Page 36 of Bride of the Merciless Laird
The tall lad hurried off, leaving Ewan to tear open the sealed parchment.
Dear Laird Mackenzie,
First, I wish tae thank ye fer the hospitality and protection ye are giving me sister, the Lady Tyra MacNeacail.
I have given great consideration tae the matters ye raise in yer missive and, at this point, I wish tae speak with me dear sister before I pass on me blessings tae yer union.
The prospective rèiteach is, surely, a matter which requires us tae meet face tae face and with our council elders present tae discuss every detail. With this in mind, I am preparing tae sail. I anticipate arriving at Eilean Donan three days hence. Me Lady wife, Annora, will accompany me, along with me advisor,Lionel MacLaren, and Tormod MacNeacail, senior of the clan, and chief of me Council.
I trust a meeting between us and yer Clan Council will be arranged
I am, yers etc.
Signed
Edmund MacNeacail
Ewan read the letter twice, turning it over in his hand to be certain it was the MacNeacail coat of arms imprinted there in red wax. He caught his breath. Edmund MacNeacail would be coming, and, if all was agreed, his betrothal to Tyra would be finalized.
While he sat contemplating the turn of events, the door flew open and Duncan swept in.
“Joseph said the messenger had come from Skye.”
Ewan waved the parchment he was holding and passed it over to Duncan, who thumped onto the seat next to his brother and began to read.
Ewan got his feet and poured them each a dram of whisky.
Holding the parchment in front of him, Duncan let out a tuneless whistle. “He’s coming here. A good sign.”
“Aye.” Ewan resumed his seat. “Her braither’s presence here will please the Lady Tyra.”
“He says he has nay objection.” Duncan shook his head. “Unless the lad’s a wee fool, he’ll be happy tae agree tae the betrothal. It will strengthen his clan and save him a great deal of vexatious bother in seeking a match fer the lady.”
Ewan nodded. As long as the terms of therèitachcould be agreed upon, he could fathom no objection from Edmund. Unless, of course, the Laird MacNeacail was not convinced the lady desired the match. He winced at the thought. The Council would waste no time renewing their demands he re-marry.
Leaving Duncan by the fire, Ewan went in search of Joseph. There was much to arrange and only a short space in which to achieve it.
“And the space around our landing place needs to be well groomed and tidy, as it is the first glimpse the laird will have of Eilean Donan. I dinnae wish him tae be displeased.”
Joseph departed with myriad instructions for the kitchen, the chambermaids, the laundry, the gardeners, all of whom would have to swing into action to ensure that the castle – and Mackenzie hospitality, could not be faulted.
Mayhap tomorrow would be a good opportunity to spend more time with Lady Tyra, in the hope she would look kindly on the betrothal, at least in her brother’s eyes? That trip to the village held possibilities.
And he, Ewan Mackenzie, had to play the part of a courtly lad. He would do his utmost to please his lady and convince both Edmund and Tyra that she would be happy making her home at Eilean Donan and that Ewan would treat her well.
It was this last thought that ended up snagged on his uncertainty. The role of suitor did not sit comfortably on Ewan’s shoulders. And, in addition he was becoming uncomfortably aware of the attraction between them. Curbing his emotions – and his lust – would cost him dear.
He shrugged the thoughts away and headed for the solar in search of Tyra, intending to inform her of the news of her brother’s impending visit.
Neither Tyra nor Isla were in the solar. Could they be in the kitchen? How long did it take to make an apple pie?
Sure enough, not only did he discover his sister and Tyra in the kitchen, looking rosy cheeked and somewhat floury, but Duncan was also there.
They all turned as Ewan walked in. Duncan said quickly, “I didnae give them the news. I kept it fer ye tae tell.”
Tyra looked up, her eyes flashing with excitement. “Have ye heard from me braither?”
He nodded and could not keep from grinning.
