Chapter 9

9

Christmas Eve, midday

Falkirk, Scotland

" T here it is! Falkirk Castle!" David's voice bubbled with excitement as they rode into view of their destination. They'd spent several days on an unhurried ride up the Scottish east coast, with the weather mild for late December. Now they were arriving about the time they'd planned--which was surprising for Scotland in winter.

"Goodness, it really is a castle!" Caitlin said as she studied the massive stone and turreted structure that stood above the North Sea.

"The oldest bits are 15th century, but there have been many changes and improvements over the years," David explained. "The more recent lairds have made the family living quarters more comfortable. I look forward to seeing the improvements Ian and Laura have made. I'm sure that Christmas, Boxing Day, and Hogmanay will all be celebrated properly."

She pointed. "I assume that small mountain of logs and kindling will be the Hogmanay bonfire?"

"Yes, and a grand sight it will be!"

"After Hogmanay we can go home if I survive that long," she said in a grave tone that was only partly joking.

David halted his horse so she did the same. Catching her gaze, he said quietly, "It really won't be that bad, love. My family will be more than willing to welcome my bride for my sake, and once they get to know you, they'll be over the moon."

Her smile was not quite steady, but she knew his words were sincere. She was just uncertain if his rosy view of his family's welcome was accurate. But the intimacy and honesty they'd shared in their marriage bed had brought her to a level of love and trust beyond anything she'd ever imagined. Even if the Camerons were less than enthralled by David's choice of a wife, surely they could all manage to be civil for the fortnight of the holidays.

As they neared the castle stables, she remarked, "From what you say, the place must be packed to the rafters with guests. How long has it been since you've seen your mother?"

David thought, then winced. "Fifteen years. The family managed to get together when Juliet married Ross, but then we all headed to different corners of the empire. Ian and Laura are the ones I've seen most recently, a mere three years ago."

"A blink of the eye by comparison," Caitlin agreed. Despite David's efforts to reassure her, she was still anxious. She'd never had a large family and now she would be drowning in Camerons! "You're sure no one will sneer at my riding clothes? I want to look respectable for my first introduction to your family!"

"Not necessary." He grinned at her. "Respectability is not a very valued quality among Camerons."

She hoped he was right. They reached the open double doors of the stables and were greeted by a weathered old man who had the look of a head groom. "Captain David!" the man exclaimed. "His lordship said you were coming, but I said I'd believe it when I saw it!"

"Believe it!" David dismounted and caught the old man's hand. "It's grand to see you again, Auld Duncan! Have you thought about how within the next few years there will be trains running up the East Coast of Scotland?

"I'll believe it when I see it!" Auld Duncan said with amusement. "We'll still need horses, laddy boy, and that's a fine pair you and the lady are riding."

David grinned. "They're fine indeed! Now let me introduce you to my very fine wife, Caitlin Wallace." He turned and helped her from Maeve. She didn't need the aid, but she welcomed his touch.

"A Scottish lass?" the ostler said with interest.

"As Scottish as you are, Auld Duncan," Caitlin said cheerfully as she offered him a hand. She'd always been grateful that Scotland was less formal than England.

"I'll take care of your horses while you join the gathering," the groom said.

David introduced the horses by name, then handed over the reins. As they headed toward the nearest castle entrance, he rested a comforting palm on Caitlin's lower back.

"If you're wrong and they hate me, I'll never forgive you, Captain Cameron!" she said, not quite able to suppress a note of anxiety in her voice.

"I'm not wrong." He stopped and pulled her into a quick kiss. "And you'll forgive me because I adore you and you're finding that you like being adored."

She had to laugh. "Yes, but I do hope I won't spend the night sobbing with humiliation."

He kissed her again. "I would never subject you to possible humiliation, mo chridhe . Now come along and we'll get the introductions over quickly."

The door led into a small entry way which contained boots, a broom, and several pegs for hanging garments. David removed his winter coat and hung it up so Caitlin did the same. She spent several moments adjusting her beautiful new silk scarf which lay in elegant loops around her neck. Even the primmest of female relations wouldn't be able to find fault with that!

They joined hands and climbed the stone steps. At the top stood a pair of tall carved doors that had surely seen many generations of Camerons. Voices and laughter could be heard from the other side. "It sounds like most of the family is in the main reception room on the other of these doors," David said. "Courage, mo chridhe !"

In for a penny, in for a pound. Jaw set, she entered beside him when he opened the doors. The hall was warm with fires roaring in two fireplaces, garlands of greens hung around the room, and in the center was a very grand, very English Christmas tree that sparkled with decorations and added a tangy pine scent to the air. A number of people, many of them with different shades of red and auburn hair, ambled around the room or sat on comfortable looking chairs and sofas.

For a moment, the newcomers weren't noticed. Then a female voice called out excitedly, "It's David! Our lad has finally come home!"

There was a burst of exclamations and a tidal wave of Camerons swept down on David, led by a woman whose speed belied the silver in her auburn hair. Surely that was his mother embracing him, weeping.

Close behind was a tall, rather diabolically handsome man with dark auburn hair and a piratical eye patch. That would be his brother, Ian, Lord Falkirk. At his side was a lovely dark haired woman with a warm smile and exotically tilted eyes.

Dear God, there was his alarming sister Juliet, it couldn't be anyone else with that height and bright hair! She wasn't alarming now as she embraced David with joyous laughter. He hugged her back delightedly.

A gentle hand caught Caitlin's arm and drew her back. "I'd best save you from being trampled," an easy male voice said. "Don't worry, they're just Camerons being Camerons."

She looked up, shocked speechless at the sight of the handsomest man she'd ever seen in her life. His stunning blond looks were as English as his well-bred voice. After a dazzled moment, she said, "I'm guessing that you are Ross, English husband to David's sister Juliet?

He grinned. "Yes, I'm the quiet boring one every family needs. You have something of a look of Juliet, actually. Are you skilled with a rifle?"

She blinked at the question. "I'm considered a tolerably good shot."

"The resemblance increases. I must congratulate David on his taste in wives."

"Indeed David's taste is excellent," observed a tall dark man with a slight, indefinable accent. "I'm Mikahl and neither I nor my wife Sara are actually members of the family, but we are tangled up with Camerons in various ways so we are invited to these most enjoyable gatherings." He slanted an amused glance at Ross. "Don't believe Ross when he says he's boring. He's the most dangerous Englishman I know."

"Only accidentally dangerous," Ross protested. "I've just had the bad judgment to travel to wild distant places that turned out to be infested with lethal tribesmen and dangerous mountains and deserts."

Something clicked in Caitlin's memory. "Surely you're Ross Carlisle, the explorer and travel writer? I love your books!"

He beamed at her. "Thank you! Clearly you will fit right into this clan of Camerons."

She made a face. "I'm feeling like a very plain squab in the midst of a gathering of eagles and peacocks!"

Both Ross and Mikahl immediately assured her that only did she fit in, but that she was an excellent addition to the family. She sensed that the men had a long and deep friendship, and they were distracting her with banter so she wouldn't feel alone and awkward. It was working, too.

They were joined by a petite blonde with serene eyes who tucked her hand around Mikahl's arm. "It's lovely to meet you, Caitlin! I'm Sara, wife to Mikahl, cousin to Ross, and long time friend to Juliet. I'm here to verify that the Camerons are the most welcoming of clans. They've even accepted an undersized blond Englishwoman like me, so a proper redheaded Scottish lass like you is a delight!"

"You're exactly the right size," Mikahl said with a warm smile as he patted the hand that clasped his arm.

The clamor had died down after all his family members had greeted David. Now he approached Caitlin with a tall older woman whose hair was a mixture of auburn and silver. One look at her handsome face showed where the family looks had come from.

David said, "Mother, it's my great pleasure to introduce you to my wife, Caitlin Wallace,"

Since Caitlin was wearing trousers instead of skirts, she couldn't curtsey so she improvised with a half bow. "It's my honor to meet you, Lady Cameron. Thank you for raising such a splendid son!"

"The honor is mine, Miss Wallace." The older woman embraced her. "It's every woman's dream to see her children married to excellent spouses!"

Caitlin couldn't prevent herself from saying, "How can you know that I'm excellent when we've barely met?"

Lady Cameron laughed. "Because I have excellent maternal intuition, and David has excellent judgment. I'm sure he gave you this glorious scarf." She lightly touched the folds of silk that shimmered around Caitlin's throat and shoulders. "He was always the sanest of my children."

Ian Cameron grinned. "I would protest that except that she's right." He offered his hand. "I'm your host, Ian Cameron. Welcome to Falkirk!"

His handshake was warm and strong. "I'm delighted to be here, Lord Falkirk," Caitlin replied. "My apologies for my informal attire. David swore that no one would mind."

"And he was right," the dark haired woman at Ian's side said cheerfully. "The first time I met Juliet, I was wearing my oldest gown and crawling around under a table collecting flowers that had been knocked over by the castle tomcat. Juliet swept into the room looking quite magnificent, knelt down beside me to help collect the flowers, and we've been friends ever since." She gave her sister-in-law a fond glance.

"We Camerons are never formal if we can avoid it," Juliet said with a warm smile. "I'm glad you're a Scot since you'll understand us better."

Caitlin caught her husband's hand and drew him to her side. "You were right about how wonderful and accepting your family is, David!" She looked around at the group with a smile. There weren't as many of them as she'd thought at first, but they were still far more family than she'd ever had. "Thank you so much for marrying me, mo chridhe !"

He kissed her rather more than casually. "The pleasure is equally mine, my love."

Lady Cameron's brows drew together. "I thought you'd only just arrived back in Britain, David. How long have you been married?"

They exchanged a glance. "Four days, I think?" Caitlin replied.

Ian's brows arched. "How long had you known each other before?"

"Two days, I think?" David said. "Or was it three?"

"How on earth did you manage to fall in love in such a short time?" Juliet gasped.

Ross murmured, "It took much less time than that for me to fall in love with you, my dear. It was the length of one dance, as I recall."

Juliet's cheeks turned pink as her gaze dropped. "I'd have said two dances."

Ignoring his sister's comment, Ian said, "Tell us the story of how you met and fell instantly in love, David."

David's expression turned thoughtful. "I was certainly impressed by Caitlin's thieving skills when she slipped my pocket knife from my coat, and even more impressed when she stole my horse and managed to stay on his back as she galloped away into a blizzard." He gave Caitlin a laughing glance. "But I knew I was in love several hours later when she aimed a rifle at me after I arrived at her kitchen door. That's when I knew Caitlin was the only woman for me!"

Caitlin blushed scarlet, now understanding Ross's question about her skill with a rifle. Her answer clearly qualified her to become a Cameron.

David's words produced a chorus of surprised exclamations. Laura asked with interest, "That explains why he fell in love with you, but how did you fell in love with him?"

Caitlin caught David's gaze and felt a flare of intimacy and absolute certainty. "Once I met him, how could I not love him?"

David smiled and brushed a light kiss on her lips. "It was fate, mo chridhe."

Laura nodded approvingly. "Now we must learn the whole story! I'll order refreshments so we can gather around to hear your tale."

The family did exactly that with David and Caitlin seated in the middle of a circle of chairs and sofas. All the couples sat with their mates, Caitlin noticed. Ross and Juliet linked their hands, Laura was tucked against Ian's side, and Mikahl had his arm around Sara. They all looked like happy people.

Holding Caitlin's hand, David did most of the talking with her making additions as she thought needed. When he finished, he asked her, "Did I miss anything important?"

Caitlin hesitated as a powerful conviction swept through her. "As you explained, we hand fasted on impulse in order disconcert a potential murderer."

He squeezed her hand. "But a true marriage nonetheless. A story to tell our grandchildren." He thought a moment, then chuckled. "Or perhaps not."

Caitlin stood and caught David's hands so they stood facing each other. Solemnly she loosened the long scarf and wrapped one end around his neck so they were joined by the shimmering silk. "I'd like to end our tale by saying that now that we've joined this family holiday gathering, it's the perfect time to marry in the kirk with all of you around us." Her gaze met David's. "Will you marry me again, my darling David?"

"Of course, mo chridhe !" His expression joyous, he embraced her with tenderness and delight.

As applause broke out, Caitlin whispered, "Your family is the best Christmas gift ever, David!"

He smiled tenderly. "And you're my gift to them, my love. We'll please them best by living happily ever after!"

She smiled into his eyes, and knew that they would.

Now and forever, amen!