Page 72 of Highland Jewel
Woelk and Rainey looked at her as if she’d suddenly emerged from a well and begun speaking in tongues. The information she revealed was clearly a surprise.
“Of course, I’m still anewcomerto Dalmigavie Castle. And an outsider.” Maisie looked to her right andleft and then motioned to where Searc was speaking to the laird. “But there is some benefit to having my sister married to Cinaed. I was able to speak with the laird right after, and I cleared up the misunderstanding immediately.”
She beamed for a moment before lowering her voice to a confidential tone. “For the sake of my reputation, my sister insisted that the wedding take place at once. She didn’t want Lieutenant Campbell to disappear on meagain.”
Maisie smiled and clung tightly to his arm.
“So here we are, gentlemen.” Niall glanced around. “And tomorrow I’ll keep my promise and do my duty. So if you’ll excuse us.”
He waited until the two stepped aside and then led her toward her seat.
“Well done,” he said. “You’re amazing.”
“Duty?” she repeated softly. “Is that why you’re marrying me?”
He stopped and turned her around until she faced him. The crowds, the noise, where they were and who was watching didn’t matter. He looked into her eyes.
“I’m marrying you tomorrow because I love you.”
And Niall paused, knowing those were the truest words he’d said in a very long while.
Unto His Majesty the King
From the hand of The Right Honorable, The Viscount Sidmouth
Sir,
I have this minute received information regarding the loss of HMS Pitt and an outbreak of violence in Inverness. A complete report will follow, but I am assured, based on a letter I have received from the Governor of Fort George directly, that the explosion that took place on the vessel and the ensuing violence in the town appear to be unrelated to our primary concern regarding the “son of Scotland.”
In additional correspondence with me, the military Governor of the Highlands at Fort William is pursuing the feasibility of a direct assault on Dalmigavie Castle. The topography of the area makes the Mackintosh stronghold nearly unassailable without great loss of life, but the general is willing to undertake such a challenge. However, he has reported to the War Secretary that the cost of success in taking the castle would leave the Highlands indefensible at a time when full regimental strength is required. An unsuccessful attempt would be devastating and could result in the loss of the Highlands and possibly, all of Scotland.
In the meantime, Sir Rupert is pursuing a covert, but equally lethal, resolution of the threat at Dalmigavie Castle.
I shall communicate any new development immediately.
I remain, Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant
CHAPTER28
There would be no reading of the banns. No laughing maiden lasses with flowers woven into their hair. No pipers or dancers in all their finery to greet them at the church steps. The only demonstration of the celebration was the beautiful cream-colored dress her sister Isabella ordered to be made for her.
The wedding was arranged in two days, and it took place in the morning in the chapel beside the laird’s study. The priest was from the village, and Niall and Maisie met him for the first time as they stood before him at the altar just moments before the ceremony began.
Isabella and Morrigan, Cinaed and the laird were the only other people present, though Maisie thought she saw Blair hovering in the shadows outside the chapel door. They planned to follow the service with a celebratory meal in Dalmigavie’s Great Hall.
The hastiness of the arrangements suited Maisie perfectly. She stepped into the chapel carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers and rosemary from the castle gardens.She stole a glance at Niall, standing beside her. Tension showed in the lines around his blue eyes. He was weary.
Once again, they’d had no opportunity for even a few moments to themselves. Last night, after he’d left her at the table, he and Cinaed and Searc had disappeared and didn’t return to the Great Hall while she was still there.
Maisie was at peace with whatever Niall’s motivation was for coming to the Highlands. Still, questions piled on top of each other. Three people had arrived from the Borders, supposedly sent from the queen. But Niall was the one who spent endless time in the company of Cinaed and the rest of them. The Mackintosh leaders trusted him, and Cinaed kept him at his side. Trying to get answers from her sister was useless. She’d bluntly told Maisie not to ask her. Isabella’s loyalty lay with her husband.
As the priest started to recite a combination of Gaelic and Latin prayers, Maisie thought of the conversation she’d had with Morrigan a couple of days earlier. She was relieved to have had a chance to speak her mind to Niall at the door to the Great Hall last night. At least, her heart and mind were clear about who she was and what she was bringing to their marriage.
His secrets. Whatever they were, she hoped he’d reveal them to her once they were wed.
The priest continued with the prayers. One thing Maisie knew, these vows of marriage held no promise of a happily-ever-after. The blessings brought no guarantee of what could happen next month, next week, or even tomorrow. She could only celebrate the joy of today.
