But now, here was her chance. Watt was one of the first of the wedding guests to arrive at the castle, and he was coming up to her and Bryce, his wife on his arm, and a large smile creased his bearded face. She held her breath, waiting for something to happen in her heart, thinking she might have been wrong about her feelings, but instead, she felt nothing. The only thing she did feel was a little discomfort at the turn of events and how quickly things had changed.
She smiled up at Watt and Lilias, and she felt her embarrassment in the slight heat in her cheeks. Thankfully, Watt would merely think that it was the heat of the room or the happiness of the day which gave color to her face.
“Watt,” she said kindly, and he reached out for her hand. He brought it to his lips, and his eyes were merry as he smiled at her.
“Lorna. Ye are looking bonny today, lass. I can see the change this has brought about in ye. I hope ye will be very happy. Me brother is a scoundrel in many ways, but he is a good man.” Watt winked at her, and then he turned to Bryce, pulling him into a tight embrace.
“Brother, ye have chosen well lad.”
“Aye, I ken.” Bryce smiled down at Lorna, and she felt the lovely heart flip that came with love. Bryce was the one she wanted forever and ever.
“Ye are most welcome,” Lorna said, turning to Watt’s pretty, red-haired wife, Lilias. “Thank ye for making the journey. I ken it is so close after yer own nuptials.”
“We are very happy tae be here,” Lilias smiled, clutching Watt’s arm. “We are happy tae attend a wedding now as man and wife. We wish both for ye the best and many, many happy years.”
“Please do come in and enjoy yerselves,” Bryce said, motioning to the tables filled with food. Watt patted Bryce on the shoulder, and then he and Lilias walked into the merriment. More guests were coming to greet them.
Bryce leaned down to whisper in Lorna’s ear, “That was nae so terrible.”
“Nae at all! Me heart only flipped when I looked at ye, Bryce.”
Bryce squeezed her side. “I wonder when we might get the chance tae leave the festivities, lass. I have thought of little else since I laid eyes on ye at the wedding. I want ye desperately.”
“And I ye,” she said in his ear, “but we cannae go far or away for very long. We will have tae wait until all the guests are greeted. Then we might have the time.”
She turned to face the guests who had just approached them, and for a quarter of an hour they talked and laughed. Kyla came up to them, her face only slightly bruised now, and she was beaming. She looked lovely, dressed in a dark-colored dress, her hair braided in a crown around her head. Lorna prayed that nothing more would ever hurt her friend, and that she would find her happiness one day.
“Ye donnae ken how happy I am that ye are married now.”
“We will have a happy life here now, Kyla, and ye will be a part of it.” Lorna squeezed her friend’s hand, and Kyla had tears in her eyes.
“I must thank ye both. For solving everything. Life will be better now. Safer.” She nodded as if to affirm her words.
“Aye,” Bryce said, reaching out to grasp her hand. His voice grew serious. “And ye must tell me if ever anyone else bothers ye in the village or the castle. They will be dealt with promptly. Ye have only tae say. I willnae have me wife’s dearest friend hurt any longer.” Bryce’s brow was furrowed, and Lorna was overcome with new love for him.
A tear fell down Kyla’s cheek. “Thank ye, Bryce. I will. But now that Athol has been taken away tae the fort for the moment, I feel better already.”
“Aye, he is safe for the moment,” Tobias said, walking up to greet Bryce and Lorna. “My wife asks that you forgive her absence. She had the baby just last night.”
“Congratulations!” Lorna said, thinking of her own future one day when she and Bryce would have a child. “Ye must be very happy.”
“Aye,” Tobias said, beaming like only a new father could. “A baby girl. I could not have wished for a better way to end all this darkness and sadness. The healer was there to assist. We thanked God for the woman.”
“What did the families say when ye told them all that Athol was behind the murders?” Kyla asked.
“They were glad to ken that the murderer was not still about. But it did not take away the pain, of course. They will carry that for always. At least we can be thankful that it is over for now. Until some new evil comes to call.”
“We willnae think of that now. And the new healer? One must be summoned. The one we have here has tae return tae her own village soon,” Bryce added.
“I will take that duty upon meself tae find a suitable person,” Fergus said, as he and Arrin walked up behind Bryce and Lorna. He put a hand on Bryce’s shoulder. Lorna was amazed at how much her grandfather had changed in the past two weeks since the discovery of Athol’s evil. He was tired and now lacked all bluster. One could see the kindness in his eyes. “It is the least I can do.”
“Thank ye, Grandfather,” Lorna said with a smile. “Please, everyone, enjoy yer time.” Kyla walked away on Tobias’s arm, discussing something. While Bryce was busy talking to another guest, her grandfather and grandmother each gave her a hug and a kiss.
“We are so happy for ye, dear,” her grandmother said, but there was still a sadness in her eyes. She knew that what happened with Athol would linger for some time. And there was the matter of the forgiveness she had not said she’d give.
“Aye,” her grandfather said. “Ye have chosen well, even if I didnae believe ye or trust ye at first.”
Lorna smiled. “I hope ye will spend time enjoying yerselves taenight. It is a day tae celebrate. A good way tae try and put what happened behind us. And ye should ken that while it will be difficult when I think of it, I do forgive ye after all that happened.”
