Page 87 of Highland Jewel
Neither paid attention to her.
“I’mleaving. Chapel. Don’t be too long.”
Maisie was vaguely aware of the door closing.
“You look stunning.”
The sky-blue dress had been made especially for her at Isabella’s request. She said the fabric matched the color of her eyes. Maisie stood up, and Niall gently gathered her in his arms. His kiss was tender and full of promise and ended far too soon. He cupped her face in his hands and placed another kiss on her lips, but there was a sparkle in his eye that made her curious.
“What is it?”
“The ceremony will be starting soon. Are you ready?”
“I can walk, so long as I can take my time.”
“You’re not walking.”
She bit her lip to hide her smile as he lifted her with the utmost care into his arms.
“If you’re not careful, I’ll get used to you carryingme around. You’ll be quite embarrassed after a fortnight or so, I’m sure.”
“You know what the Greeks said:Come back with your shield… or on it. You can think of me as your personal shield.” He lifted her higher and nuzzled her throat. “And I’ll never be embarrassed, though I can think of a few ways to mortify your family once we get down there.”
“Morrigan might kill us.” She smiled as they went out the door.
“Let her try. She’s still a novice.”
“She told me about her training.”
“Indeed. She’s already very good with a pistol. With her sense of commitment, she’ll be a very dangerous woman in no time.” He paused at the top of the stairwell. “So, let’s misbehave now.”
Their next kiss was a stolen moment too, and he carried her down. Despite her objections, Niall took her all the way into the chapel and deposited her on a bench that had been placed near the front.
She looked around her. “Where’s Morrigan?”
“Probably checking on Isabella… or harassing Cinaed.”
It was so special the way Cinaed and Niall had come to accept Morrigan for the honest and funny and loving sister she was.
Maisie was so intrigued by the Mackintosh dignitaries and other clan chiefs coming into the chapel that she suddenly realized Niall wasn’t standing beside the bench. As she turned to look for him, two sets of young arms wrapped around her from behind.
Instantly, she traveled back in time. The house off Leith Street. The five-and seven-year-old sisters who walked together, played together, greeted Maisie together whenever she came for a visit. She touched the thin fingers and heard the sound of their giggling.
The same laughter. Maisie’s heart lurched in happy disbelief.
“Catriona,” she murmured. Could it be? “Briana. Is it really you?”
Their names had not even escaped her lips before tears welled up in her eyes. She opened her arms, and the girls came around the bench and moved into her embrace.
Thin arms clutched at her neck, and Maisie placed soft kisses on their cheeks. They were here. Niall knew they were here when he came upstairs for her. Everything made sense. “I’ve missed you. By heavens, I’ve missed you two little angels.”
Maisie’s gaze met Niall’s over the heads of the children.
“How? How did you do it? When… when did they arrive?”
Someone slipped onto the seat beside her. “This morning. They came with me and my mother-in-law.”
Her heart leapt in her chest. Words struggled to form. She couldn’t get them past her throat. Six months. It was six long months ago that Fiona was taken from them. Maisie touched her friend’s face, hugged her, pulled back, and held onto her shoulders, looking into her eyes and making sure she was real. Tears ran freely down her face.
