Page 44 of The Lyon and the Unicorn
“Is James your father’s heir?” the duchess asked.
Murdo nodded.
“So you won’t be living here if you’re not to inherit, Mr. McTavish? Will you take a house nearby?”
“Och no, Yer Grace,” Joan said. “All the family lives together. It’s our way. Except the daughters, of course, who go to live with their husbands’ families. But Strathburn’s big enough for ye all—and a sackful of bairns in the future. Now, let’s get ye inside. There’s a nip to the wind, and ye’ll not be used to it, I daresay. Ye’ll be wanting yer rest after that journey.”
She led them into the building, yelling for Callum and Brodie. Shortly after, the two young servants appeared from the side of the building and began unloading the trunks from the carriage.
Clara slipped her hand through Murdo’s.
“Will ye mind living with the rest of my family?” he asked. “It’s only my father and brother, and my brother’s family when he marries.”
“Is that why you said you wanted me to meet them before we married?” she asked.
“I wanted to be sure ye liked them.”
“What if they don’t likeme?”
He laughed. “Nonsense! They’llloveye. Now, would ye like a tour of the castle before supper?”
She gave a shy smile. “I’d love to. It’s going to be my home, isn’t it?”
He captured her lips in a kiss. “Aye, lass. That it is.”
“She’s a fine-lookinglass,” the housekeeper said as Murdo waited at the foot of the staircase. “Ye’ve chosen well—better than yer da would have chosen for ye. I’m sure he’ll approve, don’t ye worry.”
“He’ll approve of her fortune.”
The housekeeper frowned. “Surely ye’re not wanting the lass for her fortune?”
“It’s what Da wants.”
“And ye?” she said. “I’d hoped that ye could marry for love, seeing as yer brother…” She shook her head and sighed. “It matters not. James is loyal to the clan. He’ll marry Shona McCallum and be content.”
“Shona’s a fine lass,” Murdo said. “She’ll make him happy.”
“If ye say so,” she said, “and yer English lass will make ye happy.”
“I’m not marrying her for her fortune, Joan,” Murdo said. “I love her.”
“I ken that, lad, seein’ as ye can’t take yer eyes off her. Like a lost puppy, ye are, with yer tongue hanging out. But will she make ye happy for all that she’s an outsider? Is she a good lass?”
“The best,” he said. “She’s wild and free, says what she thinks, would rather be outdoors, and isn’t afraid of hard work.”
“Then perhaps ye’ve found that rare thing.”
“Which is?”
“Yer soul mate. We all have one, but it’s rare to encounter them in the mortal world.”
“James might find his soul mate in Shona McCallum.”
“Och, lad, ye don’t know yer brother at all, do ye?”
Before Murdo could ask her meaning, Clara and the duchess appeared at the top of the staircase.
Murdo caught his breath. She was a beautiful creature anyway, but here, in his home, as she descended the great staircase on which countless ladies of Strathburn had trodden over the years gone past, she was breathtaking.
