"Oh, you think… Are you crazy? He's the same age as my literature students. He's a child."
"Och!" Hewie exclaimed. "M'lady, I'm nay a child… with all due respect."
Ewan scowled. "I've ne'er seen a six-foot-two bairn."
She pointed at the boy. "Some thirteen-year-olds are that tall. How old are you, Hewie?"
"Eighteen summers, m'lady."
Dani rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. Things are weirdly different in this day and age. I get it. But where I'm from, I teach seventeen to twenty-one-year-olds all day long, and no one raises a brow!" She strode back toward the castle and up the steps. Jerk, thought she planned to have a fling with a teenage boy? Ewan had his mind in the gutter.
"M'lady!" Crocker yelled when she entered the great hall. "Come quick. Father John has awakened."
"Thank God." Dani rushed toward the library. When she entered, the sight of the frail priest sitting on the edge of the cot shocked her. "Father John? Hi. I'm Dani. How are you feeling?"
He blinked at her as if confused. "My head hurts."
"Did you see who did this to you?"
"'Twas a tall man dressed like a priest, with a dark hooded cloak, but the Lord hath shown me 'twas a brigand in disguise. He works for the side of darkness."
She nodded. "We suspect Lady Wilona MacRae and the guys who work for her. She's said to be a witch."
Father John crossed himself. "I ken who she is."
Gavin would want to know this so he could find the culprit.
Dani glanced aside. "Crocker, when do you think the laird will return?"
The cook busied himself with the bottles and cups on the side table. "'Tis his habit to return at sundown."
Frustration gnawed at her. "He should be here now to help Father John."
Crocker shrugged but made no comment.
"Why did Laird MacTavish send for me?" the priest asked.
Feeling a pang of anxiety, Dani kept her mouth shut.
Crocker turned and grinned. "To perform his wedding. 'Haps even tonight, aye, lass?"
Dani glared at the smart-alecky man. "That's not a priority. Father John needs to recover first. He's had a serious injury and no doubt has a horrid headache."
"I'll be fine," Father John said, not helping her at all. "Are you to be his bride?"
Apprehension gnawed at her gut, making her hesitate.
"Aye, she is," Crocker answered for her.
She ground her teeth. Now she regretted accepting Gavin's proposal. For some reason, the impending wedding felt a lot more real now than it had last night. Cold hard reality in the light of day… and in the presence of a priest.
Father John nodded. "'Twill be a short ceremony. Since so few people live in the area and with the clan's… um… special circumstance, we'll dispense with the banns."
"His lairdship will be most pleased." Crocker's smile broadened, then he glanced at Dani. "You'll find a nice blue dress in the trunk above stairs."
Dani scowled. "Why do you care whether I marry him or not?"
"Destroying that evil spell will benefit us all! The clan and servants will return. I'll have ample help around here." Crocker placed his hands upon his hips and danced a brief jig. "We'll have acèilidhwith music, dancing, and feasting."
