Page 103 of The Knight’s Reward

Before the ceremony, all of Clan Kerr would be arriving here, at Kenshire.

The first guests to arrive were Neill’s sister, Emma, and her husband, the Earl of Clave, who lived not far from them at all. Emma was both unpredictable and a joy to be around. Kathryn had taken to her immediately, and upon Neill’s return from delivering the all-important message, the four of them had become inseparable.

Gillian and Allie, two sisters who’d grown up with Sara, arrived with their husbands—Graeme deSowlis and Reid Kerr. If she’d thought Emma lovely, these sisters were no less so.

“Be sure to ask Lady Gillian of how she and Graeme came to be wed,” Emma had told her before their arrival. “’Tis a most interesting tale.”

Sara had given Emma a sharp look—only to break into giggles moments later. As the women entered the hall with their husbands, Kathryn glanced nervously at Sara. So many people she’d never met before. So much history that she was now a part of. It felt right . . . but it would require an adjustment, to be certain.

“You’ve grown . . . big since last I saw you,” Emma exclaimed as Allie and her sister walked toward them.

“’Tis a wonder Reid allowed me to come at all,” Allie said, looking down at her swollen belly. “I remember now,” she chuckled. “He tried to keep us back, but . . .”

When the group of women laughed, it elicited a look from the men.

“I do wonder,” Allie said, “if Reid wishes he wed a more malleable bride.”

“I do not imagine,” said her sister, whose own baby was back at home, “Reid would do well with . . . malleable.”

From what Kathryn had heard, Reid had earned a reputation as a hard man to tame before he’d met Allie. But the tenacious lady had managed the impossible, and the chief’s second was better for it, according not only to Neill but to Reid himself.

“Gillian. Allie. I am pleased to introduce you to my future sister-in-law, Lady Kathryn Wyld.”

Kathryn smiled at the women, who did the same in return.

“I’m told your father was royal messenger to the king,” Gillian said.

Allie added, “And that it was you who foiled the lord chancellor’s attempt to waylay an accord between Alexander and Edward.”

“I would not say that, precisely.”

“Aye, my lady,” called out a familiar voice from behind her. “I met Kathryn at The Wild Boar, where she bid her time before seizing the opportunity to confront the chancellor herself.”

Neill told this story to every person who’d not heard it before. Soon he would have her winning the tournament that allowed for the king’s reward too.

“If not for her, Caxton would not have been forced out of his position.”

She rolled her eyes as Neill slipped an arm around her.

Word had spread quickly. Just days after Neill had returned from delivering the king’s message, a new warden of the Middle March had been appointed. Douglas, Lord Warden of Scotland, had convened another council. Thankfully, it had been set after the wedding, a good thing since Clan Kerr would host it again. All expected for the border lords to agree on a return to the monthly Day of Truce meetings now that Caxton had been removed from power.

Order would be restored, and none too soon.

“If not for us,” she clarified, ignoring the gleam in Neill’s eyes. It had become increasingly more difficult to adhere to their agreed-upon wedding night. Stolen kisses did little to satiate them, and the one nighttime visit they’d risked had only served to frustrate them.

“How goes it at Highgate End?” Sara asked.

“Well,” Gillian said, “though my maid Fiona was unable to make the journey. She hurt her shoulder—” she looked at her sister Allie, “—in an attempt to wield a longbow.”

Allie winced. “I do feel badly about that. But Fiona was insistent on coming to the training yard with me. And she is not so old, after all.”

“Is she not?” Gillian crossed her arms.

“Perhaps she is slightly advanced in age.”

As the sisters traded barbs, Kathryn caught Emma’s eye. She would gain three sisters by marrying Neill, and though she’d not yet met Catrina, Bryce’s wife, Kathryn had heard plenty about her from the others. From no siblings to . . . this. It felt like a gift.

“You look well pleased,” Neill whispered in her ear. Grasping her hand as he did often, he pulled her away from the others.