to settle, purposely evasive about the aggressors. “I have been away longer than intended for several reasons. I returned to the MacMillans to allow Lady Eliza to rest in peace. I continued on and arrived in Stirling, needing to inform the king. While at court, the Lord blessed me ten times over. I met my wife, Lady Campbell. You may have recognized the plaids that aren’t ours or the MacFarlanes. Lady Campbell was once Lady Laurel Ross. Our journey wasn’t without incident. Those who wished to sever our alliances with the MacMillans are even more determined to sever our alliance with the Rosses.”
Laurel wanted to squirm. She’d never been so uncomfortable in her life. She sounded like a replacement bride, which she knew in part she was, despite Brodie claiming their meeting was a blessing. It also sounded as though she made their clan troubles worse, which she knew was unintentionally true. Brodie looked down at her, and the love she saw eased her nerves. She smiled back up at him.
“I cannot offer Lady Campbell the feast and welcome I wish and that she deserves. We must postpone it until the threats to our clan are no longer. But I would have every member of this clan, be they members of our branch or a sept, understand that Lady Campbell is my partner in our marriage and in this clan’s leadership. You will discover she is selfless and giving when you are fair and hard working. You will discover she is stern when you are not. This keep and all that happens within its walls, or pertains to it, is her domain. Her word is law. Do not come to me if you dislike it. I trust her choices and her advice as much as I do any member of the clan council. She doesn’t have to explain herself to you, but I can promise there is a well thought out reason for each of her decisions.”
Brodie looked at Laurel expectantly, and she realized he expected her to address the clan now. She still hadn’t been introduced to Colina and Dominic, but she looked at them first. She was unprepared and unsure what to say, but she stumbled through. “Clan Campbell, I am proud to be your lady. In the time I’ve come to know and care for your laird, I’ve learned that he is wise and strong, a defender of his people above all else. I take my duties to you and my husband to heart. I cannot promise that you will always like what I say or agree with me, but as your laird said, I do it for a reason. I wish for the best for this clan, and I will fight alongside all of you to protect what is ours. God help those who test the might of Clan Campbell.”
Laurel held her breath as awestruck faces gawked at her. She didn’t know what to do. She slashed her gaze to Monty and Donnan, who stood two steps down from her. Neither of them looked reassuring. She was unprepared for Brodie to scoop her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, unsteady with surprise.
“And that is why I love my wife,” Brodie announced before kissing her. As always, the world around them fell away, becoming a blissful land made for only two. Hoots and cheers eventually forced them apart as they grinned at one another. “I have a new home to show my wife.”
Laurel entered the keep with the others and looked around the Great Hall. The crossbeams made an intricate pattern while serving their purpose: supporting the roof of one of the largest Great Halls Laurel had ever visited. Banners and tapestries hung from the walls. She wondered if Colina or Brodie’s mother stitched any of them. Every surface her gaze landed upon was scrubbed clean. The floor had fresh rushes. There was no wax accumulating in the sconces, and the ash looked recently swept in the hearths. She assumed Colina was an excellent chatelaine, and Aggie clearly ran an efficient staff.
“Lady Campbell, welcome to our home,” Dominic greeted as they stood near the dais. Laurel forced herself not to frown. Dominic’s tone made it sound as if she were a guest. “Our” didn’t feel as if it included her.
“Thank you, Dominic. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” Laurel looked at Dominic and Colina, hoping to encourage the woman to join the conversation. When Colina said nothing, Laurel pressed on. “Lady Colina,