Page 75 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“My, my,” Gwen said, staring in awe. “Ye make the prettiest bride.”

Elspeth smoothed down the skirt of her pale green dress. It had arrived earlier in the morning while she had been taking her bath. Gwen had helped her dress and made her hair for the day, pinning the roses in a crown above her head. Though her ears were bare, a pearl and emerald choker rested at her neck.

Gwen tipped some jasmine water on her fingers and dabbed it behind Elspeth’s ears, and across her wrists. Once satisfied, she stepped back and admired her. “Laird Grant will be pleased.”

Elspeth flushed. Despite her worry for what would unfold later today, she had felt excitement. The dress was a beautiful silk that was tight around the bodice then bloomed into a full skirt at the bottom. Pearl details across the bodice highlighted her feminine curves and elevated the dress from simply elegant to divine. Elspeth hadn’t wanted to like the dress because Leo had chosen it, but it was a very nice dress. Though there were no mirrors in the room, she felt very beautiful.

She wished she were preparing for her wedding day with Bruce and not this sham. Gwen had been a great help. Any moment that wasn’t occupied with preparing for the wedding, her mind had wondered to the ambush Bruce had planned. She wondered where he was and if he was safe.

There was a knock on the door. Gwen went to open it. Elspeth assumed it was Leo and didn’t turn to face him. She was afraid if she saw him, she’d punch him in the face.

“Elspeth?”

She whirled around. Domnhall stood before her, tears in his eyes, and a sad smile on his lips. The space between them that had yawned larger and larger over the years shrank to a few paces. It was like Adamina had never happened, and they were children again. He was the older brother she could rely on blindly because he would protect her.

She rushed into his arms. He held her fiercely and kissed her forehead.

“I’m sorry for running away,” she sobbed into his shirt.

“I’m sorry for nae being the brother ye deserved,” he said. “But I promise ye, Elspeth, I will nae let any harm come to ye.”

“I’m sorry for making ye worry and forcing ye into this confrontation. I ken how much ye hate to interfere in other laird’s business.”

“This is nae some other laird, lass,” he said. “Yer my sister, and I would fight the Devil and the armies of Hell for ye. If I have given ye the impression that I do nae care for ye or would nae fight for ye, then I have failed in my duties as brother more than once.”

“Please do nae say that,” she insisted, pressing her fingers to his lips. “I’m glad to have my brother back.”

“My apologies, I do nae wish to interrupt,” Gwen said. “But the guards are waiting outside, Laird Buchan.”

“Thank ye for caring for my sister,” Domnhall thanked Gwen. “Come, Elspeth. ‘Tis time.”

After what felt like an eternity, Elspeth stepped out of the room she had been imprisoned in. Four English guards with spears flanked the hall on either side, and once Domnhall and Elspeth started walking they divided to the front and back, covering all routes of escape.

“Where are we headed?” she asked.

“To the kirk,” Domnhall whispered back. “It is within the castle, which will help us restrict the fight to within the walls of Dunnottar.”

“Do ye ken where Bruce is?”

“Nae, but I suspect he has met up with his men. We expect him at the kirk when most of the English soldiers will be there.”

Clasping her hand tighter on her brother’s arm, Elspeth prayed all the way to the kirk for Bruce’s safety and his victory.

* * *

The kirk was adorned with flowers. Leo had gone to great trouble to beautify it for the occasion. There weren’t many people outside. Elspeth saw a few English soldiers, but she spotted familiar faces none the less.

Big Nate, Drew, Emory, Sean, and Jeremy caught her eye. The sight of them was a relief to her. They looked grief stricken, but also resigned to the wedding taking place. Emory stepped forward, and the rest followed him.

“Laird Buchan.” He bowed. “Lady Elspeth.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I want to thank ye for all that ye did for our Laird. And we wish ye great happiness.”

“Thank ye, Emory,” Elspeth said. “But yer Laird is nae gone. Do nae lose hope. He lives on in ye. In all of ye.” She looked them each in the eye, meaningfully.

Emory frowned; the dull light of grief brightened into a spark of curiosity.

“Come, Elspeth,” Domnhall said. “Laird Sinclair is waiting.”