Page 20 of Deception

Chapter 6

Linnae stared at Jacob.She had to be dreaming. Maybe she died in the crushed carriage and didn’t know it. She’d heard stories about spirits that refused to pass on. She’d never been a believer, but…

“We are no’ the clan ye were born to, lass,” the old laird said, and Linnae faced him. “But we welcome you into our family. I will not live long. But however long I live, I will call you Granddaughter.”

Her heart thumped. A family that had chosen her? A grandfather, even for a day? Her chest tightened at the thought of him dying.

“Need I remind ye” —the old laird’s voice pulled her from her thoughts— “the MacKenzies and MacKinnons are counting on you to unite them.”

Linnae blinked. Was the old man—

She narrowed her eyes. “Blackmail, is it? Jacob is right, ye are a formidable force.”

He nodded. “In that, you and I are more alike than perhaps even Alison and I.”

All amusement vanished. “I am sorry about your granddaughter, laird.”

He gave a tiny nod. “Aye, lass. So am I. But life goes on.”

A long moment of silence passed, then she said, “I cannae see how it’s a good plan,” –God help her, there was no better life she could possibly have— “but if ye think it is best, I will marry Jacob.”

“It is a good plan.” Lyel looked at Jacob. “Aye, lad?”

“Aye, Laird.”

The priest cleared his throat.

“Wait,” Linnae said. “I-I have something to say to Jacob first.” She grasped his arm and drew him several paces away toward the door. With a quick glance back at the others, who stared in open curiosity, she went up on tiptoes, grasped his shoulders and pulled him close so that she could whisper close to his ear, “I told ye about Malcolm. What ye must know is that if he finds me, he will be angry and…” she hesitated.

Jacob pulled back enough so that he could meet her gaze. “I will protect you with my life, lass.”

“But—”

He shook his head. “No buts.”

She stared up at him. He met her gaze squarely. Lady Alison had protected her against the advances of some of her brother’s friends. But Linnae had known that protection was tenuous. To have a man—a chief—protect her. The need to cry rose, but she forced back the compulsion and nodded.

They returned to the others.

Linnae had read the marriage vows in parchments, but had never given any thought to marriage. She’d never fallen in love.

When the priest addressed her as “Lady Linnae Donald,” her heart sped up, “swear ye now that there is no reason known to you that this union should not proceed?” he asked.

She whispered, “I swear.”

He asked Jacob the same, and Jacob replied, “I swear.”

The priest asked her to repeat the vows as he said them.

She began, “I, Linnae Donald,” and her voice shook so badly that her face heated with embarrassment. Jacob grasped her hand and gently smiled—which, to her chagrin, didn’t help, for the warmth of his fingers only reminded her that those fingers would soon touch her intimately.

Linnae began again, “I Linnae Donald, do now take Jacob Robert MacKinnon to be my husband. In the presence of God and before these witnesses, I promise to be a loving, faithful and loyal wife to you, for as long as we both shall live.”

Then Jacob repeated, “I, Jacob Robert MacKenzie now take ye Linnae Donald to be my wife. In the presence of God and before these witnesses, I promise to be a loving, faithful and loyal husband to you, for as long as we both shall live.” He squeezed her hand, and at the priest’s urging, added, “Ye are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone. I give ye my body, that we two might be one. I give ye my spirit, ‘til our life shall be done.”

‘Til our life shall be done.

There was no turning back.