Page 30 of Highlander’s Ancient Vengeance

Craig nodded. “Malle is the love of my life,” he replied as he bent down to kiss her softly. She was so small that her head fit neatly under his chin, and she allowed him to hold her gently while she sighed and closed her eyes in sheer contentment. Of all the places in the world, this was where she most wanted to be.

Kenneth looked on in amazement, then turned to his wife. “Did you know, Margaret?” he asked.

“I knew that they were fond of each other.” She shook her head in

disbelief. “But not like this!”

Malcolm was smiling roguishly. “I knew that when this big lump could not keep a smile off his face, or his mind on anything for longer than a few moments, that he was smitten with someone!”

“Come and sit down,” Craig said, smiling as he guided Malle into the dining room. “Malle and I have some things we would like to say to you.”

Craig limped and Malle walked beside him as they went in to eat. Malle started to laugh. “Craig, my love, can you not get Jessie to unwind a few hundred yards of that bandage? You look as though you have a club foot.”

“Jessie is a small woman, is she not?” he asked.

Malle frowned. “Yes, smaller than I am. Why?”

“And are you not a small woman too?” he suggested.

“Yes.” She was deeply puzzled now. “What does this mean?”

“Small women have power over me,” he answered with a perfectly straight face.

“Then I am exercising my power and telling you to remove those bandages!” She laughed, and he joined in.

“It is going to be wonderful being married to you,” Craig murmured, then he looked up at their parents and got to his feet awkwardly, feeling a little self-conscious. “We have something to ask you,” he announced. “This is going to be a bit of a shock for you all. Would anyone object if Malle and I got married?”

There was a collective gasp, and complete silence for a moment as Malcolm, Margaret, and Kenny thought through the implications of this.

“If you do not allow us to marry,” Craig went on, without waiting for an answer, “we will do it anyway. We just wanted your blessing, because we can go somewhere else to do it, where no one knows us.”

Margaret looked at her daughter and saw the light of determination in her eyes. She would do it, too. She really loves him.

“And you will not see your grandchildren,” Malle pointed out.

Margaret’s heart leapt into her throat. “You are not with child?” Her eyes were wide with fear.

“No Mammy,” Malle replied frowning. “Give yourself peace. Craig and I have always acted honorably.”

“But there will be grandchildren, Milady,” Craig said firmly, looking lovingly at Malle.

“And you will marry without our blessing, whatever we say?” Malcolm asked.

“We will, M’laird,” Malle assured him. “As soon as we can.”

Malcolm, Margaret, and Kenneth looked at each other.

“I am not sure about this,” Margaret said softly. She stood up and Kenneth followed her to a small table under the window, then Malcolm joined them.

Kenneth began “So we all know this in imposib—”

“I think we should give them our blessing,” Malcom said, his voice firm and determined. “I have come to know Malle a little, and I can see that she is a very determined young woman. I know that Craig is determined too, but you can see that he adores her. They are asking us out of respect. They really do not need our blessing.”

“But she is still so young...our families...we do not even know each other. What will people say? Our clans are enemies!” Margaret was almost weeping.

She was mainly afraid that Kenneth would never agree.

“Margaret.” Kenneth took her shoulders and turned her to face him. He paused and looked at her for a moment. “I do not want to lose my daughter. The thought of losing her would kill me. This marriage is not what I hoped for but you said it yourself. Malle has deep feelings for Craig. I am afraid they are not gampbling. If we do not allow this marriage I do not know if she will obey us. And if she does, we will not be happy as we are now. She will be resentful. ”