Page 127 of Tempted
“We are gathered together in the sight o’ God and in the face o’ this congregation to join together this mon an’ this woman in holy matrimony, which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified wi’ his presence, an’ therefore is no’ by any tae be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear o’ God. I require an’ charge ye both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day o’ judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either o’ ye know any impediment why ye may no’ be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it. Wilt thou have this woman tae thy wedded wife? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness an’ in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only untae her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Ram Douglas pledged solemnly.
“Wilt thou have this mon tae thy wedded husband? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only untae him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Tina Kennedy said clearly.
“Who giveth this woman tae be married tae this mon?”
A long silence followed the question and none stepped forward. Finally Mr. Burque decided to take the honors upon himself, to the accompaniment of a great cheer.
“I, Ramsay Neal Douglas, take thee Valentina tae my wedded wife, tae have and tae hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, tae love and tae cherish till death us do part, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
Tina’s eyes widened as he produced a wedding ring from the recesses of his leather jack. “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee honor, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”
Tina repeated the vows. The priest declared them wed. “It is my pleasure to gi’ ye the new Lady Douglas,” he said
The rough borderers had been waiting for this moment. They picked up both bride and groom and carried them laughing into the castle hall with cries of “A bedding! A bedding!”
Ram managed to extract himself from his moss-troopers. He stood on the dais and held up his arms. “No way! I’m the one who’ll do the bedding. Break out the casks, and enjoy yerselves!” The men protested when the couple tried to leave, but Ram told them firmly, “I have tae fulfill my vow. Did I no’ promise tae honor her wi’ my body?”
When Valentina heard his outrageous promise, she picked up her skirts and ran. He gave her no quarter, pursuing her ruthlessly until she lay imprisoned beneath his powerful body in the center of their huge bed.
Damaris and Alexander had watched Ramsay’s homecoming reception with delight. They both agreed that these two vital people had been made for each other. They were almost dizzy at the speed with which the marriage ceremony had been performed, but they also had a feeling that this was right, this was meant to be. The clans of Kennedy and Douglas were at last joined in a blood-bond that would produce magnificent sons and daughters.
Damaris’s hand lay in Alexander’s. “This is a perfect ending to the story of Tina and Ram, yet it isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning.”
Alex squeezed her hand. “It’s the end of our story, my love. We should be moving on.”
“Oh, Alex, we cannot leave them alone. War is threatening, and what about when Tina tries to carry another child?”
“Sweetheart, we can’t live their lives for them. I too want tae stay until I know the outcome o’ the war, but our time here is over. This is their time, no’ ours.”
“Alex, I’m afraid,” Damaris said.
“I’ll be wi’ ye, lass. We’ll go together.”
His eyes glittered with wicked amusement. “Ye trust me, dinna ye?”
Damaris flushed. She hadn’t trusted him for sixteen years, then she had learned that her love had not been misplaced after all. Trust was what love was all about. She reached up on tiptoe to brush her lips against his. “I trust you, husband. I cannot trust you with my life, but I can trust you with my soul.”
“Come up tae the parapets wi’ me,” Alex urged.
Damaris searched his face. Neither of them had ever ventured out upon the parapet walk since that fateful night so long ago.
“There’s nothing tae fear, beloved. Trust me.”
Silently the wraiths ascended to the castle ramparts. “It doesn’t seem very inviting, this other world,” Damaris said with trepidation. “Will it be Heaven or Hell?”
“Perhaps neither, but it is the final test of our faith and our love for each other,” Alex assured her.
“You are so valiant, so brave. What must I do?” He could hear the faint tremor in her voice.
“Simply step off the edge into the void of infinity, or remain behind without me forever.”
“Oh no!” she cried, and ran from him back into Castle Dangerous.
Alexander’s heart contracted. He had fully believed she loved him enough to join him in the long journey. Why had he not been able to convince her? He knew without a shadow of a doubt that the sixteen-year delay could not be prolonged. Alex was filled with a sadness greater than he had ever experienced. How many more years would Damaris be condemned before she realized she had no choice but to move forward? It was the final truth each one of us must acknowledge—we must go forward. It was so unbelievably cold up on the ramparts all alone, but Alex knew he must go without her.
