Page 19 of The Irresistible Warrior
“Nay, lords and ladies assumed they would be invited and sent word they were attending.”
“This is too much, Declan,” Aura said.
Hamish exhaled in deep frustration. “This is done, and properly, and it cannot be undone. If either of you try to prevent it, the whole clan will be after you with pitchforks and I will be right there with them.”
Declan kept his voice firm and low. “If a celebration is needed, all well and good, but you will get the cleric here posthaste and Aura and I shall wed quietly and privately. The celebration can follow another time, days or more later, and I will hear no more about it.”
The caution bordering on a threat kept Hamish from arguing. “Aye, sir, I will see it done.”
“A celebration that feeds so many people needs time to prepare for such a grand occasion, Hamish,” Aura said. “This will give you time to make sure all goes well.”
The scrunched annoyance on Hamish’s face vanished. “You are right, m’lady. I can make it an even grander celebration.” He hurried to the door, muttering to himself.
Aura sighed softly. “I did not want to dampen his enthusiasm or dismiss the joy the clan got over the pending celebration. And Hamish is right about most marriages being ones of convenience and beneficial as well. The reason won’t matter to the clan why we wed but the celebration will matter to them.”
“Aye, you’re right.” He grinned. “I always enjoyed a good celebration, friends, drink, food, music… always a good time. Did you enjoy the same with your family?”
“Celebrations were few and small, but always welcome. This celebration will be quite a change for me.”
“Feeling overwhelmed?” Declan asked. “You did say, this wasn’t exactly the path you chose.”
“Neither was it yours,” she reminded him.
He nodded once. “Nay, but here we are.”
“I never pictured a wedding day. Certainly not one so… large.”
Declan leaned forward toward her. “If it’s too much?—”
“Nay,” she said quickly. “Nay, I understand why your clan looks forward to the celebration They have suffered hardships since they lost their laird and have been left without leadership too long. The celebration will be good.”
He cringed. “Though I doubt anyone will enjoy the food.”
Aura chuckled. “I will show the cook how to flavor the food.”
“Then people will surely enjoy themselves,” Declan said, her soft laugh sounding more like a pleasant melody.
Aura hurried to her feet, causing Declan to do the same.
“Can you spare me just one man who can prepare a small section of soil? I need to get my rooted plants in the ground and help clear the ground so I can prepare it for winter’s rest. Then I intend to concentrate on different potions that might help with your problem.”
“Aye, I’ll set two men to see the task done quickly.”
With a quick yet light step, Aura was across the hall and out the door, Declan’s eyes on her the whole time.
Aura just finished settlingthe last of her rooted plants in the rich earth. They looked fragile there, out of place among unfamiliar soil, their leaves trembling as though they too questioned where they belonged.
She went to the rain barrel at the corner of her cottage to clean the dirt off her hands. Her glance caught on the wreath of woven greens and dried blooms that hung on her door. An elderly woman had presented it to her with pride and let her know how everyone looked forward to the celebration. She had told Aura that it had been far too long since the clan had a celebration to look forward to. She thanked her profusely for thethoughtful gift and was struck by the joyful anticipation of the occasion.
She wiped her hands on the apron she wore over her tunic and turned to watch the bustle of activity from a distance. Voices rose and fell, and laughter mingled with barked orders, and the rhythmic clatter of hammers and hurried footsteps echoed between stone and wood. The village was in the throes of anticipation for the marriage celebration.
How different it would be, would feel, if she were truly preparing to spend all of her days, her life, with Declan as husband and wife. She imagined what it might have been like if Declan truly wanted her… if the ceremony meant forever, not mere obligation. The thought curled tight in her chest, and she admonished herself for such foolish thoughts. She would never wed. So, she might as well enjoy the faux wedding since it was the only one she would ever have.
A sound caught her ear, so faint it barely stirred the air. A cry. High and thin. Almost a mewl.
Aura turned to listen. It came again—just behind the cottage, muffled, distressed. An injured kitten, perhaps.
She followed the sound, her garment hem disturbing the last of the fallen leaves as she hurried around the corner of her cottage eager to help the poor animal. There was barely a path to follow. The thickets were thick, and she skirted around them to step into the shadows by the first stretch of trees. The cry came again, pulling her forward. She hesitated only a moment before stepping into the hush of the woods.
