“His sins are not yours, and we are still required to keep good will with your family as allies. But…” Cormac pauses and the dark look on his face makes my breath hitch. “When I get back, I’m going to be irritable. I’m going to be angry. And I’m going to take it out on you.”
The little whimper that escapes my slack lips would, at any other time, be acutely embarrassing.
“So, enjoy yourself with your friends,” he says, kissing down my neck, “because when I get back, I’m throwing you over my shoulder and taking you away to where no one can hear you scream.” Lifting me off his lap, he squeezes my ass and strolls away.
Before I have a chance to think, his brothers descend on me.
“I think you will agree, the new Mrs. MacTavish, that I should have the first dance since I saved you back at the riot in Southbank,” Cameron says, sweeping his hand low in an exaggerated bow.
“Wait, were you even there?”
The other brothers howl raucously as he looks deeply wounded. “Why lass, I was fighting off the rabble as Cormac picked you up!”
“Well then, of course, you should have the first dance!” I laugh as he sweeps me off onto the dance floor. I’d had dance lessons all my life, something my father deemed appropriate and necessary for a young lady of good breeding, but some of my favorite classes were for Highland Dance. I love the raucousness of the moves, the footwork, and the grace of it all. So I can keep up with Cameron and his endless chatter until the song ends and hehands me off to Dougal, who is also a giant like the rest of his brothers but with darker eyes and a kinder smile.
“Are you holdin’ up all right?” He chuckles down at me. “I know my family is a lot to handle, all at once.”
“Given the fact that I was apparently foisted upon all of you as Cormac’s new bride less than twenty-four hours ago, I think you are the ones handling it all quite well.”
“Ach, I’ve spoken to my brother many times while he was at the Academy,” Dougal says, deftly guiding me around another couple. “I handle certain tasks for him on this side.”
I am pretty sure I know what kind of tasks, but it doesn’t seem like the time to ask.
“He spoke of you often,” he smiles gently. “When he brought you here, it was not much of a surprise.”
“It was to me,” I blurt.
Dougal’s laughing so hard that when the youngest brother Lachlan swoops in and steals me away, I slip right out of his arms.
“So you’re the opportunist in the family, are you?” I grin up at him. He’s got a mischievous glint that I can’t help but appreciate.
“With three lumbering bastards older than me? You can be certain of that,” he agrees, twirling me out and back in again gracefully.
“And the best dancer too, I see.” The lights strung above the lawn are glittering and everything’s spinning a bit. I’m breathless and laughing but I don’t want to stop.
“Naturally,” he agrees, “but kindly do not mention this to Cormac. He’s of the firm belief that as eldest, he’s the best at everything.”
“This does not come as a surprise to me, I’ll happily keep your secret.”
“I can see we’ll be getting along just fine.” He cheekily kisses my hand and offers it to…
Oh, shit it’s Dad MacTavish.
“Hello dear.” He gently holds my elbow for a moment as I sway. “My sons are a bit boisterous, as you can see.”
“Thank you, sir,” I wheeze, trying to catch my breath.
“Would you like to have a seat, or shall I signal for a wee milder tune?”
“It would be my honor to dance with you, though I would be grateful for something slower.”
Cormac Sr. raises his hand and the fiddler in the band nods, starting a lighter, more leisurely reel. He may be a man in his late sixties but he’s as graceful a dancer as any of his sons.
“It’s a beautiful night for a celebration,” he observes, looking up at the clear sky, studded with thousands of stars and a sickle moon.
“I don’t know how to express my appreciation for how kind and welcoming your family has been,” I begin, floundering a bit as I try to think of the right thing to say. “Our instant engagement had to be a bit jarring.” I have no idea what Cormac has told his father.
“Ach, I knew my son would be bringing you home, sooner or later.” His smile is as kind as Dougal’s.
