Page 79 of The Highlander Who Loved Me

Lileas came skipping over and climbed into Davina’s lap. “Grandpa says that ye’re a McKenna now.”

Davina smiled and cuddled the little girl. “Aye, I’ve wed yer uncle James, so that means I’m yer aunt Davina.”

Lileas sighed deeply. “I dinnae want an aunt. I wanted ye to marry Papa and be my new mama.”

Davina hid her smile. Naturally, Lileas would still be harping on her quest to gain a mother. The child possessed the McKenna trait of stubborn determination tenfold.

“Someday yer Papa will find a lady to love and he’ll marry her and then she’ll be yer new mama,” Davina answered.

Clearly displeased with the reply, Lileas wrinkled her nose. She appeared on the verge of a tantrum, but thankfully didn’t throw one. Instead, she gave Davina a tight hug, slipped off her lap, and muttered something about going to find her papa so he could start looking for her new mamaright now.

The musicians began playing a lively tune. Trestle tables were shoved away from the center of the hall to make room for the dancing. A group of men and women joined hands to form a large circle.

“Time to start the dancing,” Aileen said, pulling Davina and James away from their seats.

The bride and groom were plunged into the center of the circle. Trying not to stumble, Davina held tightly to James’s hands and struggled to match his footwork, but her feet could not move as nimbly as her husband’s. Giggling, she felt herself starting to lose her balance, but just as she began to fall, James caught her. She came to a breathless halt against him, her palms braced on his chest.

“Kiss her, Sir James!” someone shouted.

Davina eagerly lifted her chin and swayed into her husband, her lips brushing against his. She felt his hand slip to her nape and he deepened the contact, sweeping his tongue across her lips. She opened her mouth, sinking into him with a pleasurable sigh.

The sound of hoots and whistles, mixed with stamping feet, thundered up to the rafters. James gave her one final kiss, then pulled away. His gaze smoldered with seduction and she felt herself blushing. Others noticed her hot color and that brought on even more cheering.

Throughout it all the musicians continued to play, the merry sound of the pipes, fiddle strings, and drum ringing out a lively tune. After a few more shouts, the dancing resumed.

The hour was well past midnight before the clan was ready to let the newlyweds retire to the bridal chamber. Of all the feasting that had been done these past few days, the nuptial celebration was by far the most exuberant and no one wanted to see it come to an end.

As was the custom, Davina left first, escorted to the bridal chamber by a group of giggling, whispering women. Since none of her female relations was in attendance, Lady Aileen directed Davina’s disrobing, hurrying the process in deference to the cold and her daughter-in-law’s modesty.

Lacking fresh flowers at this time of year, Lady Aileen and the women of the castle had used holiday greenery to make the room sparkle and shine. Swags of freshly cut pine were hung on the walls, its fragrant scent mingling with the holiday aromas of cinnamon and spice. Ribbons of red and gold were wrapped around the pine bowers.

Bouquets of holly and ivy were placed on the table and a large cluster of mistletoe shaped into a ball hung from the bedpost. Candles lit the chamber, the flames dancing merrily.

A naked Davina managed to slip between the sheets just as the men arrived, pounding on the closed bedchamber door, demanding entrance. At Aileen’s signal, Colleen opened the door and the men stumbled inside. Shouting and laughing, they carried an unsmiling, half-dressed James upon their shoulders.

James allowed his shirt and brais to be removed by his rowdy companions, who delighted in yelling bawdy advice on the best way to please the bride. James endured the bedding ceremony with as much good will as he could muster, but he refused to be placed in the bed beside her and Davina could tell by the tight set of his jaw that her new husband was not pleased.

Fortunately, his mother was also attuned to her son’s feelings, and she managed to hustle the drunken revelers out of the bedchamber before James pulled his sword on them. The moment they left, James swiftly bolted the door, then turned and pressed his ear against it.

“Are they gone?” Davina asked.

“At last. I paid the musicians a goodly amount to ensure they wouldn’t participate in the shivaree. Thank God it’s too cold fer the McKenna knights to stand below our window and beat their swords on their shields or else we would never find any peace this night.”

“Aye, it seems as though it willnae take much to get this crowd riled,” she agreed.

James walked to a small table and poured two goblets of wine. “Drink?”

Davina shook her head. She’d already had far more than usual. Any more and she might pass out and that would completely ruin what had so far been a perfect day.

The chamber fell silent as James finished his wine, then lifted the goblet he had filled for her and drank.

Davina aimed a teasing grin at her husband. “Highland lore says a marriage will be happy if the bride is merry. Is the same not true fer the groom?”

James cocked his head. “Ye think I’m unhappy?”

“I think ye spent far too much of our bridal banquet scowling.”

He furrowed his brow. “The men find it amusing when I gaze at ye like a besotted half-wit, so I tried to temper my enthusiasm.”

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