Page 118 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
Eileen was right. They could have left together and gotten married without asking for anyone’s permission, and everything would have been fine. But Archer couldn’t disregard her brother, especially when he had so much respect for her.
“Thomas,” she scolded. “It’s nae crazy at all. Each couple has their journey, and this journey is ours.”
“We’ve been through a lot together, yer sister and I. I have developed strong feelings for her, and she for me. We already spoke about a union between our clans, and it’ll only be stronger with a marriage.”
“Aye, ye’re right about that,” Thomas relented. “And ye have kept yer promise about the sword deliveries. From what I hear, O’Gunn will be ousted soon. These are good and peaceful times around here. Of course, I dinnae like that we left yer castle when ye could have done this there.”
“Thomas!” Eileen whined.
“Ye’re right,” Archer interjected.
He was getting a little annoyed that Thomas hadn’t given his permission yet, when he didn’t strictly need it. He wanted to leave the castle with Eileen and take her back to where she truly belonged.
“However, havin’ said all of that, I respect ye, Laird MacLennan,” Thomas continued. “Ye’ve done right by us, and I expect that ye’ll do right by me sister.”
“I will,” Archer vowed.
“Then ye have me blessin’,” Thomas said.
“Ooh! Thank ye, Thomas,” Eileen squealed, before hugging her brother.
“Aye, she’s been around here for far too long,” Reid piped up. “I thought I’d never get rid of her.”
“Och, Reid, why would ye say that?” Eileen moaned.
“Ye ken I love ye, Sister,” Reid said. “Ye’ll both make a fine couple. Do I have to travel all the way back to MacLennan Castle for the weddin’?”
“Reid!” Eileen hissed. “Why would ye say that?” She turned to Archer. “Are ye sure ye want to marry me when I have a family like this?”
He beamed. “With all me heart.”
Eileen lay awake in bed, listening to the familiar sounds of the castle. There was comfort in them, but she couldn’t wait to leave and start a new life with Archer.
And so she decided to sneak out to be with him after pining for him for so long. It had felt like her heart had been in a cage, and he’d brought the key to unlock it.
When she was sure the hallways were clear, she got out of her bed, put on her shawl, and tiptoed out of her room. She wouldn’t get into trouble for sneaking out of her room, but she might get into some trouble for sneaking into Archer’s.
She looked both ways down the passageway, then headed off in the direction of the room Archer was bunking in for the night.She wasn’t worried about seeing anyone except for Reid, who also had a habit of sneaking around at night.
When she reached the room, she knocked lightly and pushed the door open. She saw Archer’s figure in the darkness.
“I was hopin’ ye would come,” he rasped.
Eileen closed the door, dropped her shawl, and crawled into bed. She cuddled up to him and rested her head on his bare chest.
“Will ye say it again?” she demanded.
“I love ye,” he murmured.
Those three simple words sent a thrill through her chest, tickling her heart.
“Mmm,” she moaned. “I will never get tired of hearin’ that. Will we ride back in the morning, just the two of us?”
“Aye, if that’s what ye want,” Archer said. “We have all the time in the world. There’s nay rush. Ye’ll be the lady of the castle for real, and we’ll start a family.”
“Aye?”
“Aye.”
