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“Get off me!” she cried, and writhed under him, raising her legs to push him away. She rolled away and stood up, grabbing her shawl as she did so. She left her sword on the ground as she stormed through the crowd, her face red in shade. The crowd wasn’t quite sure how to react, and neither was Gowan. He ran a hand through his shoulder-length hair and picked up her sword before taking it back over to the rack of weapons.

“Looks like ye hae yer hands full there,” Karl teased under his breath. Gowan nodded in agreement, but at least he felt something for the girl. Given the way she had looked at him, he was sure that she felt something for him too, although he wasn’t quite sure if it was good or not.

6

It had been two days since Maeve had had the foolish notion of entering combat with Gowan. At the present moment, servants were fitting her wedding gown, so she was standing with her arms outstretched while they took measurements and made notes on what needed to be adjusted. It gave her plenty of time to think, and unfortunately for her, she found her mind drifting to that moment when Gowan had been on top of her, pinning her to the ground. It had inflamed something inside her body, and she wished she could speak about it with someone, for she had never felt anything like it before. That moment where he had been gazing into her eyes and his comfortable weight had pressed down upon her was something close to magical, and she wished she had reacted better.

At the time, it had taken her completely by surprise, and the only way she knew how to react was by storming away back to solitude so she could try and process what had happened. In the couple of days since then, she had at least found solace in the fact that she was attracted to him, even if she wasn’t yet sure they had much in common other than being children of the Highlands. Her skin was flushed, and there was a simmering feeling under the surface of her flesh whenever she thought about that moment with Gowan.

If she had her way, then she would have extended the period of mourning to give herself more time to adjust, but there was only so much she could do. The world continued to turn after people died, and it was the duty of the living to keep progressing rather than standing still. There was nothing she could do to prevent herself from being married to this man, but she still wanted to prove to him that he wasn’t the only capable person with a weapon. It had been a little foolish to think she could defeat him with a sword as the physical difference between them was stark and gave him the advantage, no matter how nimble she may have been. However, there were other areas in which his advantage could be negated, and she hoped to challenge him again at the earliest possible convenience.

From all reports, he had certainly not been shy in engaging with the people of the clan, and she wondered if she had let her resentment at her fate result in misjudging him. After all, there was no harm in entertaining people, and surely she would want a gregarious husband rather than one who shut himself away for all hours of the day and never wanted to meet anyone.

She decided that she would try and give him more of a chance, and she also chose not to wear her mourning garb. She wasn’t yet finished with grieving her father, but the longer she wore grim colors, the harder it was going to change things. It did feel good to wear something she was more used to as well. She let her brown-reddish hair cascade down to the middle of her back. Her dress was a patchwork of colors that was a deep contrast to the stone walls of the castle. She wore a glittering necklace as well and a bracelet that had been given to her when she was very young. Then it was time for another dinner, and this time she hoped the conversation would not turn so quickly to battle.

* * *

She smiled at those in attendance and noticed how they were looking at her now that she wasn’t wearing the colors of mourning. Gowan’s gaze lingered on her as well, and she found herself blushing. She took her seat, but before anyone ate, her uncle rose from his chair and signaled that he wished to make a toast.

“I would just like tae say a few words about my beautiful niece here. It is, of course, a shame that her father is nae here tae say these words himself, and I could never hope to replace him in yer heart, but I hope that as the last remaining member of yer family, I can provide ye with some comfort. There hae been days of sorrow recently, but I truly believe that the sun is setting on them and a new dawn is rising, a dawn filled with happiness and hope and all the sweetness that the world can offer.

“I hae seen ye grow from a wee bairn intae this fine, beautiful woman who is ready tae take on the responsibility of a clan. Ye hae inherited all the finest qualities from yer parents, and since ye are still here, I am reminded of them every time I see ye. In some ways, it is as though they are still here tae. I know ye will make a fine wife, a fine mother, and a finer Laird. Excuse me, I meant lady. Gowan, I hope ye know how lucky ye are tae marry this lass and that if any harm comes tae her, ye will be chased down until ye can run no longer.” A titter of laughter followed these words. “Sae here is tae the two of ye. I know that yer parents are proud of ye, and we should be glad that they can be here in spirit even if they cannae be here in body,” he said, and his words were met with a solemn reaction from everyone in attendance. They raised their glasses and toasted to Maeve, her future, and the fortunes of the clan as well.

Maeve reflected on his words and felt a wave of relief pass through her. She had always had a somewhat strained relationship with her uncle. He liked to keep himself to himself, and it always seemed as though he knew some secret to the world he was unwilling to share with anyone else. But his words seemed to come from the heart, and it was clear that he was on her side, which was good because she knew she was going to need all the help she could get. It made her feel a little less alone, and she was happy to receive the kind words of a family member. It felt good to have someone believe in her.

* * *

The meal was a happy one, and much conversation was shared. There were stories told of the Laird and his wife, which brought a tear to Maeve’s eyes. Yet it was a happy occasion as well. It felt better to talk about them than it did to wallow in her own sense of grief and for everyone to act as though they were gone from their lives forever. It was the first time that she could remember her uncle being so animated and gregarious as well. It seemed as though this marriage was having an effect on everyone, and she thought that perhaps she had been a little selfish in wanting to delay it. There was nothing she could do to stop the wedding, and delaying the inevitable was only prolonging the anguish. It was better to get it over with, she thought, and so at one point during the evening, she rose to make a toast herself.

Everyone else fell quiet as they saw the young Lady Maeve rise and hold a goblet in her hand.

“First of all, I want tae say thank ye tae everyone for yer kind words, especially my uncle Harrison. Although we hae lost sae many members of our family, I am glad that we still hae each other. Tae know that ye believe in me gives me no end of pride, and I hope that I can live up tae the woman ye all believe I can be. I want tae say that I know this period haes been hard on all of us because my da was sae beloved. It haes left me distraught as well. When I lost my ma, I at least haed my da tae comfort me, and at first, when Da died, I thought I was alone.

“However, I see now that I’m nae alone, nae as long as I hae all of ye. We are grieving taegether, and we will celebrate taegether. That is why I would like tae officially say that the period of mourning hae ended. It is time for us tae turn our minds tae matters of celebration again and plan for the wedding. Gowan is a fine warrior and a finer man. My da chose him for me, and I am eager tae see our marriage come tae pass. I will strive tae dae right by all of ye and learn from my father’s example.”

Her words were met with great cheers, and she basked in the adulation of her people. As his gaze drifted across the hall, it settled on Gowan. Their eyes met, and she smiled. He returned the gesture, and there was a hint of mystery there, a sense that she wanted to know more about him.

* * *

After dinner, Gowan came up to her and asked her to go for another walk, although this time it wasn’t to have a tour of the castle but just to spend time with her. She smiled coyly at him and nodded in agreement. She knew exactly where she wanted to take him. They walked through the long hallways and across the parapet of the castle, which looked out to the valleys and the hills below, before following them down to another part of the castle that was her favorite. As they walked, they spoke, and Maeve was determined to keep the conversation from returning to battle.

“Ye spoke kind words taeday, as did yer uncle. I hae tae admit that when I met him, I didnae think he would be capable of such tenderness,” Gowan said.

Maeve smirked. “Tae be honest with ye, he haes never haed much of a tendency tae be emotional. He haes always been aloof, but I am glad he is changing his ways. I am gaeing tae need his wisdom if I am tae be the Lady of the clan.”

“I wish I could offer ye the same wisdom, but unfortunately, I hae nae been educated in such matters.”

“Nay?” she asked.

Gowan shook his head. “My brother Ewan was always taught how tae be a Laird. I was allowed tae amuse myself while he was in his lessons…and allowed tae put myself in danger,” he added with a smirk. “But I suppose now that I am here, I dae wish I haed paid a wee bit more attention. I imagine you know enough for both of us, though.”

“My da was generous in sharing knowledge,” Maeve said. “Both my parents prepared me for this day. They wanted tae ensure I was capable of being my own woman.”

“Is that how ye learned tae fight with a sword as well?”

Maeve nodded. “Ma didnae like it much, but she could nae keep me away. I never liked being told that I could nae dae what the boys did, and Da thought I should learn how tae defend myself. He knew well enough that the world is a dangerous place. Ma knew as well, deep down, although they were nae inclined tae send me tae battle like ye.”

Gowan chuckled at this, and she was relieved when he didn’t go on a long speech about some other battle he was in. “What was she like, yer ma?” he asked.