Read Online Laird of the Mist by Foery MacDonell - Free Book Online
Authors: Foery MacDonell
Ads: Link
began.
―‗Tis true, Cat,‖ he answered, taking her hand and quieting her.―It is a situation we shall have to remedy immediately.‖ Carrick looked to Hamish.―With yer permission, sir?‖
Hamish, who had been following the conversation closely, nodded his approval.
―Caitriona MacPhail,‖ Carrick bent his head to her.―I have nothing to give ye in yer time, save my heart, my soul, my loyalty, my protection, and my verra breath. Will ye take me as yer husband? I swear I will never fail ye, should ye answer aye.‖
Tears welled again at the unexpected proposal.―Yes!‖ Cat glowed.―Oh yes, Carrick. I will. Forever!‖
Carrick opened his free hand and revealed a beautiful golden ring, a circle of celtic knots that appeared to be very old.
―My ring!‖ Cat exclaimed, putting her hands to her mouth, tears flowing freely.―I gave it to you when I was dying...‖
―...at Culloden, aye,‖ he finished for her. Gently, so gently, Carrick took her hand in his and placed the ring on her finger.―I have carried it with me since that day. It kept me safe, and comforted me that I would find ye.‖
Cat put her face into her hands and sobbed.―Oh my...‖ she cried, as Carrick helped her to sit. All was quiet while Cat spent her emotions. No one said a word. It was all too awesome to witness, incredible and beautiful. It filled them with wonder at the miracle of life and creation. They were speechless in the certain knowledge that life does go on, that there is no death, and that love can last forever.
―I‘m sorry,‖ Cat said at last, recovering herself.―It‘s just so amazing.‖ She looked up at them.―And I am so very happy!‖ She smiled to reassure them.
―‗Tis fine,‖ Hamish assured her, clearing his own throat of emotion.―We are as happy as ye, and we wish ye both the joy ye have waited so long to have.‖
―Absolutely!‖ Olivia hugged her grandfather.―Well said. grandda. This calls for champagne! Be right back.‖ And she went off to find some as she wiped away her own tears.
Ian MacDonell sat at his brother ‘s desk staring between the fire in the grate and the letter he held in his hand. He read it for the hundredth time, still stunned in disbelief at its message.
He had found the note on his night table several days before. Awakened by the early cry of ravens, it was the first thing he saw that morning.
―My brother, Ian,‖ it said in Carrick‘s elegant hand. ―I am off to bring Jenny home, for I have reason to believe she yet lives. I appoint you laird in my absence. You have my blessing. Carrick, Laird MacDonell, Beinn Fhithich.‖
―Damn.‖ Ian breathed in frustration as he sipped his whisky.
―I heard that,‖ Molly said from the doorway.―Still fixed on Carrick, are ye?‖ she asked, seating herself in an opposite chair as she reached for the whisky decanter.―Ye‘ll torture yerself for no good reason, lad. Carrick does as he must, and so will ye. He has always done his best for ye, Ian. He sent ye away to France to be educated, rather than fight in the bloody rising.‗Twas a good decision. Dinna doubt him now.‖
Ian laid the note on the desk with a heavy sigh.―Aye, Carrick has always been wise. But how can he believe Jenny lives? We all ken she is long dead. He seeks a ghost.‖
―Nay, Ian,‖ Molly admonished her younger son.―Carrick is no addled. He wouldna have left had he no sound information otherwise. We must trust his judgment in this.‖
―I s‘pose,‖ Ian replied, taking another sip of the soothing amber liquid.―But I canna help wondering why he didna tell us more. Where he was going, what news he had, ye ken?‖
―Oh aye, I wish he had,‖ Molly answered.―Yer brother was always a private one. We havena choice but to respect it and get on with things until he returns.‖
―Do ye truly believe he will?‖
―Of course he will.‖ Molly reached out and patted his hand.―He kens the troubles, surely. He wouldna leave us to fend alone could he help it. Aye,
―‗Tis true, Cat,‖ he answered, taking her hand and quieting her.―It is a situation we shall have to remedy immediately.‖ Carrick looked to Hamish.―With yer permission, sir?‖
Hamish, who had been following the conversation closely, nodded his approval.
―Caitriona MacPhail,‖ Carrick bent his head to her.―I have nothing to give ye in yer time, save my heart, my soul, my loyalty, my protection, and my verra breath. Will ye take me as yer husband? I swear I will never fail ye, should ye answer aye.‖
Tears welled again at the unexpected proposal.―Yes!‖ Cat glowed.―Oh yes, Carrick. I will. Forever!‖
Carrick opened his free hand and revealed a beautiful golden ring, a circle of celtic knots that appeared to be very old.
―My ring!‖ Cat exclaimed, putting her hands to her mouth, tears flowing freely.―I gave it to you when I was dying...‖
―...at Culloden, aye,‖ he finished for her. Gently, so gently, Carrick took her hand in his and placed the ring on her finger.―I have carried it with me since that day. It kept me safe, and comforted me that I would find ye.‖
Cat put her face into her hands and sobbed.―Oh my...‖ she cried, as Carrick helped her to sit. All was quiet while Cat spent her emotions. No one said a word. It was all too awesome to witness, incredible and beautiful. It filled them with wonder at the miracle of life and creation. They were speechless in the certain knowledge that life does go on, that there is no death, and that love can last forever.
―I‘m sorry,‖ Cat said at last, recovering herself.―It‘s just so amazing.‖ She looked up at them.―And I am so very happy!‖ She smiled to reassure them.
―‗Tis fine,‖ Hamish assured her, clearing his own throat of emotion.―We are as happy as ye, and we wish ye both the joy ye have waited so long to have.‖
―Absolutely!‖ Olivia hugged her grandfather.―Well said. grandda. This calls for champagne! Be right back.‖ And she went off to find some as she wiped away her own tears.
Ian MacDonell sat at his brother ‘s desk staring between the fire in the grate and the letter he held in his hand. He read it for the hundredth time, still stunned in disbelief at its message.
He had found the note on his night table several days before. Awakened by the early cry of ravens, it was the first thing he saw that morning.
―My brother, Ian,‖ it said in Carrick‘s elegant hand. ―I am off to bring Jenny home, for I have reason to believe she yet lives. I appoint you laird in my absence. You have my blessing. Carrick, Laird MacDonell, Beinn Fhithich.‖
―Damn.‖ Ian breathed in frustration as he sipped his whisky.
―I heard that,‖ Molly said from the doorway.―Still fixed on Carrick, are ye?‖ she asked, seating herself in an opposite chair as she reached for the whisky decanter.―Ye‘ll torture yerself for no good reason, lad. Carrick does as he must, and so will ye. He has always done his best for ye, Ian. He sent ye away to France to be educated, rather than fight in the bloody rising.‗Twas a good decision. Dinna doubt him now.‖
Ian laid the note on the desk with a heavy sigh.―Aye, Carrick has always been wise. But how can he believe Jenny lives? We all ken she is long dead. He seeks a ghost.‖
―Nay, Ian,‖ Molly admonished her younger son.―Carrick is no addled. He wouldna have left had he no sound information otherwise. We must trust his judgment in this.‖
―I s‘pose,‖ Ian replied, taking another sip of the soothing amber liquid.―But I canna help wondering why he didna tell us more. Where he was going, what news he had, ye ken?‖
―Oh aye, I wish he had,‖ Molly answered.―Yer brother was always a private one. We havena choice but to respect it and get on with things until he returns.‖
―Do ye truly believe he will?‖
―Of course he will.‖ Molly reached out and patted his hand.―He kens the troubles, surely. He wouldna leave us to fend alone could he help it. Aye,
Similar Books
