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“I spoke in terms my father would understand,” she said, and smiled.
“It is good that you are now part of our clan; the true king can make use of your negotiating skills when needed,” Duncan said.
“I would be honored to serve him,” Tara said.
Mercy and Mara entered the great hall.
“What goes on here?” Mara demanded, walking up to her sons. “The king’s soldiers here, and I am not made aware of it?”
“How is Trey?” Tara asked.
“He does well, improves with each day. Willow is with him now.” Mara wagged a finger at her. “But don’t think to divert me from the question. “What goes on here?”
“Nothing that Tara couldn’t handle.” Reeve beamed with pride.
“That’s my daughter,” Mara said with equal pride.
Both beaming faces almost brought tears to Tara’s eyes. No one had ever shown or expressed pride in her, and it filled Tara’s heart with joy and with a sense of family.
“We’ll celebrate with a hearty breakfast and then I will begin plans for a wedding feast,” Mara said.
“I’ll help,” Mercy offered.
“You should rest,” Duncan said, going to her side and scooping her up with ease before plopping down on a bench and settling her in his lap.
The family gathered round the table, while pitchers and bowls and heaping portions of food were brought out.
“Where is your father?” Mara asked just before everyone began to eat. “We don’t start without him.”
The brothers looked from one to another, and they all suddenly stood.
“He had gone to ready the warriors,” Duncan said.
“Yet no warriors have joined us here,” Reeve said. “Something is wrong.”
“Good Lord!” Mara said, wringing her hands. “Go find your Da,” she shouted at her sons.
They never reached the door. It opened, and in walked Carmag, accompanied by a tall man who appeared a hardened warrior. Old scars covered a good portion of one side of his face, and under the bulk of his fur-lined cloak, which swung open, was more bulk, though it was one of muscle and form. He looked to be a man seasoned in many battles and not always victorious ones.
“Where have you been?” Mara snapped. “You scared me half to death.”
“I went to greet our guest. He arrived sooner than expected,” Carmag said.
The man looked around the table and his eyes settled on Tara.
Her eyes had been drawn to his face as soon as he had walked in. She couldn’t tear them away; his face captured her attention, though he was not near as handsome as her husband. But there was something—something—there that drew her to him.
She hadn’t noticed that the room had turned silent, the only sound the pop and crackle of the fire in the fireplace.
Tara suddenly turned completely pale. “Oh my God!” She scurried off the bench and ran around the table. The stranger smiled and spread his arms wide, capturing her as she flung herself into them.
“I don’t believe it,” she said, hugging him tight.
“Nor I,” he said, his voice deep and strong. “But as soon as I heard, I knew it could be no other.”
“I feared you were—”
“As you can see, I’m fine,” he said.
