Blessing The Highlander by J. Lee Coulter

for escort… and a few of me maither’s dresses for me lady. Inform the castle that they have a new mistress as well. I expect it orderly enough ta impress me wife.”
                 “Aye, m’laird.” William mounted his prancing steed and ducking his head, proceeded for home. It would take him most of the day but it was a short ride for a seasoned highlander. Angus caught up with Garrick as William was riding off.
                 “Did ye learn anything, Angus?”
                 He looked at his laird speculatively, wondering how he would react to what he had discovered.
                 “Nay, Garrick, nae one seems ta recall the mon that he spoke about.”
                 What he had become aware of, though, was not good news. He was not certain if Garrick would be distressed by it and send his bride away.
                 “Just how attached are ye ta your lady, m’laird?”
                 Garrick visibly stiffened. “What kind of question is that, Angus? I wed her did I nae?”
                 “Aye, but I ken plenty of nobles who do nae care as long as his wife is female.”
                 “Well, I am nae one of them. There is a linking between us… like an invisible cord that seems ta tether us together. I awoke this morn convinced that Seonaid was in trouble even though I still believed her abed. I ken that it sounds peculiar but it is the truth all the same. Tell me, Angus, why ye ask such a strange question.”
                 He looked at Garrick for a moment then said, “Come. Let us take a walk, m’laird.”
                 Angus was silent as they strolled to the woods so their discourse would not be overheard. He needed to be certain of Garrick’s way of thinking about the death of his father before he revealed what he had heard.
                 “Tell me true, Garrick. When your father died ye detested and accused the MacGregor did nae ye?”
                 “Ta be truthful, aye, I wanted him dead. I lay awake every eve for a sennight conceiving diverse ways ta kill him. But, alas, nae death was satisfying ta me way of thinking.” He glanced at Angus and grinned. “I was young. After much reflection I grew up and recognized that Father caused his own death. There was nae necessity ta reive and he was thrown from his horse. Nae MacGregor blade touched him so how can I accuse him? But that does nae signify I would invite him ta sup with me...I just can nae shed blood over it.”
                 Angus snorted. “That is well ta ken Garrick but ye may wish ta reconsider your opinion on supping with him.” He laughed and slapped Garrick on the back as he exposed what he had stumbled on. “It seems that ye be kin nowadays!”
                 Garrick was stunned to silence. His mouth worked, opening and closing rapidly but no sound escaped him. His feelings whirled as he tried to grasp how his cousin had developed such a daft notion! “Ye have had too much uisge beatha, cousin!” he chortled in disbelief. “How could we conceivably...be...kin?” he said as he realized what Angus implied. He looked optimistically into Angus’ face and saw that he was in earnest.
                 “What makes ye consider this?”
                 Angus noted that he had judged rightly about Garrick’s good sense. He hoped the MacGregor was like-minded.
                 “As I was asking round about the stranger a bit of gossip was told me. It seems that the MacGregor’s daughter went missing at about the same time that we stumbled on your lady. He has offered a reward for her return but most say twill certainly not be paid.”
                 “Why nae? Is he a dishonorable man?”
                 Angus laughed as he shook his bushy head. “‘Tis believed that nae one who kens the lass desires her return.”