Shona nodded as she began to brush Deirdre’s hair. “Aye,” she said, her Scottish brogue suddenly appearing. “Some traditions are best broken. Reikart will love to see yer hair flowing about yer shoulders. And when ye return to the future with us—”
“Ye sound certain ye will be returning,” Deirdre commented.
“I am,” Shona replied. “My sons will not let me or their father down. When we return to the future, ye will find that women are much freer to do as they wish in their dress, with their hair, with whom they marry. Speaking of traditions,” she continued, “there is one I think ye should uphold tonight.”
“Which one is that?” Deirdre asked, glancing over her shoulder to look at Shona, who had paused her brushing.
Shona set her hand on Deirdre’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “The one in which yer bloody bedding is presented to the clan as proof of yer purity.”
Deirdre stiffened. “Ye think I lied? That yer son lied?”
“No,” Shona said. “I want ye to have choices should ye decide ye need them.”
“And how will honoring that barbaric ritual provide me with choices?” Deirdre asked, frowning.
“If the cross is found, and ye aren’t happy with my son, then ye could stay here, in this time, and wed again with yer innocence before yer first marriage proven. Once we are gone—the boys, myself, and yer sister—Dermot will swear he saw Reikart killed.”
Deirdre sucked in a sharp breath. “Ye think Reikart and I will be unhappy? Ye think that if he were simply to be gone, I would nae consider us wed in my heart while he still lives?”
Shona crouched before her and captured both of Deirdre’s hands. “I know ye would consider yerself wed to him as long as ye both draw breath. I saw it right away, after I opened my eyes to ye, and that’s why I have encouraged this wedding. But I also know a time may come when it will be good for ye to have choices—choices that might force Reikart to relinquish his guilt once and for all.”
“I do nae understand,” Deirdre whispered.
Shona smiled and patted her hand as she stood. “Not yet, ye don’t, because ye are not scheming.”
“And ye are?” Deirdre asked, surprised.
“Not normally,” Shona murmured, “but one must make exceptions when it comes to their children. A mother knows what’s best for them even when they do not.”
“Reikart is a man,” Deirdre pointed out softly.
Shona offered an indulging smile. “To ye, yes. But for me, no matter how old he gets, he will always be my child. One day, when ye and Reikart have children of yer own, ye will understand.”
Would that day come? Deirdre found she hoped so with all her heart.
“You’re sure about this?” Rhys said when he and Reikart stood alone in the same solar where Reikart had kissed Deirdre senseless. He’d nearly lost control, so maybe he was the one who’d been kissed senseless. He frowned.
“Crap,” Rhys said, “I knew you weren’t sure. I want to tell you, you can back out. I mean, marriage is for life. Or at least it’s supposed to be. Well, here it is. Back in our time, of course, marriage—”
“You’re rambling,” Reikart cut in.
Rhys frowned and held out the glass of wine he’d just poured for Reikart.
Reikart took the wine and gulped it down. He needed to calm the hell down. His blood was still surging through his veins. “Being married has made you ramble. You never did this before Maggie.”
Rhys scowled at him. “It’s not Maggie. It’s you. I’m worried as hell for you. You don’t love this woman.”
“Deirdre,” Reikart corrected, not liking his brother calling herthis woman, though he knew Rhys meant no harm.
Rhys lifted an eyebrow and looked at Reikart thoughtfully. “You like her.” He sounded surprised.
Reikart was surprised by it all, too. Surprised and concerned. He did like her. A lot. But that didn’t mean he could allow himself to have a fresh start. “What’s not to like?” he said casually. “She’s gorgeous, smart, independent, and I’m pretty sure there’s chemistry.”
“Pretty sure?” Rhys teased, giving him a knowing look. “When the two of you finally opened the solar door, she looked like you two had been—”
“That’s enough,” Reikart cut in. “You know I’ve never been into locker talk.”
Rhys nodded. “Fair enough. And true… How’s this going to work? You wouldn’t be marrying her if the two of you hadn’t been caught in the river.”
