Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) (25 page)

Curses,
how this lass had changed him.

As if she
could read his mind, Brenna said, “Her home is here with you. Nicol and Alex have both praised the strength of your wife. I know what you are thinking, but she did no’ marry you to get away from her abusers any more than Maddie married Alex to escape her problems. She loves you.” Brenna adjusted the blanket and held her daughter over her shoulder, patting her wee back.

‘Tis time to bring her home to her family.”

Another knock sounded just before Alex strode in. “Och, you are awake finally. How do you fare, brother?”

“Better, especially now that I know I will no’ have my leg cut off.” Brodie offered Brenna a sheepish grin.

“Brodie, I just wanted to say how proud I am of how you fought.” Alex came around the other side of the bed opposite Brenna and clasped Brodie’s shoulder.

“Me? Alex, you fought like a wild savage. I have never seen anything like it with your helm and the mail-clad horses. You turned the battle to the Scot’s favor.”

“Nay, I was crazed to be dragged away from my wife and bairns in order to battle, but if you hadn’t been there along with the other warriors fighting since morn, it would no’ have mattered what I did. You had the stamina of a bull, swinging your sword arm for hours. I do no’ know how you did it. The number of Norwegians still on the battlefield was much less than the number already dead. You all fought a mighty battle. Da would have been proud.”

Brodie couldn’t think of anything to say. He hadn’t viewed the battle in quite the same way. Mayhap Alex was right. “You were still a pleasant sight for me to see, if no’ anyone else.”

Alex smiled. “’Tis time to get your beautiful wife here, aye? You will allow me to send a messenger? She has a right to know. Ivarsson is dead, and you are her husband. As I explained to King Alexander, ‘tis what should have happened from the beginning.”

“The king is no’ going to hang me for no’ following his orders?” Brodie asked.

“Nay, as soon as he found out who the traitor was, he realized his mistake,” Alex said, before moving over to the door. After he opened it, he turned and said, “Now rest up. I need you back in the lists.”

***

A few days later, Brodie sat in the great hall next to Alex. Quade was across the table from them, while Maddie and Brenna sat in front of the hearth—Maddie holding wee Kyla, Brenna with Bethia asleep over one shoulder. Logan Ramsay paced the hall, nervous energy bursting from his pores.

“
You have still heard naught from your brother?” Logan asked Alex. “But have you no’ seen some warriors returning? Is the battle over or no’?”

Alex’s fingers drummed the tabletop. “When we left Largs, the
Norse climbed back into their longboats and fled. Some returned the following day to retrieve their dead, but then they sailed south down the Firth of Clyde. Alexander of Dundonald considered it a win for the Scots. The Norse were defeated in their quest to come ashore onto our mainland.”

“
What do our warriors say?” Brodie asked.

“The ones
who have returned have come back to have their wounds treated. We lost some soldiers, but we have no count yet. We know Robbie was sent south to protect against another invasion of the mainland, but according to the men, it never came to fruition. According to the last report we have of Robbie, he was well and traveling with a portion of our guards. Dundonald split them and sent some back to Ayr. A messenger informed me that the other half of the group was sent back to the Highlands. Many are on foot, though, and have no’ arrived yet.”

“’Tis a good sign, no?” Quade said. “
That is, if they are no’ keeping all the warriors, it must mean the Norse have retreated.”

“Your guess is as good as mine. I do no’ think this
matter will be easily resolved. Haakon has left, but has he relinquished control of any of the Western Isles? No’ to my knowledge, no’ yet anyway. But with Haakon’s departure, King Alexander is declaring the Battle of Largs a win for the Scottish. Unfortunately, we will have to wait this out.” Alex’s face, etched with worry, turned to look at his wife and daughter by the hearth.

Brodie couldn’t help but voice what was in everyone’s mind. “
It still worries me that we have no’ heard from Robbie.”

Without a word,
Logan picked up a satchel by the staircase and headed toward the door.

“Brother, where are you going this time?”
Quade yelled after him.

Logan opened the door and yelled over his shoulder, “I am going after Robbie. See you in a couple of moons.”

The door slammed behind him, and Brodie, Quade, and Alex all exchanged looks.

After a moment,
Quade shrugged his shoulders and sighed. “Let him go. My brother is a hell of a tracker. If anyone can locate Robbie, Logan can. Besides, he needs to keep moving.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Together Again

The wind blew colder and harsher the further they traveled. Celestina bundled the plaid around her as tight as it would go. She had given up the cart and now rode a horse alongside her father, her brother, Rory, and a few of the MacLaren guards. Her father had insisted her mother remain in the cart for protection against the bitterly cold Highland winds. Celestina had ridden with her for awhile to keep her company, but the trail was narrowing and her father had sent them on ahead while he stayed back with her mama. She had jumped at the chance to ride a horse and Inga had promised to keep her mother company.

Loki sat in front of her
on her horse and offered guidance when it was needed. The lad had proven to be such a godsend, not least of all because he was adept at calming her worries. Her mind had thought of every possible situation they might find when they finally arrived at the Grant clan, but though everyone had chimed in to convince her Brodie was alive, it was Loki’s quiet certainty that made her believe.

The beauty of the Highlands astounded her
—the hills and waterfalls, the beautiful glens and valleys. As she shivered under her plaid, she swore that when she and her husband were reunited, she would force him to hold her in his warm embrace for hours until the chill moved out of her bones. No matter where they slept, be it under the stars or inside a cave, the nights were colder here than she’d ever imagined.

S
he lifted her face to the sun and breathed in the crisp autumn air, smiling because she could now understand why Brodie loved the Highlands so. This would be her home, and no matter how grievous his injury, they would work through it together. She would help him heal and be a good wife to him. She tried not to think sad thoughts because her tears tended to freeze on her face in the wind.

Instead, she turned her mind to her parents, who
had supported her completely when she’d told them she could no longer wait to see her husband. She had offered to find someone to travel with in a cart, but her father had insisted on bringing her to the Grants himself, as had her mother.

The only one
in their group more excited about their destination than Celestina was Loki. She pulled him in closer, hoping to keep him warm, though it seemed as though the wee sprite had more heat than she did.

The view
became more breathtaking the further they traveled. Then, a few days after they had left, Loki grinned and tugged on her arm, his gloved finger pointing off into the distance. The largest castle she had ever seen graced a huge hill, surrounded by several rows of huts and thatched cottages and valleys with firths meandering through them. They could make out a loch to the left and fields to the side, though little grew at this time of year.

As they made their way, Celestina could make out the
castle’s parapets and the towers. Warriors were everywhere—walking the parapets, riding on horseback through the village, and practicing swordplay in the fields.

“Look, missy angel.” Loki pointed to a field full of soldiers to the right of the castle. Swords reflected the sun as they swung in battle.
“The lists! The famous Grant lists. Someday I will be able to practice there.” His face lit up and he turned to her, grinning from ear to ear. She kissed his forehead and chuckled.

“Aye, I think you will, Loki.”

The lad couldn’t stop his chattering. “And look at that stone wall, ‘tis the tallest ever. Naught will get past that! And see all the buildings inside the wall. I think I even see a chapel. The Grants have the biggest stable of all. Mayhap I can sleep there in the soft straw instead of on the ground.”

His excitement was contagious. Her father’s keep was large, but it was nothing like this.

Loki squeezed her hand.
“’Twill no’ be much longer, missy. We are almost there!” he shouted.

***

Brodie made his way back to the keep, his leg dragging a bit behind him. He had tried the lists today, but he just didn’t have the strength in his leg yet. Alex had trained with him, but time after time, he had gone down. The last time, he had landed so hard that shooting pains had forced him to the ground. He’d stayed there, unable to move, for far too long. After finally pulling himself up, he’d thanked his brother and dropped his sword so he could find his cane to walk back to the keep.

His shoulders slumped as he
scaled the last hill to the keep, so exhausted he wondered if he would ever get his stamina back. He had to be healthy in order to travel to the MacLarens and retrieve Celestina…and he knew he could not wait long.

He missed his wee wife.
It was hard to concentrate on anything when a head full of tumbling yellow curls with the deepest blue eyes continued to haunt him. He couldn’t do anything without thinking of her.

He had initially been worried that his injury may have hurt his manhood, but
every time he thought of his angel from Ayr, his rod hardened in an instant. Hellfire, but he wanted her desperately. Winter was well on its way and it would be almost impossible to travel through the Highlands until spring. Devil take it, but it looked like it would be a long, cold winter without her.

Having finally reached
the keep, he sat on the steps to massage his leg for a moment. He had settled in his mind that he would follow her. After all, hadn’t he vowed to follow her wherever she went? He just hoped she was as anxious to see him as he was to see her…and that she hadn’t found another in his absence.

He couldn’t wait for them to embark on their life together.
He had a place here training the warriors; he just hoped she would be willing to leave her family and settle here. Celestina would love his sisters and Maddie, even though Brenna would probably not be here much longer. His wife hadn’t been around bairns much, but he thought she would enjoy all his nieces and nephews.

The next thing he knew, a
stable lad was charging at him. “There are travelers here for you. They carry the MacLaren banner.”

Hellfire, had he been sleeping?
He turned to peer down the slopes of the Grant keep. How could he have missed the small cavalcade of horses headed up their hill? He pushed himself off the steps, grasped his cane, and headed down the bailey toward the gate. Many members of his clan followed as he made his way through the gate and across the bridge.

“Celestina?” he yelled. Did his eyes deceive him or was that no’ his wee wife on horseback
, with Loki riding in front of her? When had the lass learned to ride?

“Master
Brodie! Master Brodie!” The boy jumped down from the horse and ran across the field and threw himself into Brodie’s arms.

He hugged the lad, pleased to see he had survive
d the Battle of Largs. After setting him down, he looked up and watched as his beautiful Celestina tore across the field on foot, arms spread wide, crying his name. She threw herself at him, and he barely managed to catch her, hoisting her up in his arms where she belonged. She cried and cried and kissed his neck.

“Brodie, I missed you so. I love you. Can we no’
finally live together?”

He kissed her sweet lips and buried his face in her hair.
“Aye, lass, forever. We will live together forever. I love you, too.”

Epilogue

The End of Lucky Loki

Celestina sighed, the same sigh she always gave when she settled into her favorite position. Her hand rested on her husband’s chest, her head turned sideways looking at her husband, savoring their recent lovemaking.

“’Tis a sigh of satisfaction, I hope, love.” Brodie rubbed her arm with one hand, the other hand behind his head.

She giggled. “Aye, and you know it, husband. You so enjoy pleasuring me over and over.”

He sighed and they both laughed. “Most certes, you are correct.
Your wee whimperings are music to my ears, but you know my favorite, do you no’?”

Her brow furrowed as she thought.
“Hmmm…”

“Do no’ think so hard. ‘Tis when you call my name out
loud.”

Celestina blushed at how vocal she had become in her ardor.

“Are you happy,
leannan
?” He brushed her cheek with his thumb.

“Aye, I could no’ be happier. Well, one thing would make me happier.”

Angling his head so that their eyes met, he said, “Say it and ‘tis yours.”

Celestina thought carefully about her words
before speaking. “Brodie, what if I can no’ carry? What if I was damaged when Aldrik beat me? Will you still love me?”

“Och, how could you ask such a thing
? I will love you forever. You know that. Never doubt my love for you. If we are blessed with bairns, so be it. If no’, so be it.”

She pulled herself up and kissed her husband on the lips. “I love you.”

“Besides, we have Loki and all the nieces and nephews we could ever want, aye?”

“You are right.” Celestina smiled, thinking about how easy her adjustment to her new family
had been. She recalled the first night she had sat with her three new sisters: Brenna, Maddie, and Jennie. She had quietly asked them to teach her how to be a friend because she had so little experience, and all three had broken into peals of laughter. Finally, Maddie had leaned over, wrapped her arm around her, and said, “You are our sister already.”

Ever since
that moment, she had felt a sense of belonging. Her mother and father had also decided to stay for awhile at the insistence of the Grants and her brother, which had given her the opportunity to spend more time with them. She adored all her new nieces and nephews and Loki loved them, too. Inga and Nicol were soon to be wed, which pleased her immensely.

O
nly two things were not right. They still had not heard from either Logan or Brodie’s brother, Robbie, and Loki appeared to be having a harder time settling into his new home than everyone else was.

She decided it was a good time to discuss Loki. “Has Loki ever said anything about not belonging here? I wonder how he feels.”

“Nay, why do you ask? Everyone loves lucky Loki.”

“I overheard him talking with Quade’s bairns, Torrian and Lily. He told Torrian the stable boys had been teasing him about not having any parents.”

“What nonsense. I will take care of the stable lads.”

“Nay, Brodie, hear me out. That will no
t fix his problem.”

“My apologies.
I am listening.”

“Lily asked him where his parents were and he said his mama had died birthing him and he never knew his
sire. The lass told him about her real mama’s death and how now she has a new mama.”

“Sorry, lass, I do no’ follow. Lily was being truthful
, her mother died years before Quade married my sister. She calls Brenna ‘Mama’ now. Did that no’ help Loki?”

“Nay, I don’t think so. He asked Lily how he could get a new mama.”

Neither of them spoke for several minutes. Celestina gazed into her husband’s brown eyes. “There must be something we could do.”

Brodie smiled. “I have an idea.”

***

The day of Nicol and Inga’s wedding had arrived. The food was almost ready and would be fabulous. Celestina’s mother, Maddie, Brenna, and Jennie had all helped her with her special project, in addition to fashioning the most beautiful blue gown ever for Inga. The great hall smelled wonderful, and was filled with fresh rushes and vases full of flowers.

In her chamber, Celestina hugged Inga, her eyes misting with fresh tears. “Inga, you are happy with Nicol?”

“Aye, I could no’ be happier. Och, only if my mama could be here, but you are here and the Grants are wonderful. Nicol is so sweet and I love him.” She stepped back and held Celestina’s hands in hers. “Things are better than we ever could have hoped, aye, my friend?”

Celestina nodded. “Aye, I hope you and Nicol are as happy as we are. I thank God every day for Brodie. And I am pleased you have decided to stay. You are no longer my maid, but I hope you will remain my friend.”

“Of course, you know I love you dearly.” Inga kissed Celestina’s cheek, then straightened her skirts, her nerves causing her hands to tremble.

Celestina held her hand out to her friend. “
You are so beautiful. Come. ‘Tis time to marry Nicol.” She helped Inga down the staircase to the great hall where everyone awaited the bride.

When the ceremony started,
Celestina rested her head on her husband’s shoulders, pleased with their plan. As Nicol and Inga said their vows, she squeezed her husband’s hand. He gazed into her eyes and she couldn’t help but tear up as she remembered their own wedding vows.

Brodie had asked if she wanted to take part in today’s ceremony
so they could repeat their vows in front of a priest, but she had declined. She loved her memories of their handfasting ceremony in the middle of the night with Alex as the officiate. Those were the vows she would hold dear in her heart.

Today was about Inga, Nicol, and one more person.
The second event would happen after the couple’s wedding. She had discussed it with both of them, and they had enthusiastically supported her plan, but she wanted their approval since she had not wanted to interfere with their celebration.

Brodie and Celestina made their way around the room, making sure everything was set
for their surprise. The youngest members of the family, Bethia and Kyla, were upstairs with Jennie and Quade’s younger sister, Avelina, who had promised to look after them. Loki had Alex and Maddie’s twin lads under control near the back of the room with Torrian and his dog Growley and Lily.

After the toast to the bride and groom
, hugs and congratulations were exchanged across the room. Quiet finally descended as Laird Alexander Grant stepped to his dais and awaited everyone’s attention.

“’Tis
something else verra important that I must do today. I ask lucky Loki to come forward, please.”

Loki stared at the room full of people
from the back of the great hall, clearly unsure of what to do.

“’Tis all right, lad
,” Alex said, beckoning him forward. “Torrian and Lily will watch the twins. You are needed up front.”

As he crept forward, Loki’s gaze searched for
Celestina. Smiling at him, she nodded in encouragement.

Alex smirked when the lad stopped halfway across the room, staring at the Grant warriors in their plaids, unsure of where he was to go.
“Closer, lad.”

Once he had
passed through the crowd, a group of Grant warriors gathered in a semi-circle behind him. Loki stood in front of Alex, his wee legs trembling.

Celestina’s heart broke
. Loki looked so lost standing in the middle of all those brawny warriors, especially since he was directly in front of the massive Laird Alex Grant. She worried the poor lad’s neck would be sore from looking up at the tall Highlander. She had begged Brodie to allow her to stand next to him in support, but Brodie had refused.

Alex cleared his throat and began, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Lucky Loki, do you understand the important code of the Grants, our values of both honor and truthfulness?”

A wee voice squeaked
out just loud enough, “Aye, my laird.”

“Lad, I have several questions to ask you and I only need you to answer ‘aye’ or ‘nay.’ Can you do that, son?”

Loki nodded.

“Is it true you snuck under a car
t and rode in a hidden spot to follow Celestina?”

Loki, confused, glanced at Brodie before he answered.
“Aye, my laird.”

“Is it also true you caused pain to
a servant of a nobleman by placing stones in his shoes without his knowledge?”

Loki’s eyes widened. “Aye, my laird, but I was just trying…”

“Aye or nay, lad?” Alex barked.

He
hung his head before answering, “Aye, my laird.”

The laird continued. “Is it also true you ran from my brother’s side and followed a car
t out of town to find Celestina, without advising anyone of your destination?”

Loki’s frantic gaze darted around the room, searching for support. “But, my laird, Celestina…”

“Aye or nay?” Alex’s voice boomed through the hall.

“Aye, my laird
,” he said in a small voice.

Celestina couldn’t take it any longer. She started toward the lad, just to
let him know he was not alone, but her husband pulled her back and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Trust our laird,
leannan
.”

Celestina swiped at the tears in her eyes,
leaning into her husband’s embrace, but not before she noticed that Maddie, sitting by Alex’s side in front of the dais, had a linen square at her face and was mopping up tears as well. She and Maddie were definitely kindred spirits.

Staring
over Loki’s wee head, Alex continued. “Is it true you went to the MacLaren keep by yourself, again without notifying anyone of your destination, just to let Celestina know her husband was injured?”

Loki’s shoulders slumped
, and he hung his head in shame. “Aye, my laird.”

Alex’s voice softened, “Is it no’ also true, lad, that yo
u stood proud and protected the Scots by using your slinger against the invaders?”

Lifting his gaze
to meet Alex’s, the boy said, “Aye, my laird.”

“Is it true that after my wounded brother passed out from battle you managed to get him to the healer immediately?”

“Aye, my laird.” His voice was now strong enough to be heard across the hall.

Alex smiled. “And did you no’ use
your sling to protect my sister-in-law, Celestina Grant, against a group of Norsemen in Lennox?”

The lad nodded his head, sniffling as he stared at Alex.
“Aye, my laird.”

Alex
stepped down from the dais, grasped Loki’s shoulders and said, “Well done, lad. You make me verra proud.” Then he nodded to Brodie and Celestina, and they came to stand in front of Loki.

Loki’s eyes grew big as saucers
when Celestina pulled out the red and green Grant plaid made just for him and enfolded his wee body with it. Brodie approached his brother and handed Alex a small sword, then pinned a badge with the Grant crest on the wee lad’s chest.

Their parts completed for now,
Brodie and Celestina moved back to stand off to the side of Loki, and Alex moved closer to the lad. He positioned Loki where everyone could see him, then held his hand on the lad’s shoulder. With his other hand, he touched the sword to Loki’s head and began, “Lucky Loki, I christen thee a Grant. I am proud to say you acted as the fiercest Highlander in all the land, protecting the weak and innocent, acting with honor at all times, guarding a member of my family when necessary, and fighting bravely for our country.”

When he finished, Alex handed the hilt of the sword to Loki
, who took it into his trembling hands before Alex turned him to face the warriors behind him. Alex nodded his head, and the warriors who surrounded him unsheathed their swords at the same time, knelt in unison, each placing their weapon on the floor pointing toward Loki, individually pledging to protect him with their lives.

Celestina’s tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she watched the expression of sheer
wonder dance across Loki’s face as the warriors knelt in front of him. Her husband wrapped his arms around her shoulders and tugged her in close for a quick kiss. After everything the lad had done for both of them, they were both so glad to see him receive this tribute.

When the
warriors finished, Loki turned around, his face lit up with joy. He stared up at Alex and said, “I made it. Is that no’ right, Laird Grant? Am I finally a Grant warrior and a member of your guard?”

Alex stood with his hands behind his back. “Nay, lad, that is no’ correct.”

Loki’s face fell and his shoulders slumped. It was time. Brodie strode over to the lad’s right side and Celestina to his left. Loki peered up at both of them, unsure of what was happening.

Alex cleared his throat. “Lad, I christened you a Grant, no’ a Grant warrior. You will be asked to fight with the
warriors, aye, but you are officially christened a Grant, with Celestina as your mama and Brodie Grant as your sire, if you will accept them as your parents in the eyes of Scottish law.”