"I would remember, would I not? I have heard they wear strange clothing."
"'Tis true. Then there are two possibilities; either he has discovered who you are and wishes you harm, or the king has arranged this marriage."
"How will we know which?"
"That, wee one, we must figure out."
She drew in a long breath and let it out, "My head is spinning, Kevin, I cannot think."
"I understand. Go to your rest, but I caution you; it is not wise to speak of this to anyone. As you are well aware, secrets are not easily kept in the Highlands."
"Aye, but you have kept this secret. Does anyone else know?"
"Nay, not even my wife."
"Kevin, I have one more question. Have you ever met the King of England?"
"I have, but it was many years ago."
"Can we not just ask him if he sent the man?"
"Perhaps we will."
*
Charlet barely made it to the bottom of the steps outside the Keep before she was flanked by Julie and Kenna. Kenna was especially eager to know. "Who did you choose?"
Charlet stopped and turned to her. "What?"
"Who did you choose for a husband?"
"Why would you think I was choosing a husband?"
Kenna rolled her eyes. "What else could you be talking to Kevin about for so long?"
To Charlet, these two girls were like pests. They constantly plagued her about husbands and she certainly wasn't in the mood today. She just wanted them to go away, but then an idea crossed her mind. Maybe there was a way to quiet their complaints once and for all. "Suppose we make a bargain. You decide which MacGreagor you want to marry and I will make it perfectly clear to him that I am not interested."
"You would do that for us?" Julie asked.
"I would do anything to get you to go away."
"You will not change your mind?"
Charlet put her arm around Julie's shoulders. "I truly do not wish to marry any lad. Therefore, I will not change my mind. Now, which lad do you favor?"
Kenna was not that easily convinced. "We can choose any lad in the place, but that will not make him love anyone but you."
"Why do you blame me for that? I have done nothing."
"You could be a little uglier," said Kenna.
Charlet was amused and headed to her cottage. "I think that is a wonderful idea."
*
Rachel and Anna were sisters and they looked very much alike with dark hair and blue eyes. In the small cemetery, they stood next to each other looking down at the place where Emily and Dan were buried.