“Only due to the placement of the cut.”
“There is to be a celebration this eve,” she said, changing the subject.
Torquil hoped it was due to her letting go of her fashing. “Is there? What for?”
She smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Us.”
He could not hide his surprise. “Truly? Who is hosting such an event?” He couldn’t imagine anyone planning such a thing for them, even if he had finally won Alpin’s favor.
“Ma and Da. ’Tis to celebrate our wedding.”
His eyes rounded, not kenning what to say.
“Ye look flabbergasted.”
“I am,” he admitted.
“There is more,” she said, her gaze falling to the floor afore meeting his once again. “Laird MacGregor will be in attendance. Da said he has explained the situation.”
Torquil winced. His cousin. With all that was going on here, he forgot about the ramifications of what would happen back home. He sighed. “That could be interesting.”
Eilidh shifted on the bed. “But ’tis good, aye? When was the last time Harts and MacGregors have been in the same room? To celebrate, no less.”
“Ne’er that I can remember.”
“Exactly. We are bridging the divide betwixt our two clans.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I admire yer enthusiasm. I cannae begin to foretell the outcome, but we will find out soon enough, aye?”
Later, as they readied themselves for the celebration that would bring the Harts and MacGregors together, Torquil could not help but find himself fashing over what the meeting would be. He also was not privy to the information that his cousin and Arthur had exchanged.How long had they been communicating?
“Ye look quite fetching,” Eilidh complimented him wrapping her arms gently around his waist.
“And ye look beautiful.” He kissed her head and wrapped his good arm around her shoulders. His movements a little stiff. Her gown was a deep blue with green accents. It reminded him of their eyes. Eilidh’s blue. His green.
“Shall we?” he asked, trying to keep the nervousness out of his voice.
Downstairs, everyone was gathered in the Great Hall. The tables had been rearranged to allow for a more intimate gathering. Torquil was surprised to not only see his cousin, but also Evander and Callum. The three men watched them as they entered the hall, and for a brief moment, Torquil’s heart seemed to seize. Eilidh must have sensed his shift, and squeezed his hand in encouragement.
Laird MacGregor’s gaze bore into him as he and Eilidh drew closer.
“So, this is the lass that has captured yer heart? And made ye forget all rational thought,” Seamus added, his face serious.
Torquil swallowed, but straightened. “Aye. Let me introduce ye to Eilidh Ha—” he paused, catching himself, “Eilidh MacGregor.”
For a long moment Seamus only stared at them, unmoving. Finally, he nodded. “’Tis a pleasure, Eilidh.”
Torquil felt the need to explain himself. “My laird, if I may have a word.”
Seamus shook his head. “I have been made weel aware of the situation. From Fergus, from Callum,” he looked over at Torquil’s brother, a dismissive look on his face, “and finally, from Laird Hart.” He paused. “But, e’en afore those conversations, I was made aware of the possibility.”
Torquil was confused. How could his cousin have kenned aforehand?
Seamus clapped his hand on Evander’s shoulder. “Yer brother let me know a Hart lassie had caught yer interest. That ’twasnae a casual intrigue.”
Torquil’s gaze slipped to his brother, who smiled tightly and shrugged. “Ye were lost from the first moment yer eyes met hers. ’Twas inevitable where ’twas headed.”
He was speechless.
