Page 68 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

“It’s true that if Muriel weds Liam, he will be the next in line for the lairdship,” Hextilda said. “But the alliance between our clans will still be a strong one if ye marry me daughter. And I suppose we should double the dowry for yer troubles, me laird.”

“Double the dowry?” Laird McNeil and Macleod asked at the same time – in entirely different tones. At least Macleod seemed interested in the new deal, which was more than Liam could have hoped for when he stepped into the courtyard with a sword in his hand.

“Aye,” Hextilda confirmed. “Will that nae be sufficient, Laird Macleod? I think it’s quite a generous offer, especially considerin’ that ye’ve been treatin’ me daughter as inferior this entire time.”

As much as Liam detested Lady Hextilda for her attempt to kill Muriel and then for the slander she had tried to spread about him; he had to admit that she was good at running those negotiations, in a way her husband could have never been. He wondered if she was the one who was pulling the strings, after all, in every decision that Laird McNeil made.

But if she had that much influence over him, Liam supposed that she would have given Macleod her daughter to marry in the first place.

“I suppose it’s a temptin’ offer,” Macleod said. “And yer daughter will be agreeable to such an arrangement? I wouldnae want to agree to this only to find out that she, too, has a secret lover.”

“I can assure ye that nae one is after me daughter’s heart,” Lady Hextilda said. “She trusts me and the laird to find a suitable husband for her.”

Macleod considered the proposal for a few more moments. Liam could see from the corner of his eye that Muriel was practically on the edge of her seat; eagerly anticipating his response, and he was no different. His heart beat faster and his leg bounced under the table nervously as he waited for a response.

“Then we have an agreement,” Macleod said – much to everyone’s evident relief. Muriel’s hand around Liam’s own tightened and she gave him a wide, ecstatic smile that had him smiling, too.

But he didn’t want to get too carried away yet. Macleod had agreed to marry the girl but Liam hadn’t gotten a confirmation that he could marry Muriel without any of them getting in the way.

“Do we also have an agreement?” he asked. “Muriel and I can get married with yer blessin’?”

Laird McNeil let out a weary sigh. “I suppose if it’s the only way to put an end to this, then yes, ye have me blessin’.”

When Liam heard those words, he grabbed Muriel and kissed her, laughing against her lips, oblivious to the others around them. He could hear her laugh, that sweet, lilting sound he adored. Nothing made him happier than knowing she was finally happy.

“Will ye marry me, mo ghràdh?” he asked even if she had already told him yes once.

“Aye,” Muriel said. “Aye, of course I’ll marry ye.”

Liam couldn’t remember a happier moment in his life.