Page 90 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

“And tell me,” he whispered, “dae ye think yer council would accept a soldier as the next laird of their clan?”

“Well, they have told me fer so long I need a warrior tae protect the clan. Something tells me they may like the plan greatly.”

“In which case.” He looked about himself. He could hardly get down on one knee here in front of all the wounded, so instead, he took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing the back softly. “Marry me, Kyven.”

She parted her lips to answer and –

“So, are we toasting a betrothal yet as well as victory in battle?” Tynan called.

“Tynan!” Michael snapped, turning to see his brother had a little more color in his face as he sat up amongst the injured on a bench nearby with a restorative goblet of mead in his hands. “Can ye nae just –”

Michael felt his shirt being pulled on. He jerked back around to face Kyven, as she reached up and kissed him.

I think I’ll take that as an ‘aye.’

EPILOGUE

A week later…

“Ahem.” Kyven cleared her throat uncertainly in the council room. Every pair of eyes swung toward her, and she flinched, sitting as straight and as calmly as she could.

Today, Helen had given her another fine gown to wear for the occasion, though fortunately, her hair was loosely falling down her shoulders, the way she liked it. Kyven felt infinitely more herself than she had done for some time in this room, though she was not sure if that was to do with the way she was dressed or the company around her.

On one side stood Aaden, in his usual place, but Michael had joined her today as well and stood on her other side. A short distance away, sitting at the table, were Laird Brayden and Tynan. Elliot had made an appearance too, and was standing at the back of the room, smiling and urging her encouragingly on with firm nods.

“I see much has changed,” Barnaby said, leaning forward with his hands steepled together. Theo shot him a warning glare, though it went unheeded. “We must speak of –”

“First, let us say how relieved we are tae have ye back,” Theo cut in, leaning forward too. Barnaby went puce in the face to be interrupted, but Theo pushed on. “We ken we must increase the guard on ye at once tae be protected from any further attacks.”

“Aye, it does make me question the judgement of the council, especially when ye consider that the man chosen tae be me husband and the next laird was the very man who abducted me.” Kyven’s words made a whisper travel around the room. She didn’t think it was possible for Barnaby to turn any more purple, but he did. “I’ll speak plainly with ye all.” She slowly stood from her seat. “Recent experiences have shown me who me true friends are.” She smiled at Elliot, and Brayden and Tynan too. “Friends who we once thought enemies. I’d like tae announce a new alliance with Laird Brayden Gregor’s clan. We have agreed the two clans will never fight again.”

Theo smiled broadly as did many others. Barnaby looked so shocked that he might fall out of his chair.

“We give ourselves tae the alliance wholeheartedly,” Brayden spoke up with a reverential bow of his head. Beside him, Tynan nodded, Though he was much better, he was still bandaged and would soon bear a scar very similar to the one Michael bore around his throat.

“There is also another change I’d like tae announce.” Kyven looked nervously between her councilors, trying not to tremble. “I willnae be marrying a man of yer choice –”

“Me lady –” Barnaby sat forward abruptly.

“But I will be marrying a man who fits yer criteria. Ye want someone who can bring us an alliance with another clan, well aye, this will bring an alliance with the Gregors. Ye also want a man who can keep this clan safe, and protect it, with a devoted heart. I have the man fer that.” Kyven turned and reached out to Michael. He gave her his hand. There was the subtlest of winks that he saved for her only. It made a warmth spread through her. “The man ye ken by Captain Gilchrist, the man ye ken tae be our most devoted soldier, is in fact the younger brother of Laird Brayden Gregor. I’d like tae introduce ye tae Michael Gregor.”

Theo sat forward, as did the other councilors in his faction, all looking delighted by this news, whereas poor Barnaby’s jaw had gone so slack.

“Michael and I are tae be married, and I wish for Michael tae be our new laird.”

Theo clapped his hands together at once.

“Ha! This is excellent news. Excellent indeed.” He jumped to his feet and rounded the table, moving toward Michael and shaking his head. “Many congratulations, Gil – I mean, Michael. I cannae tell ye how delighted I am by this news.” Other men hurried forward to congratulate as well, all but Barnaby, who was too shocked to speak at all.

“I always said we should be looking fer strength within our own clan,” one councilor called.

“Aye, and this is from within and out. Aye, it is the perfect solution!”

Kyven laughed at the sudden clamor of voices as she looked at Michael’s shocked face. He was shaking so many hands, he clearly didn’t know what to say first.

“Well done, Kyven,” Aaden whispered in her ear. She turned to see him standing on her other side with Elliot.

“Aye, it is good fer the clan, and fer ye,” Elliot said warmly. “I cannae tell ye how happy I am fer ye. I just have one question.” He held up his finger. “It was plain when I was acting like the laird of this clan that he was fond of ye. Why did it take ye so long tae notice?”