Highland Courage (Highland Brides) by Ceci Giltenan Read Free Book Online

Colm’s eyes when the priest greeted her, he clearly remembered her, as well. Hoping to calm her, Tadhg let go of her hand and casually draped his arm around her shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. He smiled at her when she looked up into his eyes. It pleased Tadhg immensely to see her haunted look disappear at his touch.
    ~ * ~
    Guests continued to arrive until the day before the wedding. Polite, but reserved, Mairead met each new group with Tadhg and her parents. As more and more guests arrived, Tadhg sensed her rising tension. On the afternoon before the wedding, a contingent that included Laird and Lady MacKay and Laird and Lady MacLeod from the northern Highlands arrived, and Mairead seemed particularly anxious. After the guests were welcomed and servants were seeing to their comfort, Tadhg grabbed her hand and walked toward the village with her.
    “Where are we going?” she asked.
    “Away from the throng of wedding guests so ye can tell me what troubles ye.”
    “Oh.” She went with him without further question.
    He stopped when they were well away from the keep, taking both of her little cold hands in his. His green eyes locked on her silver ones. “Now, lass, what has ye worried?”
    “There are just so many people here.”
    “Ye know I won’t let anyone harm ye?”
    “Aye. I was just a little surprised. The MacKays and the MacLeods came from so very far away.”
    “I have many allies who were invited, as has your father. I am very pleased so many came.”
    She smiled, “Aye, it pleases my father too. It’s just, I am nervous around people I don’t know.”
    “But surely ye have met the MacLeods? Laird MacLeod is Rhona’s uncle, they must have been at Peadar’s wedding.”
    “Aye, I’m sure they were, but I didn’t go to his wedding. Lady MacKay is Marjean’s aunt, but I didn’t go to Cullen’s wedding either, because neither wedding was at Carraigile.” She looked ashamed.
    “Mairead, were ye afraid to leave Carraigile?”
    “Aye,” she whispered. “Until I came here, I hadn’t left Carraigile since returning from the Michaelmas Fair seven year ago.”
    Tadhg smiled sadly and put his arms around her, “Oh, little one, there is nothing to be afraid of here. If ye feel nervous, just stay close to me, I’ll help ye.” Seeing her furrowed brow, he said, “Ye are still worried about something.”
    “I don’t like meeting strangers. I worry…I don’t know who they were.”
    “Who are ye talking about, Mairead? The lads who attacked ye?”
    “Aye,” she barely whispered.
    “Well, I hope men that evil are not among my allies.”
    “But what if they are?” she asked in a small, scared voice.
    “Would ye recognize them?”
    “Aye, I’ll never forget them.”
    “All of the guests have arrived now, sweetling. So if ye haven’t seen them, they aren’t here.” She sighed with apparent relief. “How long have ye been worried about this?”
    “Since I learned the wedding would be here.”
    “Oh, Mairead, ye should have told me.” He kissed the top of her head. “Ye don’t need to be so afraid—I will keep ye safe.”
    “I know,” she whispered.
    “But, sweetheart, if ye ever see them, or anything else scares ye, ye need to tell me. Promise me ye will.”
    “I will,” she promised.
    He smiled and took her hand as they headed back to the keep.
    After a minute or so Mairead asked, “Did ye really kidnap Katherine MacIan?”
    Tadhg laughed. “I really did, but it was for the noblest of reasons.”
    ~ * ~
    Exhausted when she finally went to bed the night before her wedding, Mairead fell asleep almost before she laid her head on the pillow. She woke early to a cold, crisp day, which promised clear blue skies. Moments later the women of her family descended upon her, directing a bevy of servants, who helped prepare her for her wedding. Mairead soaked in a steaming bath containing sweet-smelling herbs. Lily whispered to their mother, “Put in lots of thyme, for