Page 49 of The Best of Madeline Grant

“I am fully aware of how far away Edinburgh is from here, and I would not be going if it weren’t an urgent situation.” She stepped away from her mother to glare at her father but didn’t bother arguing. “I cannot waste any more time. Will you allow me to go? Please? Jamie and Jake said they would, but they want, we all want, your approval.”

Her sire looked to her mother, who gave him a nearly imperceptible nod.

“You may go, but with thirty guards. The baron is looking for you, so you must be aware of your surroundings. Do not wander off on your own. Ever. Understood?”

She threw herself at her sire and said, “My thanks, Papa. I love you both.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Elizabeth returns home safely.

When they arrived outside the gates, she could see her mother standing at the opening waiting for them, Maeve and Kyla next to her. A line of stable lads awaited the horses.

Tears streamed down her mother’s face, but she was smiling. Kyla whooped as loudly as one of the men, and Maeve hooked her arm through Mama’s, both of them crying now.

Once they were close enough, her father lowered her down and she raced to her mother, throwing her arms around her.

“Thank the Lord you are home safe, Elizabeth. You were not harmed?”

“Nay, Mama, I’m fine. I’ve never been happier.” She gave her mother another squeeze, then embraced her two sisters.

Kyla frowned, giving her an odd look. “What happened to your face?”

Maeve forced a smile. “I think she looks fine.”

“Thanks to you, Maeve. It was dark, and I ran into a few tree branches, but it does not matter. Gil is fine and I’m in love with him and I’m safe and all will be well.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Mother and daughter.

The next morn, Gil and Elizabeth were just finishing their morning meal when the door flew open and a flurry of people entered. The group was from Castle Curanta, and while most of the newcomers gathered around Elizabeth’s father and brothers, the two youngest members of the delegation searched the hall and then made haste to their table.

Elizabeth’s mother entered the hall from the kitchens, smiling at the new arrivals. “Oh my, who are all these lovely bairns?”

Phil stood up and shouted, “Herry. Come eat with us. You’ll love it here.”

“I like Castle Curanta,” Herry said, “but this castle is bigger.” His big eyes searched the hall, taking in all the tables and the large hearth at one end. “Muchbigger.”

Sabina toddled along behind him, and Elizabeth dipped down and picked her up, giving her a big squeeze before kissing the top of her head. The wee lassie looked up at her, then pointed to Gil, her expression full of a sadness that nearly ripped a hole in Elizabeth’s heart and asked, “Ebeth, you and Gil leave me?”

“We had to leave for a short while, but we’re back now. Do not worry.”

Herry edged closer to Sabina and took her hand, “She’s afraid you’ll marry and leave her.”

“What?” Elizabeth asked, looking over at Gil. They hadn’t decided exactly where they were going to live yet. In fact, she feared that discussion so much that she had intentionally not brought it up yet.

Phil and Daw got to their feet and joined the other bairns. “’Tis what we all wonder. Are you moving into Clan Grant and leaving us all at Castle Curanta?’

Sabina’s thumb popped into her mouth and she sucked loud enough to be heard across the hall.

Elizabeth’s mother took it all in, a look of pride on her face. “Elizabeth, could I talk with you for a moment, please?”

“Of course,” she said, standing up and touching each of the bairns in front of her. “I’ll be back. I promise. Gil will play the game of hide the rock in the hall.”

She had no idea what her mother wanted to speak with her about, but it seemed likely it had to do with the impendingnuptials. They hadn’t talked much about them, having planned out only the timing and the feast that would accompany it.

Her mother led her into the empty solar. Once the door was closed behind them, her mother asked, “Have you decided where you and Gil will live after your marriage yet?”