Page 47 of Marry the Highland Villain
“Then ye have my blessing,” she said. “In my father and mother’s stead. So long as yer word is kept, we will accept ye and safeguard ye among those who still believe in Blackwood’s interests.”
This was no light promise, Conall knew. Magnus Blackwood might be dead, but his legacy lingered on, and the bonds of loyalty among pirate crews were as strong as those of any clan.
“Ye have my appreciation,” he said, offering her a hand. “An’ though ’tis yer sister I’ll wed, the offer I made in the letter I sent ye still stands. If ye wish it, ye need only say the word, and I’ll claim ye under the colors and care of Clan MacKane, as kin of my wif—my betrothed.”
The spark of amusement in Lily’s eyes told him she’d heard the word he’d so clearly stumbled over, but she only smiled politely and shook his hand in the proper manner for ending negotiations.
“A matter for later consideration, I’m thinkin’,” she said briskly. “For now, however, we have a wagon that needs to be unloaded and a wedding to prepare for.”
Conall was relieved to be able to escape the scrutiny of the three older Blackwood sisters. “Aye. An’ ye’ll be wantin’ to rest and refresh yerselves after the long journey ye’ve had, I’ll wager. As well as speakin’ more with Brigid. I’m sure there will be much ye’ll want to discuss with her.”
And equally sure ye willnae want me around when ye do it.
He waved over one of the many watching servants—because, of course, anyone who could find an excuse to watch the scene in the courtyard had appeared there by now, including Oliver andEmily, who looked on with undisguised interest—and gestured to the sisters.
“Gather folk to help our guests bring in their things, and make sure they receive whatever they need. Including the mornin’ meal, if they havenae eaten yet.”
From the look on Lily’s face, the last request was met with definite approval. Conall couldn’t tell if it was because the sisters were hungry, or because she simply approved of his show of hospitality.
Not that it mattered. They were Brigid’s sisters, and while he didn’t require their approval, there was no denying that having it would certainly make his life easier.
Still somewhat bemused by the events of the last candlemark, Conall left his betrothed chattering happily with her family and went to talk to Emily and Oliver about what needed to be done to prepare for a wedding the following day.
Brigid was so happy that she felt she might grow wings and fly away. Her sisters had arrived, and they would attend her wedding. What’s more, they had accepted Conall as her betrothed, and he had been as kind and courteous toward them as she could have wished. It was all she’d wanted ever since the moment she’d been told she would be wed to Conall Barr.
It took some time to have her sisters’ travel packs delivered to the rooms Emily had arranged for them, and more time still to have her belongings brought to her rooms, but eventually, everything was arranged, and the four sisters sat down to a mid-morning meal in Brigid's chambers, now filled with her things from home.
Megan took a bite of the roasted meats that had been provided and made a noise of approval. “Och, the meat’s good and tender… ’twas well-butchered and well-seasoned.”
“Aye, and the bread is delicious and baked perfectly. I should like to learn some tricks from their cooks,” Lily added, helping herself from one of the platters the maids had brought in.
“I’m sure Conall would let ye have as many lessons as ye like.” Brigid smiled at her sisters. “An’ the hunters would most likely appreciate havin’ yer skill to aid them, Megan.”
“Och, mayhap we’ll find time for all of that while we’re visiting.” Valerie smiled. “Ye ken, we werenae plannin’ to leave directly after the wedding.”
“I hoped ye wouldnae. But I didnae ken whether ye’d want to leave the house closed up for too long.” Brigid swallowed nervously. “I ken ye all have duties ye’ll need to get back to.”
“And nae one of them is more important than carin’ for ye, Brigid,” Lily said, shaking her head decisively. “We’ve nay intention of leavin’ afore we’re certain that ye’re happy.”
“Are ye happy, though?” Valerie leaned forward, her expression suddenly serious. “Do ye want to stay here, Brigid? If ye dinnae wish to marry this man, we can sneak ye out of here afore the evening falls and be on our way back home afore he even kens ye’re missin’.”
“Aye. Ye must tell us honestly if ye dinnae want to stay, or…” Lily hesitated. “Do ye really want to get married, Brigid?” she asked in a rush. “To a man like Laird MacKane? I heard some whispers from the servants…” she trailed off, seeing the way her younger sister’s cheeks flushed at the question.
“Aye,” Brigid replied in a quiet voice. “I’ve heard some of the same whispers, Lily. And aye, Conall has a temper, I willnae deny that. But… well, the thing is, in the time I’ve kenned him, I’ve come to… to care for him.”
She paused, staring down at her plate to hide her discomfort. This was not the kind of conversation she was used to having with her sisters—or with anyone, for that matter—and she wasn’t quite sure how to proceed, or even what she wanted to say.
“Care for and desire to wed arenae the same thing,” Valerie pointed out, coming to the rescue in her forthright way. “’Tis understandable if ye’re growin’ to like him while nae bein’ ready to wed just yet. Ye hardly ken the man, Brigid. Ye’ve only been here for a few days. If he cares for ye, then surely he’d nae object to a longer courtship?”
“Aye.” Lily nodded. “Ye scarcely ken aught about him. What’s the rush to wed?”
“I ken he cares for me. He’s protected me,” Brigid replied, swallowing.
She understood why her sisters were asking her these questions—they were the same questions she’d have asked if it had been one of them in her position. But that knowledge didn’t change her answer.
“I ken ’tis sudden,” she admitted, looking shyly around the little group. “But I… I dinnae think I’ll learn aught more about Conall than what I already ken, and I think that even if I waited a year, I’d still be willing, even happy, to wed Conall. I’m sure of it, in fact.”
“Conall.” Valerie raised an eyebrow.
