Page 24 of A Merry MacNaughton
Peigi’s throat swelled and her eyes burned as the tears won the battle and her vision blurred.
“Will ye do me the honor of becoming my wife? When ye left me that letter, lass, ye took a part of my heart with ye. In just a few days, ye’ve given me what I’ve been searching for all my life.”
Peigi shook her head and dashed an agitated hand at her wet cheeks, trying to clear her brain and the image of the man standing before her. She opened her mouth but could form no words. He’d come after her. A man did not do that out of duty. A man did that out of want.
“May I remind ye, it’s no’ wise to dishonor my gifts. It would jeopardize the offered friendship.” He winked. “Come,mo chridhe, and give me yer sincerest answer.”
The spoken endearment crumbled the last of the wall around her heart. Love, he called her “my love”. She nodded, fresh tears slipping down her cheek.
“Is that ‘aye’ ye understand, or ‘aye’ to marrying me?” His sapphire eyes sparkled, a thick, black lock hanging over his forehead.
“I accept.” And the tears spilled over, as he picked her up off her feet and kissed her wet cheeks, her eyes, and then finally her lips. She closed her eyes against the assault of emotions. Disbelief, joy, relief, passion…love. How she loved this man.
Calum had insistedon being First-foot at each cottage to meet the clan and hand out gifts to begin the new year, though it took several hours. She’d changed from her dress into more suitable attire and happily accompanied this astounding man. Hogmanay was once again a day for celebration and hope. His kind words and caring gestures endeared him to the families. Calum was neither condescending nor pitying when he offered the traditional symbols but sincere and gracious. Hope replaced the dimness of despair in their eyes. He’d also told her the rest of his plan and the ceremony in Dunderave where the MacNaughtons would be waiting.
Her father greeted them upon their return. “Calum sent word from the village early today. I went to meet him and he told me of his plan. I’m sorry we kept it a secret, but I ken how stubborn ye can be.”
“We needed the element of surprise,” added Uncle Archie with a chuckle. “I think we managed that.”
Mairi hugged her. “Yer bag is packed, and I’ll send the rest on. Now we need to get ye into bed for a few hours’ sleep before ye take off again. I have warmer traveling clothes laid out for the long journey.”
“I wish ye could be there,” she said wistfully, clinging to the woman who was like a mother to her.
“Och, I wouldna miss this for all the whisky in Scotland. My bum will be sore from the unaccustomed ride, but I’ll be with ye, my sweet. I’ve made arrangements for the Craigg to be fed and tended.” Mairi kissed her on the cheek. “Now, up the stairs with ye.”
Though exhausted from a day of cleaning and emotion of the night, Peigi barely slept. Her mind was too full of the day’s events and the fact Calum had come for her. She wondered if he lay awake, too.I’m too happy and nervous to sleep.
The next morning was hectic between last-minute instructions and hasty goodbyes. The journey would take most of the day. By afternoon, her lids drooped and she almost fell off her horse as they moved through the snow. Calum reined in his horse. “It’s a losing battle, love. Ye need some sleep. I want my bride alert and willing.” He grinned, dismounted, and pulled her down into his arms, giving her another long kiss.
She leaned into him, letting his strength seep into her bones. It was dream to be sure. She would wake in her own bed, with the same melancholy heavy upon her shoulders.
“We willna make midnight if ye keep up this lovemaking all the way there.” Malachi chuckled indulgently. “Hoist her up and let’s be off.”
Settled in front of Calum, she leaned back with a contented sigh. His plaid wrapped around both of them, she snuggled her face inside the warmth and closed her eyes. She would enjoy every precious second of this dream.
Chapter Ten
The Merry Shall Marry
Calum wiped thesweat from his brow and silently commanded his rolling stomach to cease. The Craigg’s words echoed in his brain.Ye’re a long time dead.Had he done right by the lass? He tended to be a mite forceful once his mind had been made up. And then she entered the room with his mother and Mairi. All doubt dissipated as he took in his exquisite bride. He hadn’t noticed what she’d been wearing earlier. But as she walked toward him, his heart pounded.
The pale rose satin dress showed off her tiny waist and the creamy white of her full bosom, the swishing of her petticoats the only sound in the room. Until Mairi sniffled and a smile lit Peigi’s face and sent a rush of desire running through his blood. Soft, satin slippers peeked out from beneath the hem, bouncing the tiny bows that sat above. Her hair fell in thick waves down her back, a delicate, cream veil covering the top of head. The glowing peat highlighted the reds and browns of her shining tresses and his fingers itched to feel their silkiness.
Reverend Robertson stood solemnly in front of them. The mantel had been decorated for the holiday with the traditional pine boughs and holly. Mrs. Robertson, in anticipation of the ceremony, had found some winter heather. Its pink blooms dotted the green along with the deep fiery leaves of acer twigs. The colors danced with the flames of candles placed within the boughs and made Peigi’s dress shimmer as she moved slowly across the room. There had not been time for many of the wedding rituals, but his mother and Mairi had maintained as much tradition as possible. They had washed Peigi’s feet, and made certain Hamish and Finley blackened Calum’s with soot and feathers. Soot represented hearth and home and was thought to be lucky. The feather poking and tickling his feet had not felt so lucky, but he’d endured it to please his mother. A wedding cake of shortbread sat on a side table with scones, cheeses, mead, ale, and whisky.
Hamish took a breath and began playing the bagpipes. Malachi escorted his daughter and handed her off to Calum. The panic and doubt had vanished from her clear, green eyes. Her smile caught his breath. Caught up in her beauty and the good fortune the Lord had bestowed upon him, he barely heard the words spoken by the reverend. Peigi squeezed his hand, and he realized it was time to speak. His gaze locked with hers. “I vow ye the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine. From this day it shall be only yer name I cry out in the night and yer eyes that I smile into each morning. I shall be a shield for yer back as ye are for mine, nor shall a grievous word be spoken about us, for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance. Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor ye through this life and into the next.” He saw her the emotion glistening in her eyes and squeezed her fingers in reassurance.
She responded ina husky voice that held a promise of later passion. “Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give ye my body, that we two might be one. I give ye my spirit, ’til our life shall be done.
“Ye canna possess me for I belong to myself, but while we both wish it, I give ye that which is mine to give. Ye canna command me, for I am a free person, but I shall serve ye in those ways ye require and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.”
As she spoke the words, and a look of love passed between them, his pulse slowed and that familiar calm filled him that only came with her presence. He had found the woman he wanted to grow old with, watching the lines of time appear around her eyes and mouth, stroking the silver threading her hair and kissing the lips that would always be soft and willing.
Reverend Robertson ended the ceremony with a Scottish blessing.
Lord help us to remember when
We first met and the strong love between us.
