Page 149 of My Brave Highlander

"I know."

"Does Haldane know of her death yet?"

Dirk shook his head. "None of us have seen Haldane in days. The outlaws who were brought in were three of his friends, captured when they'd gone back to their parents' cottages for supplies."

"I fear that he'll keep trying to kill you, brother, imagining that he can take over as chief. He may even want revenge for Mother's death."

∞∞∞

Three days later, the tables in the great hall had been pushed against the walls and the massive fireplace decorated with dried heather, ribbons and evergreen boughs… at least Jessie told Isobel they had been. She had not been down to the great hall yet this morn since it was her wedding day.

A winter snowstorm was blasting Durness—all was white and blustery outside the windows—and they'd decided against holding the wedding in the church. Although Isobel and Aiden had recovered almost fully, Dirk refused to allow either of them to go outside until the weather improved.

Wearing her wedding attire, Isobel could not wait for the cue to descend the stairs. The boisterous laughter and revelry told her the clans were enjoying starting the celebration early.

Hearing footsteps, she glanced out the door to see her brother, wearing a nice belted plaid of dark blue, white and green, making his way down the corridor. Jessie and Beitris adjusted her veil and her plaid sash, then Jessie handed Isobel a small bouquet of dried heather and greenery.

"Are you ready for your wedding, sister?" Cyrus asked.

"Aye, more than ready." She'd been tempted all morning to make a mad dash down the stairs to find Dirk. She hadn't been allowed to see him all day.

Cyrus grinned and offered his elbow. "I wish Mother and Father could be here today," he said as they moved along the corridor. "They would be so happy for you, because you've found what they had."

"Aye. Cease or you'll make me cry." Tears already burned her eyes and Dirk hated to see her crying.

Cyrus chuckled. "Very well. Today is for happiness only."

"Indeed."

Once they'd descended the turnpike stair, single-file, she took his elbow again and they proceeded into the great hall. Aiden played a lovely ballad on his flute while they walked down an aisle in the middle of the dozens in attendance from all three clans.

Where he waited before the massive fireplace with the reverend, Dirk smiled, looking so handsome in his blue and black belted plaid, a fancy black doublet and all the finishing touches. Seeing how happy he looked, she wanted to run to him and fling herself into his arms. Instead, she marched sedately beside her brother, her smile so broad her cheeks ached. Tears of joy threatened but she kept them under control.

Rebbie, standing beside Dirk, briefly elbowed him in the ribs, but she was glad to see that Dirk wouldn't take his eyes off her. Instead, he smiled wider.

Once Cyrus handed her off to Dirk, he grasped her hand and kissed it.

Dirk distracted her so much, 'twas difficult to pay attention to the reverend's words. She only knew she wanted to be his wife and cherish him always. Once they finished their vows and Reverend MacMahon announced they were man and wife, Dirk drew her to him and kissed her in a lingering and delicious way that enslaved her senses. Could she drag him to his bed now?

She wrapped her arms around his neck and, between kisses, whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too, lass," he murmured against her ear, lifted her and swung her around, making her even dizzier. She laughed.

A boisterous cheer went up, along with several bawdy whistles from the crowd. Aiden played a lively, joyful tune on his violin. Everyone congratulated them, shaking hands and embracing them.

A short time later, Jessie pointed them toward the decorated high table. The rest of the tables in the hall were assembled and moved into place so the feast could begin.

Reverend MacMahon said grace and then the first course of food was served. Aiden began playing The Laird o' Logie. She grasped Dirk's hand, tears coming to her eyes.

He leaned to whisper in her ear. "Shh, lass. Don't cry."

"You are my dream come true," she whispered back.

He kissed her, but that only made her cry harder because she was so happy.

Epilogue

A little over three weeks later, the weather in Durness had calmed a bit, though it was still cold out. The MacKenzies and MacLeods left just before dawn, heading for their homes many miles to the south. Dirk, Isobel and several in the MacKay clan had seen them off after breaking their fast.