Page 48 of The Highlander's Accidental Wife
“There ye both are,” his mother said, hurrying over. “I’ve settled yer kin, Helly.”
Damien fought down a laugh as Helena flushed pink and shot him a warning glare. Over his mother’s head, though, he mouthed,Helly?
“Yer faither is a right wart,” Lady Merie continued, and now Damien guffawed. “But yer baby sister is just too sweet. And Jolly is set, too.”
“Jolly?” Damien asked.
“The dog me sister found,” Helena said. “I think that also made my father a bit more of a wart than usual.”
“Aye, well, some folks are sour milk—and do more to spoil things for themselves than anyone else. Don’t mind him, ‘tis the best way to deal with such folk. Yer wedding willnae be spoiled by him, even if I have to tie him up and stash him in the larder till it’s over.”
Merie put her hands on her hips as Damien exchanged a gleeful glance with Helena.
Do you think that she really would? I would love to see that,he thought he could hear her saying, and he nodded, answering,Aye, she would, and we can ask…
“Ye rapscallion, leavin’ in what should’ve been our preparation for the celebration. We need to begin work now.”
“I trust ye, Maither,” Damien said. “And Helena.”
Lady Merie reached up and patted his face, then pointed her finger at him. “I dinnae care if ye are a feared warrior of the north—ye arenae weaslin’ yer way out of this with a compliment. Come on.”
That is how Damien found himself sitting in his mother’s parlor two hours later, reviewing the menu with Helena and listening to his aunt run through the events of the day for the third time.
“And yer dress, Helena—we cannae put that off any longer.”
“Really, I do not mind wearing something I already own,” Helena said.
“Nonsense,” Lady Merie said idly. “Nay daughter of mine will get married in somethin’ she already owns.”
“Well, something simple, then,” Helena said. “But befitting of MacCabe.” She leaned forward and placed her chin on her hands, while Damien leaned back, his arm thrown over the back of the couch they shared. “And it would be lovely if it were easy to dance in.”
Damien smiled at that, while his mother and aunt exchanged delighted smiles, then beamed at Helena with affection.
“I never thought of pickin’ Damien’s bride, but Lord if I could, Helly, it would have been ye,” his mother said. “Such a practical bent, but fun under it all.”
Meanwhile, Helena had gone still, then sat up, pressing her hands to her stomach. “Oh, thank you. I-I’m not sure I deserve such praise.”
“Oh, but ye do, lass.” Lady Merie bustled over and pulled Helena up, ignoring Damien’s scowl. “We are so blessed to have ye joinin’ the clan. I hope in time ye realize that.” Helena went to speak, but Merie fixed her with a fierce glare. “None of that. And all of us mean to make ye feel more welcome every day until ye believe us.”
Then, she pulled Helena down for a hug, kissed her cheek, and pushed her back down onto the couch.
Helena all but fell onto Damien, who had draped his arm over the back of the couch.
“She’s right,” he said softly.
“She’s too sweet,” Helena said.
“Nay, dinnae let her fool ye. She has her own plans for the wedding,” Damien said.
“Aye, of course,” Lady Merie said as she strode by, her arms full of fabric, and tossed it onto a table. “For a laird’s wedding isnae an ordinary wedding, which ye both ken.”
Helena looked at Damien, and the Laird drawled, “Do we?”
“Mm, me son, and me new daughter, ‘tis a chance for alliances, for we celebrate those we hold dear. Clan Ronson, for example. And it’s for yer people, for them to celebrate and make merry.” Lady Merie stepped back and gazed out the window, her hands clasped at her heart. “When I wed yer faither, we celebrated for days.”
“Days?” Helena squeaked.
“Aye, that’s right,” Damien said at the same time and yawned. Then, seeing his mother was distracted, and his aunt was furiously writing something, he leaned into Helena. When she glanced at him, her breath caught, and he stole a quick kiss. “So much to celebrate. Seems we’re done for the day.” He stood up and stretched. “I need rest?—”
