Page 111 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” Eileen snorted.
“Oy,” Reid complained.
“Apart from all the annoyin’ things Reid’s said to me over the years,” Eileen clarified.
“That’s better,” Reid said.
Thomas’s expression didn’t change as Eileen and Reid smiled at each other.
“Of course, that willnae be yer future, and we must talk about it,” he continued.
“Aye?” Eileen asked.
“Aye.” Thomas nodded. “It’s time ye were wed properly. Ye’ll make someone a fine wife, and ye’re nae gettin’ any younger. I’ve spoken to Maither about it, and she agrees that it’s time for ye to have a life of yer own.”
I do have a life of me own, even though it’s incredibly messy.
“Whatever ye think is best for me,” Eileen muttered.
She knew there was no point in arguing with Thomas, and even if she appealed to Reid for help, he would back their older brother when it came to important decisions like that one.
“Once ye’re back and settled, we’ll start lookin’ for a match. Ye deserve the best, Eileen.”
“Thank ye.”
Eileen knew her brother only meant the best, and it would be better to coast through life with a family than alone. It might help her to take her mind off her infinite sorrow.
“It’ll be good for ye,” Reid added unconvincingly. “And ye’ll beat me to it. Who’d have thought that an ugly crier like ye would get married before a scarred bampot like me?”
Eileen laughed again. “Aye, but ye do deserve the best, too, Reid,” she insisted. “Although I ken ye well enough to wonder whether the best deserves to spend the rest of their life with ye, what with the bad jokes and the awful wit. I mean, the only thing ye have to offer is… is…Thomas, help me out.”
Thomas gave a wry smile, though he remained silent as he looked out the window.
“Me own sister does me dirty.” Reid threw his arm around her and pulled her in. “Although ye’re right about everythin’ ye said. Maybe we can both remain unmarried, and we can grow old, bitter, and decrepit together.”
“Sounds idyllic,” Eileen quipped.
In a way, it did. She might joke about it, but it sounded like a better option than any of the others. Thomas would never allow it to happen, but she could dream.
When they arrived back at McFair Castle, their mother awaited them in the courtyard. Eileen was the first out of the carriage, and she ran into her mother’s arms.
Piper quickly exited from the second carriage and followed Eileen, remaining close.
“Oh, me goodness,” Alba gasped. “I’m so glad to have ye back. I thought I’d lost a son and a daughter, and here ye both are, returned to me. What a wonderful day this is.”
“I’m glad to be home, Maither,” Eileen gushed.
As she embraced her mother, she really was glad to be home.
33
Archer was in the forge. He felt the heart of the roaring fire and was transported for a second back to the night Reid was almost burned alive and Eileen was nearly handed over to O’Gunn. He stood before the flames, wanting to feel what other people called him, but he didn’t.
He’d run into a burning room, facing his own death, and come out alive. He’d chased down Henry Millar and slain him and two others, but he didn’t feel like a hero.
“Tormod, how are we lookin’?” Archer asked.
“Aye, it’s comin’ along,” Tormod replied, wiping the sweat from his flushed brow. “We’re still a little behind, what with the loss of a couple of men, but some lads are bein’ trained up, and we’ll work at all hours to get the shipments out.”
