Page 117 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“I love him, Da, and he loves me,” Brenna said, standing to take hold of Brack’s hand. “And I am sure Lord Ryland wouldn’t mind if you made your home here at Clan Glencairn with us.”

Patrick’s smile swelled then faded. “I am Clan Purdom’s only warrior, the people depend on me.”

Brenna couldn’t hide her disappointment.

“Not for long,” Ryland said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Clan Purdom is under Clan Glencairn’s protection now and will have a new chieftain.” He looked to Brack. “You, Brack, are the new chieftain of Clan Purdom. You will reside there with your new wife and return the clan to its glory and keep it well protected.”

Brack stood speechless, staring at Ryland and tears of joy ran down Brenna’s cheeks.

Patrick got up and slapped Brack on the back. “I’m proud to serve the chieftain of Clan Purdom and have him wed my daughter. Come there is much for the three of us to discuss.”

Brack led them to Ryland’s solar, still speechless.

“That was generous of you,” Esme said, beaming with pride at Ryland.

“I’m feeling even more generous,” Ryland said and looked to Knox and Dru. “You Knox are now the permanent chieftain of Clan MacFadin. You and Dru will raise a brood of children there loyal to Clan Glencairn.”

“A brood?” Dru turned to her husband. “You better get busy.”

Knox slipped off the bench, scooping her up in his arms as he went. “I will see to it right away, wife.” He hurried out of the room, Dru laughing all the way.

“I have been patient long enough,” Hakon said firmly. “I’ll have Una as my wife now.”

“What if I don’t want you?” Una snapped.

“You saved my life. Why would you save my life if you didn’t want me?” Hakon asked, confused, then shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. You were promised to me in exchange for a task, and I completed that task.” He turned to Ryland. “I found those men who posed as monks and got them to tell me who hired them. I gathered more of my warriors and headed here to warn you about Clan Rennoch and Stott and fight beside you if necessary. I kept my end of the bargain, now it’s time to keep yours.”

Ryland was baffled as to what to do, knowing Esme would object to him handing Una over to Hakon.

“Why did you save Hakon, Una?” Esme asked.

“He was needed to fight, to help Clan Glencairn,” Una said with a quick glance at Hakon.

“You have no desire to wed Hakon?” Esme asked and Ryland sat back and let her deal with it.

“The only thing I know about him is that he’s a barbarian,” Una said scrunching her face in distaste.

“I am not. I am a warrior,” Hakon argued.

“Who has already been through two wives,” Esme said.

“Two?” Una said, her eyes flaring with annoyance.

“Not my fault. The first died from an illness that struck the tribe. The second suffered an accident through no fault of mine.”

“You’re cursed,” Una accused.

Hakon turned to glare at her. “I am not cursed. I may be stubborn, brutish at times, but I don’t harm the woman who belongs to me, though some assumed I have, and wrongly so. Not that I need to explain that to you.”

“You do if you want me as your wife. I will not abide you keeping secrets, or you slipping your shaft between another woman’s legs or I’ll cut it off, and lie to me and I’ll?—”

Hakon grinned, grabbed her, and planted a kiss on her lips that she eagerly returned.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Ryland said with a quick look at Esme.

“I had a feeling Una might be interested in him, with the way she squabbled with him, though why she is, I’ll never know.”

Hakon arm went around Una when the kiss ended as though he worried she might run from him. “So, it’s settled then. Una is mine.”

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