brooch had been yours, I gave it to him so he could return it to you, the rightful owner."

"Oh, lass," Nora whispered. "What a dear you are, but you don't have to return it to me."

"I want to. I have no need for any of Alec's gifts. I want naught that reminds me of him. From now on, my sole focus will be on your son." She squeezed Darack's hand, hoping and praying her brother would approve his request once he asked for her hand.

 

***

 

"Could I speak to you in private?" Darack asked Dugald over the loud music and dancing of the cèilidh in the great hall later that night.

"Aye. I need to talk to you, anyway."

While climbing the steps, Darack wondered what the man wished to speak to him about. He hoped it was naught which would conflict with the question Darack wished to ask him.

Dugald's coloring was much like Mairiana's in that they both had green eyes and dark hair, but everything else about them seemed opposite. Mairiana was slender, petite and feminine, whereas Dugald was a tall, muscular warrior. One thing Darack wondered about was that Dugald did not appear as short-tempered and ornery as he'd been in the past. That had to be a good sign, since he intended to ask for his sister's hand in marriage.

"We'll go into the solar." Once inside, he closed the door to block out some of the noise from below. "A dram of whisky?"

"Indeed." Dugald took a seat. "I must thank you again for rescuing my sister from that swine. I wish to offer you a reward for helping so much."

Now was his opportunity, Darack realized. It was such a momentous occasion his thoughts deserted him for a moment.

"If I can afford it." Dugald grinned, accepting the whisky Darack offered.

"Aye, there is something I would value above all things."

"I hope 'tis not my dagger," Dugald quipped.

"Nay. Your sister."

"Indeed?" Dugald's brows lifted, but thankfully he remained even-tempered. In truth, he did not seem surprised.

Darack drew in a deep breath. "I want to ask you for Lady Mairiana's hand in marriage. I would be greatly honored if you would consider my suit."

Dugald studied him, then sipped the whisky. "Why do you wish to marry her?"

"I love her." Though he did not feel comfortable telling Dugald of his feelings, 'twas important that he know how much Darack treasured Mairiana. "I know I am not a wealthy chief or laird, but I would protect and cherish Mairiana all the days of my life. Though I hold no land, I earn a good living. Ewan provides me all sorts of assignments and generous wages. Both Ewan and I hope this can form an alliance between your clan and the Grant clan, and of course the MacGregors, what few there are left of us."

Dugald nodded. "I see no reason not to approve of you as a husband for my sister. She has already told me of her feelings for you."

"She did?" Why hadn't she told him?

"Aye. She is becoming more and more headstrong, so you will have to keep a close eye on her, lest she rule the roost." Dugald grinned.

Darack laughed. "I'm thinking she already has me wrapped around her wee finger."

"Aye, well, I understand how that can be. My new wife has done the same thing to me." He appeared chagrinned, but happy.

After talking a few more minutes, Darack and Dugald proceeded into the great hall where the loud music and dancing continued. Darack could not wait to tell Mairiana the good news.

He found her dancing a boisterous jig with one of his cousins, much to his annoyance. Now, why should he be jealous of a dance? 'Twas ridiculous.

When Mairiana saw Darack, she excused herself from her dance partner and joined him.

"You could've finished your dance," he said.

"With the way you're scowling, I think not."

Darack's face heated and she grinned.

"I have something important to tell you. Let's go into the garden," he said.

"Aye, let's do." She clasped a hand around his elbow, making him want to draw her into his arms and carry her upstairs instead. But he could not do that yet.

Once in the garden, he could no longer contain his excitement. He lifted her into the air and swung her around.

She laughed until he set her to her feet. "What are you about?" she whispered.

"Your brother has accepted my suit and given us permission to marry." Darack kissed her soundly. "You have made me the happiest man alive."

"Oh, Darack! I'm thrilled! I'll be so lucky to have you for a husband."

He kissed her until he near lost his mind. Saints, how he loved her lips… and every part of her. He wished he could marry her this night. "How soon do you think we can wed?" he asked.

"Darack!" a man called from the courtyard, startling him.

"Aye?" Darack moved from the garden toward him. Mairiana clasped his elbow and kept up. "What is it?" he asked when he saw it was one of his cousins.

"Alec Lindsay has requested to talk to you in the dungeon."