Highland Sparks (Clan Grant #5) (21 page)

Chapter Thirty-Three

“Why?” Gwyneth stared at him in shock.

He paused to gather his thoughts and then hung his head. “I gave up. After Iona died, I gave up. I was totally defeated because the whole situation was out of my control. I sat in the forest and bellowed my frustration and I was ready to quit when I caught up with Quade.”

“You did?”

“Aye. I didn’t find Lily, you did. I should have been the one to rescue her. I have the reputation for being the best tracker in the land, but I couldn’t find my own niece. Had it not been for you, we would never have found her in time.”

Gwyneth sighed. “Logan, first of all, when your family is involved, I think your mind does not work in the same way. Look at what happened to me when I confronted Duff. I could shoot an arrow to win a contest, but not around that man.”

“True, but you managed to do it in the end.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Aye, but so did you.”

Logan scowled. “Nay, I didn’t. I quit. What kind of father would I make if I quit so easily?”

“You didn’t quit.”

“You weren’t inside my head. I was ready to give up. Had Quade not pushed me on to continue, I would have gone home.”

“And I would have let Duff kill me or put me on that boat, but you came along.”

He stared at her, processing her words.

“And you did find us. I was the one who had quit. I knew I could go no further. All I could do was settle myself on the ground and wrap my arms around Lily to try and warm her. But I do recall my last words to her.”

“What?”

“I said, don’t worry, Uncle Logan and your da will find us. And you did.
You didn’t quit.
If you had, Lily and I would probably still be out there.”

As he pondered her words, a slow smile crept across his face.

“What is it?” She cocked her head at him.

He grasped her hands in his and kissed the back of each one. “My thanks for helping me make sense of everything in my mind. I do believe we complement each other verra well.”

“That’s what I have been trying to tell you, you stubborn man. Together, we will protect our family well. It’s not just on your shoulders; it’s on mine and on the rest of your family, too. I can think of no better man for me. I love you so and couldn’t handle it if you left me now. I am so excited to become part of a larger family, and so is Rab. We won’t be alone anymore.”

Aye, she was right. They were wonderful together—and with their forces united, they could fight anything. He stood up and started to climb into bed with her, but then stopped. “Wait. One more thing I need answered.”

“Go ahead.”

“Did you really cut off a man’s sac and throw it into the firth?”

Gwyneth burst out laughing and reached for his hand, tugging him so he fell on top of the bed next to her.

“That worries you a wee bit, does it?” she prodded him.

“Aye.” He rearranged his breeks. “The thought does make me cringe, or at least makes me anxious to protect my private area. I saw where you shot your enemy.”

“I didn’t exactly cut his sac off.”

“What did you do?”

“When I was on the boat, drugged, the Norse pulled a galley up next to our boat, as I already told you.”

Logan could see she was going back to a bad place, so he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

“One filthy Norseman jumped on me, ripped my clothing, and tried to rut at me. Somehow, through the cloud of the drug, I managed to find my dagger and stab him between his legs. From where he grabbed himself, I can only assume I found my mark, and there was a lot of blood.”

“You are one strong lass, my love.” He kissed her forehead.

“So I twisted the truth a bit. I never actually cut it off, but I did stab him where it hurt. Had I the chance, I would have cut it off and thrown it, but another ship came along and the Norse fled.”

“Our paths may never have crossed had that not happened, but I still wish it hadn’t. It must have been a horrible experience for you.”

“Aye, but truth is, I was so drugged that my memories of it are fleeting.”

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Father Rab popped his head in. His eyes widened at the sight of the couple in the bed together. “Gwyneth!”

“Rab, he is on top of the bed holding me. Stop. We are getting married.”

“Aye, and in no less than a sennight. I insist! And you will not argue me. ‘Tis time you do things proper.”

Logan climbed back out of her bed and sat on the chair. “Aye, Father.”

Gwyneth laughed, and Rab chuckled as he walked back out the door.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Logan had insisted that Gwyneth come down for the midday meal. He seated her at their table on the dais and the servants brought serving platters of mutton stew, pheasant, baked apples and berries covered with a cooked oats and honey topping—Lily’s favorite—along with crusty dark bread.

The only reason he’d needed to be stubborn in his insistence was that Gwyneth couldn’t walk much yet, at least not enough to handle the stairway. Brenna had stitched her leg, and she still suffered much pain. He’d needed to carry her down the steps.

Gwyneth couldn’t manage any of the rich food, but Brenna brought her a thin broth with carrots and turnips. She ate no more than half a bowl. She leaned back in the chair Logan had insisted she sit in, grateful for the extra support. He had covered her with his plaid, and she’d gratefully wrapped herself in it.

At the end of the meal, the table full of Ramsays, along with Rab, of course, all quieted, staring at her.

“Aunt Gwyneth, we need to ask you a question,” Lily said.

Quade nodded. “The suspense has been too much for us. No one can guess.”

She looked at their expectant faces before speaking. “Guess what?”

“How did you find me?” Lily asked.

Logan added, “Aye, we had gone through that area before without noticing anything astray. How did you think to look up? I never would have guessed to find her in the trees before Iona had told me.”

She grinned. “I don’t know if I should say. Growley and I both figured it out at about the same time.”

“Why not? We need to know. ‘Tis a learning experience.” Quade glanced around the table. “Naught you could say would upset us.”

Gwyneth turned to Lily. “Were you sick when you were in the trees?”

“Aye. I kept heaving.” She nodded her head as she held tight to Brenna’s hand.

“Where did you heave?”

Lily gave her a puzzled look, then her face lit up. “Over the side.”

“Aye.”

“You saw where I heaved?” Lily’s eyes grew wide at the thought.

Gwyneth shook her head and waited for them to understand.

“Nay, Lily,” Brenna said, catching on first. “‘Twas the odor.”

Gwyneth nodded.

“And Growley smelled it, too. Am I right, Aunt Gwyneth? Growley has a good nose.” Torrian jumped out of his seat to pet his dog, who licked him in the face.

“Aye.” Gwyneth grinned. “When I noticed the odor, I turned in a circle and searched the area. Growley sat in one spot with his tail wagging.”

“Why?” Torrian asked.

A room full of faces stared at her, all of them curious to hear her response.

“Growley sat directly underneath Lily, right next to the spot where she had heaved.”

Torrian laughed and hugged his beloved pet.

Pushing his chair back from the table, Quade yelled, “Growley, come.” He patted his lap. Needing no greater invitation, Growley leapt over to his side. “Sit.” As soon as the deerhound did as commanded, Quade handed him a big piece of mutton, which Growley devoured in seconds.

Logan’s booming voice interrupted the festivities. “There is something we must ask Torrian and Lily.”

Wee Lily jumped off Brenna’s lap and scooted up onto her uncle’s lap. “What is it, Uncle Logan?”

“Gwyneth and I wondered if you would walk with her to the chapel, and if Torrian would walk with me.”

Both bairns clapped their hands in excitement, and they turned to stare at Quade for his approval.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Quade said, looking to Brenna, who nodded and smiled.

Rab said, “I can’t stand with my sister, since I will be at the head of the chapel, so I think that is a lovely idea.”

“And Uncle Logan,” Lily patted his chest as she peered up at him. “I know why you and Gwyneth found me.”

“Why is that, sweetie?” Logan asked.

“Because you both still have my lucky stones.”

“Of course, I should have known,” he chuckled.

“Uncle Logan, listen.” The lass was so serious the table hushed to hear her next words. “Did you compare your stones? I chose them carefully.”

“Nay.” He reached into his sporran and pulled out his stone, setting it on the table in front of him.

Gwyneth gasped. “‘Tis the same.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her own stone, setting it next to Logan’s. “They are exactly the same stone.”

Lily beamed. “Aye, the stone broke in half when I found it, and I knew it would bring you two together.” Then she ran over to Gwyneth and placed her hands on her knees. “I wanted you to be my aunt, Aunt Gwyneth. See? It worked.”

Logan and Gwyneth just stared at each other.

***

The following day, Lady Ramsay, Brenna, and Lily joined Gwyneth in the great hall with bolts of fabric to choose for the wedding.

Lily chimed in first. “Aunt Gwyneth, what are we wearing? Can we both wear the same thing?”

Gwyneth hadn’t given it a thought. She had considered making a new tunic, but what of Lily? “I’m not sure, lass.”

Lady Ramsay and Brenna both stared at her.

“Please? I want to be dressed just like you.”

Gwyneth scowled, unsure of what to do next. While her future mother-in-law had given her blessing for Gwyneth to wear what she wanted, that didn’t mean she’d be fine with Lily doing the same. And besides, her wedding day was special, and she thought of Rab, so perhaps…

Lady Ramsay said, “I will support your decision, Gwyneth. I said it before, and I won’t go back on my word.”

Gwyneth glanced at Brenna, who nodded in agreement. After she gave it some thought, she announced her choice.

***

The expression on her brother’s face told her all she needed to know about whether or not she had made the right decision. She had been thinking of his distress at the fair, and that she would be in the House of the Lord, so decided to do it for one day.

“Gwyneth?” He strode over and stood in front of her in his black robes, holding his bible in one hand.

“Aye, Rab. I am wearing skirts like a proper lady, but just for today.” She gave her brother a sheepish look, hoping he wouldn’t make light of it. She was surprised by how beautiful she felt in the unfamiliar clothes.

“You are lovely. How I wish Mama and Da could see you today.” He kissed her cheek. “But why? I didn’t expect you to give up your leggings.”

“Lily. She told me that she wanted to dress just like me. So I decided mayhap I could dress as a lady for one day, for both you and Lily. ”

Lily smiled at Father Rab. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

“Aye, she is, and so are you, Miss Lily.” Rab took Gwyneth’s hand in his. “I am so happy for you, Gwyneth.”

They made their way to the door, getting ready to leave the great hall and walk to the chapel. They would meet Logan in front of the small church, which Rab would enter through the back. The others would be waiting inside for them. She straightened her skirts, not sure she would walk well in them, but she had practiced with Brenna and Lily.

Gwyneth was dressed in a dark green outer gown and a pale green kirtle, with a gold chain belt adorning her thin hips. The colors had been selected by Lily, who’d insisted they look like the forest. Gwyneth’s over gown had long bell sleeves, and her kirtle was the same pastel green as Lily’s gown. They both wore circlets on their heads. Her hair was free flowing, falling in waves down her back with flowers and ribbons interwoven with the darks strands.

Lily’s hair was golden as sunbeams, but it was decorated the same. The color had come back into her cheeks and she lit up the room with her infectious smile.

Gwyneth offered Lily her hands. “Are you ready, my sweet?”

Lily nodded, giggling as the three of them emerged on to the steps of the great hall. Two horses awaited them, and Rab helped Gwyneth mount and straighten her skirts, before assisting Lily.

When they arrived in front of the chapel, she blushed at the shocked look on Logan’s face. She hoped he wasn’t upset she had decided to wear a skirt and wear her hair down. Her heart pounded as he approached her horse to help her down, Micheil assisting Lily. He grasped her waist and she placed her hands on his shoulders, afraid to look him in the eye until her feet touched the ground.

“Gwyneth,” he whispered.

“Aye?” She brought her gaze up to meet his, hoping to see that he was pleased with her decision. She could describe his expression as none other than stunned, which didn’t help her decide how he felt.

“Lass, you take my breath away.”

Gwyneth blushed and asked, “You are not upset that I’m not in my leggings?”

“Nay.” He held his hand out to her. “You are beautiful. Come, ‘tis time for me to marry the love of my life.”

Logan wore a white leine and his Ramsay plaid wrapped around his waist and over his shoulder. A large blue stone brooch held it in place. The Ramsay plaid was beautiful in shades of blue, black, and green. Aye, she had seen it before, but today the colors his family wore were rich and strong, not made to blend into the outdoors. She noticed Lady Ramsay with a linen square in her hand, sitting beside Avelina, Quade, Brenna, and Micheil. She was amazed at how quickly she had come to love her new family.

Rab performed a beautiful ceremony, and Gwyneth saw the tears in his eyes when he finally told Logan to kiss his bride. She grinned and wrapped her arms around her new husband as he lifted her off the ground and kissed her deeply, only stopping when Lily’s giggle interrupted them.

As he set Gwyneth back on her feet, Lily said, “Wait, Uncle Logan.”

They turned to see what the lass wanted and she stood there, her outstretched fists holding the stones she had given them. “You have to keep these. You left them on the table, but they are to be your lucky stones forever.”

They each took their stone and hugged Lily between them, then gestured for Torrian to join them in the embrace. After a moment, Logan stood and held his hand out to her, “Come, love. We must go into the great hall to greet the rest of our guests.”

Gwyneth had enjoyed every minute of the ceremony, but she was overwhelmed with the revelry inside the great hall. The area was packed full and minstrels kept everyone entertained. She had never attended such a feast in her life. Trenchers of pork, pheasant, and boar were plentiful, along with numerous vegetables and fruit tarts.

Logan’s family had been wonderful, but she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Tonight, she and Logan would lie together as husband and wife, something she was looking forward to, but the thought of doing it in the keep with everyone around made her very nervous.

“Why are you so unsettled, wife?” He leaned over and kissed her cheek as they sat at the dais, in the middle of the exuberant celebration.

Gwyneth blushed, embarrassed that he could so easily read her mind. “I look forward to being alone with you, but…”

“But what?”

“I am afraid to sleep with you here. You know how loud I can be.” She peeked at him through her lashes, doing her best to whisper so no one could overhear.

He grinned. “That I do. And I hope to make you moan louder than ever tonight.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of, Logan. Not here where your mother can overhear us. She’s just down the passageway from our chamber.”

“Nay, she isn’t.”

“Aye, she is. Besides, I heard there is to be a bedding ceremony and I don’t want to do that. Can we not take part in that tradition? I would surely die of embarrassment.”

Logan winked at her. “I have taken care of everything.”

***

Logan had guessed how Gwyneth would feel, and he wanted their wedding night to be special. He held his hand out to her. “Come, we’re running away.”

Though she looked puzzled, she placed her hand in his. The evidence of her trust like a warm ember inside him, he nodded to Quade to go ahead with their plan. After nodding back, his brother moved over to the main doorway of the great hall and started to make an announcement.

As soon as everyone turned to see what Quade was about, Logan and Gwyneth ducked into the kitchens.

“Logan? Where are we going?”

He hustled her along behind him, hoping they wouldn’t get caught. They wouldn’t be missed for a few minutes, but that was probably all the time they had.

“Away,” he said over his shoulder. “We’re going to our own private place.”

“But can I not get my leggings first? I would like to get out of this gown.”

“Wife, learn to trust your husband and follow me.”

Logan tugged her out into the crisp night air where a horse awaited them. He lifted her up into the saddle and then mounted behind her.

“Logan, where are we going?”

“Shush. You must trust me. This is my wedding gift to you and it’s a surprise.” He tugged her back against him and spurred his horse through the bailey and the gates. The two guards at the portcullis waved them on and finally they were free.

He set his horse to a gallop and nuzzled Gwyneth’s neck as they took off into the moonlit night, a light mist clinging to the earth. A short time later, he pulled on the reins and slowed Paz down as they neared a copse of trees. When he came to a halt, he helped Gwyneth down and they crept through the wooded area hand in hand.