Page 92 of Kilted Abduction
Ciara frowned. Magnus’ uncertainty scared her. But when he lowered himself to a knee, she felt her heart leap into her throat. He held onto her hand but her other balled into a fist at her side and her face flushed a deep scarlet.
“Ciara, I love ye. More than I thought I could love another person,” he said as he pulled a beautifully ornate gold band from his pocket and held it up for her to see. “Would ye dae me the greatest honor in the world of bein’ me wife?”
Tears streamed down her face as she looked from him to the gold ring he offered her. As much as she wanted to say yes and throw herself into his arms, she couldn’t. Not without extracting a promise from him first.
“Magnus, ye ken ye make me happy, dinnae ye?” she asked softly. “Happier than I ever thought I could be?”
His face clouded over, and she saw a glimmer of fear in his eyes. “And ye make me just as happy, Ciara. ‘Tis why I?—”
“Me people need a leader. More than that, me clan needs a good man tae be that leader,” she said. “Tis been so long since we’ve had a good man and me clan has suffered for it.”
Magnus cocked his head. “What are ye askin’ me?”
“If I’m tae marry ye—and believe me, nothin’ in this world would make me happier—I’d need ye tae take up as the new laird of me clan and promise me ye’ll lead me clan as yers,” she said.
Magnus got to his feet and stared into her eyes. “Ciara, there’s nothin’ I wouldnae dae fer ye. Tae be with ye. If that’s what ye need tae be with me, then that’s what I’ll dae.”
Her heart swelling larger than she thought it could ever be, she threw her arms around him and together they laughed. He stepped back and slipped the ring on her finger and Ciara held her hand up, admiring the way it gleamed in the dying light of the day and felt the tears streaming down her face. Magnus brushed them away with his thumb then leaned down and gave her a soft, gentle kiss that made her soul ring with joy.
“We should go tell me braither,” he said. “I dinnae ken what he’ll say.”
A tremor of concern passed through her, but Magnus gave her a reassuring smile. “Dinnae worry. ‘Tis nae his decision tae make. I’d just like tae have his blessin’, is all.”
“Of course.”
Hand in hand, they took the stairs from the ramparts down into the castle and found Domhnall in the great hall. Kai sat in his usual chair and Domhnall sat in his. He read from a parchment, his face dark and clouded over.
“What is it, Domhnall?” Magnus asked.
He looked up from the parchment and Ciara saw the man’s eyes lock in on the band of gold around her finger. He didn’t miss a thing. He stared at it blankly for a moment before a wide smile lightened his expression as he got up and approached them. Domhnall wasn’t a man given to expressions of emotion, but he threw his arms around his brother, laughing heartily as he clapped him on the back. Then he turned to Ciara and took her hands in his, giving her a smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Are ye sure ye ken what ye’re doin’?” he asked. “Are ye sure ye want tae be takin’ up with this one? I’m sure I can find ye a better match.”
Magnus laughed and punched his brother in the arm, and they embraced once more. Domhnall took Magnus’ hand and then Ciara’s in his own, his smile wistful but sincere.
“I’m happy fer ye both,” he said.
Magnus cleared his throat. “I’m grateful, braither. But there’s one thing?—”
“Ye’re goin’ tae be laird of her clan. Aye, I figured.”
Ciara exchanged a look with Magnus then turned back to Domhnall. “And… ye’re all right with that?”
“Aye. I’m grateful me braither found a good woman tae spend his life with. He deserves that,” he said. “As dae ye. Me braither’s a good man. I have nary a doubt he’ll be a good laird.”
“Thank you, Domhnall,” Ciara said as fresh tears streaked her cheeks.
“I wish the both of ye nothin’ but joy in yer lives together.”
“Thank ye, braither,” Magnus said.
“I’m goin’ tae throw ye a feast tae honor the day,” Domhnall said. “If that’s all right with the both of ye.”
“Of course,” Ciara cried.
Kai came over to congratulate them as Domhnall walked back to his chair and sat down, picking up the parchment he’d been reading when they walked in. Magnus stepped closer to his brother and looked down.
“What are ye readin’ that has ye so troubled?” Magnus asked.
