Page 130 of Under the Laird’s Promise

They walked in silence for several minutes, just holding hands, both aware they were stealing moments that might be their last peaceful ones for days.

Tavish stopped beneath an arbor covered in dormant vines. In spring, this would be lush and green. Now it was skeletal but still beautiful, the twisted wood forming intricate patterns against the sky.

He turned to face Maighread, taking both her hands in his.

"There's something I need tae give ye," he said.

Her eyebrows rose. "What?"

Tavish released one of her hands and reached into the leather satchel slung across his shoulder. His fingers found the small, wrapped package he'd been carrying since Greg arrived. He'd asked his friend to bring it, knowing he'd need it.

He pulled it out and held it toward her. "This."

Maighread took the package carefully, her expression curious. "What is it?"

"Open it and see."

She unwrapped the cloth slowly, revealing a pendant on a delicate silver chain. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the silver worked into intricate Celtic knots that caught the light. At the center sat a small green stone, the exact color of spring grass.

Maighread's eyes widened. "Tavish, this is beautiful."

"It was me maither's." He watched her face, cataloging every shift in expression. "She wore it every day until she died. Me faither gave it tae her on their wedding day."

"I cannae accept this."

"Ye can. Ye will." He took it from her gently, lifting it from her palm. "

"But yer sister and braither⁠—"

"Have their own pieces." He moved behind her, gathering her hair and draping it over one shoulder. "May I?"

She nodded, speechless.

Tavish fastened the chain around her neck, his fingers brushing the soft skin at her nape. The pendant settled perfectly against her collarbone, the green stone bright against the dark fabric of her cloak. He stepped back around to face her, studying the effect.

"Perfect," he murmured. "It suits ye."

Maighread touched the pendant, her fingers trembling slightly as they traced the intricate metalwork. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"Second most beautiful. Ye're wearing it."

She laughed, the sound catching. "Flatterer."

"Truth-teller." He covered her hand with his, both touching the pendant together. "I wanted ye tae have something of me family. Something that connects ye tae them, tae our history. Yer nae just Maighread MacEwan anymore. Ye're Maighread MacBain, and this is part of what that means."

Tears shimmered in her eyes. "I dinnae ken what tae say."

"Say ye'll wear it. Say ye'll remember that ye're mine and I'm yers, nay matter what happens in the coming days."

"I'll wear it always." She rose on her toes and kissed him softly. "Thank ye. Fer loving me."

"Easiest thing I've ever done."

She smiled against his mouth. "Liar. I'm difficult and stubborn and willful."

"Aye. And I wouldnae change a single thing about ye."

They kissed again, deeper this time, both aware of how precious these moments were. Tavish pulled her closer, one hand cupping the back of her head while the other splayed across her lower back. She melted against him, fitting perfectly like she was made for exactly this position.