Epilogue
Mairead reached behind Selah to snatch a water bag that was sliding off the boulder they were leaning against. She took a sip. It usually did not get so warm this far north in late April, but today seemed to be an exception. “How much longer do you think Robert is going to need?”
Selah shrugged. Robert had been walking with Donald Mackay, studying an old Norse fort. The gatehouse being built at Foinaven was not complete, but it was close. Robert and Selah had been discussing his next project and started seeking out inquiries for a master mason. Both had been pleasantly surprised to learn that Donald Mackay was very interested. Like most clans, the Mackays had a large tower that served as fortress, but the Mackays had finally accumulated the wealth to build a stone castle. And the one he wanted built was not like the traditional ones scattered throughout Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Most were not only expensive to build but also to maintain. Stone was durable, but it still required upkeep. Robert had learned a technique that did not include mortar, enabling the structure to last for centuries. When Donald Mackay mentioned that he wanted to build Castle Varrich using this method, Robert quickly dismissed all the requests coming in for his support and accepted Donald’s offer.
The rapid beat of a horse’s hooves captured everyone’s attention. Hamish rode up to the group and quickly dismounted. Mairead tilted her cheek when he leaned down to kiss her. “You are making me nervous.”
“Why?”
“Because you are smiling.”
Selah had to agree. When Hamish flashed his dimples, it meant that either he was up to something or he knew something.
“A herald just came from the McTiernays.”
Mackay stepped closer. “Something going on with Conor?” In the past year, the two men had grown close and Donald now considered Conor McTiernay more than just an ally but a friend. He had met all the McTiernay brothers except for Colin, who lived in the Lowlands.
“Nothing going on with Conor,” Hamish answered. “But Conan has been busy.”
Mairead wrinkled her nose. She liked Conan. Or at least she did when he was not being insufferable. He was the second youngest of the McTiernay brothers and the most brilliant. But that sharp mind of his made him condescending to others, especially women. It was a good thing he never intended to marry but to travel around Scotland. “I thought he was leaving in the fall to begin mapping clan territories and the coastline. Did he decide to depart sooner?”
Hamish’s grin grew. “Better. He’s getting married in three weeks.”
Everyone froze upon hearing the news. They had to have heard wrong. Conan was extremely good-looking, but no woman could even tolerate him for very long. Their opinions never bothered him for he had grown tired of them the moment they opened their mouths to speak. He had been wise enough to be civil to Mairead for Hamish made it clear that anything less would result in bodily harm.
Mairead was the first to speak. “You are not serious.”
“The herald assured me that the news was accurate. Laurel must have known we would have doubts and sent an additional message letting us know that she could not be happier for Conan. That his bride was perfect for him and it was only love prompting this union.”
Mairead frowned, clearly not satisfied. “Well, that’s cryptic.”
“Very,” Selah affirmed, wishing for more information. What kind of woman would agree to marry Conan? Then again, what was it about her that could make Conan even think about tying himself to one woman?
“I agree, but Laurel’s message ended my own doubt. I can assume she is beautiful enough to catch his eye. I just hope she is intelligent enough to keep it.”
Donald coughed into his fist. “Are you sure this is Conan we are talking about?” He did not want to say it out loud, but the only way he could see a woman marrying Conan was if she was forced to do so.
Hamish spread his hands out. “From what the herald said, she is very enamored of him.”
Mairead now looked suspicious. “I don’t believe it. He is just not the type to get married.” Hamish let go a small snort. Mairead glared at him. “I mean it. Conan is brilliant, good-looking, and irritatingly arrogant. And he’s that way to men he respects. To women? He’s the most conceited, obnoxious creature of our encounter.”
Hamish nodded. “I have that from many a female, many a time. And yet,” he emphasized, “he is getting married.”
Robert moved around to stand next to his wife. He put a hand on Selah’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “I have yet to meet him, but I have heard that he is either liked or hated.”
Selah sighed and rubbed her expanding belly unconsciously. “I wonder what she is like,” she murmured. “This woman who finally tamed Conan.”
“The only way to know is to meet her.” Donald Mackay crossed his arms over his chest. “My eldest son will not be pleased as he will have to remain behind, but this is one marriage ceremony that I must attend and see to believe.”
“Aye,” Hamish agreed. “I’ll let Amon or Ian decide who can manage Foinaven in my stead.” It would probably be Ian as he was far more reserved and less interested in matters that involved the McTiernays. Amon, however, had come close to several of the McTiernay guards and had encountered Conan several times. All Hamish was sure of was that there was nothing that was going to prevent him from seeing this wedding. Everyone was going to be there. People who never traveled were going to be there. Even Colin, who lived in the Lowlands and had a growing family, would be there. It would be the largest celebration many would ever see, including him.
Robert moved to join the two men. “I’ve never met Conan, but I’ve heard of him and agree with Donald. I think I will join you both and witness this wedding in person.”
“Both?” Mairead piped in, her brows furrowed together. She turned to Selah and asked her, “Did your husband just say both?”
Selah pursed her lips together and nodded. She shifted to push her bulky body forward. She was not due for another three months, but she was much larger at this point in her pregnancy than she had been with her son, Rab. Mairead, who was a month behind her and had only recently begun to show, was just now able to eat again without fear of becoming violently ill. Both sisters were pregnant, but that did not mean they were staying home.
Selah blinked at Robert and smiled sweetly. “Robert, my love, when you said I, didn’t you mean that we”—she pointed to herself and then him—“will join you?”
Robert returned her stare with an incredulous one of his own. He knew what Selah was asking. She wanted to travel with them and the idea was completely absurd. “You cannot be serious.”
Selah was still the gentle soul she always had been, but things had changed in their marriage. He had embraced his future as a designer and builder of castles and now had more confidence. Selah, no longer forced to constantly make—or avoid—decisions that she hated, had also grown more self-assured. Neither of them had to constantly repress negative emotions. As a result, the few times they did not see things alike, they argued. And it looked like this was going to be one of those times, for he was not going to let his beautiful wife travel the countryside while pregnant.
Selah’s lips thinned, but her smile remained in place. “You think I’m not serious about seeing the most prominent event the Highlands have seen these past several years? I cannot believe you actually considered leaving me behind.”
Mairead had left the boulder as well and was facing Hamish. “I hope you are not planning on leaving me behind. I agree with Selah. I’m coming with you.”
Hamish’s insides clenched at the idea of anything happening to her or his baby. He found it difficult to speak and eventually blurted out, “You’re pregnant!”
“The baby is not due for months, so why should that make a difference? You cannot blame the weather. Spring is nearly over. The wet weather is gone and the sun shines nearly every day.”
“Mairead, be sensible. Even if good weather does follow us, travel will be uncomfortable and in your condition, it will take several more days for us to get there.”
Mairead’s face filled with exasperation. “Then we can leave immediately if we must travel more slowly, but I am going.”
Hamish glared at her, hoping she could see that on this he would not yield. “No, you aren’t.”
Mairead glared back and came to her feet. Hamish had not raised his voice at all, but his tone was that of a parent talking to a child. She raised her chin, and spoke in a similar, non-compromising voice. “I love that you are protective of me, but I will be going. You can either change your mind now or you can change it later, but there is no way I am not going to see this wedding for myself. This event will be discussed for years and I will not be the only one not to have been there,” she said emphatically. “I am Lady McTiernay of the McTiernays of Farr. You cannot truly think I am not going to a McTiernay wedding!”
Selah stood behind her. “And if Mairead is going, then so am I.”
Robert looked to Hamish, who just stood fuming, and then at Donald, who shook his head. It was clear the older laird knew the inevitable outcome. “If we ride together, it would be safer for all. We could depart at the end of the week. It would give us a few days to meet with Conan and see for ourselves this miracle.”
“I doubt a soul coming is there to see Conan.” Mairead chuckled. “They want to take a look at the woman who not only ensnared Conan’s heart . . . but actually agreed to marry the man.”
Mackay cocked his head to the right in agreement. He was more interested in whom Conan was marrying than the lad himself.
Mairead winked at Selah. “Leave it to Selah and me.” Her sister gave her a knowing smile. McTiernay women traded secrets and whoever could tame Conan must have some incredible ones to share.
Hamish saw the exchange and pulled Mairead into his arms. His hands caressed the planes of her back. He loved how she felt against his body and each time he held her close it was a reminder of just how lucky he was. He kissed her cheek softly and then whispered in her ear. “Should I yield now or let you try and convince me to let you come tonight?”
Mairead pulled slightly back. “Tonight,” she said with a mischievous smile. “Just as long as you know that you never had a chance.”
Hamish bent his head and pressed his lips against hers. His hand held the back of her neck as his mouth slowly glided over hers. A hungry sound escaped him as she opened up for him. The kiss was soft and gentle, melting his bones and making him forget that they had an audience.
No. He never did have a chance.
He had been hers since that first kiss.