Highland Intrigue (Duncurra Book Book 3) by Ceci Giltenan Page A

believe any amount of yarrow would help bring everlasting love to this union. “I have also added a bit of mint for warm thoughts because it is a bitter cold day.”
    “Thank ye, Agnes. Ye have all been great friends to me. I understand that some of ye are not happy about this wedding. I can’t say he would have been my first choice either. However, I swore to ye, when ye made me yer chief, that I would always consider the good of the clan first. This is what our king has asked of us and I can only believe it will help stabilize us and once again give us strong allies.”
    Her mother clenched her jaw, her lips pressed into a tight line, but everyone else offered their good wishes.
    A knock sounded at the door. Alana opened it to Daniel, who stepped into the room before exclaiming, “My lady Gillian, ye are beautiful lass. Yer da would be so very proud of ye.”
    “Thank ye, Daniel. I hope so. Are they ready for me?”
    “Aye, my lady, they await ye on the steps of the chapel. I would be honored if ye would allow me to escort ye.”
    She hadn’t had enough time to think of who would give her away. It should have been her father with her today. The pain caused by the memory of his loss nearly took her breath away. She took a deep breath, forcing back the tears that threatened. This was political. This was to protect the clan. She would not give in to sentimentality. “Of course, Daniel. Thank ye.”
    Ailsa frowned. “Ye said that Fallon and I would stand with ye?”
    “And ye will, pet. Daniel is just going to do what Da would—would have done were he here.” Gillian paused a moment in order to maintain her control. When she saw tears well in Ailsa’s eyes she pulled her into a hug. “I need ye and Fallon to stand with me when I take my vows. Run now and get yer mantle, it is bitter cold out. Then ye’ll walk ahead of me to the chapel doors.” With Ailsa still on the edge of tears Gillian leaned down and whispered. “I need for ye to be strong with me, pet. Da would want it and I can’t do it without ye.”
    Ailsa nodded. Releasing her and swiping at the moisture on her cheeks, she hurried from the room. The rest of the women followed, each giving Gillian a hug and wishing her well as they went. Fallon and her mother were the last to leave. Fallon, who also looked close to tears, hugged her silently for a long moment.
    “That’s enough, Fallon. Let’s get this over with and by the saints stop crying. At least it isn’t ye.” Lana pulled her away and out of the room.
    Daniel arched an eyebrow at Lana as she left, but said nothing until the sound of their footsteps faded. He stepped close to Gillian, taking both of her hands in his. “Gillian, I know the leadership of this clan has weighed heavily on ye these last few months. Ye have done very well. Ye do not belong in a convent, ye belong here with us and ye made the right decision in marrying Fingal MacIan.”
    “I’m glad ye think so, Daniel, but I wish there was another way.”
    “I know ye do, but ye’ll be fine, lass.” She nodded. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Are ye ready?”
    She smiled. “Not really, but time won’t change that.”
    He chuckled. “Nay, it won’t.” He took Gillian’s elbow and walked with her down the stairs and through the deserted hall. Fallon and Ailsa waited just inside the doors. When they reached her sisters Daniel stopped for a moment and grinned. “Are we ready, lassies?” Both Fallon and Ailsa nodded. “Then I suppose we shouldn’t keep them waiting. Go on now and part the crowd. We will be right behind ye.”
    Just moments after Fallon and Ailsa left the keep, Gillian followed, on Daniel’s arm. As they stepped out the main doors a cheer went up from the members of her clan, their show of support bolstering her flagging confidence. Daniel was right. She had made the right choice and her reasons for agreeing to the wedding stood all around her. She belonged here with her clan. Snow had started to