Everyone lifted their cup except for Annaleigh. She smiled adoringly at her husband from across the room, watching as James broke the spell and poured wine over War’s head. That seemed to bring on the loud, raucous celebration again as War shoved James so hard that he fell over backwards into a group of seated men. As everyone laughed at James’ expense, War came off the table and made his way through the cavernous great hall of Bamburgh to the dais where his wife awaited.
His wife.
It was their wedding day.
The first thing War did when he came to the table was point to Jordan, who was holding Penelope in her arms. The child was sleeping like the dead and his eyebrows rose.
“She is sleeping through this?” he asked, incredulous.
Jordan smiled at her sleepy girl. “The lass would sleep through the coming of Christ,” she said. “But if I put her in her bed where it is nice and quiet, she’ll wake up and cry. So… she’ll sleep well here in the midst of the noise.”
War shook his head at such a child. Edward and Thomas, the younger boys, were sitting politely with their mother and War dug into the purse at his side, a fine purse made of silk, and pulled out two coins. He gave one to each child and they loved him for it. He also gave money to the other children, to Cassiopeia de Norville and Rose and Nathaniel Hage. All of the children loved Uncle War, as they called him, because he was kind and generous.
But none loved him more than Annaleigh did.
The past six months had been something out of a dream for her. She’s remained at Castle Questing, permanently, while War came every week to court her. He would bring her flowers or fine fabric he’d purchased in the village of Bamburgh, or pomade that smelled like herbs. Every time he came, he brought her a gift. One time, he’d even brought her brined vegetables in an earthenware jar tied off with a red silk ribbon. The gifts weren’t particularly fine or elaborate, merely a token of his admiration for her.
Admiration that soon turned to love.
Ian, with things in his clan settling down with the loss of Cord, Argyle, and Brendan, even came to Castle Questing a few times to become acquainted with this legendary knight who wanted to marry his daughter. He’d come to like the big man with the big voice who could command an army with the waveof his hand, just like God. There had never been a doubt in his mind that granting War permission to marry his daughter had been the right thing to do because, even now, with a wild party going on around them, War and Annaleigh only had eyes for each other.
It did a father’s heart good to see it.
“Annie,” Ian said, leaning towards her in his chair. “Mayhap it’s time for ye and yer husband tae retire while the laddies are occupied with food and wine?”
“He’s right,” William said, setting his cup down. “While they’re distracted. Otherwise, they’re going to follow you into the marital chamber and it will be an unhappy night for you both because they’ll want to linger and give you instructions. I do not think you want that.”
Annaleigh rolled her eyes. “Not from that bunch,” she said. Rising from her chair, she bent over to kiss her father on the cheek. “Will ye escort us upstairs?”
Ian shook his head. “As much as I’d love tae, I dunna want tae fight off that group of Sassenach,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mirth as he gestured to the young, drunk knights. “Let their fathers do that. I’d only be in the way.”
Annaleigh giggled. “Are ye sure?”
“I’m sure,” Ian said. “Sleep well, lass.”
Annaleigh kissed him again. “I will,” she said. Then, she smiled sadly. “I’m sorry Robbie isna here. I’d hoped he would come.”
Ian patted her cheek. “He thought it best tae stay at Langton,” he said quietly. “There are still some who side with Cord and Argyle, so it is best not tae remove both Robbie and me from Langton just now. We’d return home and find our castle taken.”
Annaleigh understood. There was still some discord within Clan Scott, minor though it was. “Then ye’ll tell Robbie that Imissed him,” she said, kissing him on the cheek again. “I’ll see ye in the morning.”
Ian smiled at his only daughter, pinching her cheek affectionately. “I’ll not worry if I dunna see ye,” he said. “Ye might have more important things tae do.”
Annaleigh knew what he meant and she struggled not to blush. Sticking her tongue out at him, a sassy but loving gesture, she turned to her husband and slipped her hand in his.
“Well?” she said. “Shall we go?”
“I want to go!” Penelope suddenly awoke, mumbling sleepily. She tried to sit up in her mother’s arms. “I want to go, too. Where are we going?”
“You are not going anywhere,” War said, pushing her down by the forehead so she was cradled in Jordan’s arms again. “Go back to sleep.”
Penelope started to whine as Jordan explained why she could not go with Annie and War, two of her favorite people in the world, as William and Kieran began to lead them from the hall. But not before William turned to Paris.
“If that mob starts coming, you hold them off,” he told him. “Give us time to get them to their chamber.”
Paris was well into his drink. “For Herringthorpe, I would not lift a finger,” he said. “But for Annie, I’ll hold off the horde. Hurry, now, while they’re distracted.”
Like a covert operation, William and Kieran took War and Annaleigh quickly from the hall and into the keep of Bamburgh, which was surprisingly small given the size of the castle itself. While Kieran stood guard at the keep door, William took them up to the third floor of the keep, which was one giant chamber. There were windows on every wall, affording a complete view of both the sea and the countryside beyond.
