Page 29 of Highland Yule
How much, despite the years between, she still loved him.
What was she to do with such love considering she had been betrothed to his brother? What would her clan make of it? His? Would everyone think they betrayed Bróccín’s memory if they came together? If they loved as they wanted to?
As it turned out, they boarded a boat a few hours later without further incident. It was hard to say goodbye to her horse, but she was assured he would be well cared for. Once the weather permitted and it was safer to ride around the loch, she could come back for him.
She and Brighid smiled at each other, eager to return home after so long. The whole way across Loch Fynn she about burst with anticipation until someone eventually said the words she’d been longing to hear.
“There they are,” a Sinclair called out. “MacLomains await us ashore!”
Within moments, she spied them. Teary, she glanced from Brighid and Aaron to the shore. “’Tis Adlin and Mistress Mildred.” She nodded. “I see Laird Tiernan too!”
A short time later, she was off the boat and embracing them, teary all the while. Despite being past their fiftieth winter, Adlin and Mildred looked well, both remarkably attractive and fit. Tiernan had certainly filled out. Like his da, he was tall and broad-shouldered with piercing pale blue eyes.
“’Tis bloody good to see ye again, lassie.” Adlin held her at arm’s length and looked her over after she had said hello to the others. “Ye’ve grown into a bonny lass, ye have!”
He had always been like another father, so it was very good to see him. “Thank ye.” She smiled, glancing from Brighid and Aaron back to Adlin. “I was well taken care of.”
He beamed at the others. “Aye, ye were indeed!”
Eager to catch up, everyone chatted away while they traveled. She and Colmac had their own horses now, and she rode alongside Tiernan.
“Look at ye, cousin.” She grinned at him. “I remember when we were the same height.”
“Och, ‘twas but for a week or two,” Tiernan chided. He winked then grew serious. “I am truly sorry for yer loss, lass. Bróccín was a good lad. This should have been a verra different sort of homecoming for ye.”
“Aye, he was,” she said softly.
“But at least ye arenae alone.” He’d always had a way of putting her at ease. Soothing her sadness. He glanced back at Colmac then looked to her. “’Tis good Colmac came with ye. We were hoping he would.”
“Ye were?”
“Aye.” He smiled. “He’s a good man and has done well by his clan since returning from battle.” He cocked his head. “If I recall correctly, ye were fast friends with both Colmac and Bróccín, aye?”
“Aye.” She nodded. “Verra much so.”
Though the conversation moved on, she got the impression Tiernan was even happier than he let on that Colmac was here. Happy they would be celebrating Hogmanay together.
“So have ye a lass ye’ll be marrying before midnight, m’Laird?”
“Och, nay.” Tiernan chuckled and shook his head. “I enjoy the lasses plenty, but I’ve had little time or inclination to get that serious.”
“Aye, ‘tis a lot of work running a clan,” she conceded. “But I suspect love will find ye when the time is right.”
“Mayhap.” He met her eyes, his focus not on his lack of romance but that which flourished between others. “Whilst old friends will be missed, I believe ‘twill still be a joyous Hogmanay. One that will bring many a couple together. True love, indeed.”
Like his father, Tiernan had always been good at saying one thing, while getting another point across. This time, based on the way he glanced at Colmac again and nodded once with approval, he made his point very clear. Not only did he think Colmac was her true love, but he very much approved of their marrying if that was her desire.
She looked ahead, not sure what to make of that. She’d been on MacLomain land less than an hour, and already she had the chieftain’s approval to marry another.
More than that, to marry the brother of her former betrothed.
“There it is at long last, lassie,” Brighid exclaimed, her gaze alight with excitement.
Fluffy, white snowflakes started falling as they left the woodland behind and MacLomain Castle loomed ahead. Surrounded on three sides by water, it was a mighty fine sight with its numerous wall walks, turrets, multiple drawbridges, and motes. Torches were lit, and sparkled along its expanse, making it almost magical in appearance. Honoring holiday tradition, a great bonfire surrounded by dancing clanfolk burned on the field to purify MacLomain land and drive away evil spirits.
Aaron joined them, grinning widely. “We are home, at last, my lasses.”
“Aye,” they said in agreement.
