A Stockingful of Joy by Susan King Justine Dare Mary Jo Putney Jill Barnett Page B

Kenneth Fraser had fulfilled the promise of the snow rose, but the price was high: she would gain Kilernan, but she must lose the man she loved.
    He barely glanced at her as he looked down at Hugh. "Now, MacDonald," Kenneth continued. "The Twelfth Night after Christmas is the Epiphany, when three wise kings offered gifts and homage to a child in a manger. Will you honor that by offering gifts and protection to a few children in need?"
    "The MacGhille children," Hugh muttered. "Catriona holds Kilernan, and she has the right to bring the waifs inside its walls if she wants." He groaned, a low, sober sound. "Let me up, Fraser. I will not come after you, nor send my men."
    "Then I will trust you." Kenneth let go and stepped back, though he held the blade steady. Beside him, Patrick slowly released Parian. Hugh muttered to him, and laid a restraining hand on his arm. Catriona sensed no threat there, though; Parian looked as if he might faint or be sick, either from strong drink or the shock of being bested so easily.
    Kenneth glanced at Catriona. "You wanted Kilernan taken without bloodshed," he said softly. "It is done. You wanted a home for your young cousins. That, too, is done. Hugh MacDonald will not go back on his word to you. Every man here will hold him to his promise." He gestured toward the men who stood watching them.
    "Uncle?" Catriona asked. "Will you forget this pledge later, when it suits you?"
    Hugh wiped sweat from his brow. "I gave you my word before a host of men, on a holy day," he muttered. "I will not break that. I have pride and a heart, girl, though you do not think so. Kilernan is yours, as it always was. I only kept it until you found a strong husband. Parian will do well by you."
    Catriona hesitated, dreading what she must do next. "Thank you, Kenneth Fraser. Thank you—" Her voice trembled uncertainly. "Go now," she urged him. "Please. You must leave."
    Hugh watched them. "You know this Fraser!"
    "I know him well," she said softly. "Let him return to his home in peace, Uncle." Hugh scratched his head, grumbling indistinctly.
    "If I must go," Kenneth said, looking at her evenly, "let me first ask a favor of the Twelfth Night Queen. She may grant requests on the last night of the Yuletide season."
    Catriona inclined her head, determined to answer whatever he asked her with calm and pride, though her breathing grew quick. She knew that Kenneth must leave here, yet she longed for him to stay, however foolish the thought.
    "What is your request?" she asked.
    "All I want," he said, "is to know the queen's dearest wish." He stepped toward her. "Then I will leave."
    Her heart surged. She watched him, and sensed the hush all around her. She drew a quivering breath. "All I truly want," she murmured, "is for you to be my luck, and my own. Forever." She looked up at him through a glaze of tears, then glanced away. "But that is just a foolish wish."
    "Wishes are often blessings." He moved closer. "Catriona MacDonald, listen to me well." He tipped her chin up with a finger. "I am your luck, and I am yours."
    "Holy saints," Hugh mumbled. "Look at that."
    "And if I leave here," Kenneth continued in a whisper so low only she could hear it, "I will never give up. I will be back for you."
    A hot tear slid down her cheek. She took his hand and turned to her uncle, who watched her with a stunned expression.
    "I choose my king for this night," she said.
    "You would choose him for your husband," Hugh murmured.
    "I would," she said softly. "But I made you a promise."
    Hugh sighed. "I am no fool, girl. I know a brave, good man, a man to respect, when I meet one—though he be a Fraser." He rubbed his whiskery jaw. Then he looked at Kenneth. "Would you hold Kilernan for MacDonalds, or Frasers?"
    "Kilernan can be a fortress of truce between our clans," Kenneth answered. "The pledge of peace will always hold here."
    Hugh nodded brusquely and scratched his head. "Catriona, wed this man." He grinned sheepishly. "Do what I say, girl.