Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) (16 page)

He held his sword above her for another moment,
before he sheathed it and stretched out his hand to her. The warmth of his
fingers chased away her fears and uncertainty. She rose, eager for his touch.
Together they approached Father Micheil, the MacGregor family priest, who stood
waiting beside the altar rail.

As they knelt and received the blessings of the
church, Father Micheil made the sign of the cross over them. Taking Katherine's
right hand, he placed it in Alexander's, clasping them together over an ancient
rune stone carved with the Celtic Claddagh symbol. "May our Lord God bless
this union and may ye always live together in the spirit of the Claddagh; in
love, loyalty and friendship."

Then the priest released their hands. They stood
and faced him. The candelabra's reflected light glowed on the stocky man's
tonsured head as he spoke out clearly for everyone in the chapel to hear.
"I give to ye, one and all, Laird Alexander MacGregor and his wife, Lady
Katherine MacGregor."

Boisterous cheers and loud clapping rang to the
rafters of the chapel. Alexander leaned toward Katherine and took her in his
arms. The sensation of his warm lips as they descended on hers kindled a spark
deep within her, calling forth a sense of newfound caring and emerging passion.

Raising her arms to his neck, she stood on tiptoe
and pressed against him. She longed for his nearness, his touch. He wrapped his
arms tighter about her and their kiss deepened.

From a small tower above them, a young lad pulled
on the ropes of the heavy chapel bells. They pealed out loud and strong.

Mesmerized by the feel of his lips and body
pressed so close, Katherine ignored the bells and the smiling faces around
them.

Chuckling, Ian walked over to the newly wedded
couple and clapped his son on the back. "Come, Alex, you have a lifetime
for such. Now 'tis time to join in celebratin' the happy event. Lead your wife
to the great hall so we may all make merry."

As if he were reluctant to let her go, Alexander
slowly released her. She looked deeply into his eyes. Surely there was lust in
his expression, but, just for a moment, there had seemed to be something more.
A promise of growing affection and gentleness. Could she be lucky enough to find
these qualities in him?

Chapter Eleven

Alexander smiled at the noisy exuberance of the
crowd. Excitement filled the air as people milled about, shouting and laughing.
'Twas strange, but the wedding had an opposite effect on him. Surprisingly, he
felt calm. In truth, if he allowed himself to admit it, he was pleased with the
prospect of now having Katherine as his wife.

She was truly beautiful. When she had knelt before
him with her wedding gown pooled about her knees, she had appeared lovely and
delicate, an illusion of an angel rising from a cloud.

Indeed, the lass intrigued him. Over the last two
days she had moved him from feelings of indifference to pleasantness to lust.
Even to anger. True, there had been times when she greatly provoked his irritation.
But he would show her the error of her ways and eventually all would be well.
Her violent reactions to Fiona and him had been out of some misunderstanding,
not because she was of unsound mind. Da had assured him 'twas naught wrong with
her.

He'd been surprised by her show of affection when
he'd taken her in his arms. Planning only to give her a simple kiss before all,
he expected a shy, maidenly kiss in return. But as he looked into her eyes and
their lips met, a burst of passion had surged through him and she had answered
in kind. Even after their previous moments together on the hillside, he hadn't
expected such a passionate response to his kiss.

Her soft, tender lips had opened to his for a
brief moment, freely giving him her sweetness. And when she had wrapped her
arms around him and pressed close, he'd felt his ardor grow almost out of
control. Knowing she belonged to him alone filled him with a sense of euphoria
that left him feeling lightheaded and somewhat stunned.

He stole a glance at her and stroked her hand
where it lay on his arm as they walked through the great hall and took their
places at the laird's table.

Following tradition, they took their seats at the
center of the dais, as new husband and wife, before the rest of the family and
clan members entered. Within a few moments, Ian, William, Angus and Monique had
joined them on the dais and the huge room filled with a throng of friends,
castle folk and villagers.

Ian nodded to the musicians to begin. The players
strolled through the hall with bagpipes, lutes and bodhrans performing ballads
and love songs. Members of the clan shouted their good wishes and sought out
places to sit to enjoy the festivities.

Servants handed out all manners of food and drink
as they passed among the crowd, and the music and laughter got louder. The
atmosphere in the hall quickly rose to a frenzy. Alexander smiled at Katherine,
caught up in the moment of joyous celebration. 

His gaze rose to the heather wreath crowning her
face, then down to a sprig of it pinned to her bodice. They reminded him of the
moment he'd found her napping on the hillside and he had picked flowers for
her. Never before had he done so. Her vision of loveliness had enthralled him
so, he'd felt like a young lad with his first love.

Katherine followed his glance and smiled sweetly.
"Thank you, Alexander. 'Twas most kind of you to send the flowers.
They—"

A noisy commotion drew his attention to the
entrance of the great hall. A small company of armed men quickly strode into
the room. Throughout the hall, McGregor men stood and drew their swords in
readiness should they be needed. Malcolm, with his hand on the hilt of his
sheathed sword, met them and spoke with the leader. Then he led the group of
men to the dais.

Ian stood up, motioning to the musicians to cease
playing. As the men drew closer, he smiled. "Ah, Laird Drummond, welcome.
Your visit is truly well timed, coming on this special day. We are verra
pleased to have you share this grand occasion with us. I bid you and your men
join us in celebratin' the marriage of Alexander to Lady Katherine, daughter of
our good friends, Laird and Lady Gordon!"

Alexander saw a look of confusion on his friend's
face as he looked toward the dais. He stood with his mouth agape as if stunned,
unable to move. After a long moment, Davey walked up to the dais and bowed
deeply to Ian. "Och, Laird MacGregor! I beg your pardon for interrupting
this most special of days!" Turning toward Alexander, he continued.
"Sir Alexander, it sorely grieves me to come at such a time, but I must
deliver a royal summons. His Royal Highness, King James, requires your presence
at court immediately."

Before Alexander could respond, Monique gasped and
clutched Angus' arm. "No! It cannot be! Not now! I know a royal summons
may not be refused, but surely a few days delay will cause no harm."

Drummond shook his head. "Alas, my lady,
already we will have to beg leave of his Royal Highness for our belated
arrival. The royal messenger met with foul play on his travel here and was
sorely wounded, delaying his message by several days. My men and I immediately
rode here to join Sir Alexander and set out for court at once." 

Alexander shot an uneasy glance at Katherine and
then to her parents. Damn, perhaps he should have sent Malcolm to intercept
Davey and his men. This had seemed such a grand idea when he'd concocted it,
but that was before he'd met Katherine.

Tears pooled in Monique's eyes and her voice
quivered, "Oh, Angus. This is terrible."

Katherine's father leaned close, tenderly patted
her mother's hand, then straightened and looked directly at Laird Drummond. His
eyes narrowed and he clenched his jaws together as color suffused his face,
darkening the glare of his countenance. His dark, anger-filled expression
resembled a thundercloud ready to explode with all the fury of nature.
"God's blood, mon! His Majesty picks a terrible poor time to summon
Alexander to court. My daughter has just spoken her weddin' vows with
him!" Angus surged to his feet. "I willna have her weddin' day ended
so! I will travel with you in his stead. As his wife's sire, and now da to him
within the law, I will beg his apologies to the king and give explanation of
his absence."

Ian frowned and shook his head. "Och, Angus,
old friend, you know it canna be so. As much as it grieves me to say it, you
know Alexander must go himself before His Majesty. None here may go against the
king."

Angus sat down with a look of angry acceptance.

Everyone in the hall quieted and looked to the
dais. Shock filled the faces of the merrymakers.

Ian called out loudly. "My friends, I have
important news. Laird Drummond has just arrived with a message from His
Majesty. Alexander must leave at once to attend the king!"

Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd as
each person looked from one another, back to Laird MacGregor, and then to the
newly wedded couple.

Alexander glanced at Angus and Monique's woeful
expressions and gripped his wine goblet until it bit into his fingers. He dared
not look at Katherine again. Damn. He hadn't meant to cause such consternation
with his leave-taking. Why did they have to react so? Alexander's conscience
stabbed him as sharply as a dirk.
Och, you're a bloody fool. How did you
expect them to feel?
Alexander lifted his goblet and took a deep swallow
wishing he could drown his conscience.

"But," Ian continued, "we willna
separate my son and his wife on their weddin' day." He cast his gaze
across the room, until he spotted the castle steward and called to him.
"Duncan, set everyone in the castle to packin' as much of the feast and
clothes for Alexander and Katherine as possible and for Laird and Lady Gordon,
and William and I as well. We shall accompany them to court! We'll leave this
verra day."

Alexander choked on his wine.

Voices rose in clamor and Ian pounded on the table
with his fist until all hushed into silence. "Ne'er let it be said that
the MacGregors and Gordons are not loyal to their king!" He waved his arms
to still the whispering that had begun again. "I call on every faithful
MacGregor and friend of our clan to leave off your celebratin' and help make
ready the things we shall need for our journey. I wish it could be otherwise,
but you will forever have our thanks. Afterward, you are welcome to stay and
celebrate in grand fashion for us."

Alexander coughed, frantically trying to clear his
throat. God's blood, he couldn't allow his family to accompany him and learn
the real reason for Davey's visit. He gasped a steadying breath and quickly
rose to his feet. For a brief moment, he glanced at Katherine, then his da, and
finally over the faces in the crowded hall. This was turning into a muckle
debacle. Guilt burned through him like a fiery brand. When he'd sent for his
friend, he'd been sure of his dislike for this marriage and had still needed to
seek Fiona to find out if he'd left her with child. Now, well, his feelings
were mixed.

There was no help for it now, but to accompany
Davey. And in truth, leaving would allow him to regain control of his emotions
and perhaps it could still work to his advantage. Time away from him would give
his new wife a chance to settle in and calm her headstrong ways. Aye, he would
cut short his travel and return soon. After a time, he would explain aught and
all would be well.

Alexander held out his arms to gain attention.
"My friends, I know you would do as my father bids, but I cannot ask it of
my new bride and family. 'Twould be a shame to end so great a celebration
before it has rightly begun. I will not ask my wife to leave her own wedding
feast to accompany me on such a long and difficult journey." 

The false words stuck in his throat as he turned
to look at the pale woman beside him. "Wife, uh, Katherine, I must join
Laird Drummond now, but I will return as soon as I may do so."

Silence filled the hall as all looked to the new
Lady MacGregor to hear her response. She picked up her goblet of wine and rose
slowly, turning to face him.

His guilt burned deeper as he watched her standing
there with all the grace and dignity of a queen. Then eyeing the heavy wine
goblet gripped in her small trembling hand, he became leery of another one of
her attacks of temper. God, he'd be the laughingstock of all in the castle if
she threw it in his face.

He stood up straighter and stared at her with the
look that always brought his men to obey him without question. But, not only
did this small wisp of a lass seem to take no notice of his expression, she
continued to stand there returning his gaze in silence.

When she finally spoke, her voice was gentle and
accepting. "My lord husband, if 'tis your wish, I will bide here and
patiently await your return."

Feeling lower than the muck from his stallion's
hooves, he listened and almost wished she would lash out at him. Almost.

Alexander's gut tightened like a taut bowstring.
God,
you fool. Hold her. Tell her 'tis all a mistake.
He reached out toward her
as she turned away.

She held her goblet out toward the crowd.
"Everyone, please continue to rejoice and make merry for us. Be glad in
your hearts for our future together, which is yet to be." 

Looking back at him again, she took a deep breath
as if to steady her voice. "My lord husband, I bid you safe journey and
God speed." After taking a small sip from her wine, she handed the goblet
to him.

He raised it in salute to her and drank deeply in
spite of the tightness in his throat. Riddled with misgiving, he watched a
bittersweet smile cross her face as she stretched out her hand. He took it,
raised it to his lips and kissed the velvet softness. His gaze sought hers. He
would make things right when he returned.

Still holding her hand, he looked out across the
great hall. "Family and friends, I leave now with your good wishes and
will return soon." The graciousness of Katherine's gesture gnawed at him
and he stumbled over his next words. "Such a… a devoted wife and
understanding woman deserves your loyalty. Serve Lady MacGregor as you do
me."

Then bowing deeply to her and the rest of the people
seated at the laird's table, he quickly strode from the hall followed by
Malcolm, Laird Drummond and his men.

**

A moment of stunned silence hung over the hall
until someone in the crowd shattered the ominous quiet. "To Lady
MacGregor!" 

Immediately, the words were shouted again and
again throughout the hall, until praise for Katherine rang from the rafters.
She darted a beseeching glance at her mother. As the noise lessened to a
general hum of conversation and activity, Monique came over and sat in
Alexander's vacant seat.

"
Mon cheri
, you have proved yourself
to be a true lady today. I am very proud of you, even as I grieve for your
circumstance. Be brave, dearest, and all will be well." She hugged her
daughter and kissed her cheek before she returned to her place beside Angus.

The moments dragged by. Katherine attempted to nod
and smile at the revelers, but her emotions tumbled end over end. Her heart
raced when a tall shadow fell across the area where she sat and a deep voice
spoke from behind her with a familiar brogue.

Had he changed his mind and returned to take her
with him? Did he want to be with her as she did with him? Her quick gaze took
in the red and green MacGregor plaid and a smile curved the corners of her lips
as her glance continued upward.

William grinned down at her almost as if in
apology. "Lady Katherine, dear sister, I would be honored to accompany you
through the rest of this eve's festivities if you will allow it. Ah, all but
one, that is." His sincerity in wishing only her happiness was quite
evident as his face heated to a bright red.

She forced a grateful smile to remain and silently
nodded her thanks. She must not let anyone see the aching disappointment that
twisted at her heart.

Seeming to regain his composure, William took his
brother's place beside her and called out to the crowd. "Good men and
women, all. You heard my brother most regrettably called away to await the
king. Know you naught but a royal command could draw him away from his lovely
bride and your good company." With a smile, he added, "And knowing
him, he'll return swiftly with a handsome wedding gift from His Majesty in his
saddlebags. So, let us all drink to the happiness of Sir Alexander and Lady
Katherine MacGregor!"