Kilts and Kisses (11 page)

The standing stones.

Sorcha brushed her hands together. “Good. Now that that’s settled, Mister MacKay, might I have a private word with ye?”

L
uthais had no idea what Sorcha was about. A voice in the back of his mind whispered not to trust her. Now that Ceana had left them, he intended to find out the truth. He whirled on Sorcha.

“I swear if ye—”

“Please save your threats, Mister MacKay. I released ye from your troth, but in return ye must do something for me.” Something cautioned him not to ask, and when Sorcha lifted the edge of her skirts, he averted his eyes. “I want ye to take this.” When he looked back, she handed him a letter that was sealed with wax. “Ye will hide that document as if your life depended on it. And please realize that keeping it under the mattress of your bed isnae a good place.”

He wasn’t about to admit that was the first thought that came to mind.

“Give me your word that ye will nae read or open that letter. If ye do, ye place in danger the lives of those who ye love the most.”

“Aye, I give ye my word, but what are the contents?”

“If something befalls me, then and only then may ye read the letter and show it to Ceana.”

He lifted a brow, and a puzzled expression crossed his face. “What could possibly befall ye? Are
ye
in danger?”

“I’m afraid that I’ve treated my cousins terribly.” She started to walk back toward her mount and turned her head over her shoulder. “I am making things right, Mister MacKay.”

A
fortnight later Ceana stood at the altar with Luthais, pinching herself twice to make sure this was real. He looked so handsome in his MacKay plaid. His long hair was tied back at the nape of his neck. She could’ve done without the leather that was strapped to his arm, but at least he’d removed the ones at his shoulders before their wedding.

She smiled at her sister and Samuel as they sat in a pew side by side. She shook her head at Aunt Marta chanting some new incantation under her breath. And she even smiled at Sorcha who was sitting next to brooding Uncle John. Ceana wasn’t sure how her cousin had managed to convince the man to become so agreeable, but she was glad she had. Perhaps there was hope of saving Sorcha’s soul yet.

When the priest asked for the rings, the doors to the chapel swung open with a loud bang, and Luthais’ large, redheaded friend gave a nod in the breadth of the doors. Ceana almost laughed because the man barely fit between them.

Luthais shouted,
“Trobhad!” Come!

Mac na Bracha flew in through the open chapel doors and landed on Luthais’s arm. The bird carried a small bag around its neck.

Luthais lifted his arm to Ceana and smiled. “Ye’ll need to remove the rings, lass.” As soon as Ceana untied the tiny bag, he said, “
Dèan às
!”
Be gone!
The hawk flew out the doors, and Ceana heard a large gasp. She wasn’t sure if the sound came from the Gunns or the MacKays who were in attendance.

She thought she had spoken her vows. She vaguely remembered exchanging the rings. The only thing Ceana knew for certain was that she and Luthais were now husband and wife. His hands slipped up her arms, bringing her closer.

“Come here, Wife.”

As though his words released her, Ceana flung herself against him. “I love ye, Luthais.”

“And I love ye.”

He lowered his head, and their love was sealed with a kiss or by a standing stone. For the first time in her life, Ceana wasn’t sure which.

Bad Boys of the Highlands series

Temptation in a Kilt
—Book One

X Marks the Scot
—Book Two

To Wed a Wicked Highlander
—Book Three

Highland Spies series

My Highland Spy—
Book One

Kilts and Daggers—
Book Two

Kill or Be Kilt
—Book Three

Kilts and Kisses novella series

Kilts and Kisses
—Novella One

(Previously published in the
Kissing the Highlander
anthology)

A
ward-winning author Victoria Roberts writes Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was the recipient of the 2013
RT Book Reviews
Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Medieval Historical Romance for
X Marks the Scot
, as well as the 2014
BTS Book Reviews
 Red Carpet award for Best Historical and Best Book of the Year for
My Highland Spy
. Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America and several local chapters, in addition to being a contributing author to the online magazine
Celtic Guide
. When she's not plotting her next Scottish adventure, she’s dragging her clan to every Scottish festival under the sun. Visit Victoria at
www.VictoriaRobertsAuthor.com