The Ghost by Greyson, Maeve (best motivational books to read .txt) 📕

“As much as ye do?”

“No one could ever love ye as much as I do,” she said. “But they will love ye, and should anything happen to yer da or I, they will take care of ye.” She forced a calmness to hide all her doubts and fears. “I promise ye, Keigan. Ye know I would never lie to ye.”

Magnus knelt beside her. He took hold of Keigan and turned him toward the crowd. He pointed out a beautiful, red-haired woman made even lovelier by the kindness of her smile. “Yer Auntie Catriona over there promised me before I left to find ye that she would take ye in as one of her own if need be.” He chuckled. “With five bairns already, she said a sixth wouldna even be noticed.” Then he motioned toward another lass with curly hair as bright as polished copper. “Yer Auntie Gretna there promised the same.”

“And so did yer Auntie Mercy,” said a woman whose empty gaze did nothing to diminish her loveliness. Tall and willowy with silky black hair and a serene smile, she held an ornate cane in one hand and stood with her face lifted as though sensing everything in the air. “Forgive me for interrupting,” she hurried to add. With an arm around the shoulders of the wee lass beside her, she tilted her head in the child’s direction. “My daughter, Effie, wanted to be sure and get in her bid for another brother since she has decided that her current sibling is no longer suitable.”

“Ramsay is rude and tells me to go away when he wants to play swords wif William and Finn.” The tiny girl, the image of her mother, puffed up her chest and folded her arms with a haughty jerk. “Thinks he’s too good to play wif me. Ramsay’s a mean old arse, he is!”

“Effie Marsalla!” Mercy exclaimed with a stamp of her cane. With a hand on her daughter’s shoulder, she turned the child toward the keep, then firmly swatted her behind. She paused and partially turned back toward Brenna and Keigan. “Please forgive us. We shall welcome you properly once we have discussed yet again what words are appropriate for a young lady’s usage and what words are not.” One hand on the child’s shoulder, the other swept the cane back and forth across her path as she marched the pouting tot inside the keep.

“Auntie Mercy’s a bloody Sassenach,” Keigan whispered loud enough for all to hear.

Brenna suppressed a groan as laughter rippled through the crowd. They would surely think her a terrible guardian for her nephew if he forgot to use his manners. As she rose from crouching beside him, she tapped his shoulder. “Keigan!”

“Leave the lad be,” Graham said with a hearty chuckle. “She is a Sassenach, my boy, but a good one. Ye’ll see.”

Magnus took his place beside Brenna. The warm weight of his touch on the small of her back made her stiffen. It was time for the adult introductions. Please help me say the proper things, she prayed. For Keigan’s sake, she added. Always one to speak her mind, she had never done well in social situations. Healing folks was her strength—not getting along with them.

“Catriona, Gretna.” With a proud smile, Magnus nodded at each of the ladies. “’Tis my pleasure to present Lady Brenna Maxwell, my betrothed.”

“Just Brenna Maxwell,” she hurried to correct. Not only had the title never brought her anything but ill luck, the MacCoinnichs might think her arrogant or putting on airs.

Both women stepped forward and scooped up her hands, a genuine welcome beaming from them both.

“Welcome to yer new home, to Tor Ruadh,” Catriona said. “I canna tell ye how pleased we are to have ye here.”

“Aye, that we are,” Gretna agreed with a friendly squeeze of Brenna’s hand. “And we’re even happier that Magnus willna be alone any longer.” Her reddish-blonde brows rose to her hairline as the silver band on Brenna’s finger caught the sunlight. “A poesy ring carved with hearts and thistles!” She aimed an approving nod at Magnus. “Well done, sir. I didna think ye had it in ye.” With another squeeze of her hand, Gretna gave Brenna a smile that made her feel even more accepted. “I am so happy for ye, Brenna, but I’m even happier for us. Another woman added to the sisterhood. Yer strength will help us keep these stubborn MacCoinnich men in line.”

Thank goodness both women chattered on with little or no urging because Brenna was at a complete loss for words. She had never seen such a kinship in her life. And what a welcome. Good gracious. Not the slightest dark glare or spitefulness from anyone.

With a snap of her fingers, Catriona whirled about and scanned the crowd. “Grant! Maxwell! Where ye be?”

“Here, Mama.” Two young boys, both with hair as black as their father’s and looking to be about Keigan’s age, wiggled out from the sea of skirts and kilts.

“Ye can take Keigan to the kitchen now. He’s had a long journey and a bit of a fright. I am certain he would love some bread and jam, along with a cup of fresh milk.” Catriona coaxed the child forward. “Come, my lad, Grant and Maxwell will take good care of ye. Would ye like some of Cook’s finest jam to hold ye over ’til supper?”

“Auntie?” Keigan edged closer and tugged on her sleeve. “Should I go?” he whispered.

“Aye, my brave one. Enjoy.” Brenna patted his back, then nudged him toward them. “Mind yer manners, though, ye ken?”

“Aye!” Keigan scampered off, running alongside the twins without hesitation.

Brenna envied her wee one’s ability to charge forward and make friends so quickly. Of course, the lad was young. He hadn’t experienced all the ugliness human nature could offer—at least, he had only seen a little of it.

“They’ll soon be close as pups from the same litter,” Catriona promised. She urged Brenna forward while shooing Magnus away. “Come.