My Dearest Sister,
I hopeyou managed to reach Castle Oliphant safely, and that you are doing all you can to put the terrible things you endured here behind you.
Mother and I were able to get Father back to his bedchamber for a few hours, and convinced him that he had imagined the entire thing. However, shortly after that, he rose once more and saw that you were no longer in the dungeons. He roared and raved, as I’m sure you can imagine, and demanded that all those sworn to the McGregor banner ready for war against the Oliphants.
There were none willing to follow such an order. Our people have long watched their laird’s descent into madness, and though it pained many of them to show disloyalty to their leader, they were nevertheless unprepared to risk their lives over the rantings of a lunatic.
It is uncommon for a woman to rule over a clan, but it has largely been decided that this is the proper way of things for the McGregors, now that our father has taken leave of his senses and left no sons to rule in his stead. I have addressed our people and let them know that things will be different going forward; that we shall consider the Oliphants our allies from now on, and will have an open exchange of resources with them which will benefit both parties. They seem pleased with this, for as you know, their farms have struggled mightily these recent years.
Now our father largely keeps to his room. He takes his meals there, refusing to see anyone. He has largely given up, I think. Perhaps eventually he shall see that there are other rolesfor him to fill, other ways that he might continue to serve our clan.
Oddly—and by contrast—our mother has emerged from her self-imposed confinement, and seems all too eager to assist me in forging a new and prosperous direction for the McGregors. I hope to rely on your counsel in the days ahead as well, for we always seemed to fare better on those rare occasions when our goals were as one.
If ye intend to marry Captain Bryan Black, as I imagine you do, then you must extend an invitation for the wedding. Rest assured I shall attend, and health permitting, so shall our mother.
Until then,I remain your loving sister,
Romilly
Katherine jumped up and down,squealing with glee. Bryan, bemused, took the letter from her hands and read it aloud to Fiona, whose eyes twinkled with joy at the news.
“There’s an end tae it, then,” Bryan crowed, picking Katherine up and spinning her around merrily. “No war with yer clan, no worrying about vengeance from yer father! Just the happy life ye and I deserve, Katherine, at long last!”
“Well, young lad,” Fiona cackled, “that almost sounded like a proposal just now. If ye meant tae make her yer wife, do ye nae wish tae do a proper job of it? She seems like a lass who deserves it.”
There were tears of rapture in Katherine’s eyes, but, nevertheless, she sniffled them back and folded her arms primly, raising an eyebrow. “That sounds true enough tae me!”
Bryan laughed heartily, his eyes shining with tears as well. He took Katherine’s hand tenderly and lowered himself to one knee. “Lady Katherine McGregor, ye are, without doubt, the strongest, bravest, sweetest, and loveliest woman I have ever known in my life. I feel I could spend twelve lifetimes with ye and still never learn all of yer secrets and wonders, but I’d like tae start with one, and see if I might make a fair go of it. Will ye be my bride?”
“Aye, Captain Bryan Black,” she giggled, “I shall gladly marry ye! Ye have saved me from a dismal life, and I cannae wait tae build a merry new one with ye here.”
Bryan stood, and their bodies and lips came together with the majestic urgency of nature itself, of waves meeting the shore, of lightning striking the ground. Their breath carried the warmth of their very souls, and both mingled on their tongues exquisitely. Their fingers laced together tightly, and each could feel the heartbeat of the other, reverberating through their limbs like cathedral bells.
When they rode back to Castle Oliphant to deliver the news, Laird Alex was glad indeed. “We shall have a strong new ally in the McGregors,” he intoned. “They will have the benefit of our resources tae bolster their farms, proper soldiers tae train their raiders and rabble…”
“Och, Alex Oliphant,” Isla exclaimed, shaking her head. “Ye are a clever laird, but a very silly man! Did ye nae hear the most important thing? Bryan and Katherine are tae be married.” She ran over to Katherine, hugging her tightly. “Such delightful news, my dear!”
Alex cleared his throat uncomfortably, his face turning red. “Ah. Aye. That as well, I suppose.” He walked over to the captain of his guard and shook his hand stiffly. “I wish ye both all the best. A union with the McGregor Clan through marriage…”
Isla sighed loudly.
The laird caught himself, blushing deeper still. “…pales in comparison tae a match made out of genuine love, as this seems tae be.”
“Thank ye, Alex,” Bryan replied. “And, for what it’s worth?—”
Alex held up a hand to silence him, smiling softly. “I have never questioned yer loyalty tae me, Captain, and I never shall. Ye did what ye felt was right, and I respect that. I am only grateful that yer actions didnae deprive me of a damn fine captain and advisor.”
Bryan did not know how to answer that, for he was touched beyond words.
EPILOGUE
The wedding was set for the following month, and in the weeks leading up to it, there were many preparations to make. Invitations were sent to the heads of all clans allied with the Oliphants, and though the wedding bells were not ringing for a true-born member of that clan, or one of noble birth, they were still greatly encouraged to attend and make merry.
Lady Romilly McGregor wrote to say that although she sincerely wished she could come immediately and assist in planning the event, she needed to spend as much time at the McGregor Stronghold as possible. There was much to oversee in the wake of Laird Angus relinquishing his hold over the clan, and she needed to be there to supervise as much of it as she could.
However, Romilly promised to be there in time for the ceremony itself, and she was every bit as good as her word: The procession of McGregor carriages arrived three days before, for Romilly was able to leave her mother in command of the clan’s affairs. Lady Annabel was proving to be a dab hand atresolving disputes and seeing to the day-to-day responsibilities of leadership.
“Ye should see her at it.” Romilly laughed as Katherine led her to her guest chambers. “I dinnae know where it comes from. She has been listening tae father conduct his affairs longer and more closely than we ever might have guessed, and she has a tremendous talent for all of it.”
