Page 58 of Heather and the Highlander
After Heather was no longer married to him, he was going to propose to her…again.
* * * *
The next day, Niall was in a much better mood, and he couldn’t wait to share the reason with Heather. When he found her in the garden, he took Heather by the hand. “Come with me. There’s something very important I’ve got to show you.”
“What is it?” she asked, a little suspiciously.
“Just trust me. If I’m right, we’ve got to hurry.”
“Very well.” Heather allowed him to lead her back inside, then through several rooms and hallways. Niall refused to answer any questions until he reached a small room with heavy brocade curtains along one side. He put a finger to his lips, then leaned to whisper in her ear, “I’ve been thinking about what you said to me. About Brenna.”
Heather blushed beet red. “And?”
“I think I know what’s going on.” He leaned to the curtain and very cautiously pulled a little fabric aside to look into to another small chamber. On the other side, he saw a couple in a passionate embrace, their voices low and eager.
Niall leaned back, then gestured for Heather to look.
She peeked past the curtains, and saw what he’d seen a moment earlier: Brenna embracing Ian.
When the truth registered, Heather clapped her hand over her mouth in surprise.
“Well?” he murmured.
“Oh,” she whispered.
“Convinced of my innocence, love?”
“Yes! But what are they sneaking around for?”
“Let’s find out.”
With that, Niall pushed the curtain aside and stepped out. “Good evening,” he said to the couple.
Brenna yelped in fear and jumped away from Ian. “Niall, what are you doing!”
“Why are ye hiding behind curtains like Polonius after a banquet?” his brother added belligerently.
Niall ignored that jibe. “Ian, are you taking advantage of Brenna?”
“No!” Brenna gasped, putting herself between the brothers. “You don’t understand!”
“Looks quite clear to me,” he said, hiding his smile. “My heartless brother knew that you were devastated when I came home with a bride, so he played on your sadness and offered you comfort…”
Brenna held up a hand. “One moment, Niall!” She sounded quite indignant. “I wasnotdevastated, not even a little bit. I never loved you.”
“She’s always lovedme,” Ian said quickly. “For years.”
“My God, what terrible taste, Brenna.” Niall shook his head, then turned to Heather. “Doyousee anything in him?”
“Any redeeming qualities are offset by his MacNairishness, I must say,” Heather replied, keeping her face blank as well. “Perhaps they deserve each other.”
Brenna did not appreciate their humor. She crossed her arms as she glared at Niall. “I can’t marry Ian, because our fathers are so fixed on me marrying you!”
“Well, that’s no longer going to happen,” Niall said flatly. “The old men are just put out that their silly plan has come to naught. But Ian is still a MacNair, and you’re still a McGlashen. Such a marriage is just as good for the families.”
Ian shook his head. “For our father, yes, he can be talked around now that Heather’s rich. But apparently Brenna’s father aspires for her to be a countess.”
“He’ll have to be satisfied with her being a MacNair.” Niall put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I’ll get it ironed out. Brenna, you may as well start planning your wedding. We’ll have to make it a grand one, to make up for the fact that you’ll be stuck with Ian at the end of it.”
