Page 26 of The Laird's Unwanted Wife
“It’s the perfect accent of femininity, me Laird,” Sarah replied coolly, offering a bow to the Laird’s way.
“I sewed that flower on, Gerald!” Mollie bounded over, pointing at what appeared to be a stitched-together floral along Aileen’s hem. “It’s a snowdrop! Cause they’re pretty, just like Leelee is.”
Gerald nodded, his eyes wandering around the wall as he tried to force himself to look Aileen’s way once more. When he did, her face was perfectly flushed, looking anywhere else but at him while her finger nervously curled a strand of loose hair against her shoulder. “Sarah, could ye take Mollie in ahead of us? I’d like to have a moment alone with me betrothed.”
Sarah nodded, resting a comforting hand on Aileen’s shoulder as her other one took Mollie’s. “Come with me, love. Let’s give them their privacy.”
Mollie made an obviously disappointed face, but nodded as she allowed herself to be led away. “I’ll see ye inside, Leelee!”
“Aye, Mollie.” Aileen gently waved goodbye, Bannock following behind as the new trio rounded the corner. The soon-to-be newlyweds were soon left to their own devices, and for once, Gerald hadn’t the slightest clue as to what to do next.
Aileen hadn’t the slightest clue as to what to do next. She hadn’t expected Gerald to meet her in the hall—she hadn’t expected such atangiblereaction to her appearance—and she felt quite silly, standing in such finery before a man who, the previous night, had kissed her just as passionately as he denied his desire to have a proper relationship.
She continued to twirl her hair nervously, her mind beginning to race. Maybe … he didn’t like the color, or the fit? Maybe he was expecting her to fill more of the gown, just like Laird Carswell had. Maybe he was regretting the new gown altogether—maybe he regretted proposing this ridiculous idea.
“The gown,” Gerald began softly.
Aileen winced; so he had been disappointed with it. “I’m sorry—I didnae make the time to show ye the other designs. If this one isnae to yer liking?—”
Gerald gave her an incredulous look. “What? I … the dress is fine, lass. Far better than the one I found ye in.”
“That one was nearly a week old,” Aileen said. “And absolutely covered in filth.”
“Are ye sayin’ ye preferred it over this one?” Gerald asked, his brow slightly raised.
No. A thousand times no. That dress was so much worse than simply being an unflattering color. It represented a future with an uncaring laird, a future she couldn’t predict Mollie’s place within. Laird MacLiddel was frustrating, yes, but at least he was consistent with his promise to protect them. Now, his consistency with his feelings, on the other hand …
“I’m … saying it werenae a fair competition. But, I do like this one better,” Aileen insisted. “Ye were kind enough to let me have it.”
“Ye deserve a clean break from yer old life, Aileen.”
Aileen blinked, not certain she’d heard the Laird correctly. “Pardon?”
“I said it’s a point of pride, Aileen,” Gerald said. “Ye look the proper part of a lady, now. It …” he glared at the ground, his fists trembling at his side. What was he soupsetabout?
“Gerald, if ye daenae like?—”
“It isnae the dress, lass!”
Aileen was obviously surprised at the Laird’s snappish retort, but curiously, Gerald himself seemed surprised. He cleared his throat loudly, rubbing the back of his neck while glancing at the crack along the wall once more. “It’s … good. Ye look good, lass.”
Aileen felt her mind go blank. Good? She—had he just complimented her? So lost in her head, Aileen hadn’t noticed Gerald take her hand and lead her down the hall, only noticing the council room’s door once it appeared before her. Soon, it swung open, and she immediately recognized the MacGunn council sitting near the front on the left side. Instinctively, she squeezed Gerald’s hand, and much to her relief, he squeezed it back.
“I willnae let them do anything to ye,” Gerald whispered.
Aileen nodded, turning her attention instead toward the opposite side of the aisle. Where Ms. Blair and the servants sat. People who genuinely adored Mollie as much as she did. And as Aileen walked down the aisle at Gerald’s side, she caught sight of Mollie right at the front, Bannock sitting beneath her bench as she waved excitedly her sister’s way. Aileen offered a gentle wave back—Gerald did as well, much to her delight—and as both of them approached the rise, her fears of this day began to dissipate.
This was not Carswell’s territory; he had no hold on her anymore. Nor did the MacGunns, for that matter. Glancing Gerald’s way, Aileen felt at ease with the choices that led her to this moment. It had all been worth it to get here. To become, for herself and her sister’s sake, Lady MacLiddel.
14
It didn’t feel real until the silk was tied around their wrists. Up until that moment, Gerald hadn’t felt fully engaged in the ceremony, hadn’t felt as if he were currently being married to the sister of his once best friend.
But as the snow-white ribbon was brought out, and as he wrapped it around Aileen’s wrist and spoke his promises of loyalty and protection … it all came to him at once. Gerald Buchanan was now married. The Beast of Braeriach had, in a sense, been collared at last.
He glanced toward the crowd, briefly skimming the subtle cross expressions amidst the MacGunn’s council while his own people seemed thrilled. Even Ms. Blair offered a rare, wry smile. But it was Mollie’s reaction he was truly interested in, and from what he could see, the little girl was absolutely delighted to finally be properly part of the MacLiddel Clan.
“Thank ye again, Gerald,” Aileen whispered as she finished wrapping the silk around his own wrist. “For all ye’ve done for us.”
