She froze, then spun toward the guard tower. Could it be?
The guard called out a welcome.
Mary broke into a run toward the gate as it swung open and Cameron rode in with four Brodies.
He reined to a halt, swung off his mount, and caught her in his arms.
“I canna believe ye are here!” she told him as she flung her arms around his neck, her blood singing in her veins. Dimly, she became aware of cheers and clapping all around them. Embarrassed, she pushed at his chest, but he kept her pressed against him for another moment. Finally he loosened his hold and she opened her eyes, only to drown in his dark amber gaze. “Have ye missed me, then?” she asked after she had a moment to catch her breath.
He laughed, picked her up and twirled her around to the sound of laughter filling the bailey. “Every moment of every day and twice as often at night,” he replied, then set her on her feet. “We’d best go in. I think we’re attracting an audience.”
They had indeed attracted an audience, but thankfully most were smiling. Then Dougal stepped forward from the back of the crowd, a scowl drawing down his brow, his eyes glittering with anger. Mary’s breath froze in her chest, fearing what he might do. But Dougal’s approach was blocked by the crowd. While Cameron responded to calls of welcome and the people who surrounded him and clapped him on the back, Mary glanced toward where she’d last seen Dougal. He had disappeared.
Once she’d made sure the Brodie guards would be taken care of, and people started to move away, Maryasked, “Why are ye here, Cameron?” She tugged on his arm, eager to get him inside, away from any trouble Dougal might cause.
“To see ye, of course,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and turning her toward the entrance to the keep. “And to ask yer da for yer hand.”
Mary’s heart thundered in her chest, and she couldn’t seem to make her feet move. Had she heard him correctly? His tone had been too mild for such momentous words. “Ask my da…” She turned and faced him.
“To let us marry, aye.” He took her hands in his. “Ye heard me right. I love ye, lass. I missed ye more than…” He waved a hand. “More than the air I breathe. I missed ye more than I ever thought possible to miss anyone. But ye must tell me. Do ye want me, too? Is being my wife something ye wish for? Or should I leave without seeing Laird Rose?”
Dear God, had Dougal heard Cameron’s declaration? Mary needed to look, but couldn’t tear her gaze away from Cameron’s earnest one.
“Nay!” Mary fought for breath.
Cameron studied her, paling slightly.
She held up a hand. “Nay, dinna leave. Let’s go inside.” On trembling legs, Mary led Cameron into the keep.
Cameron stopped her just inside the door. “Ye didna answer me, lass,” he told her, his voice low and intimate. “Will ye marry me?”
Mary swallowed, conscious of the people in the hall, watching them. “I would like nothing better than to become yer wife, Cameron Sutherland. Today, if possible. But first I must explain…” God, she was babbling! As much as Cameron’s return thrilled her, she worried about how she would explain this to Dougal. And explain his presence to Cameron.
Cameron laughed, then wrapped her in his arms. “Ye scared me when ye saidnay. I couldna bear it if ye didna want me, too. I’m glad I mistook yer meaning. Let’s find yer da. I have an offer from the Sutherland that should please him.”
“We need to talk first,” she told him.
Cameron seemed to finally catch on to her mood and sobered. “Is aught amiss?”
Mary nodded. She led him to a bench by the hearth and sat across from him. She needed to see his face when she delivered this news. A few people approached them, but she waved them away. “Do ye recall when I told ye about Dougal MacBean?”
“The man who didna wait for ye and married another.” Cameron nodded.
“He is here. Widowed and seeking to renew what we had years ago.”
“He’s here now?” Cameron’s gaze swept the hall, his brow tense.
Mary shook her head. “He’s no’ in the hall, but he’s at Rose. I have…been taking time to get to know him again.” She clasped her hands. “I didna ken if ye meant to return, and I thought he might be my only chance…”
“Ach, Mary, my love, I…I couldna promise, when I didna ken what my father would require.” He reached out and laid his big hand over hers. “But I’m here now. Being away from Rose made me see how much I need ye.” He took a breath as he tightened his hold on her hands. “What will ye do?”
Mary tilted her head, studying him, then smiled. Here was the man she had waited for. The one who loved her enough to respect her wishes. “I will send Dougal away and marry ye, if ye still want me.”
Cameron leapt to his feet.
“And if Da will agree,” she added.
Cameron smiled and took her hand. “Then take me to yer father, Mary, my love.”
