“We knew we could trust you,” Brogan said, and smiles broke out on all the faces, even the MacRae warriors.
“Tell us,” Maddie urged.
Brogan smiled and announced gleefully. “Annis and are wed.”
Seeing the joy that filled him as he spoke, Annis believed their marriage truly made him happy.
Cheers filled the air and the men approached Brogan to shake his hand.
Una hurried to hug Annis, then gasped and stepped back. “Forgive my audacity, Lady Annis.”
“Nonsense, Una. We are friends and you will call me Annis like you have always done.” She prevented any argument by reminding, “Our marriage will be known if you address me any other way.”
Una gasped again. “You are right. I did not think.” She smiled. “Annis.”
Annis hugged the woman, Maddie as well when she drifted over, and Luella and Odell also gave her generous hugs. It did Annis’s heart good to have the women there, joyful for her. Her sisters would be joyful if Annis was happy, if the choice had been hers. It actually had been, but for a far different reason. That reason had now changed.
Everyone returned to work while Brogan took Rudd and Iver aside. He let them know that Annis and he would be leaving in the morning to continue their quest. He shared no details but assured them Annis and he would return to make this their home.
Iver was pleased. “I look forward to serving you and Lady Annis.”
Rudd lingered after Iver walked away. “I would like to serve you as well, my lord. Is it possible for me to remain here with you and not return to your father?”
“I was going to speak to you about that. My father urged me to choose a warrior to serve me permanently since I have finally appeased him and wed.”
“I would be honored, sir, to be chosen and I would serve you well,” Rudd said eagerly.
“Good, since I have already chosen you. I will need you to oversee the building and protection of the village while I am gone.”
Rudd squared his shoulders. “You have my word, my lord, that the work will get done and the clan will be well-protected. Some of the other men wish to remain here as well.”
“I see no problem in arranging that. Are any of them wed?” Brogan asked.
“Two, my lord.”
“Once dwellings are built for them, have their wives brought here,” Brogan said. “I know there is much work to be done here and I do want my cottage finished before winter sets in. You will need more hands to accomplish that. Take a message to my father requesting more men and whatever else you need. Also tell him that all goes well, and he will soon have what he wants.”
“Aye, my lord, and may I say again how pleased I am for you and Lady Annis. It is heartening to see a husband and wife who truly love each other. May God bless your union.”
Brogan smiled as Rudd walked away. He was counting on love to seal their marriage, so it was heartening that Rudd had spotted it. He hoped it would not take long for Annis to see it for herself. He may have offered her freedom, he only hoped she realized she was free being wed to him.
Night settled in fast, and all had been made ready for Brogan and Annis to take their leave in the morning.
Annis approached the cottage she shared with Una to find, Iver, Una, and Brogan standing outside it.
Brogan held up his hands as if defending himself. “They insist we have the cottage for the night.”
“Aye, we do,” Iver said.
“It is only right and proper,” Una said with a firm nod that meant she would brook no argument. “You are wed, and you should share a bed, especially after you have been apart since arriving here.” She smiled wide, opened the cottage door, and stepped aside for Brogan and Annis to enter.
Annis froze not sure what to do. She was not ready for this. She looked to Brogan, and he hurried to her, slipping his arm around her and guiding her through the door to close behind them after thanking Iver and Una for their generosity.
A pleasant scent filled the small cottage and the blankets had been turned back on the bed that looked to have been freshened. Annis stared at the bed. She had only shared a bed with her sister Elysia. She had not given thought to sharing a bed with a man.
Annis turned to Brogan. “I am not ready for this.”
“I will not force anything on you, Annis,” he said softly, feeling a slight tremble to her body.
She hurried to grab the pouch the witch had given her that she had hung from the hilt of her dagger at her waist. “The witch gave this to me to prevent a bairn from taking root.”