many of the Blackshaw clan. Are there any left defending your land?”
“You have a bold humor like your mother.”
“I notice I am much like Mother. Does that mean Aliss inherited your nature?” Fiona asked.
“If Aliss possesses a quiet strength, then she has my nature.”
Fiona looked into his gentle brown eyes and knew there was much more to this man than of what he spoke. And she decided there was much she could learn from him.
“I would like to hear of your younger days,” Oleg said. “If you would share those memories with me?”
Fiona obliged him as she had Anya, and soon she had him laughing with tales of her stubborn spirit and endless curiosity.
Fiona jumped at what she thought was a crack of thunder. She scampered to her feet when she realized the booming shout had come from Tarr.
“Damn it, Fiona,” he said walking up to her and not stopping until they were chest to chest. “You promised to let me know your whereabouts.”
She winced realizing her error. “I am sorry; I completely forgot.”
“You cannot forget,” he scolded.
“I am sure the excitement of our arrival caused her to forget,” Oleg defended.
Tarr vehemently disagreed. “No excuse is acceptable.”
“It was a simple mistake—”
“That could have cost her her life,” Tarr informed her father.
“Tarr is right, father. I gave him my word. It was inexcusable of me not to have informed him I was leaving the keep.”
Tarr turned silent, then smiled. “Did I just hear you correctly? You are admitting you were wrong?”
She smiled too, for she knew he meant to tease and to lighten the situation. “Just this one time.”
“It is a promising start.” He took her in his arms and rested his forehead to hers. “I grew worried.”
She heard his concern and felt, in the way he held her, his fear. “I am truly sorry. I will be diligent about informing you of my whereabouts.”
“Perhaps I should just keep you by my side at all times.”
“You would grow tired of me.”
“Never,” Tarr said, then wrinkled his eyes as if giving it second thought. “Though maybe—”
“You could live without me,” Fiona finished with a defiant tilt of her chin.
“Believe me, he would not want to do that,” Oleg said seriously. “He would miss you terribly and think about you every day, and wait impatiently for your return.”
“Fiona is not going anywhere,” Tarr said adamantly. “Tomorrow we take our vows and she will be mine, and I will be hers. We will be forever bound to each other and that is just fine with me.”
“This is good to hear,” Oleg said, and slapped Tarr on the back. “Now, let us go and drink to it.”
Chapter 35
Tarr whistled as he walked to his bedchamber. He was happy, very happy, enthusiastically happy. He laughed out loud then quickly looked around to see if anyone saw him drunk with happiness. But then what did he care? Everyone was pleased with the wedding plans. He had left his future father-in-law and brother-in-law in the great hall debating about the merger of the clans that the wedding would bring. He had seen Fiona leave the hall and head up the stairs, and he had decided to follow. Tonight belonged to Fiona and him.
“And tomorrow night, the night after, and the night after that.” He laughed to himself and placed his hand on the handle to his bedchamber door. He hoped Fiona waited inside. He had taken his time talking with the men so that Fiona would have time with her sister. He had hoped he had given her enough time and that she was now waiting eagerly in his bed.
He opened the door with a smile.
Fiona sat on his bed crying.
His heart pained him. He felt his stomach wrench and quickly rushed to her side. “What is it? Are you all right? Is Aliss all right?”
She repeatedly nodded in answer to his rapid-fire questions.
“I am—” She sniffled.
He waited anxiously for her answer.
“I am happy.”
Relief flooded him, a rushing wave that returned with joy. He threw his arms around her and they fell back on the bed together.
He laughed deep from within his soul, though it sounded gentle. He kissed away her tears.
She sighed, wrapped contentedly in his arms. “Promise me it will always be like this.”
“You want me to promise that you shall cry often?”
She smiled and hugged him, and when he went to kiss her she yawned.