A Love to Discover (Loving in the Highlands 2)

I get out of my bedroom and go towards the exit of the castle. Yesterday Sloan told me that he will be in the yard to see me off. He also told me that all my belongings will be ready for me, including my horse. I did not tell Elsie yesterday the time of my departure. I think she will not be interested enough to bother. Or maybe she would like to see me off? I shake my head lightly as I reach the doors and get out. I have no idea what she feels towards me. She does not let me see.

I freeze in my tracks – many people of the clan are outside to see me off. The first person that I see standing in the yard is Elsie. My heart fills with warmth as our eyes meet.

'My dear friend,' Sloan says, coming towards me, 'your horse is ready. It was good to see you. I hope we shall meet again.'

'Thank you for your hospitality, my friend,' I reply, 'I am sure we will meet again in the future.'

I wave farewell to Megan and to the other members of the clan, too, and then I turn to Elsie. My heart is beating faster and faster by each breath that I take.

'Elsie,' I say in a fierce voice, trying not to sound too overwhelmed with love. 'Elsie, my sunshine, I cannot imagine saying goodbye to you.'

Elsie is looking at me with her big blue eyes, not quite understanding what I am talking about.

'Elsie, I cannot leave you behind,' I go on, taking her hands into mine. 'This is the last moment until I leave. And this is the moment of truth. I love you, and let everyone know about it. I want to see you by my side all the time. Do you agree to come with me and to become my wife?'

Everyone turns silent at once. I look at Elsie's big blue eyes that are staring back at me, full of surprised and mixed emotions. I keep holding her hands, to give her the sense of security that she needs so badly.

'Elsie, I cannot just leave you. Will you marry me, Elsie?' I repeat. The look in her eyes is of happiness, and there is not a single drop of worry in her gaze.

Slowly, she starts smiling.

'Calem, yes, I agree,' she says in a quivering voice. 'Yes, I will come with you.'

I smile back at her. Now I feel peaceful and happy that I am taking her with me. She will become my wife, my sunlight.

Megan gasps, covering her face with her hands, as she breaks into a big smile. Sloan nods, as if approving the decision.

'I will get everything ready for the trip,' he says. 'The horses, the accompanying warriors, and the maid for Elsie. Elsie, do you want to take your clothes from your bedroom?' He adds.

'Well, I do not know,' she hesitates.

'She will have all the clothes that she wants,' I announce. 'She can come in her one earasaid, no need to worry about luggage.'

While I and Elsie are looking at each other, by each minute more and more happily, Sloan gets ready six warriors, a maid, as well as the horses for all of them, as I have my horse already.

'This is Skena, a servant for Elsie,' Sloan says, introducing us with a young woman who looks at us with her big brown eyes and smiles. 'She will come with you and take care of everything that Elsie will need.'

Then he introduces us with the six warriors:

'Achaius, Baigh, Camron, Dalziel, Gawen, and Kinney are going to be your warriors, to be with you wherever you go and to protect you if there be need,' Sloan says, and I nod.

'Elsie, my little sister!' Megan comes forward and hugs Elsie tightly. 'I am so happy for you. I am sure you will be happy with Calem. I will miss you so much!'

'I will miss you, too, Meg,' Elsie says. 'I am sure we will meet again soon. We will visit you, and you will visit us. I am sure that everything will be all right.'

I look at them from the side. Megan is really happy that her sister will get married. I think she was hoping that Elsie would find a good man and be happy. Elsie also looks glad. I know that she does not love me. I know that all she needs is a home and a sense of security. But I do not care. I fell in love with her and now love her too much to let her go. I am sure that in time Elsie will love me, too, like I love her. I will be the best husband for her. She will see how good I am. She will love me eventually.