Highlander Unbroken (Highland Adventure Book 8) (32 page)

"Already?" Beaming, Maili leapt up, moved behind their chairs and embraced them both at once. "I'm thrilled for you two. And I'll be glad to have you as a sister, Anna."

"I thank you," Anna said, glad Neacal's family was so welcoming. "It will be wonderful having you as a sister, as well."

"I ken you're worried, Anna." Maili reclaimed her seat and Shamus placed his arm around her.

"Aye," Anna said. "I simply wish Kristina were here to celebrate with us."

"She will be soon," Neacal said. "Right, Maili? Are you picking up anything with your gift?"

"I'm sorry. I've not had a vision of them. If I do, I'll be sure to let you know."

"You need to eat more," Neacal said to Anna, his concerned blue gaze delving into hers. "I told you that all will be well. Why do you not believe me?"

She forced herself to take another bite of the stew and tried to put all her trust in his word.

When Matthew entered and strode across the great hall, Anna's heart leapt and she held her breath.

At the high table, he stopped and leaned toward Neacal. "Two of our men saw Colin and his men take Lady Kristina from Blackburn's war leader, Red Holme, near the start of the fighting. They disappeared into the wood near the cliffs."

"'Tis what we figured. Colin knows that area as well as I do. We used to play there as lads. We've been over every inch of it."

"Has anyone seen them since?" Anna asked.

"Not yet, but around twenty men are looking. The MacKenzies took their tracker. I have a feeling if Colin Cameron does nay wish to be found, he won't." Matthew grinned.

"He's a master at hiding and covering his tracks," Neacal agreed, a spark of anticipation and hope lighting his eyes. "One time he disappeared in the midst of a whole clan who was in pursuit of him in the mountains. They walked right past him."

"How is this possible?" Anna asked.

"He hid beneath the peaty water of a stream while breathing through a reed. In another instance, he concealed himself among the bracken and rocks on the side of a hill. He is brilliant, I'm telling you."

Anna relaxed, finally allowing a bit of the tension to drain away. If Neacal said Colin was gifted at hiding, she believed him. She had to have faith as he did.

She nodded, allowing a small smile to reassure Neacal she trusted in him and his word.

Once Matthew left, Neacal took her hand and kissed it. "You should go up and get some rest."

"Aye." Anna wanted to ask him if he would soon join her, but remembered Maili and Shamus just in time. Her gaze darted to them.

"Come, I'll help you." Maili arose from her seat. "You must be careful on the stairs because of your head injury."

Neacal leaned over and whispered in her ear, "I'll be up in about two hours. By then, I should have everything taken care of."

Anna blushed and nodded.

"I had the housekeeper prepare the green chamber for her," he told Maili.

"I'll show her where it is."

***

After Anna left the table, Neacal stood and told Shamus, "Unfortunately, I must speak to the elders about an important matter."

Shamus gave a knowing grin. "Then, I wish you the best of luck, my friend."

A few of the elders were already abed, but most of them, including Sir Hugh and Uncle Bhatar joined him in the library.

"You have proven yourself a great chief this day, lad," Uncle Bhatar said. "Your father would be most proud of your leadership and battle skills in defeating not one but three enemies."

"Aye, well, I didn't do it alone. Thanks to the Camerons and MacKenzies." He looked Hugh straight in the eye. "Two strong allies we can count on."

Hugh glanced away and squirmed a bit in his seat.

"Do you have anything to say to the lad?" Bhatar asked.

Hugh cleared his throat. "Aye," he said gruffly and finally met Neacal's gaze. "You are to be commended for your successes today."

"And?" Bhatar prodded.

"I was wrong. You are a strong and wise chief," Hugh said.

Neacal, stunned speechless, almost fell off his seat.

"Aye." Bhatar smiled.
"
Am mac mar an t-athair." Like father like son.

The other elders murmured their agreement.

"Well, I thank you all for your confidence in me," Neacal said. "It means more to me than I can say. And since you feel this way, I ask you to grant me a boon. I've asked Lady Anna Douglas to marry me and she has accepted."

Bhatar's grin widened. "She's a widow and a chief's daughter. I don't see anything wrong with this match."

"Will we at least seek an alliance with either of her clans?" Hugh asked.

"Aye," Neacal said. "From what she told me, her first husband had a young heir, a nephew, who will no doubt become chief now that the murderer and thief, Blackburn, is out of the way. I'll contact him. Hopefully, we can have a friendly association, at least."

"What about her birth clan?" Hugh asked.

"The MacQueens," Neacal said. "She's said the current chief and baron is a distant cousin of her father and that he wants naught more to do with her. Probably no alliance there."

"Ah well." Bhatar shrugged. "It matters not. Given that they're so far away, we'll likely never have contact with them anyway."

Hugh nodded.

"So, all of you support me in this?" Neacal said. "I don't want someone coming up three weeks hence and saying they changed their mind." Neacal looked pointedly at Hugh.

"You have my complete support," Hugh said in a more amiable tone than Neacal had ever heard him use, and his eye contact didn't falter.

Bhatar nodded. "The clan already loves the lady because of her kindness and beautiful songs. I have nay doubt she is the best lady for our clan."

Finally, Neacal felt he was truly the chief of the clan with the full acceptance of the elders. "You have my undying gratitude."

***

Two hours later, as promised, a soft knock sounded at the door of Anna's new guest chamber. 'Twas a fine and well-appointed room with a large oak four-poster bed.

Thankful that Maili and all the maids had gone and Anna was alone, she opened the door a crack to peer out. Finding Neacal standing outside, holding a candle, she pulled the door wider. He slipped in and closed it.

"I don't think anyone saw me."

"I'm certain they would be shocked." She smiled.

He set down the candle, then kissed her. "Aye, we'll be the scandal of Bearach Castle."

She led him to the cushioned settle by the fire. After he sat, he pulled her onto his lap, surprising her.

She grinned and gave him a quick kiss on the lips… which turned into a longer kiss and swiftly threatened to seduce her.

Neacal drew back a tiny bit and looked deeply into her eyes. "Anna, you're the only light in my bleak and desolate life. I thank you for accepting my proposal of marriage."

"I thank you for asking." She leaned in and kissed him. "You're the strongest, bravest and most handsome man I've ever met. And I'll be honored and thrilled to be your wife."

"You do flatter me."

"Do you think the clan council will ever accept me?" she asked.

"Aye. In fact, I just had a meeting with them. They have every confidence that you will be a great lady for the clan."

"Oh, I'm so glad." She smiled, tears blurring her vision, for she'd feared they would never accept her.

"But even if they hadn't, I would still marry you and still give you this." A hint of a grin crossed his lips as he took her hand and slipped a sparkling ruby ring onto her finger.

"Oh, good heavens," she breathed. "How lovely!"

"'Twas my mother's and always meant to belong to the next chief's wife."

More tears filled her eyes. "Neacal, you have made me the happiest woman alive. I never thought I could feel this way. I truly thought all happiness was in the past, until I met you. I love you."

"I love you more. You are my life."

***

Next, look for… Colin and Kristina's story.

Vonda Sinclair is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is creating another Scottish story. Please visit her website at:
www.vondasinclair.com

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