"I don't think he wishes to marry," Camillewhispered.
"Nay. He is a skirt-chaser of the firstorder."
"But you are not,oui?" She squeezedhis thigh.
"Your skirt is the only one I will chase fromthis day forward. Well… in truth, from the day I met you, I wantedno other woman."
Her heart melted and she wished she couldstroke his dear face and kiss him all over. Tears burned hereyes.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
"Naught. I love you," she whispered.
"And I love you, my wee Frenchie." He kissedher forehead.
Lachlan tapped his knife against a silvergoblet, stood and smiled. "'Tis time for a toast or two, aye?"
While Camille listened to the toasts, hermind drifted back over the past two weeks. Half of Dugald's men,who had been staying in the village, had joined them at Draughon,while the other half returned to Rornoch Castle to tell Tòmas ofthe news. He had shown up a few days later with twenty MacKerrickclansmen.
Angelique and Lachlan's new bairn had beenborn just over a week ago. 'Twas a healthy girl with flaming redhair. Camille and everyone thought Hannah a wee version ofAngelique. Lachlan was the proud da, carrying the tiny babe aroundand showing everyone how beautiful she was. The babe's olderhalf-brothers, Orin and Kean, as well as her wee Uncle Timmy, eyedher with wonder.
After they'd eaten supper, the dancing began.Camille danced with Dugald four times, then she was ready to retireto their chamber. She had a surprise for him and could hardly waitto give it to him. While most everyone was distracted by the livelymusic of thecèilidh, the two of them slipped up thestairs.
When she opened the door to her chamber, shecould hardly believe how lavishly the room had been decorated. Themaid in attendance bobbed a curtsy, hurried out the door and closedit behind her. A cozy fire burned brightly in the hearth. A dozenor more candles had been lit and placed on every surface. Thescents from the rose and heather garlands filled her senses.
"Oh heavens," she whispered in awe."Angelique must have had the servants do this as a surprise forus."
Dugald placed his hands on her shoulders andcaressed. "Aye, 'tis lovely, but not as lovely as you." He kissedher ear.
She turned to him. "Can I ask you aquestion?"
"Aye, and I hope 'tis a scandalous request."He winked.
"Non, you rogue." She grinned. "I butwondered… are you certain your clan will accept me as your wife andtheir lady since I'm not a chief's daughter?"
"To be honest, at first I thought they mightbe angry with me for making such an important decision withoutconsulting them and… that they might relieve me of my position andmake Tòmas chief. But since Lachlan has so generously offered us analliance with the Drummagan clan, I think they will be overjoyedwith the arrangements. Even my father, God rest his soul, wouldhave approved of our marriage, even if begrudgingly and at theeleventh hour." Dugald grinned. "I want you to know, though, Iwould've married you even without the alliance. And without myclan's approval."
Wonder filled her. She was incrediblyfortunate to have met such an amazing man. "You were willing togive up the chieftainship in order to marry me?"
"Aye, of course. Didn't I tell you thatalready?"
She shook her head. "Dugald, you are atreasure." She reached up and kissed him.
"I told you the clan will love you. Half mymen already do. I'm going to have to keep an eye on old Owen, therascal."
Camille blushed. "Nonsense. We arefriends."
"Hmph. Not sure how I feel about that. Mywife and my guard friends?" He grimaced.
She gave his arm a playful slap. "You knowwhat I mean! Never mind that. I have a wedding surprise foryou."
"Indeed?"
Dugald had already given her a wedding gift,a lovely sapphire necklace, in addition to her jeweled weddingring. Now it was her turn. She hoped this surprise would knock hiskilt off.
Grinning and near shaking with anticipation,she opened a chest and took out the flat wooden box she'd hadspecially carved with an image of his clan's castle just for thisoccasion. She motioned toward the bed, and they sat. She hesitatedfor a moment, taking in his expectant look, then handed him thebox.
"'Tis beautiful," he said. "A perfectlikeness of Rornoch." When he removed the lid and drew the bluevelvet back, she watched his face as his gaze landed on theruby-hilted dagger. Such shock and surprise she had never seen onanyone's face.
