Rhys sighed. “Ye think it’s a good plan then? Are ye nae worried that there is little glory tae be haed?”
“Dae ye nae agree with him?” Sean asked, looking shocked. Shawn looked suspicious. Rhys had to be careful as he didn’t want to test his brother’s loyalties. He suspected that if they figured out he was having reservations, they would have no problem telling his father, and he couldn’t allow that to happen.
“I dinnae say that,” Rhys said, appearing to be as casual as possible. “I just mean that we hae always heard about great warriors and great battles testing themselves against worthy foes, but this is nae a battle is it?”
“Nae, but I’m sure plenty of them will fight back,” Sean said.
“I’m hoping tae get in a fight with Bryn,” Shawn said.
“He hae been a good host though,” Rhys mused. The brothers fell silent for they knew that hospitality was a thing to be rewarded and not shunned. There was a reason why Malcolm’s plan was unthinkable. It went against a lot of common beliefs. It was a sly plan indeed, and Rhys was now observing his brothers closely in case he saw any sign of their faith in Malcolm wavering.
“That may be, but he’s still a McClearey, and that counts for more than anything,” Shawn said. “If we’re gaeing tae weigh our sins against theirs then they’ve done plenty of things in the past. Dinnae forget that it was they who started this war in the first place. It’s about time that we ended it once and for all.”
Rhys was about to argue with them and challenge them to think about the truth of the matter. Speaking with Caitlin on that first night had been educational. Up until then, he had never thought about the fact that the origins of the war might be clouded. It had happened so long ago that nobody knew the truth of the matter, and now either side believed the version that cast them in the best light. But it was clear that his brothers were not going to waver from Malcolm’s orders and Rhys was not going to find allies within this tent. He declared that he had to get back to the keep and prepare for the wedding. His brothers teased him, but Rhys had the last laugh as he tossed the dice back against the crate and they both landed on the side showing a double six. Rhys smirked, and left Shane and Sean wondering how he had done that. But they had left Rhys wondering what he was going to do. It was all well and good having these reservations, but he was a man alone and had no idea who else he could turn to, or if there was even anyone he could turn to.
9
Caitlin was sitting with her mother on the night before her wedding day. She was in bed with hot tea beside her. Violet was sitting on the end of the bed and gazing at her child with great affection.
“How did ye feel on ye wedding day Ma?” Caitlin asked. Her eyes swam with excitement, but there was an equal measure of nerves inside as well. A swarm of butterflies was moving around in her stomach and her skin felt all tingly as the memory of the passionate kiss had been burned into her soul. Her desire had been inflamed. The kiss had been filled with promise and she found her mind turning to the unknown pleasures of the wedding night, a night that would be filled with celebration and a lot more that she could not even fathom yet.
“Oh much like ye, a bundle of nerves. I haed a wee more time tae know Bryn though.”
“What was Da like back then?”
Violet leaned back and smiled. A warm glow appeared on her cheeks and the years slipped away as she embraced the memories of her youth. She clasped her hands in her lap. “Oh, he was charming, romantic. We used tae gae strolling in the woods and he’d pick me all kinds of flowers, saying that this one reminded him of my eyes, and this one reminded him of my lips.” She giggled a little. “He really knew how tae make me feel special. I knew from that first moment that I was in love with him, and I think that ye are warming tae Rhys as well.” Violet leaned forward and playfully placed her hand on Caitlin’s. Caitlin blushed and pulled the sheets of the bed closer to her chest.
“Is that such a bad thing?” she asked, her cheeks glowing brightly.
“I hae tae be honest with ye…I never did think my wee girl was gaeing tae marry a Frasier, and when ye da returned and told us that he had arranged ye marriage tae that brute I was worried for ye. I didnae think he would make a good husband, but there is something different about him. Maybe there is some hope for us all. And besides, the most important thing is that ye are happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for ye,” she said.
Caitlin nodded and smiled warmly.
“Now ye get tae bed and rest for ye hae a grand day taemorrow. And dinnae worry about the nerves. It’ll all disappear once ye see him for the first time. As long as he keeps ye safe things will be well,” she said. Caitlin believed her mother, and a warm glow swelled within her. She couldn’t wait for the morning to arrive and to finally be wed to him. Spending time with him so far had promised a great deal of happiness in her life and although it would be difficult to leave and embrace the change in her world, she was eager to find adventure with Rhys. Her mind constantly turned to
