Page 80 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
Now Davina was weeping silently into the linen kerchief.
Everard reached his hand and she clung to it.
At last, she raised her eyes to meet Dùghall’s. “So… it is ye… who I should now call Faither.”
She rose unsteadily to her feet as did Everard, who kept a strong grip on her arm.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Davina was dazed, her mind a muddle of past hurts and pain and present joys. It was all a wonder to her that she was still on her feet. Everard’s grip on her arm was both a comfort and a reassurance. It meant that she was real after all, and that she was still connected to the familiar world around her.
It seemed almost impossible that she should be claimed as a daughter by a tall stranger who had loved her mother. That her life had resulted from an eternal passion was almost heartbreaking to bear. This man, Dùghall MacKinnon, had loved her mother, and from that love she had been born.
Studying him, he seemed altogether familiar. Not simply because shehadmet him before, a fleeting connection in the village at Castle Bay. She’d dreamed him all her life.A father who would love and protect her.
Without another moment’s thought she shrugged away the idea that Murchadh MacKinnon was her father and grasped withboth hands the notion that this man, who somehow held her likeness in his face, was truly the father she’d always longed for.
She loosened her grip on Everard’s hand and turned to her father, a smile dawning on her face. She basked in the knowledge that this man who had loved her and looked for her, without knowing her at all, was her true father. The cruel man who had tormented her childhood and wished to end her life, was naught but a terrible nightmare.
Standing before her, torrents of tears streaming down his cheeks, Dùghall opened his arms wide. “I am bursting with joy tae have found the daughter I believed lost tae me forever.”
Davina took a halting step toward him and he reached out, clasping her to his heart, his arms enfolding her in the warmth of his loving embrace.
“Och, lass, ye havenae idea how it warms me tae hold ye like this.”
She looked up beaming. “We have so much time tae make up,Faither.”
Dùghall addressed Everard. “I have a great deal tae thank ye fer, Laird Everard.”
“Caring fer yer daughter is the greatest happiness of me life. I dae regret that ye were nae with us tae bear witness tae our handfasting.”
Dùghall was smiling. “Ye’re handfasted?”
“Aye. Through fear of Murchadh MacKinnon and without kenning who he faither was, the MacNeil Clan Council were loathe tae give their permission fer us tae wed before a priest in the chapel.”
“So ye’ve defied the Council by handfasting instead.”
Everard gave a sharp, humorless laugh. “’Tis me hope Murchadh will think twice afore he attacks me wife. Despite their misgivings, there is nay doubt in me mind that he will bring clan war on all our heads if he attempts tae harm her now, as he did a few days ago.” And Everard proceeded to tell the laird all that has passed recently.
“And now ye are allied with the MacKinnons of Pabhay, who will join ye at a moment’s notice should such a thing occur.”
“I believe that with ye beside me, the Council can be persuaded tae change their minds and grant their approval and blessing tae our marriage. It will take place in the chapel with a priest attending.” He turned to face Dùghall, his hand to his heart. “This is the moment when I ask yer permission tae wed yer daughter.”
“I shall be proud tae call ye son, Laird Everard. Ye have me permission and me blessing as her true faither and I grant ye permission tae wed me fair daughter, Davina.” He placed a hand on Everard’s shoulder. “I will dae everything in me powertae persuade the members of yer Clan Council tae also grant permission.”
“I wish tae invite ye tae remain at Kiessimul with us fer as long as ye wish tae gain some of the time ye need tae acquaint yerself wi’ Davina.”
Dùghall dipped his head. “I thank ye fer yer offer of hospitality. It will give me great pleasure tae spend time wi’ ye both before I return tae me duties at Pabhay. I trust that ye will both soon visit me island home.”
Everard rang the bell and shortly after, Mildred appeared. She glanced at Dùghall, a curious light in her eyes.
“We have a guest, Mildred. The Laird Dùghall MacKinnon will be in our company before he returns tae his home on the Isle of Pabhay. I wish ye tae prepare a bedchamber fer his use.” A grin spread across his features. “Laird Dùghall is me faither-in-law.”
Mildred’s eyes opened wide in surprise and she glanced from Dùghall to a smiling Davina. She bobbed a curtsy. “I am honored tae meet ye, me laird. I shall instruct the chambermaids tae prepare yer chamber at once.” She looked over at Everard. “I’ll request the kitchen tae provide nourishment fer ye and yer guest, as well as War Chief Maxwell and his lady. Dae ye wish it served here, in the solar, or in the hall?”
“We will dine here, thank ye Mildred. Mayhap ye could send a message tae me braither and Aileen that we will shortly be eating here and that I wish them tae join us.” He winked at her.“Mayhap say naught tae them about Laird Dùghall’s presence. I wish tae surprise them.”
A few minutes later, they rose to their feet as Aileen and Maxwell entered. He grinned at Everard, tilting his head, a hint of puzzlement in his eyes at the sight of the stranger.
