Page 91 of Claimed Highland Brides

“Good. I think we’re in agreement then.” Delwyn clapped his hands, looking pleased. “I think we shall make a marvelous union, don’t you?” he said, looking at her with his marvelous eyes. He looked down at Jamesina’s hands, held tightly clenched together in her lap. He picked one of her hands up, bowing over her delicate fingers as his eyes twinkled at her. He placed a light kiss on them as he stared into her doe-like eyes.

Jamesina lifted an eyebrow skeptically. “We shall see!” she said as her cheeks pinkened at the feel of his lips on the back of hand.

The touch of his lips on her hand had vibrated all throughout her body. And that look in his eyes- she stifled a sigh. She would not admit that she could not wait to get close to him again. To run her hands through his black hair, to smell his scent and feel the heat of his body.

Jamesina watched as Delwyn smiled at her as he released her hand. His eyes looked so happy!

Ùna clapped her hands in excitement. “Hurray, we have another wedding! There’ll be all sorts of food and drink and people!” she said in a sing-song voice.

Delwyn laughed. “Yes, very exciting. Now that the weather’s nice, perhaps we should have it outside. I shall write home and tell them but I doubt they will come so we need not wait for them.”

“Is there no one you wish tae invite?” Daividh asked.

“No one who would be able to come. Can we perhaps discuss when we would like the wedding to be?”

“If we are getting it over with, then let us do it by the weekend.” Jamesina’s voice was hard, uncompromising.

“...a- greed” Delwyn replied, surprised but pleased.

* * *

“Ye dinnae seem as excited as ye should aboot yer wedding, Jamesina.” Fiona gave her a sidelong glance as she pinned her new muslin gown.

Jamesina snorted. “What would ye like me to do? Dance aboot like a goblin?”

Fiona shrugged. “It’s just that I have fond memories of my own wedding day and I dinnae want ye to miss out.”

“Weel, it isnae exactly the same. I’m nae getting marrit after saving the love o’ my life frae hangin’.”

Fiona grimaced. “Tha’s true and thank th’ lord for tha’. It isnae as nice as it sounds.”

“Aye. I prefer this quiet normal wedding we’re havin’. Besides, Ùna is excited enough for all o’ us.”

Fiona chuckled. “Tha’s true. I think if she could she’d be the one marryin’ yer betrothed on Saturday. She’s quite taken wi’ him.”

Jamesina’s belly curdled at the thought of anyone else marrying Delwyn, even her delightful younger sister. She forced a smile anyway. “Aye, tha’s true.”

She felt the prick of a pin at her side and jerked. “Be careful!”

“I’m sorry Jamie.” Fiona rubbed at her side to relieve the pain. “I’ll go slower.”

“Aye alrigh’.”

She looked down at her gown, made of plaid and wool, hoping that it became her. She wanted Delwyn to look upon her favorably. Once fitting was done, she and Fiona parted ways; Fiona to check on the progress of the cooking and Jamesina to welcome the new guests.

* * *

Delwyn was skulking about the camp set up by the incoming guests, hoping to hear something that might be to his advantage. If he was guessing correctly, his sister had been sequestered somewhere at or near the mines. If he could find out where she was, he might avoid having to use Jamesina in a heinous manner. As his wedding drew closer, he became more and more reluctant to complete his mission.

He had watched the sisters for days, and Jamesina in particular and was enamored with the sisters love for each other. In fact, he felt a little envious of them, as they seemed so supportive of each other. The way they spoke of their father, it was clear that they held a large amount of respect and love for the man.

The way they spoke of him was completely foreign to anything he was used to. His father was a colossus in his life, looming over him like a god, dictating his actions or inactions. However, he was not a man that Delwyn loved. He was not a man whose respect Delwyn wanted.

But when he looked at Daividh, the laird was everything he hoped to be one day. Strong, capable, a family man who attended to those under his care with thoughtful intensity.

Delwyn found that he was ashamed to be starting a marriage with the opposite objective. Yet, as a brother, he owed it to his sister to do everything he could to save her.

Maegan.