"Of course."
Her mother kissed her cheek. "I want to give you this." She held up a gold pendant.
Cat gasped. "Oh, Ma. You cannot."
"My mother gave me this on my wedding day, and now I'm passing it along to you."
Cat had always thought the pendant stunning with its rubies, diamonds, and pearls clustered into an intricate quatrefoil setting of gold filigree. A larger ruby dripped from the bottom.
"But 'tis your favorite necklace," Cat said, still shocked.
"I have always loved it." Ma waved her hand. "But I have several more pendants I love. One of our English ancestors brought this one from Spain many years ago. Since the day you were born, I knew I would one day give it to you." Her mother put the necklace on her and fastened it.
More tears gathered in Cat's eyes. "How sweet. I thank you."
"You're welcome, darling." Ma wiped a tear and quickly turned away. "Now, let's get you ready."
***
AN HOUR AFTER SUNRISE, Torr and Gavin sat in the great hall, breaking their fast. Some of their clansmen sat at the low tables, but the ladies had yet to join them. 'Haps they were eating in their chambers. Of course, he would not be permitted to see Cat until the ceremony. And that time could not arrive quickly enough.
Brodie burst through the entry door, a scowl on his face. "We'll meet in the solar in half an hour," he called to them, then disappeared up the steps.
"Aye," Torr responded.
"Something has his plaid in a twist," Gavin murmured quietly enough that those at the low tables couldn't hear.
"Probably still vexed at me over his wee sister." But Torr didn't care. Naught would put him off marrying Cat.
"Brodie could never find a better brother-in-law."
That warmed Torr's heart. "I appreciate that." He had missed his two friends during the past year and was enjoying spending some time with them.
"Without doubt, the curse also makes him crabbit," Gavin said.
"He has always been crabbit."
They chuckled.
"I feel bad, laughing at our friend's expense," Torr admitted. "We truly must help him find a lady to abolish his curse and improve his mood."
"For a certainty."
"And we must find out about the female in the cave."
"Aye, strange, that."
After finishing their meal, Gavin and Torr joined Brodie in the solar, where he sat behind the desk, reading over the contracts Drury had drawn up during the night. Clearly, Brodie had bathed in the meantime, for his hair remained damp, and he wore his best plaid and shirt.
"How are you this morn?" Torr asked him.
"Fine. Why do you ask?" Brodie cast a tetchy glance toward him as if he were prying too much.
Torr shrugged. "Just wondering if you're vexed at me because I wish to marry Cat."
"Nay. I'm glad. You can watch over her far better than I can."
"I'll do my best."
