Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) by Keira Montclair Page B

you.”
    After a few tears and many hugs, Alex cleared his throat and said, “Behind this group of trees, there is a small cottage for your use this night, if you both so choose. We will stand guard from here, then seek you out before dawn in order to return the lass to her chamber.”
    Celestina glanced at the ground as her face fell. “ So, you will return me after all, Brodie?”
    Alex answered for him. “Aye, I have insisted he return you. It is in everyone’s best interest for your wedding to the baron to take place. I promise you we will retrieve you, if you still wish it, within one moon of your wedding. Lass, I apologize, but I can no’ risk my family or another war. Let the money change hands and we will be in a better position to slip you away from your betrothed. Do no’ worry, I will take care of everything.”
    Inga wrapped her arm around her friend. “Aye, ” she said, “this is much better than where you were a sennight ago. I know it will be difficult, but look forward.”
    Celestina nodded. “I wish to only look to this night, for now.” Brodie kissed her forehead, enfolded her in his arm, and guided her toward the cottage.
    ***
     
    Brodie opened the door and held it for his wife, for he didn’t consider this a betrothal—he considered them wed...and this was his wedding night. Celestina stepped over the threshold and stared around the small cottage.
    “I know ‘tis no’ much, lass, but ‘tis our own for the night.” He glanced at the old rushes on the floor, and the rough hewn table and chair. The bed, though an old mattress, had been made up with fresh sheets. Nicol had searched and finally located a shop in the small village of Ayr and purchased the sheets and the candles. They had spent considerable time clearing out the cobwebs and dust. Now with the fire in the hearth cackling, it looked much better than it had when they found it earlier in the day.
    “Brodie, it is the most beautiful cottage I have ever seen.”
    “Och, must be you have no’ seen many cottages.”
    “Nay, I have not, but because you are here, you make it beautiful.”
    Brodie kissed her cheek, “I thank you, Celestina, but please do no’ call me beautiful in front of my brothers.”
    She giggled, “You are braw and handsome, but your smile is beautiful to me.”
    Celestina shivered and moved closer to the hearth since the night was a bit cool for late summer. Brodie wanted to handle this right. He moved the table and chair closer to the warm flames. A basket sat atop the table, and he pulled out a small cask of wine, a hunk of cheese, and a small loaf of brown bread.
    “Are you hungry, lass?” He sat in the chair and tugged her down onto his lap. She blushed to the roots of her hair, but she didn’t pull away. “Are you comfortable? I thought we could chat for a bit . We do no’ know much about each other, do we?”
    Celestina bowed her head as she broke off a small piece of bread to chew on. “ I am afraid there is not much to know about me, my lord.”
    “Your husband’s name is Brodie, leannan .”
    Her forehead creased, “What does ‘ leannan ’ mean?”
    “ Leannan is sweetheart in Gaelic.” She blushed and he continued, “Tell me about your parents.”
    “All right. My mother was the sweetest woman ever to grace this land. I loved her so, but I lost her when I was around seven summers. Ever since she passed, my father’s treatment of me has gotten worse and worse with each passing year. I do not know why.”
    “Any brothers or sisters?”
    “Nay, I am the only one.”
    “I have ne’er seen a father treat a daughter so. I do no’ understand him. I am sorry for your loss of your mother, Celestina.”
    “I would much prefer to talk about your family. How many brothers and sisters do you have? And what about your parents?”
    He hadn’t thought about it, but she would be gaining a large family. “My parents died almost five years ago and Alex became laird since he is the eldest.” He