Page 60 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"Aye." Unable to stop the rush of tears, she embraced her da.

"Heavens, I did nay realize you're head over heels for him."

Drawing away, she laughed as a tear ran to her chin, knowing she was ridiculous, but she couldn't help it. She shrugged and wiped at her eyes.

"Well, he is an impressive chief." Da shook Brodie's hand. "I'll agree to this match, Brodie, if you promise to always take good care of my darling daughter."

"Of course, I promise. She's a treasure." Brodie's affectionate gaze clung to her.

Contracts were drawn up for the marriage to take place in a few months' time. That evening, in the great hall, they held a betrothal ceremony. She gasped when Brodie slid an exquisite antique sapphire ring on to her finger. The dark blue gleamed in the candlelight.

"I thank you. 'Tis so beautiful." The tears in her eyes blurred his precious face.

He kissed her forehead.

A cheer went up from her clansmen.

"I have no betrothal gift for you," she confessed, for his ears alone. She hadn't known he was going to propose.

"You're the only gift I need," he murmured.

After he went home the next day, she'd told her father she wanted to get Brodie a nice betrothal gift. Da had agreed and given her the silver coins.

Will had taken her to an armor where she bought a beautiful Highland dirk. The blade featured intricate etchings of a stag, interwoven with Celtic knots. Silver studs decorated the dark wooden hilt, and the pommel was a silver thistle. It came with a shiny black leather sheath.

She hoped Brodie would love it as much as she loved the sapphire ring. She stroked the thistle. "Do you think he will like it?" she asked Will, still uncertain.

"Of course. Any man who wouldn't love that would be daft."

"Can you take me to see him so I can give it to him? I've never been to Farspag Tower."

"I suppose. If Da approves, and you promise to be on your best behavior."

She gasped. "I'm always on my best behavior."

Three of her brothers and several guards had escorted her to Farspag unannounced. She remembered how Brodie had smiled from ear to ear when his gaze locked on hers. She met his clan, his mother, and Cat.

Later that night, after supper and during the cèilidh, they slipped away to the solar. She gave him the beautiful Highland dirk wrapped in a bit of plaid.

Opening it, he appeared speechless for a long moment. "Saints! Elsea." He pulled the dagger from the sheath and examined the artistic etchings. "'Tis an extravagant gift."

Her throat tightening, she shook her head. "Nay more extravagant than a sapphire ring."

"Aye, 'tis." He sheathed it again and observed her, gazing deeply into her eyes. "I thank you."

"I wish for you to know... I mean, I wanted to show you...." she whispered.

"Aye?" he said in a rough but gentle tone, his gaze further softening on her.

"How much I love you," she said finally.

He pulled her to him and kissed her with immense tenderness. "And I love you, my wee warrior," he murmured. "More than you can imagine."

Their kisses grew more heated with each moment that passed until he pulled back a few inches. "'Haps we should marry now," he said, his voice gruff and heated.

Surprise jolted her. "Now? This moment?"

"Earlier than we'd planned." His eyes were even darker than usual, black lashes lowered.