The Highlander's Choice (19 page)

“What?” She viewed him through narrowed eyes.

“Come sit here next to me.” He reached out again. “Please?”

She edged over and rested her bottom on the end of the chair.

He took a deep breath. “I will send word to my cousin Damian that he is now The MacBride. I will relinquish my title and clan to stay here in England with you. I have enough of my own funds that we can purchase an estate anywhere you desire and raise our bairns to be English.”

…

Sybil sucked in a breath, her eyes wide, Surely her ears had deceived her? It was not possible that she’d heard correctly.

“You don’t mean that.” Liam would leave his clan? Leave Scotland?

“I do.” He took her hand in his. “I mean it with every beat of my heart. If I canna have ye, nothing else matters. ’Twould be difficult, to be sure, but for ye I would do it.” He kissed her fingers. “And I would never regret it.”

“Oh, Liam.”

Before she could say another word, he cupped the back of her head and brought her mouth to his. Gently, he teased her lips, rubbing his against hers until she smiled. Encouraged, he drew her closer and deepened the kiss with all the pent up love and desire in his heart.

“Ach, lass. Just say the word, and we will be married as soon as yer brother can arrange it. I’ll begin a search for a home here.” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her mouth, jaw, nose, eyes, and chin.

Her eyes burning with tears, she pulled back to stare into his face. “I think I may be carrying your bairn.”

He grinned at her use of that word. “Aye, so it seems, with ye racing out of the room before, lookin’ as green as the hills of Scotland.” He crushed her to him. “Thank God I’ll be able to take care of ye and the bairn.” Taking her hand, he said, “I promise this is the last time I’ll ask this question, darlin’. Will ye marry me?”

One lone tear tracked down her cheek. “Yes, my laird, I will marry you.”

“I feel as though we’ve done this before,” he said as he slipped the heavy ring on her finger.

“I believe you are right.” Sybil ran her fingertip over the ring and smiled. “This time I will never give it back.”

“Nay. And I’ll never take it back.” He grinned, relief spreading through him. “We need to plan a wedding again and begin our search for a home.”

“I’m afraid that, given my condition, Drake will want the wedding as soon as possible. However…”

“What?”

“I’ll not allow you to give up your clan.” She raised her hand as he began to speak. “By the mere fact that you were willing to do it convinces me you will try very hard to make sure our children know and appreciate both their Scottish and English heritages.”

He tugged her to him and settled her once again on his lap. “I really would stay in England with ye.”

“I know.” She brushed back the hair from his forehead. “And as much as I love you for that, I would not be happy if you did. After all, our son would be the next Laird MacBride one day. How can I deprive him of that?”

The door flew open and Drake barreled into the room. “I believe you’ve had enough time to get things settled.” He narrowed his eyes. “Get off his lap. You can have time alone together once the wedding is over.”

Liam and Sybil grinned at each other as the dowager duchess, Sarah, and two other women crowded into the room.

Sybil stood and drew the women over. “Liam, may I present my sister, Mary, and sister-in-law Penelope.” Taking Liam’s arm, she said, “Allow me to introduce you to Liam, Laird of Clan MacBride. My betrothed.”

He bowed before each woman, then turned to Sarah. “And since ye look so much like my Sybil, you must be her twin, Sarah.”

“Oh, I am sorry,” Sybil said. “With all the commotion before, I didn’t realize I hadn’t introduced you to my mother and Sarah.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Liam.” The dowager duchess linked her arm in Sybil’s “My dear, due to the circumstances, we have to put this together rather quickly, I’m afraid.”

Sybil blushed slightly, embarrassed her mother knew the reason for the hurried nuptials.

…

Sybil settled back in the carriage and gave a deep sigh. They were finally married. Her mother had managed to put together a lovely wedding in only two weeks. Drake had allowed Liam to stay in the manor, but walked him to his bedchamber each night, and then roused him at dawn each morning for a “ride.”

Since she’d never known Drake to be fond of early morning forays, she could only assume he was making sure Liam stayed in his own room each night. As much as she would have liked to wake up with Liam’s warm arms around her, the wedding preparations kept her busy enough to not dwell on it.

Liam had fit in with her family as if he’d known them for years. Her brother and her betrothed had spent time not only riding at the break of dawn, but also behind closed doors, discussing their respective estates. Her sisters had been charmed by the Scottish burr, and her young nephew had climbed onto Liam’s lap every evening for a story.

The whirlwind wedding took place in the village chapel with her brother-in-law, Rector Joseph Fox, officiating. Her mother and sisters had wiped tears from their eyes as she said her vows while Penelope had chased Robert down the aisle as he headed for the new friend who’d told him wonderful Scottish tales at night.

The next morning Sybil had awoken feeling loved and cared for after a wedding night that hadn’t allowed for very much sleep. Despite the desire running rampant through them as they’d fumbled with buttons and ties to remove each other’s clothes, Liam hadn’t rushed, loving every part of her body. He had also spent a good deal of time kissing and talking to her belly where the babe rested.

She winced at the various aches and pains in unfamiliar places, evidencing their hours of exploring each other’s bodies with no concern about being interrupted. It had truly been a night she would remember all her life.

Leaning out the carriage window, she waved a final good-bye to her family. They all stood outside, her mother patting her eyes with a handkerchief and Sarah looking lost. As the carriage jerked, then eased as the horses moved into a smooth cadence, Sybil studied the stately home where she had grown up.

She smiled at the large oak tree where her sister, Abigail, quite young at the time, had been tied up. Drake and Abigail’s now-husband, Joseph, had done the deed because she wouldn’t stop following them about.

As the carriage began its descent down the pebbled path, they passed the pond where they’d all learned to swim. She could almost see a young Marion and her husband, Tristan, when he had tried to teach her to float on her back without panicking. He’d been so patient with her. A lot more patient than Drake and Joseph had been with Abigail.

They passed the hill where her mother had taken them sledding so often. They’d engaged in snowball fights and built snowmen with coal for the eyes and large carrots for their noses. There was even the time they’d all been sent to bed without their dinner because they’d stolen Papa’s best hat for a snowman and it had been accidentally trampled by a horse.

She sighed and leaned back against the soft leather seat. When she’d left for Margaret’s wedding, it had been with the idea of returning in several weeks. Now she knew any return here would be as a guest.

Liam took her hand in his. “I told yer brother we would welcome his visit anytime he wants to travel our way.”

“Thank you.” She used the tip of her handkerchief to catch the tear that slid from her eye. “I will miss my sister, Sarah, dreadfully. Except for Margaret’s wedding, we have never been apart.”

“Ach, lass. When it grows near yer time, invite yer sister to come stay with us.”

“Yes. I think that is a splendid idea.” Her bright smile brought a grin to her husband’s face as well.

“’Tis been quite a couple of weeks for ye, lass. And with yer condition and all, I think a short nap will ease ye, and help the time pass.” With a quick movement, he scooped her up from the seat and settled her on his lap. “Sleep now.”

Annoyed at being ordered to nap like a child, she held her tongue when she realized how very tired she was. After a healthy yawn, she cuddled close to the warmth and security of Liam’s chest. Before falling into a sound sleep, her last thought was of meeting Lady MacBride when they arrived at Bedlay Castle.

The only thorn among all the roses in her life. But, unfortunately, a very large barb.

Chapter Nineteen

“Liam, we must speak of your mother.” Sybil adjusted her skirts as they neared the inn that was their first stop along the way to Bedlay Castle. She’d enjoyed a nice long nap, and now her stomach reminded her that she was eating for two people.

“’Twill not be a problem. Dinna fash yerself, lass.”

“You’ve said that every time I’ve asked. In a few days we will be back at Bedlay. I don’t wish to say unkind things about your mother, but I don’t see her being happy about our marriage.”

“I’ve banished her.”

Sybil gasped. “What?”

“I had her move into the tower section of the castle. She has all the comforts of the main castle, but cannot cause mischief.”

“Oh, no. I don’t like that. I feel terrible that she was banished.”

“After what she did? Aye lass, ye are much too soft.”

“But she is your mother. Even though what she did was hurtful, she loves you, and only wanted what she thought was best.”

His lips tightened and he waved his hand. “’Tis done. There is no reason to speak on it further.”

Sybil thought of her own mother and how adored she was by all her family. She placed her hand on her grumbling stomach. One day Lady MacBride would be a grandmother. With her dislike of all things English, would she dismiss the child? Despite what the woman had done, it would be difficult for her and Liam to have true happiness with the babe’s only nearby grandmother banished.

…

Sybil experienced a sense of familiarity as their carriage crested the hill leading to Bedlay Castle, and two young girls raced from the front door. Catriona and Alanna abandoned all dignity as they lifted their skirts and dashed toward them.

“You came back!” Catriona threw herself into Sybil’s arms as soon as she stepped out of the carriage.

“Aye, she did come back. As my wife,” Liam said as he received a hug from Alanna.

“You got married!” Alanna gripped Sybil’s hand and examined the gold and diamond wedding band Liam had placed on her finger during the ceremony only five days ago.

“We are truly sisters now,” Alanna said.

“Yes, we are, and I am so happy to have you both as such. You will help me deal with not having my sisters about.”

Both girls wrapped their arms around Sybil’s waist as they moved toward the front door. “What about our clan, Liam? I thought as laird you had to be married in front of the clan?” Catriona asked.

“Aye. There will be a wedding here as soon as the three of you can arrange it.”

They entered the drawing room and Alanna turned to Liam. “What about Mum?”

“I’m sure the three of ye can do what needs to be done. I will ride for the priest in the morning. Sybil, ye can talk with Mrs. MacDougal and get everything seen to.”

Catriona and Alanna glanced at each other, their wide smiles diminishing somewhat. Sybil already loved her new sisters, and if she could make things right for them then she had to try.

…

It was about an hour after dinner and Liam was busy in the library with matters that needed to be taken care of since his absence. Catriona and Alanna had settled at the chessboard, as usual.

“I am feeling a bit spent from our journey. If you will excuse me, I will retire early.”

“Good night, Sybil,” the girls echoed.

“I will join ye in a bit.” Liam glanced up as he reached for another ledger.

Instead of heading upstairs, Sybil took a light woolen wrap from the entrance hall and left the castle. A short, somewhat muddy, walk led her to the tower area. She glanced up to see a light flickering at the very top of the structure. Lady MacBride had not yet retired. Taking a deep breath, and hoping she would not make things worse, she opened the latch on the large wooden door, held her candle up, and stepped into the area.

It was damp and dismal. Despite it being late summer, there was a definite chill in the air. She shivered and ran her hand up and down her arm. As she moved farther in, a winding staircase came into view on her right side. She held the candle high to observe the room, but the staircase was the only way to the top.

The climb was not difficult, but not something she would want to do several times a day. Since Liam would not speak of his mother’s banishment, she had no way of knowing how the woman was being fed. It would be daunting for Mrs. MacDougal to have to deliver meals here three times a day. Although, most likely one of the younger kitchen girls would be sent. But it still seemed a sad and lonely existence for Lady MacBride.

At the very top of the stairs, three doors appeared. The one straight ahead and to her left would not be in a position for her to see the light flickering. Placing her hand on her stomach, she knocked softly on the door to her right.

“Come.”

Sybil opened the door. Lady MacBride sat on a comfortable looking chair, her needle poised over a large frame of some type of needlework. Her expression went from a slight smile to a sneer. “So, ye came back?”

“Yes.” Although she hadn’t been invited to sit, Sybil walked to the chair directly across from her mother-in-law and rested on the very edge. Placing the candle in a holder on a small table, she rested her hands in her lap.

“I see the ring on yer finger, so I guess the laird married ye, after all.”

“Yes.” If she hadn’t been studying Lady MacBride so closely she might have missed the slight softening of her face.

Then the woman drew herself up, and said, “I suppose ye’ve come to prance about and let me ken ye won.”

Sybil shook her head. “No, my lady. Not at all.”

Lady MacBride shrugged. “Dinna fash yerself, lass. Ye won, so ye can just be on yer way.”

Sybil rose and crossed the small space between them. Dropping to her knees, she took the woman’s hands in hers, being careful to avoid the needle, lest her mother-in-law decide to stab her. “We have a great deal in common, you know.”

“Ach. What would I have in common with a Sassenach?”

Sybil took the needle from her hand and placed it on the frame. “We both love the same man.”

“Ach, you dinna love Liam. Ye want only what he can give ye.”

“You are so wrong, my lady. I love Liam very much.” She released Lady MacBride’s hands and sat back on her heels. “In my family, no one marries for any reason other than love. It is what you might call a tradition. There have been one or two that didn’t start out that way, but both of my sisters and my brother enjoy very happy marriages.”

She tilted her head. “I waited through four London Seasons to find the right man. Someone whom I could love with my whole heart and who would love me the same. I never would have guessed that the reason I hadn’t found him in a London ballroom was because all that time he was in a Scottish castle.”

Lady MacBride gave her a slight smile. “Ye have a way with words, lass. I will give ye that.”

Heartened by the woman’s response, she continued, “Then hear my words and believe them. I don’t think my husband will be truly happy if his mother is relegated to the tower.”

Lady MacBride shook her head. “Nay, lass. The laird has turned against me. Ye see before ye a stubborn, foolish woman.”

“Then perhaps your stubborn, foolish son can see the error of his ways.”

Shaking her head, but not quite so determinedly, she said, “Nay, he had the right of it. ’Twas a mean thing I did to him.” She glanced at Sybil. “And to ye, too.”

“But it has all turned out well.”

When the woman didn’t answer, Sybil said, “We will be having a full Scottish wedding in a few days. I would be very happy if you are there.”

“Why would ye want me there, lass? I caused ye nothing but trouble and heartache.”

Sybil rose and adjusted her skirts. “For two reasons, my lady. One, I love your son too much to cause him any distress on his wedding day. I don’t think he would enjoy it to the fullest unless you are there with us.” Picking up her candle, she headed to the door. She turned as she reached for the latch. “And I’ll be lettin’ ye ken a secret. Since there is a wee bairn on the way, ’tis important to make peace with yer son. Aye?”

She quietly closed the door and held firmly onto the stone wall as she descended the stairs to return to the castle. The sound of soft laughter floated in the air from behind the bedchamber door.

…

Even though it was her second wedding day, for some reason Sybil felt more nervous than the first time around. Maybe it was the idea of facing Liam’s entire clan as his bride, or worry that his mother would or would not appear.

With the help of Mrs. MacDougal, the three girls were able to get everything finished and ready on time. The priest had arrived early yesterday, and the guests had gathered in the chapel a short distance from the castle. Lady Margaret and Duncan had hurried in a bit ago, apologizing for their tardiness, but it seemed the new bride was breeding and had a bit of trouble holding onto her breakfast.

Taking one last look in the mirror, Sybil laid her hand on her middle and took a deep breath.

“We must go, Sybil. ’Tis growing late.” Alanna’s anxious voice drew her from her musing.

“I am ready.”

Because of the muddy roads, Sybil, Catriona, and Alanna all rode in the carriage to the chapel. The small church was built of smooth stone and had stood on the same spot for more than two hundred years. All the MacBride lairds had married there, and all the MacBride clan members had been buried there.

Sybil clutched the skirts of her pale blue gown as she took the few steps from the carriage to the chapel door. She entered and was immediately taken with the sight of Liam once again dressed in full clan attire. He turned as she stepped into the chapel and extended his hand. Laird Liam MacBride was impressive at any time, but in his formal Highlander dress he was indeed a sight to behold.

She stepped next to him, and they faced the priest.

“Wait just a minute, there, Father.” Lady MacBride walked the short distance from the door to the front pew. “I want to be sure to see my laird marry his lady.”

Sybil nearly laughed at the shocked look on Liam’s face. She tugged his arm so he leaned down. “I invited her.”

He grinned from ear to ear. “Ye never cease to amaze me, lass.”

They turned to face the priest to once more take their vows. This time in front of the entire Clan MacBride.