Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“Right now, but first we must collect Murdock on our way.”


“One second.” Kirk nabbed his case, swept one arm around her waist as he breezed in behind her then eyed his parents. “You both need to hold onto Cherub. If you’re connected to her in some way then you won’t be sent freefalling through the vortex.”

They all held onto her and she opened a vortex with Murdock’s location in mind.

The dark ensued and moments later they arrived in a swirl of wind inside Murdock’s solar on the second floor of Matheson Castle.

“About time you all got here.” Grinning, Murdock rose from a forest-green couch underneath a wall-hanging of a stunning black and white drawing of this very castle as it had stood in the twelve-hundreds, Gilleoin’s castle. Attired in his belted plaid, Murdock clasped the shoulder of a man wearing beige pants and a sword as he rose from the couch to stand next to him. “Cherub, meet Daniel. I had a vision this morning that showed me this coming celebration was about to unfold. I mentioned it to Daniel. Neither of us wish to miss this event.”

“’Tis lovely to meet you, Daniel. You’re most welcome to join us.”

“Daniel, it’s good to see you again.” Kirk shook the man’s hand then Murdock’s. “Daniel and Isla were partners, both working the same cases together and although not siblings, they’re still as close as any brother and sister could be. Isla will be thrilled to see him, although Iain not so much.”

“It appears there might be a story there.”

“There is, one I’ll tell you soon.”

“I cannae wait to hear it, although right now we must be away.” Cherub held out an arm for Murdock and Daniel. “You both need to hold on to me while we travel.”

With everyone connected to her, she opened a portal and sent them all whisking through time and into the past.

They whooshed into the great hall.

The trestle tables had been pushed to one side and up on the dais, Isla and Arabel sat in flowing gowns, Isla’s cream with a rich entwining of cream and burgundy ribbons lacing the front bodice, and Arabel’s a rich red with yellow lace trim around the hem. They both looked so stunning, and stunned.

“Dad.” Isla squealed, grasped her skirts and rushed across. Murdock swept her into his arms and Isla cried out with excitement then clutched Daniel to her. “I’m so happy you’re both here.”

“Cherub wished for you and Arabel too to enjoy a surprise.” Murdock motioned toward Cherub. “There are also to be three weddings this day. Kirk and Cherub’s as well.”

“That’s perfect.” Isla beamed. “Nothing could make me happier than to stand by both Arabel and Cherub as we wed our men.”

Megan grasped Arabel’s hands. “Welcome to the family, my dear. I’m Finlay’s mother, Megan.”

“’Tis wonderful to meet you.” Arabel hugged Finlay’s parents.

“Mum? Dad?” Iain stood at the front door in black pants and a dark tunic, his confused gaze moving from his mother to his father. “Am I imagining this? Or are you both really here?”

“My father’s here too.” Isla bounded into Iain’s arms and he swung her around. “We’re getting married today, you and me, Finlay and Arabel, and Kirk and Cherub.”

Finlay jogged in and stopped and stared. “Whoa. I turn my back for ten minutes and look what happens.”

Arabel giggled and skipped to Finlay’s side. “Are you ready to flirt with a little more fire, my mate? ’Tis time for us to speak vows afore a clergyman.”

“Always, my sweet. Bring on the fire.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I can’t wait to marry you proper. No more handfast wife, but a wife in complete and full truth.”

“Then you will all need me if there are to be three weddings this day.” Father John from the priory walked toward them in his brown robes and roped tie at his waist.

Nessa and Gilleoin, and a flurry of their clansmen, spilled into the hall. All cheered as they encircled them.

Kirk held Cherub’s hands in his and gazed into her eyes. “This day I shall wed the woman I love. Thank you for bringing us all together so we could celebrate as one.”

“This is another advantage to being mated to a time-walker. I shall always bring you and your kin together, whenever it is needed.” She reached up on her toes and kissed him. “I love you, with all my heart. Thank you for hunting me down. Your chase has been the most memorable one of my life.”

“I’ll never cease hunting or chasing you.”

“On that note”—Father John cleared his throat—“’tis clearly time to begin.”

Cherub smiled. “Aye, please, go ahead, Father John.”

They all spoke their vows, Isla and Iain first, then Arabel and Finlay, then lastly her and Kirk.