Page 107 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
Emily grinned at him, and he smiled in return.
It had been a wonderful week since she had returned to the castle.
Freya had been ecstatic that she had come back, and they had spent many happy hours sorting more of the books in the library. Emily and Adam had only grown closer in the following days, and they had spent hours in one another’s arms, ensuring that no man would ever be able to claim that their marriage wasn’t legal again.
As they left her room and walked down the corridor hand in hand, Freya appeared ahead of them, her usual book under her arm, her glasses perched on the tip of her nose.
“Dinnae ye look beautiful!” she said excitedly to Emily and gave her a long hug which Emily returned.
Freya herself had dispensed with her usual red and orange dresses and was in a dark green gown that made her hair look even more fiery than usual.
“As do ye,” Emily replied, and they all made their way down to the hall together.
Her father and brother were standing amongst the other guests and the members of the council. The room was decorated in the colors of both their clans, showing the union that would bring the two peoples together. Everything seemed brighter and more beautiful to Emily’s eyes than it ever had before.
Lucas approached them as soon as they entered the room, bowing low with a cheerful smile and congratulating them both. Lord Barclay had chosen to retire at the end of the year, and Lucas had been voted to succeed him.
Despite being the youngest member of the council, his innovative ideas and tactical thinking had won him many votes of confidence, namely from Adam himself.
“Ye are lookin’ very well, indeed,” Lucas said as he admired Emily’s gown. “We are so happy ye have returned and that ye will be joinin’ us.”
Emily frowned at him. “Joinin’ ye?” she asked, puzzled. “What do ye mean?”
Lucas cast a glance at Adam, matching her confusion, until a heavy hand landed on Emily’s shoulder.
“Why, yer position on the council. Did I forget to mention it?” Adam asked innocently. “I must have had other things on me mind.”
Lucas bowed and hurried away as Emily turned to her husband with a knowing smile. “An official member of the council?” she asked in amazement. “But I thought ye didnae need the help of yer wife for clan business, M’Laird?”
Adam pulled her toward him, lowering his lips to hers in a brief kiss. “Perhaps I was mistaken,” he growled. “I think I need me wife formanythings.”
“Put her down, for heaven’s sake,” came Moira’s voice from behind them. “It is gettin’ ridiculous.”
Adam moved away from Emily as his mother approached them, looking over Emily with a critical eye.
“Just as pretty as ye were before, though there is a little more of a spring in yer step.”
“Thank ye again for lendin’ me the gown.”
“It is yers now. I can never wear it again—it would come down to me knees.”
Emily laughed loudly at that. She really had joined a family of giants.
They mingled with the crowd, receiving many well wishes. Barclay was courteous and polite to Adam but nothing more. Adam had been relieved to hear he would be stepping down. They had never seen eye to eye.
Emily was navigating the crowd with her hand in Adam’s when a new arrival caught her eye from across the room. She let out a little cry of delight.
Adam stiffened at the sound. “What is it?” he asked, looking around them in concern.
“Ceana is here!” Emily cried, watching her old friend enter.
Ceana was the only other woman in the room of average height, and as she looked around, her face lit up when she saw Emily. She dashed across the room, through the crowd, and almost bowled her over in her enthusiasm as she hugged her tightly.
“Emily! Och, ye look stunnin’,” Ceana said enthusiastically, her bright eyes flicking to Adam as Emily took her hand in hers. “I cannae believe I am finally here.”
Emily glanced up at her husband, who was watching Ceana with great curiosity.
“Adam, I’d like to introduce ye to me best friend in the world, Ceana MacLean.”
