His wrinkled face wrinkled more, folding in on itself, as he pursed his lips in a nasty grimace. It occurred to Emily the little man was insulted. After a moment more of uncertainty, Munn gave a curt nod.
Isobell accepted the goblet, took a sip, and handed it to Emily. “Quite tasty, my dear. The fruity flavor is verra pleasing. And harmless.”
Gregor frowned, glanced at Isobell, and then Emily. He raised a brow.
“I’ll explain later,” Emily said.
Then she bent her knees and lowered to the brownie’s three-foot height. “Thank you for the wine and your heartfelt congratulations.” She kissed his cheek.
His unusual blue-green eyes widened. He shuffled his oversized feet and lowered his gaze. Rosy red color suffused his face.
Emily kept a grin to herself as she straightened.
Gregor raised his cup to her, and they shared a wordless glance. Her stomach shimmied with anticipation.
Tevin dashed through the crowd. A stern look from Archie slowed the boy’s pace. He wrapped his arms around her legs and looked up at her. “Lady Isobell said I can stay with Lach while you go away. May I? Please?”
Emily had already discussed this with Isobell. She ruffledhis curls. “Sure.”
“Come, let us get you changed into something more suitable for riding, Emily.” Isobell guided her and Tevin away from the well-wishers.
Allain of Dunadd placed a hand on Gregor’s arm as they passed. “May I have a word with you, son? In private?”
Gregor watched the sway of Emily’s hips as she withdrew. He raised his cup to the wee brownie. “I thank you for this fine wine, Munn.”
He took a long swallow of the ruby liquid then followed his father back through the chapel and into the chief’s study. Gregor placed the goblet on the hearth mantle, straightened his shoulders and turned to his sire.
“How did this come about?” Da demanded without preamble.
“Bythis, I assume you refer to my marriage?”
“Aye. What else?” Da’s dark eyes smoldered. “I sent you to Castle Lachlan to learn skills from the chief you will require when I am gone and you become keeper at Dunadd. I did not send you here to wed an outlander. I thought you wanted to prove yourself capable?”
“What of my happiness?”
“Ach, Gregor.” Da ran a hand through his graying hair. “Of course I want you to be happy, but you have wed a stranger.”
“At the command of my chief.”
Da’s jaw tightened. “Explain.”
Gregor retrieved his wine from the hearth and dropped into a chair next to his da. Heavy of heart, he searched his mind for the right words to describe all that transpired since he’d found Emily on the faerie mound.
“Is thebairnhers?” Da blurted before Gregor had a chance to form clear thoughts.
“Nae. The lad is the son of Stephen MacEwen.”
“Ah…” Da’s eyes widened. “Well then, you have quite the tale to tell.”
“Aye, sir.” Gregor relayed the events leading up to this day.
The chamber became awkwardly silent. Da stood. Paced across the space. He poured some whisky from the flagon the chief kept on a side table into a cup and knocked it back. After another moment passed, he turned and gave Gregor a pointed look. “All I ask is you dinnae consummate your vows so when the threat of danger to the lass andbairnhas passed you can attain an annulment.”
Gregor gulped the remaining wine in his cup, barely tasting its flavor. He had no intention of ending his marriage.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Emily ignored the small pile of clothes on the bed and instead stared at the three knives arranged in an even row on a piece of raw leather. She bit the edge of her lip. “What are those for?”
