Page 69 of Don't Give A Damn About My Plaid Reputation
Robena hid her smile, for the first time feeling sorry for Murray, who had to parent such a daughter.
Still, Murray growled, “Ye’ll do what I say!”
St. Kelsi help us, we’re back to this?
Elspeth stomped her foot as she finished off the braid. “I willnae marry MacBain!”
Robena spoke up. “Ye cannae marry MacBain.”
As the girl turned, a thankful smile on her face, her father frowned. “She cannae?”
“She cannae,” agreed Kester, obviously hiding his amusement.
Robena shrugged and held up their joined hands. “Sorry, Lady Elspeth. Ye cannae marry Kester MacBain, becauseI’mmarrying him.”
Kester nodded and hauled her closer. “She is. She’s verra determined.”
A smile bloomed across Elspeth’s face as Laird Murray shook his head. “Ye…ye’re marrying my enemy? But ye saved my daughter, Robena.”
“LadyRobena,” Kester corrected smugly. “One of the Oliphant’s daughters. Soon to be Lady MacBain, nae matter what ye have to say about it.”
Murray ignored him and lowered his hand to his daughter’s shoulder. Stiffly, he bowed to Robena. “Milady, we—myself, my daughter, my clan—are in yer debt. Thanks to yer brave actions, my Elspeth lives.”
And her eyes widened in horror as she realized what he was saying.
She didn’t want him beholden toher. Quickly, she whirled and shoved her pipes toward Pudge, who took them without hesitation. Then she took a deep breath and raised her free finger. She made her tone harsh when she pinned Murray with a glare.
“’Twas phenomenally stupid of Elspeth to go over the side of that cliff. However, ‘twas even stupider formeto go after her.” As the older man blinked at her, she shook her head. “I cannae swim. I grabbed her, aye, but if Kester hadn’t come for both of us, we’d both be drowned.”
She turned her attention to Kester, only to find him smiling down at her. Still speaking to Murray, she softened her tone a bit. “Ye owe Laird MacBain yer thanks, no’ me.”
Kester’s grin turned soft and he raised their joined hands to his lips, pressing a kiss across the back of her knuckles. Slowly, he released her hand, only to snake his arm around her shoulders and pull her against him. She thought—hoped?—he might drop a kiss to her lips, but instead, he turned them both to Murray.
Expectantly.
The older laird was frowning as he switched his gaze back and forth between the pair of them, and Robena found herself holding her breath…prayinghe’d make no more fuss.Prayinghe saw what he owed Kester.
‘Twas Elspeth who saved the day.
The lassie slipped her small hand in one of her father’s. She smiled sweetly—St. Kelsi help them, she was used to getting her way, wasn’t she?—and bobbed a brief curtsey. “Thank ye, Laird MacBain, for saving my life.”
Of course, she completely ignored Robena, the one whom she’d kicked and punched during the life-saving process…but since Robena wanted the attention on Kester, she thought she could manage to forgive the lass.
Her father heaved a great sigh and rolled his eyes, possibly at his own stubbornness.
“Ye’re right.” He switched his glare to Kester. “My daughter’s right.” He offered his hand, and, to his credit, only looked half-reluctant. “I—my clan—owe ye our thanks, MacBain.”
Kester stepped away from her to accept the offered hand, clasping forearms with the man who’d been his enemy for so long. The two men wore equally stoic expressions. Robena knew Kester’s hid uncertainty—not daring to hope Murray was being serious. Did the other man, as well?
Wee Elspeth spoke up again. “I’mno’marrying him, Da.”
As Kester stepped back and took Robena’s hand once more, Murray shook his head. “Ye cannae, lassie.” He winked at Robena. “One of yer saviors will be marrying the man.” He took a deep breath, then nodded once more to Kester. “As far as I’m concerned, MacBain, we’re nae longer enemies. And if it’ll get ye to quit bedeviling me, I’ll grant ye Kester’s Meadow. As a wedding gift.”
‘Twas possible he said more after that, but Robena didn’t hear it, because Kester let out a mighty whoop. Before she could blink, he’d grabbed her around the waist and was spinning her in a circle, and the thunderous cheers of the gathered crowd nearly deafened her.
And she was smiling so wide tears came to her eyes.
Or mayhap they were tears of joy.
