Too choked up to speak, Brodie twisted Laurel’s sash until he could unpin it. He released a whistle that sounded like a birdcall, and Laurel watched the guards materialize after virtually disappearing in the tall grass. Brodie wrapped the wool around their wrists and cleared his throat.
“I want that too, thistle,” Brodie said solemnly.
“Is this instead of the kirk? Will it be a year and a day?” Laurel needed to know if Brodie saw this moment the same way she did.
“Nay, Laurie. This is but a prelude to our many years together. I will never repudiate you.”
“Nor will I you,mo dhìonadair.”
“By the power that Christ brought from heaven,” Brodie began. “Mayst thou love me. As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me. As light to the eye, as bread to the hungry, as joy to the heart, may thy presence be with me, oh one that I love, till death comes to part us asunder.”
Brodie made his solemn vow, and he knew within the depths of his heart that he meant each word. They had made no declarations of love, and they both knew the word was part of the ancient vows, but he fervently hoped that one day Laurel would reciprocate his feelings.
Laurel gazed into Brodie’s eyes and saw nothing but earnestness. She smiled shyly as she composed herself. “I promise to trust you and to be honest with you. I promise to listen to you, respect you, and support you. I promise to laugh and play with you and grow and bend with you. I promise to cherish every day we have together. I promise to do all of this through whatever life brings us until the end of my days.”
With their hands still joined beneath the plaid, they stepped together and covered one another’s heart as their kiss sealed their timeless pledge. Laurel infused all the love and devotion she could into her kiss, wishing Brodie might one day feel for her what she was certain she felt for him. She longed for him to love her as much as she knew she loved him.
“Mo bhean,” Brodie whispered. My wife.
“An duine agam,” Laurel said with pride. My husband.
The couple stood together as the Campbell and Ross men cheered and applauded, barely aware that anything existed besides them. The men scattered as the couple returned to kissing. Brodie made her shiver when he whispered what he intended to do to make her his wife in word and deed. The sun was setting by the time they returned to the keep. Laurel led Brodie through a servants’ side door and along a servants’ passageway until they reached Brodie’s chamber. There would be another round of scandal by morning, but Brodie taking Laurel to his chamber would be better than anyone finding Brodie in Laurel’s room again. When they entered Brodie’s chamber, he locked the door and watched his bride look around.
