Since Guiles’ attack, she’d been assigned a full-time escort. It was bothersome to have a hulk of a man following her every move.
Despite the trouble, with her brother’s wedding and all the planning it entailed, the days had passed quickly.
It had been only days four since Guiles’ recovery was announced and Donall’s death.
Emotions were a complicated combination of happiness, sadness and worry, as Donall had been a part of the clan his entire life. He’d grown up with Dallis and Guiles. Realizing the day was a time of joy and celebration, she did her best to push the thoughts from her mind.
The ceremony took place in the Sinclair chapel, which was crowded with members of both Sinclair and Gordon clans.
After the ceremony, there was music and feasting in the courtyard.
It was a lovely day, the weather mild and perfect for such an occasion.
Dallis searched for Alasdair, who’d been absent since the day before. He’d not been at last meal. She’d considered seeking him out the night before but had decided against it. Why did it have to be her who always sought after him? They had no answers to whether they kept her father’s permission and Alasdair seemed resigned to the idea it would not come.
They’d argued. Dallis accusing him that he’d stopped caring or even trying to fight for their relationship. Alasdair point had been that her father had second thoughts about them marrying after finding out he was a seer.
“Guiles seems truly happy, does he not?” Lady Sinclair neared and stood next to Dallis, who’d sought the shade of a tree.
“Yes, Mother, he does. Guiles and Fiona are well suited, and I think already on their way to falling in love with each other.” Her lips curved as she watched the couple slide looks at each other between bites of food.
No longer able to bite her tongue. “Mother, will I be celebrating my marriage in a sennight? Father has remained stubbornly quiet about it.”
Her mother let out a sigh. “This is not the time Dallis, we should be concentrating on yer brother’s happiness.”
“Will my father will withdraw his approval then?”
Just then a group arrived at the gates. Her mother took her hand. “Come we must greet the guests.”
The wedding celebration continued for the rest of the day. It was a long time before Dallis caught a glimpse of Alasdair. He was atop the keep wall with the archers. At one point, he threw his head back in laughter at something another archer said. Her eyes narrowed. How could he be able to laugh when their entire future was unclear?
“Ye’ve only known each other for a short time. Ye can’t expect the man to be too besotted he cannot fathom life without ye?” At the deep voice, Dallis swung around to Niven who lifted a shoulder in response and walked away.
Her own fell. It was true. Here she was behaving like a lovesick idiot, while Alasdair continued on with his daily life. It was after all the nature of living.
How to explain to anyone that her heart was already his?
“Come dance with us!” Fiona called out, her face flushed with happiness. Dallis could not resist and she grinned back. “Ye should save yer energy for later.”
Hands together, fingers entwined, Dallis let go of her thoughts as she and the other women twirled in circles, dancing until late into the night.
“I wondered how long until ye came to demand a reply again.” Her father’s gazed moved from her face to the ceiling. “Dallis, it is not yer place. Ye will await my decision. I will give it when I’m good and ready.”
“It’s been days. Ye act as if nothing is going on. Everyone continues as if nothing is changed. I don’t know how to move forward. Am I betrothed or not?”
She leaned over her father’s desk about to start another round of questions when he looked to the doorway.
Alasdair’s bulk darkened the entrance. With freshly washed hair, trimmed beard, a fresh clean tunic and scabbard across his back, he was resplendent. His gaze was flat when touching on her before he addressed her father.
“Laird, I come to report.” His tone was smooth as always and Dallis tried to keep from sighing.
At the moment, her ire was flamed by neither man seeming to care about the status of their relationship.
“How can ye stand there acting as if nothing happens when ye should be standing next to me demanding to know my father’s decision?” Dallis stomped to stand just inches from Alasdair. “Ye and I are supposed to get married in four days and my father has not said whether the ceremony will take place or not.”
Other than a tick at his jawline, Alasdair was still as a statue. Finally, he looked to her father.
Dallis let out a loud huff and swung to face the other infuriating male in the room. “I demand an answer father. I will not leave until I get it.”
“Ye,” Alasdair said, “will leave now. This is not a matter for ye to handle.” There was a low tone to his voice she’d only heard when he’d been furious with someone. Her blood went icy cold. Did he not care for her anymore?
“I-I...will not leave.”
Alasdair’s right eyebrow hitched just a bit and his chest expanded with a deep breath. It was as if he was trying to keep himself in check. His jaw clenched as each word came out slowly and deliberate. “Dallis go and await yer father’s decision. By acting like a child, ye will not get any answers. This is not a matter for ye to handle. Go. Now.”
Too furious to say anything further, the fight left her. To hell with them both, Dallis lifted her skirts and fled from the room.
She remained in her chamber for the rest of the day. Just before last meal, she donned trues under a short-split skirt and with her sword in hand headed down the stairs and out to where the guards practiced.
After a few hours of hard exercise, she was finally able to keep her temper in check. It wouldn’t do to act a fool at evening meal while many of Fiona’s clansmen remained still.
Instead of going inside, she went to the side garden and leaned on a short wall looking out towards the forest. In the grass just a few feet away, her father’s hound’s barks sounded. Her father stood not too far, throwing sticks for the animals to chase after and retrieve. From the way he called out to the dogs and his laughter, he was in good spirits. Although she wanted to remain angry with him, her lips curved at him having a light moment to himself.
As laird, his yoke was heavy, he more than deserved times like these. The hounds had been a gift from Dallis and Guiles. Some days it seemed as if her father loved the furry beasts more than them.
“We should speak.” Alasdair’s voice at her ear made Dallis take a sharp breath.
She straightened her shoulders. “I suppose we should.” She looked around him to see that her guard keep watch. Motioning with both hands for him to go away, he finally shrugged and turn his back to them.
“I will have to speak to father about him,” Dallis mumbled in annoyance.
Alasdair moved to stand next to her, his posture straight, his gaze to her father who continued tossing sticks to his hounds. “I did not like speaking to ye as I did earlier.”
Dallis could not keep from rolling her eyes. “And yet ye did. Do ye have any idea what it is like to be treated as if I don’t have a brain in my head? Like a petulant child?”
“No. However, if ye’d have used yer brain, then ye would have known women aren’t the ones to negotiate any kind of marriage agreement. Whether fair or not, it is up to me to handle the situation.”
“Handle the situation?” Dallis’ voice went up at least an octave. “For days now, a decision has not been made and ye’ve been dallying about atop the wall.”
The telltale sign of aggravation, his right eyebrow rose. “Dallying?”
Dallis waved an impatient hand. “Or whatever.”
“I am performing in my duty to protect this clan. I have been spending endless days training with the archers, attempting to gain their trust and respect. They are not keen to a stranger walking in and taking over as their leader. When any man
is ill or unable to fulfill their duty, I have been taking their place. I am doing everything yer father has asked of me in order to earn his approval. That included putting ye in yer place in front of him even though I hated speaking to ye in that manner.”
He turned to her, for the first time there was warmth in his gaze. “I want to marry ye Dallis, have no doubt about that.” Alasdair leaned forward and placed a kiss onto her gaped open lips. “Be at last meal.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Once he passed, her guard turned and studied her.
Dallis had to fight to keep from making a face at him.
Chapter 15
Alasdair waited until he was in the safety of a dimly lit corridor before allowing himself the luxury of slumping against the wall. For long days, he’d tried more than ever in his life to assimilate into a clan life. He’d done and said all the right things. He’d worked long days alongside the men he was to lead and had tried hard every single day to prove himself.
Now as he waited to know what his fate would be, for the first time in his life he hated that his gift of seer never foretold of his own future. Yes, he was alerted to danger and for that he was grateful.
And yet, a rarity in many years, he felt helpless.
To make things worse, Alasdair wasn’t sure he could do it. To not only be part of a clan, a family, but also to lead men. Over the years, he’d been part of many clashes, but never once as a leader.
Although the Sinclair’s archers were slow in coming around, they had at least accepted him and admitted to admiring his candor in asking for help with learning to be a better archer.
One night while drinking with them, he’d admitted not quite feeling adequate enough to lead them. He’d then vowed to them to do his best. The men had nodded in acquiescence, most knowing what Laird Sinclair ordered had to be followed, whether it was something they agreed to or not.
Niven moved with his usual silent steps and neared. “The guards are forming outside. Why are ye in here?”
“I needed a bit of time.” Alasdair met his friend’s gaze. “How do ye do this? Year after year?”
There was a soft lift to the corner of Niven’s lips. “It’s my life. Unlike ye, I grew up here, groomed and taught from the time I was a lad.”
“I was thrust into this.” Alasdair held up a hand. “I’m not ungrateful. Just unsure.”
“I admire yer candor. I do suggest from now on ye don’t share so much with yer men. They will grow to see ye as more of a friend than a leader. Not a bad thing entirely, but it could prove disastrous in battle.”
Alasdair nodded. “One more thing to learn.”
“Now,” Niven said, placing a heavy hand on Alasdair’s shoulder. “From now on, right after practice and before evening meal, go to yer chamber. Remain there alone and do nothing. I write in my journal, sometimes I sleep, other times I stare out the window. There will be days ye will need this time to ponder many things. For our men’s burdens become our own.”
“I am glad for yer friendship,” Alasdair said, meaning it. “Now we should go see about our men.”
Niven met his gaze for a moment before motioning for Alasdair to go first.
It was a sunny day, only a few strips of white in the sky.
The men stood shoulder to shoulder in four lines, archers in the front line and swordsmen in the back three rows. Everyone looked to him and Niven as they walked out of the keep.
Alasdair took his place next to the archers and waited for whatever Niven would tell them.
“Men, as ye know by our clan joining the Robertson and the Gordon, we are not as vulnerable as before. That said, we cannot let our guard down. Individually, each of the clans is not large enough if the Macpherson were to decide to attack us separately. Therefore, training will remain vigorous. Ye must remain alert at all times when working...”
The talk continued until finally, Laird Sinclair arrived. The laird looked every bit a warrior. With wide shoulders and body still fit from training, he was not the type of man to remain behind when his men went to battle. With his sword strapped to his back, he stood at the top of the stairs watching them for a few moments before descending to stand next to Niven.
Laird Sinclair motioned for Alasdair and another warrior, Connor, to come to the front.
“I am proud of our guard. Although we may not be as large as others, what we lack in size we gain in valor.”
The men grunted in agreement and the laird held up a hand. “I have placed these men as yer leaders and as such, they carry my word.” He motioned to Alasdair and then Connor, who stood to his left. These men will lead the archers and the rear guard. Niven as ye know remains the head of all the guard.”
By the time everyone was dismissed, the men walked away with square shoulders, boosted by what their leaders had said. Unlike the others, Alasdair had kept his comments short, only telling the archers he admired their sharp mind and eye and admitted to his pride in leading them.
Last meal was announced, and he was glad for it. Having only eaten that morning, his stomach grumbled with hunger.
At the table with the other guards, Alasdair ate until his belly protested. He drank deeply from his tankard and let out a loud belch, much to the amusement of the other men at the table.
Every time he looked up, he caught sight of Dallis sitting at the high board. Head held high, she spoke to Fiona. It had been a long time since they’d made love and his body stirred with desire every time he saw her. As of late, with so much to do, he’d fallen into bed too exhausted to do more than fall asleep instantly every night.
Now he hoped to have the opportunity to whisk her away this night. If she didn’t remain cross with him, there was a chance she’d give him the privilege of her body.
It was certain he would be allowed to remain there at the Sinclair keep. He wasn’t sure if it meant the marriage would take place or not. Alasdair held to the hope it would.
There was a clanging of cups to signal silence as the laird stood up. The man searched the room his gaze lighting here and there. For a beat, the man looked to him, but Alasdair could not read anything into it.
“Alasdair Creag, come to the front of the room please.”
His heart skipped several beats and his too-full stomach pitched. “Aye laird.” He walked up to stand before the high board.
Laird Sinclair’s gaze was warm when meeting his. “This man has done something very few have even attempted, me included. He has somehow maintained control of my willful daughter.”
There were cheers and laughter from the clan. Alasdair looked to Dallis whose face was flushed and her eyes wide. She stared at her father with a shocked expression.
“Now,” the laird continued. “I have a great surprise for everyone.” He looked to his wife who’d crossed her arms and stared at him as if willing him to continue. It was then Alasdair figured out who actually had made the decision and forced the laird’s hand.
“Dallis join Alasdair,” the laird instructed.
When Dallis came to stand next to him she leaned closer. “What is he doing?” she whispered.
“I don’t know,” he whispered back. “Probably announcing something.”
She gave him a droll look. “Ye don’t say.”
“They have been waiting patiently for my decision regarding their marriage and now I give it. Everyone is invited to come with us to the chapel. My willful daughter and the brave Alasdair will marry this evening.”
There was a collective gasp and Dallis fell to the floor in a dead faint.
Chapter 16
Alasdair’s blurred face came into focus followed by her mother’s. Dallis tried to sit up, but someone held her down. “What happened?”
“Ye fainted,” her mother replied, with a worried look. “How do ye feel?”
“I don’t faint,” Dallis said and pushed the hands from her shoulders and sat up. The room tilted for a bit, but she ignored it. They were in the room next to the great room where Guiles had re
cuperated. The house was silent.
“Where is everyone?”
“In the chapel,” Alasdair responded with a soft smile. “Unless ye are too unwell to attend, we are getting married.”
Dallis looked down at her dress. It was serviceable, but not the one she would have preferred to marry in. “Mother can ye assist me?” She glared at Alasdair and then at Niven who stood at the door. “Ye both must leave. I will be at the chapel shortly. Wait for me there. Do not let anyone leave.”
She got to her feet, and along with Fiona and her mother, rushed from the room.
Deep chuckles sounded and she ignored them. It was her wedding day and she’d be damned if she’d be going through with it without looking her best.
An hour later, with the bride dressed in layers of lavender and green, Dallis Sinclair and Alasdair Creag were pronounced husband and wife.
A celebration would take place the following day, however Dallis could care less about it. She turned to face the happy faces of the clan’s people and her heart was filled with love at the warmth displayed. This was the happiest day of her life.
When she turned to face Alasdair, he looked over the crowd with what looked to be astonishment. Then looked to her. “My mother and cousin are here.”
Alasdair went to his relatives and embraced them. Although surrounded by curious onlookers, in that moment it was only the three of them. Tears he’d held back for many years fell down his face at knowing the two most important people had come to share this day with him.
“When did ye arrive?” he asked, hugging his mother once again. “I didn’t know.”
“Earlier this day. The laird asked that we remain secluded until now so that we could surprise ye as a gift from him.”
Once again they embraced, and his cousin clumsily patted his back. “I am proud of ye Alasdair. So proud.”
The wedding celebration was smaller than Guiles’ had been. Only members of Clan Sinclair attended, with a few from Clan Gordon, whose lands were nearby. An invitation to come visit when they wished along with the announcement of Dallis’ wedding was sent to the Robertson, so to not offend the laird.
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