her mouth shut. “Jinny never wants to return. She feels she’s a burden and embarrassment for the family. Utter nonsense, of course, but she’s as stubborn as Gwen. I’ll not change her mind.”
“So she’s to stay at the convent for the rest of her life? Doesn’t she wish for marriage or a family? I thought being handfasted, even though it was with the wrong man, didn’t mean the end of the world for a woman of her standing. Life goes on. She could find love and marry again, I’m sure of it.”
Aedan smiled, shaking his head. “Ye modern mind dismisses the deep scar that the O’Cains inflicted on Jinny. She feels humiliated and unworthy. Thinks all men would view her as disabled and barren. She was married into the clan for a year and no bairn came of it. Perhaps ’tis better she stays where she is. At least she’s happy and safe.”
Abby pulled back and tried to understand Aedan’s words. “I think that’s all the more reason for you to bring her home and make her see sense. To make her see that there is a future to be had after such a disappointment. That there are good men out there waiting to be plucked like a petal.” Annoyance tinged her tone, and she narrowed her eyes when Aedan grinned.
“‘Plucked like a petal?’ Do I even want to know what ye mean by that?”
She shrugged, losing a little of her anger at his teasing. “Probably not. My mind wasn’t being totally proper.” She laughed. “But really, Aedan, you should think about it. She can have a future, even if it isn’t what she first thought it would be.”
“I’ll think on the idea,” he said, placing her hand back into the crook of his arm.
When they made the castle, Abby was pleased with what they’d managed to create for the wedding party. Every available surface in the great hall was decorated with wildflowers. Multiple candles sat on every table, their soft light casing the room with an air of romance and beauty. Gwen looked eagerly about, the smile on her face giving her joy away.
“Congratulations,” Abby said, kissing Gwen and Braxton on the cheek and hugging Gwen. “I wish you all the very best for the future.”
“Thank you, Abigail.” Gwen beamed up at her husband. “I’m sure we will be very happy.”
Abby left them to talk with the other well-wishers and sat down at the dais with Aedan. Servants bustled about with mugs of ale and wine, before the first dishes were brought out.
The first course was a vegetable soup that looked as delicious as it smelled and Abby remembered having a similar meal at a wedding in the twenty-first century. She looked out over the guests, each one enjoying the night, partaking in the celebration, getting obscenely drunk, and she smiled. Being here, living here, dressing in the fashions of the time, following rules appropriate to her status, resembled what she thought it might be like to make a period movie.
Except, the man who graced the seat beside her was no actor playing a part. He was real, with true emotions and reactions. No acting at all, just honest, genuine feelings and thoughts, and with all of it combined, it made the night more than she imagined.
Never had she felt more at home, or more welcome than she did around the present company. This was her home now. Aedan was her future, and she couldn’t wait to take the vows that would join them in marriage and make him hers for all time.
“Did I tell you that you’re looking very handsome in your newly made kilt and freshly pressed shirt?” She placed her hand on his leg and stroked the linen high enough that her palm touched the flesh of his thigh. The hairs on his leg tickled her palm, and she smiled up into eyes that would rival the darkest emerald.
“As do you,” he said, halting her hand when she slipped it a little higher.
His intense gaze sent her stomach into knots. “Thank you for making me feel so special, Aedan MacLeod.”
“I’ve been meaning to apologize for my treatment of ye when you first arrived. I acted appallingly, and I’m not proud of it. Please understand it was out of fear for Gwen that I blamed you and made ye pay for her interference. I’m truly sorry.”
She blinked back tears, never expecting the great Laird MacLeod to right a wrong, especially to a woman, but then he wasn’t