Page 156 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"I will get one to you both. And we must finalize the contracts. She has a good dowry, you ken."

Brodie did not need her dowry. He only wanted Elsea. But he wasn't going to refuse it either, because it fortified their marriage contract and the alliance with the MacAuley clan.

"I thank you," Brodie said, shaking his hand. "You and your clan are most generous, as your da was."

Sitting together at the high table, he and Elsea ate. He made sure she had plenty of all the best dishes. Gavin, sitting beside him, refilled their wine goblets.

Brodie thanked him, then glanced up to see his mother dancing with Lunn. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. She giggled like a lass.

"Look at them," Brodie said, taking a sip of wine.

"Aye. They've been like that all evening," Gavin said.

"What is he up to? Seducing my mother?" Brodie stared, aghast.

Gavin guffawed. "Who knows? He is an old rogue. But since we banished my curse, he acts like a much younger man."

Brodie had never considered it, but his mother retained an air of youth. Her hair was still dark as midnight and her skin smooth. And Lunn was nay old. He still appeared a brawny warrior.

"Do you disapprove?" Gavin asked.

"Nay. They can do whatever they wish. Hopefully, he does nay get her with child."

Gavin snickered. "We might like having a wee brother."

"Saints. Bite your tongue."

Beside him, Elsea chuckled. "Let them have their fun."

"Very well. We certainly are." He kissed her cheek. "Eat quickly. I'm near ready to retire for the night."

She squeezed his thigh beneath the table, sending a jolt of arousal through him.

"Keep doing that and I will toss you over my shoulder and carry you upstairs like a barbarian," he growled against her ear.

"Mmm." She raised her brows and watched him with interest. She took a sip of wine, swallowed, and licked her lips. He could not resist kissing her.

"We have not even had our first dance yet," she reminded him.

"Och. How could I forget? Are you ready?"

She nodded.

He led her onto the dance floor. Earlier, he had asked the minstrels to again play the Hebridean fairy's love lilt for their first dance as a married couple, and they did, all the instruments joining in with the flute.

Elsea's eyes glistened with tears. "You remembered," she said so low he barely heard her.

"How could I forget?" he murmured and kissed her forehead.

Epilogue

Farspag Castle, September 1631

Brodie met Gavin, Dani, Torr, Cat, Lunn, and their guards in the bailey. The sun was setting, and the air was still.

"Welcome. Glad you made it before gloaming."

Lunn dismounted, handed his reins to a stable lad, and rushed forward. He shook Brodie's hand. "Good to see you, lad. How's the wee wifey?"