Tess and the Highlander by May McGoldrick

Author:May McGoldrick [McGoldrick, May]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Scotland, Young Adult, Highlander, avon true romance series
ISBN: 9780613713702
Publisher: San Val
Published: 2002-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

As they entered the festive Great Hall, the sounds of music and revelry filled the air. Great fires lit the fireplaces, and food and drink were being carried in by castle workers wearing bright ribbons and followed by ever hopeful dogs. A number of men playing bagpipes marched around the hall, and children from the village danced happily behind them. On every side, laughter and merriment surrounded the latecomers, and no one appeared to even notice their entrance.

Tess glanced at the long tables, filled with men and women of every generation. She saw the Macpherson warriors and sailors they had traveled with sitting among them. At the dais, the laird and his lady were obviously enjoying the festivities. Tess couldn’t help but wonder if Ravenie Castle at one time had been like Benmore. She glanced at the long tables again. And for a moment she saw in her mind’s eye different faces, a different tartan, another clan. A company of rowdy Highlanders sitting around one end of a trestle table with large trenchers of food before them. Their boots heavily stained. Their tartans covered with the dust of their travels.

Tess roused herself from her reverie as she realized a hush had fallen over the Hall. The musicians ceased their playing, and all eyes were upon her. Colin held on to her hand as she nervously tried to take a step back. She glanced down at the dress that had been intended for Lady Fiona. She stared at the Macpherson tartan that covered her shoulders and the Lindsay brooch that held it in place, and she wondered if the quiet were caused by an outsider wearing their plaid. She had not stopped even to consider the appropriateness of wearing the tartan. Her mind raced to think of what else could cause such a reaction.

“What have I done?” she asked Colin uneasily.

“You have stunned them with your radiance,” Colin whispered reassuringly. “Because of all the stories, I think they were expecting either a wee wild child…or some haughty Lowlander like your mother.”

“But I am neither,” she murmured.

“I know that. And they realize it now, too. In addition, you are wearing a Macpherson tartan to boot. A bonny sight to their tired eyes, I’m thinking.”

“Perhaps I should not…” Tess felt her cheeks catch fire. She tried to pull away. “Maybe I…”

Instead of letting her go, Colin pushed her gently toward the dais. Looking ahead, Tess realized that the laird and lady and their two elder sons were all standing now and waiting.

The Macpherson chieftain came around the table to greet them. “Finally I have the honor of introducing our own faerie to a grateful clan.”

Tess dropped a low curtsy before the laird. “The honor is mine, m’lord.”

Alec Macpherson took her hand, and his blue eyes were approving when he raised Tess up. He turned her to the silent crowd gathered in the Great Hall.

“’Tis my honor…my privilege…to give you the angel to whom we are all indebted for saving young Colin’s life.

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