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“Of course, sweetheart.”
“We could announce it at the Hogmanay Ball,” Alasdair suggested. “Half of Glasgow always shows up, so we can get it over with all at once. A bit of fussing and then you’re done.”
Donella grimaced at the notion of so much public attention, but her cousin’s suggestion made sense. “Very well.”
Logan gave her an encouraging smile. “It would mean we’d only have to listen to people being idiots for one night, and then we can ignore them.”
Alasdair pushed back from his desk. “Excellent, so let’s go tell the others. We can work out the details later.”
Logan raised a hand. “One more thing, Alec. This situation with the Murray family has to be dealt with. I won’t have Donella fearing for her safety.”
Startled, she exchanged a glance with her cousin.
“Don’t think I didn’t catch that,” Logan said. “It’s time you tell me what’s going on.”
“We’re taking care of it,” Alasdair said.
Logan stood and placed a hand on the desk. “It’s up to me to protect Donella, and I can’t properly do that until I know the reason why the Murrays are acting like such addlepated fools.”
“It’s clan business,” Alasdair said.
“Sorry, but that won’t wash.”
When the two men commenced a hostile staring contest, Donella knew she had to explain at least some of it.
“Logan, it’s because Roddy Murray wished to marry me. Naturally, my uncle refused him. Mungo Murray took that as a great insult, one he has apparently not forgotten.”
Logan looked puzzled. “But you were betrothed to Alec at the time. How could Murray possibly be insulted?”
“Because the Murrays are idiots,” Alasdair said.
“Aye, Mungo and his kin were always a few cards short of a full deck,” Angus added. “Especially poor Roddy.”
To forestall Logan arguing, Donella laid a hand on his arm. “Once our betrothal is announced, the Murrays will have to give it up.”
He shook his head. “I still don’t like it, and it makes no bloody sense.”
It would make perfect sense if he knew all the details, which she fervently hoped he never would. “It’s simply a bit of old history and means nothing.”
“Donella is right,” Alasdair said. “Mungo is a bitter old man who hates my grandfather, but the Murrays have been warned off. Besides, even they wouldn’t be so foolish as to take on both the Arnprior and Riddick families.”
Donella patted Logan’s arm. “It’ll be fine, I promise.”
His mouth twitched. “All right, I’ll give it up for now, but at the first sign of trouble . . .”
“You can have at it,” Alasdair said.
Donella’s stomach curdled at the thought of having to face more trouble from the Murrays, but she did her best to maintain an untroubled expression.
Alasdair stood and came around the desk. “Congratulations, lass.” He pulled Donella to her feet and hugged her. “No one deserves happiness more than you do. Edie and I are thrilled for you.”
She hugged him back, her emotions too jumbled for a coherent reply.
“And best wishes, old man,” he said to Logan. “Make Donella happy, or I’ll flay you alive.”
“Thank you for so graciously welcoming me into the family,” Logan replied.
“Let’s join the others,” Angus said, “and drink a wee toast to the happy couple.”
