Lily (The Highland Clan Book 3) (21 page)

“I’m happy you’ve reunited with your horse, but recall your promise to me. We need to find your sire, your brother, and then Father Rab.”

“Of course, husband, as you wish.” She kissed Sunshine before she hurried back out the door.

They moved past the stables, and Kyle did not slow until they reached the hall. As soon as they stepped inside, he squeezed Lily’s hand. Quade, Torrian, her mother, and Father Rab were the only ones inside, and they were all seated by the hearth.

“Mama!” She released Kyle’s hand and bolted over to her mother. Wrapping her arms around her, she said, “I missed you so, Mama. I am pleased to be home.”

Brenna smoothed Lily’s hair and kissed her forehead. “My, but it seems this trip did agree with you, even after the horrible fright we had. ‘Tis good to see you home and smiling, lass.”

Before Lily could greet anyone else, her sire cleared his throat. “Lily?”

Lily took her husband’s hand and glanced up at him, waiting for Kyle to speak. She could feel the sweat on Kyle’s palms, but she said naught, giving him the chance to organize his thoughts into words.

“My lairds, I would like to request the honor of marrying Lily, that is, I’d like to make her my wife, if it pleases all of you.”

Torrian broke into a broad grin, but he turned to his father to allow him to speak first.

Quade smirked, paused for effect, then drawled, “You’ve come to your senses finally, Maule?”

“Aye, I love your daughter, and I pledge to honor and protect her forever as my wife, if you please, that is, if you’ll allow us…”

Quade stood with his cane, then held his one arm out to his daughter. “Aye, it would please me verra much for you to marry my daughter, but only if ‘tis what she wants.”

Lily flew into his arms with a happy squeal. “Aye, Papa. We wish to marry soon.”

Congratulations were delivered all around, and then Lily and Kyle both turned to Father Rab with expectant faces. “I’d be most happy and honored to conduct this ceremony,” he said with a smile. “When would you like to do it?”

“As soon as possible,” Kyle said. “I must speak to my mother first.”

“Why not at dusk, Father Rab?” Quade said. “‘Tis a most lovely time for a wedding. Would that suit you?”

“Must we wait?” Lily asked.

Her mother cleared her throat and ran her gaze up and down Lily’s gown.

Lily frowned as she glanced at her dirty mantle, fully aware of the dirty clothes underneath. She had to admit she’d like another bath. “That sounds lovely, Father. Kyle, does this suit you?”

He paused, lost in thought, but then replied, “I am agreeable to this, and we must go speak with my mother. Would you like to go with me? I think she would love to see you.”

“Kyle,” Quade said, “About your mother…”

Kyle gave him an odd look, but Quade cut himself off and added, “Never mind. Go see your mother.”

Lily wished to ask her sire the meaning of his comment, but Kyle was already unsettled. “I would love to visit with your mother.”

They left, and Kyle led Lily through the courtyard, his long strides making it difficult for her to keep up with him. As soon as they passed the stables, her wolves joined her, though she noticed everyone else stood far away from them. “Kyle, would you slow your pace a bit, please?”

Kyle said, “Lily, we do not have much time, and your uncle is coming our way. I do not like the look he is giving me. We must hurry.”

As they passed her uncle, Lily grinned at him and said, “Greetings, Uncle. We go to visit Kyle’s mother.”

Kyle nodded in greeting, but he remained intent on his destination.

“Maule, I’d like a word with you,” Uncle Logan bellowed after him.

Kyle kept on going as if he’d never heard Uncle Logan. Lily peeked over her shoulder and caught Uncle Logan’s smirk, but she decided to let it pass. “Kyle, if you don’t slow down, my feet may leave my body.”

Kyle stopped to stare at her. “What did you say?”

She pulled on his hand. “Surely you have noticed that my poor legs are not as strong as yours. I cannot keep up with you.”

Kyle leaned down to place a kiss on her lips. “My apologies. I needed to get past your uncle, and I think you know why. Did you not hear his bellow? I think he suspects we’ve handfasted. We are almost at my mother’s cottage. What about the wolves? They may frighten my mother.”

Lily petted her two friends, but then pursed her lips and tapped her cheek with her finger. After a moment, her face lit up and she leaned down to give Moonbeam a wee push. “Moonbeam, go find something to feed your wife. Surely, you must both be hungry. Then you may return, but please clean up before you do. Kyle and I will be getting married again this eve.”

Kyle stared at her, wide-eyed. “And you think he’ll understand that?”

Moonbeam took off toward the forest with Starlight directly behind him. Lily threw her arms around her husband’s neck. “Aye, I do.”

Lily thought they were about to step inside, but they stopped. Kyle gave her a look that almost tore her heart out of her chest. “Kyle, what’s wrong?”

Chapter Twenty

Kyle did not know how to explain everything to his wife. He adored Lily, and if he told her what he was thinking, he would hurt her feelings for sure.

He would never do that.

“Kyle?”

How could he tell his wife that his mother might be disappointed to hear of their marriage? Or that his sire would be upset in heaven? With his dying words, his sire had asked him to make him proud by becoming a strong Ramsay warrior and his father must have wanted him to take care of his mama, too. How could he take care of his mother if he was about to move into his own home with his wife? Would his mother expect Lily to move in with them? Would she cry? Though she had asked Kyle about Lily before, claiming she knew he loved her, marriage was different, and this had happened quickly. Mayhap he shouldn’t have brought Lily with him when he broke the news.

“Kyle, I think we need to go inside,” Lily said, her voice gentle. “‘Tis time to tell your mother we will be marrying by sundown.” Lily squeezed his hand, and he glanced at the lass he loved.

Aye, it was time. He swung the door open and froze at the unexpected sight in front of him.

Lily pushed him from behind, moving him to one side so she could see what had caught him so off guard.

His mother was wrapped in the embrace of a man, crying on his shoulder.

“Mama?” he whispered.

His mother squealed and raced over to him, throwing her arms around his neck and crying on his shoulder. “Kyle, my sweet lad. You have returned.” She cupped his face and said, “I was so frightened I’d lost you.” She turned to Lily and wrapped her arms around her. “Lily, I’m so happy to see you safe and home again, too.”

The man strode over and clasped his shoulder. “Good to see you again, lad.”

“Seamus?” He stared in disbelief at the man who’d been in charge of the Ramsay warriors before he’d taken over for him.

“Aye, ‘tis me. We searched and searched for you with no success, then Logan sent us home to see if you’d made it ahead of us. We’re so pleased to see you’ve brought Lily home safely. Well done, Kyle.”

“Seamus?” He couldn’t get any other words out.

His mother stepped away from Lily, and he noticed that she was working a linen square in her hands. “Kyle, I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but Seamus and I…”

“You and Seamus? How long?”

Seamus wrapped his arm around Kyle’s mother’s shoulders. “Lad, it has been a long time.”

“But why? Why would you hide this from me?” Kyle’s mind churned with so many thoughts he didn’t know what would come out of his mouth next.

Seamus started to speak, but Kyle’s mother grabbed his hand to quiet him. “Nay, Seamus. I’ll explain. Kyle, I asked him not to tell you. I know how much you adored your father, and I didn’t think you would accept anyone else in his place. Our plan was to wait until you were old enough to handle it, but time got away from us. We should have told you, but by then we were comfortable with the way things were.”

Understanding hit him. “This is why you did not wish to move closer to the castle?”

His mother nodded.

He glared at Seamus. “How could you?”

“Kyle Maule,” his mother snapped, her tone harsher than he’d ever heard it. “Remember your manners. This would please your father. He would not have wished for me to spend the rest of my life alone.”

“Mayhap, but Seamus? He was Papa’s best friend. How could you?” He glowered at Seamus. “And how could
you
?”

“Lad, do not speak to your mother that way.” Kyle’s mother opened her mouth to say something, but Seamus patted her hand and wrapped it around his elbow. “‘Tis time the lad knows.” Turning to Kyle, he said, “I’m here at your sire’s request, lad. Before he died, he asked me to take care of your mother. I told him I didn’t know if I could do it. You see, I was in love with your mother when your father married her. He knew that. He asked me, nay, he told me…” Seamus stared at his feet for a moment before he continued. “Your father told me to marry her. He wished for the two of us to be together.”

Tears threatened to spill over Kyle’s cheeks. Seamus grasped his shoulder again. “I love your mother, lad. Your sire knew the meaning of a good woman. He had a wonderful one.”

Kyle’s mother pulled him into a tight hug, something she hadn’t done often as he’d grown. “Kyle, I loved your father so. But now I love Seamus. I’ve found my heart is big enough for two.”

The sun seemed to shine a wee bit brighter now that he finally knew the truth. Kyle nodded as a slow smile crept across his face. He kissed his mother on the forehead. “Is your heart big enough for three? We’ve come to invite you to our wedding at sundown.”

His mother squealed again and hugged him. She ran to hug her daughter-in-law to be. “Lily, naught could make me happier than seeing you marry my son.” Her hand reached up to her hair. “I must find something nice to wear. Seamus, you must help me wash my hair.”

“I’ll help you, love.”

Kyle clasped Seamus’s shoulder. “My thanks for taking good care of my mother, and I apologize for my rudeness.”

“Accepted. ‘Twas a shock to you. We knew it would be. Know that I am as proud of you as if you were my own son. Now go do what you must to marry our Lily. We’ll see you soon.”

***

Brenna hugged her before they stepped outside into the gray hazy day. “You look absolutely beautiful, Lily. I am so happy for you. You are a glowing bride, my dear.”

Lily ran her hands down the over gown she wore. “I have never seen this dress before. ‘Tis beautiful.”

“Your grandmother made it for you many years ago. It was her way to ensure she’d be here with us in some way. It amazes me how much she understood you at the time. The dress reflects your personality perfectly. I so wish she could see you marry Kyle.”

Lily kissed her stepmother’s cheek. “She is here, Mama, and so is my first mother. They’ve told me they will be standing next to Moonbeam and Starlight.” Lily picked up the pale blue skirt that had been embroidered with dozens and dozens of flowers, all in different shades. The colors reminded her of her ribbons.

She climbed down the steps and clapped her hands as soon as she saw all her brothers and sisters standing at the base waiting for her. Jennet and Bethia looked so beautiful, Jennet in pink and Bethia in yellow. Gregor looked quite handsome in his blue tartan. After hugging each of her siblings, she ran over to hug Sunshine. She kissed her mare’s face and whispered, “You’ll only be Sunshine in the future. I know you did not like the name Tilly. I cannot explain myself.” She ran a loving hand over Sunshine’s carefully braided mane. “Who did this for you, Sunshine? I had hoped to do it, but I did not have time.”

Her sisters Bethia and Jennet stood there beaming. Bethia said, “We knew Kyle would bring you back to us safely, so we did it for you.”

Jennet added. “Aye, Kyle loves you, Lily. Everyone says so, though I do not understand the meaning of it.”

Lily gave her sisters one last hug before she moved over to Torrian. She teared up when she looked at her brother, her kindred spirit for so many years. “Torrian, you look so handsome in your Ramsay tartan. My thanks for all you’ve done for me.”

Torrian gave her a kiss and said, “You and Kyle belong together. You’ll have a wondrous life.” She leaned over to kiss Gregor, but he held a hand up. “No kisses, please.”

Torrian lifted her onto her horse while Bethia helped settle her skirts. They led her through the courtyard and past the chapel. Lily turned sideways, pointing to the chapel. “Torrian, you just passed my wedding.”

They all grinned at her as if she were the only one left out of the surprise. Torrian said, “Lily, you are about to see how happy your clan is to have you back and to see you marry Kyle.”

Her father sat awaiting her arrival beyond the gates, bedecked in his clan finery and mounted on his horse. How she loved the blue of the dress Ramsay tartan. Sometimes it looked blue and other times it appeared more purple. “Papa, no lad is more handsome than you.” He smiled and reached for her hand as they rode side by side toward the end of the meadow. Rows and rows of her clan stood awaiting her arrival, beaming faces and smiles greeting her from every corner of their land.

Lily squealed when they drew close enough for her to see what Torrian had hinted at. They’d chosen a place between two lines of trees at the end of the meadow, and many branches and vines had been interwoven into a long archway overhead, decorated with white flowers, pinecones, and berries. The Ramsay guards lined up on either side of her, all of them dressed in their best, escorting her to Father Rab and her husband. Her mother and Kyle’s mother stood off to the side.

As they neared the front of the gathering, Lily’s father pulled her closer so he could kiss her cheek, and then Torrian helped her down from her horse and escorted her over to Kyle. Before the ceremony started, Moonbeam and Starlight emerged from the woods and positioned themselves behind her and Kyle, gasps and titters spreading through the crowd at this unexpected addition to the ceremony.

The day could not be more perfect. She gazed up into her husband’s blue eyes, thinking about how much she adored him and how happy their life would be. She could hear Kyle’s mother crying softly, and a few more people started tearing up in the audience while Father Rab said the words she’d so longed to hear. He wrapped the Ramsay tartan over their hands, representing their union, and Kyle squeezed her hand underneath, smiling at her. He maneuvered his hand so that his sore spot met hers, just as they’d done when they handfasted. How she loved him.

When Father Rab finished, Kyle kissed her deeply, then kissed the cut on the palm of her hand where they’d handfasted. Breathless with excitement, she wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “Catch me, Kyle.”

She jumped into his arms and he spun around to face the crowd. “Meet my wife, Lily.” He kissed her again, and she cupped his face and said, “I love you, husband.”

Once the applause ended and he set her down, she ran over to hug Kyle’s mother, Seamus, and her parents. She whispered to her sire, “Papa, may I show everyone?”

He nodded. “If you think you’re ready.”

“I am, Papa. We’ve practiced for a long time, and I’d like to show all what I’ve learned.” Her sire kissed her cheek and motioned for Kyle to help her over to her horse, but first she stopped to whisper to Molly, and Molly told her where everything was that she needed.

Lily held her hands up for everyone to be quiet. When she had the clan’s attention, she said, “Many thanks for making our wedding so beautiful,” she said, gesturing to the archway and the flowers. “This is for all of you. It’s also my special thank you to my husband Kyle for saving me.” Making her way to her horse, she said, “Come Sunshine, we must perform.” She led Sunshine to the middle of the meadow. Moonbeam and Starlight joined her, one falling in on either side of her, and Molly grabbed the ribbon holder that Kyle had created for Lily from its hiding spot and brought it to her in the middle of the field.

Kyle followed her out and helped her up on her horse, giving her a curious look. He whispered, “Promise me you’ll not hurt yourself on your wedding day, please?” She giggled and kissed him again, “I promise.” Then she announced, “This is for the wonderful gift my husband made for me, and for my papa, who taught me how to do this.”

The crowd quieted while Lily rode Sunshine to the end of the meadow. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she was eager to make her sire proud and let her husband know how much she loved him.

She spurred Sunshine to a trot, and as soon as she patted her horse to let her know what she was doing, she placed her bare feet underneath her and did the very thing she’d practiced with her father over and over again.

Lily stood on the back of her horse as Sunshine cantered through the field. Once she felt more confident, Lily lifted Kyle’s gift over her head so the braided ribbons streamed behind her in the wind. She sang as they traveled around the field together, Moonbeam and Starlight running beside them.

She stood on her horse’s back proudly, just as her father had done when he was young.

Lily was free and in love and married, just as she’d always dreamed. She belonged here at Clan Ramsay, just as her brother and her sire and her mama and so many others. They had all joined in to make her wedding special and she loved them for it.

She was home.