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“I’ve never had a sibling before, and now I will be gaining three sisters, two brothers, and a brother-in-law through our marriage.”

Neill looked at his sister, who winked in response.

“They can be trying at times.”

She followed his gaze. “Surely not Emma? She seems so sweet . . .”

Neill chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Sweet. Aye. And also troublesome.”

“Nay. I do not believe it.”

“Emma told the stable boy at Bristol that he could aspire to be king of England. He fashioned a crown from leaves and twigs and refused to take it off. She bowed to him whenever he walked by.” Neill shook his head. “And he’s likely wearing it still.”

“That does not seem such a bad thing to do.”

“The stable boy of a small northern manor will never become the king of England.”

“Nay?” she argued. “What of Maximinus Thrax, emperor of Rome? He was a sheep farmer, if I recall my studies correctly.”

“And if I recall mine, he led for just three years before he and his son were murdered by the same army who made him emperor.”

“But still, he was the emperor of Rome.” She raised her chin.

“You and Emma will get on well, I believe,” Neill said. “My mother would have adored you.”

Neill rarely spoke of his parents, and since she did not wish to press him on the matter, she simply smiled. He’d share as much as he liked—and she would be here to listen.

Kathryn could tell he thought of his mother, of her absence likely, with their wedding just days away.

“She fought them that day.”

Kathryn assumed he meant the day she’d been killed.

Neill looked at Reid then, and Kathryn found herself wondering, again, how they’d found the strength to forgive the clan who’d taken their home. Killed their parents. Though the Kerrs had not done the deed themselves, their raid had taken everything from the Waryn siblings.

“I hated him, them, for so long.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “But they thought they were doing their duty. Doing as their king bid them. Besides, Bristol Manor had once been a Clan Kerr holding. Bryce—” he looked back at her, “—by marrying Catrina did a service to both our families. We would be feuding still had it not been for his marriage. We never would have realized they’re good people.”

“So you’ve forgiven them, truly?”

“Aye,” he said without hesitation. “They’ve served us well through these difficult times, and an ally is always better than an enemy.”

This time, it was she who squeezed Neill’s hand. “I am so very glad you came to the inn that day,” she said.

“As am I, Lady Kathryn.”

He said the title as if it were a private jest between them. And it was. Neill had seen right through her from the start. He’d known she was no common serving maid.

And she’d known from the start he was no common man. “Shall we rejoin our guests?”

He made a low sound, almost a growl, in his throat. “I can think of another place I’d rather be.”

Her stomach flipped at his words. Three days. In just three days she would become his wife, in every possible way.

Chapter 34

Neill looked at the sky, thankful for the clear day as he waited on the church stairs with the priest. Father Simon, a man he’d heard much about since Clan Kerr’s fate had interwoven with their own. Having dined with him for the past two nights, Neill could understand why the Kerr siblings valued him so. Soft-spoken yet firm, he’d led Neill and Kathryn through what they could expect of this day, yet Neill was more nervous than he’d ever been before a tournament.

Geoffrey, Bryce, and Garrick stood closest to him. The bride’s maids would arrive with her, and as they waited, he tugged his new surcoat down, ensuring it was not creased. That he was prepared for his bride.