“It happens often, my liege. Weak constitution. The excitement of court. Take her to my room; she’ll be fine.”
The king looked at his sergeant. “I’d have her seen,” he said pointedly. “The woman has appeared to be on death’s door the entire time we’ve been gathered.”
The soldiers carried the limp form of the woman from the hall, but Hargrave did not follow, returning to his chair and sitting, crossing his legs in an irritated fashion.
“Would you be excused, Lord Hargrave?” the crier asked solicitously.
Hargrave waved a hand. “I’ve said she’ll be fine.”
Glenna looked at Tavish, who had turned to stand in the middle of the aisle, facing Audrey Keane in her fine ivory-and-blue gown. She was smiling sheepishly as she walked forward on her father’s arm, looking around hesitantly at the crowd gathered. Muir followed behind them, and Glenna’s mouth fell open as she realized the truth before anyone spoke a word.
Tavish stepped toward her and embraced her, causing Audrey’s trilling laugh to ring out.
“I must say, I did not expect so warm a welcome.” She laughed. She pulled away from Tavish, and she and Muir stepped forward, sinking low before the king.
James sat up straight in his chair. “Are you Audrey Keane?”
“I am, Your Majesty,” Audrey said in her curtsey, her eyes wide.
“Where the bloody hell have you been, gel?” Niall Keane bellowed. “And you, Muir; what’s your part in it?”
Audrey turned her eyes to Tavish. “I…you don’t know? But…I left a note for you in my chamber. So no one would worry in case we weren’t back before my father arrived. And Muir said you—”
“Audrey!” Niall demanded.
“Papa, Muir and I are wed.”
“What?” her father shouted.
Tavish drew his head back. “What?”
John Muir spoke then, his slow, careful manner of speech commanding the hall. “It is no secret to Master Keane that I have loved his daughter since I first came to sail for him as a boy. I asked for her hand long ago, and he refused me—saying he wished a noble match for her. I honored his wishes, wanting the best for Audrey, as well. It’s why I left his employ to captain theStygianfor my best mate, Tavish Cameron.”
“And I loved Muir, too, Papa,” she said. “You thought it would fade, and I tried to obey you. But…I don’t wish to be stuck away in a tower in the sticks of the Forth. So far from the city, and you, and…and life itself. Muir is a successful man—I shall have everything I could ever want as his wife. And so much more.”
“No,” Niall Keane commanded, shaking his head. “No, I refuse to allow it.”
“It’s already done, Papa,” Audrey said with a sad smile. “I am his wife, in word and in deed.”
Niall turned to the king. “My liege? Can you not do something?”
“I cannot refuse them, Master Keane,” he said. “Especially with all that has transpired here, I would think you eager to discover that your only child is not only alive and well, but happy.” He paused. “As much as you have hoped for her elevation, she and Captain Muir are of the same class, and of age.” He looked to Audrey. “Miss Keane, do you swear that you have been neither abducted nor murdered by Tavish Cameron?”
Audrey’s eyes went wide. “Papa, you didn’t think—” She broke off and looked earnestly at the king. “My liege, Master Cameron would never do anything to harm me. I trust him with my life, and that of my husband.”
The king then looked to Niall. “I assume you now wish to withdraw your accusations.”
Niall turned to Tavish, his face ruddy, and extended his hand. “My apologies, Cameron. I hope someday you can forgive me for ever thinking…”
Glenna was filled with pride, and Tavish quickly took Master Keane’s hand.
“It is a happy day for you, Niall,” Tavish said.
Niall nodded and looked away, Audrey walking him to his chair and helping him to sit.
Tavish looked up at Muir. “You son of a bitch,” he muttered under his breath. “It was Audrey the whole time.”
“Who else would it be, Tav?” he asked with a confused frown. Then he cocked a brow and looked over his shoulder. “You thought I was in love with Miss Douglas?” He left Tavish with a shake of his head.
