Page 90 of Sighs of the Highland Wind
“M’Laird,” he said. “We will take a while to discuss this, so perhaps you would like to leave us for a short time.”
“Of course.” Cameron marched swiftly out of the room, leaving the men to decide his fate. It was all in their hands now.
“I think we should leave him where he is,” Hector Lewis said, as soon as the door had closed behind Cameron.
“He will hire a competent and honest steward to help him,” Hector replied. “They are not all like Henderson.”
“He might be a bastard, but he has a commanding presence,” one of the other men said. “That has a great effect when it comes to intimidation - especially during negotiations.”
“But that woman of his - she is pretty, but she is a commoner.” Andrew Wilkie sounded disgusted. “So is he. What are other clans going to think of us?”
“They may think what they please,” Hector replied grimly. “He has the kind of presence that commands respect, he is intelligent, and he has experience, if only in a small way as yet. I have confidence in him. As for marrying his sweetheart, they say that behind every great man is a great woman, so I think we should let him go ahead. James Henderson has no links to the estate any more, so why not let them do as their hearts desire?
He is Laird here now anyway, so why do we not let him stay? I think he will be a great asset to us. Let us vote on it.”
They voted by a show of hands, and the verdict was overwhelming.
Ava was sitting in her chamber alone. Rona and Janet had gone down to the parlor to chat, sew and get to know Davina, but Ava was too nervous. She could not help thinking of everything that could be going on. What if the elders decided that Cameron should go? He had given away his cottage and land, just as she was about to do. What if they decided to let James Henderson out? She and Cameron would have to leave Kilcarron then, and god only knew where they would go.
She lay back on her bed to let tears of sheer misery leak from her eyes, and was about to turn over and burst into real tears on her pillow when there was a firm knock at the door.
Ava stood up to answer, and had just opened the door when she was wrapped in a pair of strong arms and a pair of firm lips descended on hers. She squealed in fright for a second, then relaxed. She knew Cameron’s embrace, his smell, his kiss, andsoon she hoped she would know it even better. She wanted to know every inch of him.
Presently, he drew back from her, and looked into her eyes. “I am sorry, Ava. I could no’ wait a second longer.”
“I forgive you,” she murmured, tracing the outline of her lips with a forefinger. “What have they said?”
Cameron shrugged. “I am still waitin’ for an answer,” he replied. “God knows how long it will take. I went to see if ye were in the parlor, but Davina said ye were here. Ye should hear the noise they are makin’ down there. A’ that screamin’ an’ gigglin’!” he laughed. “I hope it is always like that.”
Ava took his hand and pulled him onto the bed with her. He looked a little surprised but lay down willingly beside her, and once more Ava was wrapped in his comforting embrace.
“I could lie here like this forever,” he murmured, kissing her forehead.
Ava sighed and snuggled closer to him. Strangely enough, she did not feel any desire or passion, even though their bodies were touching so intimately. All she felt was love, surrounding her and inside her, and all in the shape of this big, tender man. She wanted to hold him forever.
“So could I,” Ava agreed. She could hear the thud of his heart next to her ear and wondered what it felt like to have a body like his. She had always envied men’s strength, and Cameron was stronger than most.
She felt his voice rumble in his chest as he said: “Ava, what will we do if they take the Lairdship away from me?” He sounded anxious. “We have no homes now.”
“I don’t think it will come to that,” she replied soothingly. “An’ if it does, we will think o’ somethin’. We will no’ starve.”
“I believe ye,” he whispered. He tightened his arms around her and Ava, surrounded in his warmth, began to feel a little drowsy, but a few moments later she was jerked sharply awake as Cameron jumped up from the bed and strode to the door.
If Rona thought it odd that Cameron was in Ava’s bed, she did not comment, but instead she said, “Cam, they are waitin’ downstairs for ye.”
Cameron nodded slowly and took Ava’s hand. They made their way downstairs, but as Ava turned to make her way to the parlor, Cameron gently steered her to the meeting room which he entered, allowing her to go one step ahead of him.
Ava felt very intimidated when she saw the solemn gathering of men, and would have backed out were it not for Cameron’s hand holding tightly onto hers. He pulled out a seat for her at the big table, then stood behind her with his hands protectively on her shoulders.
“What have you decided?” Cameron asked, hoping that no one could hear the thundering of his heartbeat. He was more nervous than he had ever been in his life.
“We have decided that it would be better for the estate if you stay on as Laird,” Hector said, smiling at him. Then he looked at Ava. “And marry the woman you love, provided, of course, that she accepts you.”
Cameron did not hesitate for a second, and was on his knees beside her at once. “You are the love o’ my life, Ava Struthers.” His eyes were shining as they looked into hers. “Will you makeme the happiest man in the world an’ be my wife? I promise ye will never regret it.”
Ava smiled at him. If he was the happiest man in the world, then she was definitely the happiest woman! “Yes, Cam. I will marry you - as soon as possible, please.”
Cameron laughed, then pulled her to her feet and kissed her soundly in front of everyone. There was a ripple of cheers and applause from the elders, but it was the cries of joy from behind them that made them turn around to find themselves in hugs from Rona, Janet and Davina.
