“Aye, I know.” William smiled at his father in a way that warmed Kinsey’s soul. After years of strife between them, they had finally found peace.
“Reid sends his felicitations.” Laird MacLeod offered a bow to them both and departed for the evening.
The only way the day could have been any better was if William’s oldest friend could have been here with them. Except that Reid was working for the king, who had appropriated Reid’s service for his own use. It was indeed a great honor.
Kinsey’s family approached. Drake and Mum, Ewan and Faye, of course, and Clara with Faye’s wee son, Callum, cradled affectionately in her arms.
Her mother spoke first with tears shimmering in her blue eyes, so like those of her daughters. “Seeing the two of ye wed reminds me of when yer da and I married.” She gave a wistful sigh and put her hands over her heart. “I hope ye have the joy we shared for the time we had together, joy like our own Faye found.”
Ewan gazed down lovingly at Faye, who leaned tenderly against her husband with a contented smile. “Have ye thought of children yet?”
Kinsey flushed with heat and slid a glance at William, who was usually smooth with answering unexpected questions.
“The first time I realized I wanted to marry Kinsey, I had an image of her holding our child.” William put his solid arm around her shoulders. “We havena discussed when, but I’m certain we’ll have a bairn or two.”
His admission was the first Kinsey had heard of it, and it brought a warmth inside her to know he’d thought of her as a mother. Her cheeks ached from smiling so much, and yet every time she thought to stop, something else would put the grin right back in place again.
“’Tis no’ what I heard.” Drake crossed his arms over his chest and lifted a brow.
William held up his hands defensively. “I thought ye were going to have her hanged. I was only trying to save my lady love’s life.” William winked at his new brother. “’Tis a good thing ye were there to help, eh?”
Even Drake had to chuckle at that.
“It gives me such joy to see ye so happy.” Clara beamed at them from above a sleeping Callum. There was something so natural in the way she held the bairn, and how sweetly he nuzzled against her, as if she’d been born for motherhood. Clara had never expressed an interest in marriage, or anything for herself for that matter, but Kinsey realized she surely must want something out of life. More than caring for their mother or living in Castleton.
“Mayhap ye’ll be next,” Kinsey teased.
“If any more of ye get married, I’ll no’ have any wealth left to give.” The Ross Chieftain edged into the group.
Faye narrowed her eyes at their grandfather.
“Dinna look at me like that,” he groused. “I dinna have anything to do with this one. But I still took responsibility for my granddaughter.”
He reached out and clasped arms with William, his new ally.
Kinsey had dreaded approaching her grandfather, but he’d been surprisingly welcoming to her. Not only had he agreed for the Rosses to become an ally to the MacLeods by virtue of their union, he had also offered her a substantial amount of coin.
It was obvious he was trying to mend the break in their family. Part of her had wanted to trust him, even though a greater part of her still prickled with wariness.
“Ye did,” Kinsey agreed. “Thank ye.”
The Ross Chieftain grinned at her. “I’m glad ye came to me.” He took something from his pocket. “I’m aware no’ all of ye are as pleased with my presence, so I’ll make this quick and take my leave.”
The item in his hand was bound in linen, which he handed to Mum. Drake tensed beside her.
Though her gaze was bright with suspicion, Mum accepted the parcel and slowly began to unroll the linen, revealing what appeared to be a brooch. It was simple but beautiful, with silver filigree framing a delicate golden rose. Kinsey’s mother sucked in a sharp breath and snapped her attention to her father.
“What—?” Tears filled her eyes. “How did ye—?”
The Ross Chieftain’s jaw tensed. “It wasna my fault.” The usual flintiness of his gaze softened. He drew himself ramrod straight, nodded once and left the Great Hall.
Kinsey leaned closer to see the brooch better. “What is it?”
Her mother hastily coiled the linen around the jewelry and folded her hand around it. “’Tis no’ anything to concern yerself about.”
“He’s upset ye.” Clara put a hand to their mother’s forearm, her brows furrowed with worry.
“I’m fine.” Her mother shook her head and hastily swiped at her eyes. “’Tis simply the past and it canna be changed.”
But she wasn’t fine. That much was as obvious as the understanding that their mother wouldn’t speak of whatever it was.
“Ye should wed just to spite him, if nothing else.” Faye lifted her brows at Clara with a wicked smirk.
A glint of hurt flashed in Clara’s eyes, but she quickly looked down at Callum. “Nay.” When she looked up once more, whatever had been there was replaced with her usual happy demeanor. “’Tis the path for ye and Kinsey, but I dinna think it will be for me.”
Something in the way she said it twisted hard in Kinsey’s chest. Clara had spent far too much of her life sacrificing for everyone else. Drake had been the one to earn money and see them fed after their da’s death, but it had been Clara who assumed the responsibility of daily tasks and soothing them all while their mother grieved. It was a duty she’d taken on with her whole heart. One she’d never given up.
But if her heart were so consumed with her family, how could she ever have room for
