Gretna paused from reaching for her mug. “I’ve been meeting with the housekeeper, aye.”
“Good, good,” James grinned. “As I have moved our wedding tae the end of the week.”
Gretna’s heart lurched in her chest. “Wot?”
“Tis clear that yer brother is not going tae come,” James continued, a smug look on his face. “So I have decided not tae wait any longer for him. Ye and I will be wed by the end of the week.”
Gretna’s heart pounded in her ears. “Nay, I willna wed until mah brother arrives,” she said firmly, heedless of those that were around her. “Ye willna push mah into marriage without his consent.”
“His consent?” James asked, drumming his fingers along the table. “He gave his consent the moment he sent ye here, lass. Ye belong tae mah.”
Gretna looked at the laird, but he was watching them with a pensive look on his face, offering no help on the situation. She couldn’t let him do this!
“Even mah da agrees,” James said, his eyes glittering. “Tis nothing ye can do aboot this, Gretna, other than bring yer lovely self tae our wedding.”
Gretna opened her mouth to object, but then a servant approached James nervously. “Wot?” James barked at the servant, keeping his eyes on Gretna.
“There’s a rider approaching,” the servant answered, his voice shaking.
James then tore his gaze away and Gretna’s breath lodged in her throat. A rider. “Just one?” James asked sharply.
“Aye,” the servant said, his eyes flickering to the laird at the head of the table. “Just one.”
James shook his head and waved his hand at the servant to make him go away. “Well,” he said, pushing to his feet. “It seems that we might have a visitor for our wedding after all.”
Gretna couldn’t help it, she rose as well and followed James to the door, ignoring the stares around them. Was it her brother approaching? Surely he wouldn’t come alone, but if something had happened to Remy.
Nay, she wouldn’t think about something horrid happening to the captain. Perhaps it was him coming for her, as he promised. Gretna could only hope it was someone for her.
James ignored her as she walked outside and onto the steps as the sound of a horse approaching cut through the night air, a lone rider appearing on the road leading up to the courtyard.
It was Remy and Gretna forgot to breathe as he pulled his horse to a stop in front of the keep, his eyes searching until they landed on her.
He had come back. Remy was here.
“Ah,” James said, stepping down as Remy climbed off his horse. “The captain returns.”
“I told ye, I would,” Remy said, his voice music to Gretna’s ears. She had gone so long without hearing his voice that her entire body reacted to the sound, wanting to throw herself against him and hold him close. While his clothing was mud-spattered, he didn’t look any worse for wear and all the concerns for his safety fluttered away.
James chuckled. “Aye, ye did, Wallace. Well, ye are just in time tae witness our marriage on behalf of yer laird. I’m certain ye can take the happy news back tae him?”
Remy chuckled in return. “Aye, I have heard. Yet I have tae inform ye that the wedding willna take place as ye have thought. Mah Laird, Gretna’s brother, wants her tae come home with mah.”
“Why?” the laird called out behind Gretna, startling her. “Why wouldna he think this was a good union between our clans?”
“Tis not mah story tae tell,” Remy replied, giving the laird a nod of respect. “Mah Laird.”
Gretna saw the displeasure and confusion in the older Scot’s expression, but while she had started to care a little for the laird, she didn’t want to stay. She wanted to go home and more importantly, she wanted to be with Remy, her true love.
“Come, lass,” Remy said, holding out his hand to Gretna. “Tis time tae get ye home.”
Gretna picked up her skirts and started down the stairs, her heart hammering in her chest. She was almost free. Remy’s gaze softened the closer she got to him and she hoped that he could see her love for him reflected in her own eyes. It mattered not what sort of life they would have back on Wallace land. She just needed to be with him.
As she passed by James, he reached out and grabbed her arm, hauling her against him. “Nay,” he bit out as Gretna squirmed in his grasp trying to break free. “She is mine!”
Remy moved toward the step, his eyes furious. “Let her go.”
“She has been promised tae mah,” James seethed. “If she doesna wed mah, I will consider this an act of war.”
