Chapter Eleven

Adair's day had ended with ensuring Robbie was comfortable. He'd been in pain after being moved outside. Despite it, he was in good spirits, having enjoyed the competition and the constant filling of his tankard.

When being returned to his bed, he'd groaned in pain, but then had promptly fallen asleep.

Without much to do, Adair had spent the next few hours in the kitchen listening to the servants discuss the day. Several of the younger women gave different accounts of the competition focusing more on which of the men were more attractive, than on how they performed.

By the time she'd gone to bed, it was later than usual, and Adair was exhausted. At the same time, it had been a good day and she looked forward to the next day of festivities.

While braiding her hair, she had barely been able to keep her eyes open and had apparently fallen asleep without dousing the lantern.

Then he'd awakened her. The very man she'd been dreaming of.

There was only one reason a man came into a woman's chamber in the middle of the night. Ruari lowered to the bed and sat next to her knees. As much as she desired him, a part of her ached in the knowledge that once she left, they would not have moments alone like this. It would be foolish to aspire to more, and yet her heart cried out for him. The best thing would be not to give in, but would he allow it?

He studied her face. "Does it hurt?"

"Nay. Not anymore."

Reaching, he cupped her face. "I am so sorry that I did nae get there in time to stop him."

Adair leaned into his palm. "There is nae to be done about it now."

"I sent a messenger to the Ross keep and spoke to Mother about it. She agrees that Malcolm will assist us if need be. I think the mention of his name alone is making my uncle hesitate."

Relief poured through her. "Good."

For a long moment, he remained silent, his hand lingering on her face, his gaze moving to the lantern. "I have something to ask ye. It is not a demand, but a request. Ye are free to deny me."

Would she deny him? Could she refuse to be his one more time? Adair wasn't sure how to respond as she waited for him to voice his need to claim her body. She held her breath as he hesitated.

"Would ye honor me by becoming my wife?"

Her breath hitched and her hand flew up to her mouth. Was she dreaming? Ruari was not there, and he'd certainly not asked her to marry him. What a cruel dream it was, Adair would wake up disillusioned.

"Wh-what?" She heard herself ask.

When Ruari took her hand with both of his, it felt very real. "I need a strong woman by my side. Ye bring me certainty and comfort that I've never felt. I know ye have to consider it, and I understand marriage to me will be a huge change."

Hysterical laughter bubbled from within her. Somehow she managed to contain it.

"I will never be accepted as yer wife. What will the people think? Their estimation of ye will falter."

Ruari's chuckle was deep, his warm gaze meeting hers. "I am nae a rich laird. The lands that surround the village and keep are nae vast. I am not a good match for neighboring laird's daughters, they could make better matches with second sons of larger clans."

"Why me?" Despite wanting to scream yes at the top of her lungs, fear of the unknown held her in its clutches. "Ye are who has to think this through."

To her surprise, he motioned for her to slide over and he climbed onto the bed. Leaning back on the headboard next to her, he took her hand once again.

"I searched ye out today. Each time something happened, I wanted to share the moment with ye. When I competed, I became distracted wondering if ye watched."

"I did watch. Ye did very well."

He nudged her shoulder. "I did nae win."

"The other men are much larger than ye, not in height, but in size." Adair smiled at him. "I am happy that Clyde won. Father has grown tired of his complaining."

"Now he will tire of his bragging," Ruari said.

They were quiet for a few moments. Adair lifted Ruari's hand and kissed the back of it. "Do ye plan to speak to my father?"

Ruari nodded. "I will speak to him and Robbie."

"Then I will marry ye," Adair replied, her heart thundering under her breast.

"Good." Ruari pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. When he lifted from the kiss, she grasped his tunic. "Ye are nae leaving my bed, Laird."

He whispered in her ear. "I am glad to hear it."

*

The caber toss was astonishing. The crowd cheered loudly as each of the competitors lifted enormous trees to toss, in the hope it would flip end over end.

Ruari had left Adair's room late, they'd talked for hours about plans for the upcoming days. In the end, they decided to wait until after the festivities to share the news of their upcoming marriage.

This morning, he was filled with energy and hope.

Even the sight of his uncle along with two warriors flanking him nearing failed to bother him. The older man lowered to sit next to Ruari.

"My competitor has won several other games. I doubt he will be beaten today," he informed Ruari. "Who is yers?"

"Keir. He is quite strong."

They watched as the last three men stepped up, each holding their arms up so the crowd could cheer. The crowd grew larger as people hurried over from the vendor area to watch, and soon the hillside was covered with onlookers.

A McLachlan went first. Despite a good lift and run, the tree didn't flip. People screamed out in disappointment. Several clapped, glad he wasn't part of their respective clan.

The second competitor was a muscled man representing, Clan Stuart of the north, his uncle's man. The huge man grunted loudly when he lifted the tree and seemed to effortlessly toss the caber. It flipped end over end then landed with a loud thump. The crowd cheered, clapping at the performance. Since most who attended were Clan Stuart, they supported both competitors, although they favored Keir.

It would be difficult for Keir to beat the man as he was a bit smaller, but Ruari had faith in the man's strength and willpower.

There was a hush over the crowd as Keir neared the enormous caber. The caber was raised, and Keir set it against his right shoulder as he reached down to lift it. The ease of how he lifted and rushed forward with it was astonishing. Even more surprising was the height of the toss, and the flawless way the huge tree flipped end over end.

The people erupted with yells of excitement at the distance of the toss. Jumping up and down, the local men rushed to Keir, lifting him up onto their shoulders and parading him about as there was no question he'd just won.

His uncle grimaced as if in pain. "That was interesting." He wouldn't congratulate Ruari, it was beyond the man to be conciliatory in any fashion.

Ruari didn't care, he too jumped to his feet clapping. Taking three sacks of coins for the last three competitors, he left the stands, not wanting to continue to hear whatever his uncle would say next.

Each man received a sack of coins, the heaviest going to Keir.

Astonishingly, his uncle walked up behind him and made a show of congratulating each man. Ruari bit his back teeth. It wasn't the man's place to be present.

"Uncle. I am the host of the games," Ruari said under his breath, so only the older man could hear.

"They appreciate being congratulated by a greater laird." His uncle smiled broadly at the crowd and lifted his hands to silence them.

Just as Archibald was about to speak, every head turned to the southern hillside where men appeared on horseback.

They carried Clan Ross banners.

It was not Malcolm who'd come, but the laird's brothers: Tristan and Kieran. Each wearing Ross clan tartans. The green and black making it obvious who they were.

Murmuring began, but Ruari got everyone's attention. "Welcome to my cousins, who've come to enjoy the last day of festivities."

The people began clapping, stretching their necks to get a glimpse of the formidable warriors as they rode closer.

Upon nearing, they dismounted and stable lads took their war horses away.

The brothers towered over most men, each of them exuding authority that came from both battle and being part of a powerful clan.

Both Ruari and Elvin hurried over, and the cousins hugged, smiling at seeing each other after not seeing each other for over a year.

The Ross brothers walked to the stands together, greeting his mother warmly.

Servants brought them food and drink as they settled to watch the tug of war, which would be a fun event that included teams of villagers who split into groups of eight for each side.

His uncle neared, waiting to be acknowledged.

Tristan's hazel gaze moved to Ruari, and he gave a barely perceptive nod. They'd come to ensure Archibald would understand they would not allow him to take anything from Ruari.

"This is my father's brother," Ruari said. "Archibald Stuart."

"Laird Stuart," his uncle clarified.

The men exchanged handshakes. His uncle let out a snort and slid a glance to his cousins and murmured. "Well played nephew. Well played."

*

When her parents came to fetch Robbie, Edine accompanied them.

"Come to the parlor for a moment," Adair said meeting them in the courtyard. "There is something we must speak about."

Ruari walked out just as they got to the entrance. Her father hesitated. "Laird. Is something amiss?"

"Nae, not at all," Ruari replied, motioning for them to continue forth.

They became wary upon entering the sunlit room, exchanging glances with each other and Robbie, who was already there.

Ruari's mother and brother entered right after and greeted her family. It was evident by their lack of questioning looks, that Ruari had already spoken to them. Her heart melted when her mother sat down, and Lady Stuart lowered into the seat next to her. Her humble mother was just as beautiful, just as worthy, as the woman beside her.

Ruari cleared his throat and looked to her befuddled father. "Mister Murray, yer daughter and I have fallen in love. I would like to humbly ask for yer daughter's hand in marriage."

Both her mother and Edine gasped. Robbie grinned and her father blanched.

Lady Stuart smiled at her befuddled father. "Yer daughter is the perfect balance to my son. Together they will bring peace and prosperity to our lands. I request that ye grant yer daughter's hand to my son."

Her father looked from Lady Stuart to Ruari. "Aye… aye, ye may have it. Of course… Laird." her father managed, regaining color. "I am just surprised." He turned to Adair. "Are ye sure, lass?"

Springing to her feet, Adair rushed to her father and threw herself against him. "I have never been so sure of anything in my life."

Before long everyone was talking. Robbie and Ruari shook hands, both grinning like fools. Elvin poured whiskey for the men and Lady Stuart poured honeyed mead for the women.

Edine came to stand next to Adair, her pretty face bright. "I am so very happy for ye. My friend, the laird's wife." There was awe in her voice. Then they looked at each other for a long moment and giggled.