Page 7 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
Lady MacFearann.Thank the blessed mother that this is temporary.I could not bear having to carry that name for the rest of my days.Nor would I curse my children so.
“Are you well, wife?”
“Just a bit overwhelmed.”She turned in his arms, placed her hands on his chest and pushed gently.“You may release me, now.”
“It is customary to end the ceremony with a kiss of peace.Not to follow custom, might cause talk.”Father Magnus murmured, so just she and her new spouse heard.
Her rogue of a husband grinned.“We must honor the customs of the ceremony.”
He lowered his face toward her.
She shifted in time to have her cheek meet his lips then placed a peck of her own on his face.
He released her, but some of the glee had left his smile.
The priest frowned.
Behind them the laughter of the crowd mixed with speculative murmurs.
“Here, have some cider,” Rhuad said.
He pressed a worked silver chalice against her lips, and she drank.
“Now sit,” he told her, when he lifted the chalice away.
She sat.What would be the point of any objection?
He seated himself beside her.Selecting a choice tidbit from the trencher in front of them, he gently pressed it to her lips.“You need to eat.”
“Yes, thank you.”Knowing he made sense, she bit into the morsel.“We both need to eat.We’ve a long ride before us and will depart soon, I hope.”
Dismay began to give way to righteous fury.Nonetheless, she’d not embarrass her family with a public protest.Her eyes narrowed, and the corners of her mouth rose when she thought of the scolding she would give her brother once she got him alone.
Beside her, her new husband scowled.
She offered him a sliver of venison.
“You might want to smile my lord earl, or do you wish to leave all below the salt with the impression we are being forced.”
He showed his teeth, but the smile did not meet his eyes.“Nay, I’ve no wish to give any impression at all.”
She continued to exchange bites of food with him as they talked.
“I share that feeling.However, as we are now legally hand-fasted, we should make the best of the situation.”
It was just the right thing to say, and had him focusing on the benefits of the handfasting, which could still become an unmitigated disaster.
He lifted a brow.“And how do you suggest we do that?”
“You don’t love me, nor I you.”She couldn’t possibly come to love such a man, could she?
“Well, that’s honest at least, but I see nothing good about it.”
“If this is the price my brother requires for lending you his horses, armor, and men, then take full advantage of what you have purchased.Ask for more horses, more men then leave before Raeb can change his mind.Tell him you apologize for your speedy departure but fear for your mother and sister increases by the moment.I will support all you say.”
“Your suggestion makes sense, but why would you support it?As the MacKai Seneschal isn’t it your duty to safeguard the laird’s best interests?”
“Our handfasting makes the interests of MacFearann and MacKai nearly the same.However, personally, I have no wish to linger and hear all and sundry congratulate us on our good fortune.”She surveyed the crowded benches in the hall.“If we wait much longer, they might begin to demand we further demonstrate our affection for each other."
