Abigail wondered sometimes if she gave Una so much tolerance because she could not stand to be like her mother. Was her compassion good for the clan, setting a positive example of tolerance? Or did her unwillingness to take direct action weaken her position as lady and therefore the sense of stability in the clan?
She could not decide the answer to these questions and was wishing her sister were there to advise her when a commotion caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see what was going on and stopped still to stare in shock.
Talorc and Barr were walking with a big, black-haired warrior wearing a dark blue, green and pale yellow plaid. He had his arm firmly around a much smaller woman holding a baby.
Abigail rubbed her eyes to make sure they were not deceiving her, but the same glorious vision showed upon opening them again. Her brain might trick her into thinking shed heard her husbands voice, but this had to be real. She wanted it to be so badly, she ached with it.
Abigail gave a glad cry when she allowed herself to accept the recognition of gold and brown curls surrounding a beloved face.
Emily!
Abigail popped to her feet and rushed to her sister, dropping her little trowel, her skirts flying. Emily was running, too, her expression mirroring Abigails sheer elation. Abigail threw her arms around the other woman, little one and all.
Kisses on her cheek and a one-armed hug that was hard enough to take Abigails breath told her it was true. Her sister was really here. Tears tracked down both their faces as they grinned at each other.
I worried I would never see you again,
Abigail choked out.
I knew God would not be so cruel, but I will admit I never considered he would use Talorc of the Sinclairs to restore you to me.
Abigails gaze flicked nervously to her husband to see how he took her sisters words. While they had reached a rapprochement of sorts and their lovemaking was more intense than ever, he had never openly acknowledged her words of love, though she told him each night, and often at least one time during the day. It went without saying that he never said the words back.
They had never discussed her plan to use him to get to her sister again, but the knowledge of it was a barrier between them. Invisible, but felt all the same.
However, right now, there was nothing but indulgent pleasure on his face.
Grateful for that much understanding, she smiled at him, her joy making her simple. My sister is here.
I noticed. His lips quirked at one side drolly.
Emily touched Abigails cheek in a long-familiar gesture to get her attention. He invited us to come.
Oh . . . She looked back at Talorc, her eyes filming with happy tears. You are too good to me.
Talorc leaned forward and kissed her softly. Right there in front of her sister and brother-in-law. And not on her cheek, but on her lips. I would not withhold your family from you.
Dazed by the kiss, Abigail turned to what was no doubt a goofy smile on her sister. Is he not wonderful?
I am willing to concede he is not a goat, Emily teased with an eye roll.
Her husband threw his head back, obviously laughing.
Talorc frowned at Emily in censure, but the amusement in his blue eyes belied any true anger. It is about time you acknowledged the truth.
Abigail shook her head, so happy she could explode with it.
Talorc brushed the shell of her ear with his forefinger, his indication he wanted to say something to her. With a brilliant smile, she gave him her full attention. Yes?
Wife, this near-decrepit warrior is the man your sister chose to marry over me. He waved his hand at the other man. Lachlan, Laird of the Balmoral.
It is a true pleasure to meet you, Abigail said, her hand to her throat to make sure she had enough volume to be heard. I am selfishly grateful that my sister married you rather than the man your king intended for her. Talorc accepts me as I am.
Even if Lachlan did not understand how important and extraordinary that was, Abigail knew Emily would.
I too am happy with events as they turned out, the big warrior replied, a twinkle in his dark brown eyes. Who knew a simple kidnapping could have such far-reaching consequences?
Emily kidnapped you? Abigail asked in mock astonishment.
Though her sister had never shared the full circumstances surrounding her marriage to the wrong laird, Abigail had never believed it was something so uncomplicated as Emily and Lachlan meeting and falling in love, with Talorc stepping conveniently aside as Emily had implied in her letters.
Lachlan laughed again and he smiled at his wife. If Abigail did not know better, she would insist they were communicating somehow. Their body language implied it, but neither of their lips moved.
Emily smiled softly at Abigail. We have both found our happiest paths by Gods grace. She winked. And I did not kidnap my husband, though I did do a good job of getting myself invited along for Caitrionas kidnapping.
That is a story I would like to learn.