Page 71 of My Scarred Laird
Daracha had broken away from her, kissing Culloden and Islay hung back, letting her sister cuddle with the giant man who had killed the McGavin with hardly a flinch.
He was strong, and she knew that Daracha would be safe with him. Safe, happy and in love.
It was a good thing to see, and Islay was thrilled for them.
Someone cleared his throat and Islay looked over to see that Lachlan had trailed behind them, “Good morrow Lachlan.”
He shook his head, “It isna a good morrow. Ye could have been killed and it would have hurt us all had tha’ happened.”
Islay looked up at the man who was her guard, “Ye canna blame yourself. Ye had no idea tha’ I was goin’ ta be taken.”
He hung his head, “I should have been outside your door all nigh’.”
She shook her head, “Ye may have been killed had ye been. I am grateful ye werena.”
He nodded, “Did they hurt ye?”
She smiled, shaking her head, “Nay. I am fine.”
He slowly smiled, “I willna fail ye again.”
She patted his arm and walked to the library looking around at the cases of books, smiling when she saw a fire in the massive fireplace.
“This will do.”
Daracha came to stand beside her, “Are ye truly happy here?”
Islay linked her fingers through her sisters, “Aye. I’m happy. Callum is the best man there is. He always tends ta my needs and puts me above everyone else. He loves me. Tha’s all I ever wanted.”
Daracha looked over at Culloden, “I did tae. He came inta the keep and took me as his. There wasna any choice. I wanted him as much as he wanted me. It was something mother never prepared us for.”
Islay lifted a brow, “Nay, she didna. I’m happy for ye, Daracha. Ye deserve it.”
Her sister smiled, and they hugged quickly before Culloden walked over, and Islay looked up at him, “Ye will treat my sister right?”
He nodded, “She is the only one I hold in the highest esteem, aside from my brother and now ye. I love her. She quiets the demons.”
Islay’s eyebrows lifted and she looked over at Daracha, who had her hand to her mouth, “I love ye tae Cull.”
Islay grinned, “I am happy for ye both.”
The doors to the library opened, and Islay was shocked to see most of the villagers, almost all of Callum’s men and all the men of his allies trying to come into the library.
She laughed, “There are tae many people for this. Let’s go ta the bailey. It will be quick, and we can eat after.”
Everyone cheered, and Callum walked toward her, “I doona wish for ye ta be cold.”
She shook her head, “As I said, as long as the priest doesna drone on, it should be quick. I just wish ta be your wife Callum.”
He kissed her, and pulled her from the room, walking out to see the sun was shining weakly over the bailey.
The priest was there, and Callum said, “Make it quick.”
Islay smiled, and several of the men laughed.
The priest did indeed make it quick, and before long, they were pronounced man and wife.
Callum pulled her into his arms, then made her squeak as he whirled her, dipping her low, kissing her hard.
