Chapter 30

CHAPTER THIRTY

“Ihave tae go after her,” Cat told Ivar, at once picking up her skirts and taking off after her sister, in a state of shock and dismay herself.

“Ana! Ana, wait!” she called as she chased after her into the gardens. Finally, Ana stopped in a secluded area between some hedges. Panting hard, she turned and waited for Catalina to catch up to her. Catalina came to a halt next to her, her heart torn to see the expression of heartbreak on Ana’s face. It was devastating to know she was the cause of it, and in that moment, she hated herself as never before.

“Ana, I am so sorry ye had tae see that. I swear, I was on me way tae see ye right this minute, tae explain everythin’,” she cried, tears prickling her eyes.

“Ye should be sorry,” Anastasia told her, her own eyes shining with tears as well. “How could ye go behind me back like that?”

“I’m so sorry, I never meant tae, we never meant tae hurt ye like this. Me and Ivar, it’s nae somethin’ we chose. It just… happened,” she struggled to find the right words to explain it and express her sorrow for hurting her sister.

“How long has this been goin’ on?” Ana demanded.

“Nae long, just a few days. That’s why I came tae find ye earlier, in the gardens. I’ve been feelin’ so bad about it, and I wanted tae tell ye the truth about what’s been happening, with me and him.”

Anastasia blew her nose on a tiny handkerchief. “Och, I dinnae care about that! I’m just angry with ye fer nae confidin’ in me sooner about how ye were feelin,” she said with a sniff of high dudgeon.

That stopped Catalina in her tracks. She thought she must have misheard. “Wait, what did ye just say?”

“I said I dinnae care about ye and Ivar, but I’m hurt that ye didnae feel ye could trust me enough tae tell me about it.”

Catalina could only stare at her in amazement. “Ye dinnae care about me and Ivar? But… he’s yer betrothed!”

“Only because I’m the eldest out of the pair of us. If ye recall, the contract doesnae specify a name. So, it disnae matter which of us marries Ivar fer the alliance between our clans tae stand and fer Haldor tae give our faither the military support he needs against Chisholm,” Ana explained.

“But… but…” It was all Catalina could manage to mutter as her sister’s miraculous words settled in her brain.

“I like Ivar very much, but ye ken very well I dinnae love him. And he doesnae love me. We were strangers when we met. If ye and him can find happiness together, then I wish ye well with all me heart, Cat. I truly dae.” She stepped forward and enfolded an astonished Catalina in her arms, who sobbed with a mixture of relief and disbelief as they hugged each other tightly.

“I can hardly believe it,” Catalina murmured when they finally drew apart. “I never expected this. ’Tis like a dream come true. Och, wait until I tell Ivar!”

Ana smiled affectionately at her. “’Tis good tae see ye happy again. But never hide anything from me like that again! D’ye promise? It hurts me tae think ye couldnae trust me enough tae tell me.”

Catalina grinned back at her, her eyes blurry with tears of joy. “I promise!”

“In that case, ye have yer sister’s blessin’.”

“Thank ye, Ana. I love ye so much. I’m so lucky tae have a sister like ye.”

“Well, I’ve been tellin’ ye that fer years, ye goose,” Anastasia remarked drily. Then, Catalina noticed her sister’s expression turned a little sheepish, and she suddenly said, “Actually, now we’re on the subject of being honest with each other and of romance, I have a wee confession of me own tae make.”

Cat was all ears. “Oh? What might that be?”

“Well, I think I’m in love with someone too,” Ana admitted.

“Dunstan! I kenned there was something strange goin’ on between the two of ye!” Catalina exclaimed and after Anastasia’s shy nod, she continued. “Have ye told him?”

Her sister shook her head sadly. “Nay. I’ve wanted tae many times, but I suppose I was too shy. I am nae certain how he feels about me. He likely only looks on me as a sort of sister. I couldnae risk doin’ anything that would cause me tae lose his friendship. I couldnae bear it. And then I was betrothed tae Ivar, and it was too late,” she explained.

Catalina was overwhelmed with sorrow for her sister as the depth of Ana’s torment came home to her, dwarfing her own former troubles with Ivar. “Ach, Ana, that’s terrible. Ye must have been feelin’ awful all this time, yet ye never said a word.”

“What would have been the point? Once the marriage tae Ivar was arranged, there was nae hope fer me and Dunstan.”

“But wait, Ana. If ye dinnae have tae marry Ivar and I can dae it instead”, for an instant she couldn’t believe what she was suggesting, they had barely just declared their love to each other, “the way is clear fer ye and Dunstan tae wed, is it nae?”

“If he feels the same, aye. But what of he doesnae?”

“Would ye like tae have a wee wager on it? Yer amber necklace tae me emerald bracelet says he does,” Catalina said mischievously, feeling in her bones that she was right. All the languishing looks she had seen Dunstan bestow on her sister over the years, all the little caring gestures came rushing back to her vividly.

“It would be immoral tae bet on such a serious matter,” Ana scolded her, laughing nevertheless.

“All right then. If ye tell him how ye feel, then I’ll give ye me emerald bracelet, whatever the outcome,” Catalina told her, adding, “even though I ken I’m right, and he’s in love with ye too.”

“D’ye think I should dare?” Ana asked almost shyly.

“I think ’tis the very next thing ye should dae. After all ye’ve had tae put up with, ye deserve some happiness, Ana,” Catalina insisted, meaning every word of it. Then an idea struck her and she added excitedly, “Just think, if Ivar wanted tae marry me, and Dunstan wanted tae marry ye, we could have a double weddin’!”

Anastasia pondered that for a moment. Then, with a gleam in her lovely eyes, she said, “I suppose we could. All right. I’ll dae it. Let’s go back inside. I’ll go and find Dunstan and bare me soul. And I expect ye want tae tell Ivar the news and put him out of his misery, eh?” Ana said, seeming calmer and more determined now she had made up her mind. Cat was pleased to see it. She wanted Ana to have the same happiness she shared with Ivar, and now she would no longer have to hide her love for him! It was more than she could ever have dreamed of.

In perfect accord once more, the sisters linked arms and walked side by side back to the house, with Catalina almost bursting with excitement at the prospect of telling Ivar about the unexpected, miraculous turn of events.

The last time Ivar had experienced an attack of nervousness had been when he was about to meet his future wife. But that had been nothing compared to how he was feeling now, sitting next to Catalina outside Haldor’s study, holding her hand tightly as they waited to be called in.

After learning everything Catalina and Anastasia had discussed, he had been pleasantly unsurprised to learn about his betrothed’s love for Dunstan. Suddenly, every exchange between them that he had seen in the infirmary when Catalina had been unconscious made perfect sense. Rather than being the disaster he had feared, it seemed the gods of romance were smiling on them all, and he was going to be allowed to marry the girl he loved with all his heart, without hurting anyone.

Earlier that day, he had requested a family meeting. Now, his eyes were fixed on the study door, knowing they were all in there, all his family as well as Anastasia and Dunstan. At this point, apart from him and Catalina, only Anastasia knew the truth. But of course, Catalina was out there with him and not inside with the rest. They must have had an inkling of what was going on. He began to grow concerned at the long wait and what it might mean.

“What d’ye think they’re talkin’ about in there?” he asked Catalina. “Why are they keepin’ us waitin’ like this?”

She shook her head. “I wish I kent,” she admitted. “’Tis makin’ me nervous, wonderin’ how they’re going tae take it. I hope Haldor’s nae angry.”

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “It doesnae matter if he is. We’re gettin’ wed whatever anyone else says. Besides, the contract with yer faither will be intact, so what can he object tae?” he told her, trying to reassure her as much as himself. He wished he felt as confident as she sounded though.

Finally, the door opened, and Dahlia beckoned them in.

“Here we go,” he breathed, the knot in his belly tightening as he and Catalina stood up and entered the study, hand in hand.

For a few moments, everyone stared at them in silence, their expressions serious. It was impossible to tell from their faces what they were thinking. Catalina gripped his hand more tightly, and he knew she was feeling as nervous as he was. That was some comfort at least.

The seconds ticked by, the knots in his belly becoming almost painful as the silence continued. Then, as if by some secret signal, the others erupted into cheers and laughter and wishes of congratulations. He could hardly take it in. They were happy!

He looked over at Haldor and Arne to see their expressions. Haldor’s severe features were lit by one of his wolfish grins as Arne, frowning, emptied some gold coins into the laird’s hand. Ivar realized with shock that the pair must have had had a wager going on over whether he and Catalina would get together, and Haldor had won! Half amused half annoyed at his brothers’ underhand dealings, he wondered when they had first laid the bet.

Then, everyone surrounded them, his brothers slapping him on the back hard enough to knock the breath from him, and the women exchanging delighted hugs and kisses. It was heartwarming.

“They dinnae seem very surprised,” he murmured to Catalina.

“Nay, I cannae understand it. How could they have kent about us when we hardly did ourselves? Have we been so obvious?” she wondered aloud in response, clearly just as confused as she was. “But I’m happy they seem tae approve.”

He had to agree. “Aye, that’s the main thing.”

“Well, done, little Braither,” Haldor said, grinning at Ivar. “Hearty congratulations tae ye both. It seems things have all worked out quite nicely fer ye, eh?”

“Aye, congratulations,” Arne piped up. “I suspected there was somethin’ goin’ on, but with ye bein’ such a miserable bastard, I never expected ye tae pull it off, ye crafty beggar.” He smiled down at Catalina. “I should have had more faith in the powers of this wee spitfire.”

“Och, ’tis so romantic!” Sofia gushed, her pretty face alight with glee as she

slipped her arm through Haldor’s. “I wish ye all the love happiness that me and Haldor share fer yer future as man and wife,” she declared, kissing Catalina’s cheek and then Ivar’s.

“Ye’re a sly dog all right, Braither,” Dahlia said laughingly as she too came up to congratulate them. Her lovely face radiant with joy, she planted heartfelt kisses on both their cheeks. “Ye’re a wee bit slow, but I kent ye’d get there in the end!” she teased, making both Ivar and Catalina laugh.

Finally, while celebratory drinks were being handed around, Anastasia and Dunstan appeared in front of them, holding hands. It was the first time Ivar had seen Dunstan really smiling and looking relaxed, and Anastasia was full of smiles. She had a definite twinkle in her eyes when she said, “Congratulations tae ye both. And thank ye fer makin’ it possible fer me and Dunstan tae be together. I’ll always be grateful fer ye fallin’ fer me sister, Ivar.” The two girls hugged each other, then Anastasia kissed his cheek.

“Aye, thank ye both fer goin’ behind our backs like that,” Dunstan chimed in good-humoredly, sticking out his hand to Ivar. Ivar gripped it and shook it heartily. “I’m grateful tae ye, man,” Dunstan said to him in a low voice, “more than I can ever say.”

Ivar had to laugh. “The pleasure was all mine,” he replied, smiling as Dunstan gave Catalina a brotherly hug and a peck on the cheek.

“I just hope she doesnae give ye any trouble. She’s a wild one, ye ken,” Dunstan added jokingly, earning a slap on the arm from Catalina.

“Ye dinnae have tae tell me that,” Ivar replied, smiling down at his beloved. “’Tis one of the many things I love about her.”

“I think that’s meant tae be a compliment,” Catalina said, laughing as she reached up to give him a kiss.

A short while later, while everyone was mingling, Catalina pulled at his arm. When he looked down at her, she whispered, “Will ye look at that?!” He followed her gaze, to see Haldor and Sofia in a huddle, and Sofia was placing some coins in Haldor’s palm, while he grinned. “I think they also had a bet on us gettin’ together,” Catalina said, sounding shocked. “To think such a sweet lass like Sofia would dae such a thing!”

Ivar chuckled. “Dinnae be so surprise. They’ve all been at it, and Haldor seems tae be doin’ very well out of it too.” He told her about seeing Arne paying up to the laird earlier. “He’s nae as stupid as he looks, fer he obviously kent we were meant fer each other from the start,” he added.

“Well, of all the nerve!” she exclaimed before they both burst out laughing.

Afterwards, Ivar went to have a private word with his former fiancée.

“Anastasia, I wantae apologize tae ye fer everythin’ that’s happened. I hope ye can forgive me fer the way things have turned out. I want ye tae ken that none of it had anythin’ tae dae with ye. Ye’re a very beautiful, clever, kind woman, and I would have been proud tae have ye as me wife. But yer sister…” He glanced across the room at Catalina and smiled, “… well, there’s just somethin’ about her that made me fall in love with her. I couldnae help it. I hope ye can understand and that ye and Dunstan can be as happy as me and Cat.”

To his surprise and relief, Anastasia beamed at him. “I told ye before, there’s nae need tae apologize. And dinnae be shocked when I tell ye that I sensed something between ye ever since I found out that it was ye she knocked out in the wood that time, even if I wasn’t quite sure what or where it would lead. The way ye two acted around each other, well, it was only a matter of time. You would either become sworn enemies or true lovers. But perhaps ye could thank me fer goin’ behind yer backs and forcin’ the two of ye on a ride together…” she giggled.

Haldor laughed and shook his head. “Yes, I shall! It seems me and Cat were the only ones who didnae see it comin’,” he admitted. “Thank ye for bein’ so nice about it. Now, what about ye and Dunstan then?”

Anastasia cheeks flamed crimson. “Well, I was so nervous tae tell him how I felt about him, but it turned out he’s in love with me too. So ye see, it’s all worked out well in the end.”

“I wish ye both every happiness,” he told her, giving her a wink before he went to rejoin his beloved, his heart feeling lighter than it had for years.

However, there was one thought that kept going around in his mind: It’s always calm before the storm.