Hugh cleared his throat. "Aye," he said gruffly and finally met Neacal's gaze. "You are to be commended for your successes today."
"And?" Bhatar prodded.
"I was wrong. You are a strong and wise chief," Hugh said.
Neacal, stunned speechless, almost fell off his seat.
"Aye." Bhatar smiled."Am mac mar an t-athair." Like father like son.
The other elders murmured their agreement.
"Well, I thank you all for your confidence in me," Neacal said. "It means more to me than I can say. And since you feel this way, I ask you to grant me a boon. I've asked Lady Anna Douglas to marry me and she has accepted."
Bhatar's grin widened. "She's a widow and a chief's daughter. I don't see anything wrong with this match."
"Will we at least seek an alliance with either of her clans?" Hugh asked.
"Aye," Neacal said. "From what she told me, her first husband had a young heir, a nephew, who will no doubt become chief now that the murderer and thief, Blackburn, is out of the way. I'll contact him. Hopefully, we can have a friendly association, at least."
"What about her birth clan?" Hugh asked.
"The MacQueens," Neacal said. "She's said the current chief and baron is a distant cousin of her father and that he wants naught more to do with her. Probably no alliance there."
"Ah well." Bhatar shrugged. "It matters not. Given that they're so far away, we'll likely never have contact with them anyway."
Hugh nodded.
"So, all of you support me in this?" Neacal said. "I don't want someone coming up three weeks hence and saying they changed their mind." Neacal looked pointedly at Hugh.
"You have my complete support," Hugh said in a more amiable tone than Neacal had ever heard him use, and his eye contact didn't falter.
Bhatar nodded. "The clan already loves the lady because of her kindness and beautiful songs. I have nay doubt she is the best lady for our clan."
Finally, Neacal felt he was truly the chief of the clan with the full acceptance of the elders. "You have my undying gratitude."
***
Two hours later, as promised, a soft knock sounded at the door of Anna's new guest chamber. 'Twas a fine and well-appointed room with a large oak four-poster bed.
Thankful that Maili and all the maids had gone and Anna was alone, she opened the door a crack to peer out. Finding Neacal standing outside, holding a candle, she pulled the door wider. He slipped in and closed it.
"I don't think anyone saw me."
"I'm certain they would be shocked." She smiled.
He set down the candle, then kissed her. "Aye, we'll be the scandal of Bearach Castle."
She led him to the cushioned settle by the fire. After he sat, he pulled her onto his lap, surprising her.
She grinned and gave him a quick kiss on the lips… which turned into a longer kiss and swiftly threatened to seduce her.
Neacal drew back a tiny bit and looked deeply into her eyes. "Anna, you're the only light in my bleak and desolate life. I thank you for accepting my proposal of marriage."
"I thank you for asking." She leaned in and kissed him. "You're the strongest, bravest and most handsome man I've ever met. And I'll be honored and thrilled to be your wife."
"You do flatter me."
"Do you think the clan council will ever accept me?" she asked.
