“How can you be so sure that someone will act?” she demanded.
“Because,” he said, “we are a unique people. The Highlanders of Craig Rock. Traditions are ancient—and the moon is very full.”
“We are Highlanders—not madmen!”
David stared up at the full moon, his features as striking as those of any ancient warrior.
“Aye, ’tis sure, we’re not all madmen. But the moon has a powerful call, and the lore or legend is just as great. If we do have madmen among us, they will act. The moon will be as strong upon the blood in their veins as it is upon the tides in the sea. Shall we ride?”
Shawna stared at him, then nudged her horse.
And began to canter toward the Druid Stones.
Standing starkly white beneath the bright eerie light of the full moon.
CHAPTER 24
Violins and pipes played, men and women danced, ate, laughed, and played as they arrived at the Druid Stones. Tables were laden with wine and ale. Giant pits had been dug for meat to be roasted.
David overtook Shawna, riding a half-length ahead of her. A massive cheer went up as he appeared and as he greeted those who rushed forward to welcome him and wish him well. He dismounted from his horse and turned to help Shawna down from hers. Old friends embraced him. Village lasses blushed and curtsied, too, some brushing happy kisses upon his cheeks before hurrying away. Shawna realized that she had forgotten just how charming he could be, how gracious, and how the people of Craig Rock had loved him.
When they came to the flat stone where Anne-Marie had stumbled upon the corpse that morning, there was nothing but a lovely purple cloth and lanterns upon it. Excitement nearly crackled in the air. The arrival of the laird meant that the feast had truly begun.
David strode for the flat stone, keeping Shawna’s hand locked in his own. The Reverend Massey waited there, ready to offer David a crown of flowers amid a great deal of cheering.He accepted his crown and turned and crowned Shawna with a second such tiara that had been made for the laird’s chosen lady.
Shawna found her pleasure in the evening suddenly real. This was her home. She was a Highlander of Craig Rock through and through, and she loved the tradition of the night, the laughter, the dancing, the contests. She smiled at friends and saw Edwina, dressed beautifully as a sprite.
“To the people of Craig Rock!” David shouted, and the music stilled along with the dancing and shouting. The merrymakers, clad in all manner of costume from the beautiful to the bizarre—ladies, pirates, knights, animals, and mythical creatures—stopped to pay him heed. The night suddenly became so silent it was uncanny.
“My thanks that you are so gracious to welcome me back after such an awkward absence. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to be back with you, how grateful I am to be greeted warmly by so many dear old friends. And now, as laird of the festivities, I say—eat, drink, be merry!”
A cheer rose high on the air. Shawna, still close by David’s side, noted that Hawk, Sloan, James, and her cousin Alistair seemed to be posted at the four corners of the Stones. As usual, she thought, the men had made plans.
About which they had neglected to inform the women.
“But there’s more!” David continued. “As laird of Castle Rock, I am naturally free to choose my lady for the Night of the Moon Maiden. I’ve taken my lady, but I would do more. I invite you to join with me in a special feast this night. My wedding feast. I would like to take this occasion to invite you one and all to witness the joining of the Douglases and MacGinnises.”
Stunned, Shawna stared at him. What was he doing? She felt a sudden, terrible pain in her heart. Marriage could not be part of a plan to catch criminals.
“I will not marry you!” she whispered. She did not need to speak so low. The cheers all around them were deafening. She tried to smile for the people who looked upon her with such affection, while desperately wondering what to do in the situation.
Mark Menzies was cheering delightedly. Edwina had clapped her hands to her cheeks with pleasure.
Anne-Marie was happily sobbing.
Even her own kin. She saw Gawain watching her, and she realized that Gawain had known what David intended. Oddly enough, it seemed, David had properly asked Gawain, as the oldest male MacGinnis, for her hand.
She tried to tug free from him.
She had loved him all her life. She had wanted to be Lady Douglas, his wife.
But not now, not this way. Not when he was so cold and distant, and it seemed that he didn’t love her. She didn’t want him to marry her just to protect her, or even for Danny’s sake.
“I can’t marry you—like this!”
“You must marry me. It’s the promise I want from you,” he told her.
It was blackmail!