“She is alone, my lord. As her older sister it is my duty to look after her,” Lana said.
Bram surprised everyone when he stepped forward. “I provide for her.”
Lana’s arm went around her sister’s shoulders as if shielding her from the unknown man. “You are not family, and I will not have a man take advantage of her.”
Damia quickly defended Bram. “Bram is a good man and takes no advantage of me.”
“Well, he is no longer needed. You have me to look after you now and we will take our leave in a day or two,” Lana said as if it were settled.
Bram shocked everyone again when he slipped Damia away from her sister to tuck her against him. “Damia and I are to wed.”
Damia could not hide her shock, her eyes springing wide.
“Are we not?” Bram asked, leaving the decision to her.
Her eyes turned soft, that he gave her a choice, and she smiled. “Aye, Bram loves me and cannot live without me. Right, Bram?”
Bliss chuckled and heard her husband do the same. The woman was wise in seeing that Bram wed her for that reason, and he didn’t hesitate or disappoint.
“Aye, I do love you,” he said proudly.
“And I, you,” Damia was quick to admit.
“Wonderful!” Lord Lochlann cried out. “Clan MacClaren keeps growing.”
“Are you sure about this?” Lana asked, her many wrinkles scrunching with worry.
“I am, and I am glad you are here to meet Bram and know that I am happy. There is so much I wish to talk with you about.” Damia stepped away from Bram to take her sister’s hand. “Please, you will stay a few days and visit with me.”
Lana smiled. “I did not come all this way to rush off. I will stay and we will talk and share smiles and laughter once again.”
Damia turned, her glance going to Bliss.
Bliss raised her hand to stop her from speaking. “I have no need of your help today. Go be with your sister.”
“Bram, a word,” Rannick ordered when he went to follow Lawler and the two women out of the keep. He came around the dais and signaled Bram to remain where he was and walked over to him. “It is good that you spoke up and declared your feelings for Damia.”
“You knew, my lord?” Bram asked, surprised.
“It was obvious to all but you and Damia. I must say I am impressed that you had the courage to speak up and in front of so many. While men charge eagerly and fearfully into battle, they are far more fearful and hesitant to claim their love for a woman. You did well.”
“Fear gave me the courage, my lord. Fear of losing Damia, of never seeing her again, I could not bear the thought or the pain I felt. I have never felt this way about a woman. It caught me off guard and confused me, but when I thought of the moment I would have to bid her farewell,” —Bram shook his head— “I would not be able to do it. I would not be able to let her go.”
“You will make a fine husband, father, and warrior, Bram. You do the clan proud.”
“Thank you, my lord, I will serve you and the clan well, and I am most grateful to Lord Odran for sending me here. If he hadn’t, I would have never met Damia,” Bram said and smiled.
“I will be sure to let him know that. Now go and be with your future wife. You will handfast for now and when the cleric passes through he can wed you properly.”
Bram bobbed his head. “Again, many thanks, my lord.”
Rannick turned and smiled, seeing his wife walking toward him. Quick strides had him by her side and his arm caught her in a snug hug. “I am grateful you had the courage to wed me.”
“And I am glad your stubbornness did not stop you from admitting you loved me,” she said with a soft chuckle.
“There you go thinking I am stubborn again,” he said with a playful poke to her side.
She chuckled again. “I know you are stubborn, but I love you anyway.”
“Pardon, my lord,” Lawler said, having returned.
Rannick turned an annoyed scowl on Lawler. “What is it?”
Lawler looked to Bliss. “A young lad in quick need of the healer.”
Bliss hurried out of her husband’s arms. “Take me to him, Lawler.”
“A cloak, Bliss!” Rannick shouted when she reached the door.
Lawler grabbed one from the many hanging on the pegs by the doors and hurried it around Bliss just before she slipped out the door.
“Your wife is quick to her task. We should do the same. There are clan matters to discuss,” his father called out.
Rannick turned to see to his duties, promising himself he would search out his wife when he was done.
Rannick was annoyed. It wasn’t until now, at supper, that he got to see his wife. It had been a busy day for them both and he had had no chance to see her. He always made sure to see her throughout the day, not only because he missed her, but he wanted to know for himself that she was safe and unharmed.