Page 116 of Under the Laird’s Promise

The priest confirmed he can perform the ceremony at midday in two days' time. I told him we'd meet him tomorrow tae discuss vows. —T

She smiled, running her finger over the hasty scrawl. Then she pulled out parchment and wrote back.

Perfect. I'll arrange fer flowers from the garden. Kathleen says white roses are traditional. Dae ye have a preference? —M

She left the note in his chamber, tucked under a stone on the windowsill where he'd see it.

An hour later, she found his response in the same spot in her room.

Whatever ye want is fine. I only care that ye're there. —T

Her throat tightened. She pressed the note to her chest briefly before tucking it away carefully.

Evening brought another round of tasks. Maighread finalized the guest list with the steward while Tavish reviewed defensive positions with his men in case Sinclair tried something during the ceremony. They met again in the Great Hall as dinner was being set out.

"All arranged?" Tavish asked.

"Aye. Ye?"

"Aye."

They sat together, eating in comfortable silence. Around them, the castle buzzed with preparation. Servants hurried past carrying linens and supplies. Council members huddled in corners, discussing the sudden wedding. Maighread caught snippets of conversation, some approving, some skeptical.

She didn't care. Let them talk.

"Ye're exhausted," Tavish said quietly.

"So are ye."

"I'm nae the one who spent three hours arguing with the seamstress about hem length."

"It was important."

"Was it?"

"Aye. I refuse tae trip over me own dress during me wedding vows."

His mouth twitched. "Fair enough."

After dinner, they walked through the gardens together. The night air was cool, stars bright overhead. Maighread breathed deeply, letting the quiet settle her frayed nerves.

"Two days," she said softly.

"Aye. Two days and ye'll be me wife."

"Are ye nervous?"

"Nay. Are ye?"

"A little. Nae about marrying ye. Just… everything else."

Tavish stopped walking and turned to face her. "We'll handle everything else taegether. One thing at a time. First the wedding. Then whatever comes after."

"What if⁠—"

"Nay. Nay what-ifs taenight." He cupped her face gently. "Taenight we just breathe. Tomorrow we finish preparations. The day after, we marry. That's all we need tae think about."

She nodded, leaning into his touch. "Alright."