Page 78 of Tempting the Highland Devil
She spotted Isabella and Jane also enjoying the feast in a corner of the grand hall where the other servants stood to watch the artistic performances. Yvaine loved that they were enjoying the feast too. She had made provisions for the villagers to have ale and food for the celebrations, also.
Every man in the clan deserved to celebrate the harvest season. Yvaine’s heart swelled with contentment as she scanned the faces of every man in the crowd. Many lairds traveled from far and near for the feast tonight, and Yvaine could recognize a few of them already.
While she discussed with her mother and Amelia, Laird O’Neil walked over to them from where he sat with his men, bowed, then took Yvaine’s extended hand and kissed the front of her palm.
“Laird O’Neil, a pleasure to have ye here with us tonight,” she said as she smiled at him then curtsied. After the last time he saved her life, Yvaine had marked his face so that she could recognize him whenever their paths crossed again.
“It is an honor, me lady. Ye plan a very good feast. Every man here shall drink and be merry. They will forget their sorrows for the time being and enjoy the celebrations.”
“It is my intent to make sure everyone is entertained, aye,” she said with a light laugh, and Laird O’Neil’s smile deepened as his eyes studied hers.
“Spare me a dance, me lady,” he requested when the musicians resumed their music. Yvaine did not hesitate to put her hands in his and walk to the dance floor with him.
They twirled around together, performing the Celtic dance with ease. She tipped her head back and laughed when he missed a step, and Laird O’Neil took her hand in his again.
“Forgive me, me lady. I am quite rusty and havenae danced in a while.”
“It is all right,” she answered then switched dance partners, so she could dance with Killian then her brother for some time.
Yvaine saw Laird O’Neil dance with Lily and then Elspeth, but she noticed he glanced at her frequently. When she danced with him again, he asked. “How has it been in MacGregor?”
“Why do ye ask me that, me laird?”
He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I just hope ye have been well and safe, me lady. I have wondered about ye quite a lot after savin’ ye from those bandits the last time.”
“I have been well,” she said to him as the dance came to an end.
He released her, bowed his head a bit, then he met her gaze again. “I am always available to help ye and Laird MacGregor if ye ever need me,” he offered.
“Thank ye, Laird O’Neil. Ye are very kind.”
He smiled one last time, and Yvaine felt a rush of release as she watched him turn and walk away. It felt good to know that they had at least one ally amongst the northern clans.
Arran had invited all of them for the feast, and they all showed up to have a merry time. As Yvaine scanned the crowd again, she saw all the invited lairds laughing merrily while enjoying their ale and the music.
Which of them could it be?She knew looks could be deceiving, and so she could not trust how peaceful they all seemed. One of these men would attempt to kidnap her tonight, and she couldn’t help the knots twisting around in her guts as she watched them.
Arran came to her side and pressed a kiss to her cheek to gain her attention. “Are ye all right?”
“Aye,” she answered breathlessly. “I am all right.”
She spotted Laird Macmicking with his wide smirk at the corner of the hall when she looked around one more time. Yvaine nodded once to acknowledge him before giving Arran her attention again.
It was time for the toast, and Arran spoke to gain the attention of the large crowd as the musicians stopped their beat.
He picked a quaich from the table next to him and took Yvaine’s hand with his free one.
“This feast is to mark and celebrate the end of the harvest season,” he began in a loud voice. “It is also a feast to celebrate love, family, and me wife.” Arran looked down at Yvaine now, and the warmth from his gaze swayed her heart. “She is the one person who has always believed in me. She has stood with me even through the difficulties. This feast is to celebrate her and her comin’ to me castle.”
His grip on her fingers tightened, and when he looked down at her, he mouthed words only Yvaine could hear. “Thank ye,” Arran said, and her heart soared with love for him in that heady moment.
I love ye,she thought, and she longed to say the words to him as they thumped through her heart.
“To life!” Arran yelled, and the crowd chorused before the dancing continued.
Servants trooped into the hall with a variety of dishes all prepared for the feast. Yvaine had made provisions for the villagers to celebrate at this time, too, and they had sent out enough pudding, meat, and fruits for the guests.
Yvaine returned to her seat and spent her time talking with Lily and Amelia while they dined. The men shared a dance alongside the children, and she danced with her brother, too.
