Liam’s cheeks flushed, and his father clapped him on the shoulder. “Nae all of her reminds me of Mama.”
“I didna think so. I willna rush ye to tell yer tale, but there is much I need to ken. It’s clear ye love her as much as the lass clearly loves ye. But ye’re bringing an outsider into our clan. She’s skittish, and I dinna think it’s just because she doesnae speak our language. I dinna expect ye to divulge her secrets, but I would ken what’s amiss.”
“I ken, Da. It’s a long story, and this isnae the time or place to tell it. I ken Mama is taking care of her, but Elene’s bound to be afraid. I didna prepare her for such a grand welcome, and I think it’s shaken her.”
“If we’d kenned, we wouldnae have all ridden out.”
“Da, all I can say for now is that she and her siblings were in danger. They’re still in danger, but I dinna wish to marry her just to save her. It willna take long for ye to see why I want her as ma wife. But I need everyone to be discreet and nae ask too much aboot her past until she feels safe here.”
“I’ll tell the others if that’s what ye wish.” Tristan watched as his wife embraced the young Orcadian woman. His expression softened as it did any time he gazed at Mairghread. It still felt like yesterday that she walked into his keep, set to marry his wastrel stepbrother. He’d known the moment he saw her he would love her for the rest of his days. It hadn’t been an easy beginning as the betrothal fell apart because of his stepbrother’s despicable behavior. But he’d counted it as a blessing when he could court Lady Mairghread Sinclair. He’d been in love with her for nearly two and a half decades, and his feelings hadn’t faltered for a moment. He saw the same commitment in his son’s eyes as he knew were in his own. They were mirror images of one another, but it hadn’t been until that day that they’d stood together, and both seen the world as men in love.
With his father’s approval reassuring him, Liam ascended the steps until he came to stand beside Elene. He noticed his mother’s soft smile and how Elene stood close to the other woman, even though they no longer embraced. But when Elene realized he was by her side, she clung to him. He felt her trepidation and discomfort, his brow furrowing as he gazed down at Elene, then shifted to look at his mother.
“It’s too much,” Elene whispered. Liam saw his mother nod as she stepped away. She and Tristan held hands as they stepped inside the keep, leaving the younger couple alone. “I don’t understand why they’re all so nice. They speak as though I’ve always been part of their family. It’s strange.”
Liam laughed. “You’re not the first person to say as much. We aren’t like most families, I suppose. We’re all very close, and we don’t shy away from affection. We trust each other and value one another. We appreciate the lives our forebears built, so we may live as a loving family. We know that’s not the way of it for most noble families, but it suits us. Whether or not I love you, they would welcome you just the same because we’re to marry. But I’m certain knowing we love each other makes my parents feel better.”
“Are there a lot of you in there?” Elene glanced at the keep’s doors. She’d seen Johan and Katryne enter with the couple who’d given them rides to the castle. They’d happily chattered with the couple.
“There are a lot. I told you once before that there’s a score or so of us. I’m the oldest of the cousins and the first to marry. But the Sinclairs are a large clan, even without the laird’s family. There are two score Mackay warriors in there too, who accompanied us here. It will be noisy, and people will stare.” Liam nudged Elene’s chin up with the side of his forefinger. “I asked if you wished to handfast. I’m asking you again right now. They will give you the respect you deserve as my betrothed or as my wife. But I cannot share a chamber with you tonight as your betrothed. If you wish me to sleep on the floor because you’re not ready, then I will. But I think you might feel better if I’m nearby.”
“I’ll always feel better when you’re nearby.” Elene winked and reached around Liam to pat his backside. “But you are not sleeping on the floor on our wedding night.”
“Do you wish to handfast here, in private, or do you wish for my family to be part of it?”
“With your family. They’re important to you, and I don’t want to hurt your parents by excluding them. After how my mother was—it’s a lot to get used to when it’s so different. But I like your mother. She’s kind and gentle.”
“Mayhap with you.” Liam snickered. “She wasn’t so gentle when she used to skelp my arse.”
“I assume you deserved it each time.”
“Mayhap a few times.” Liam leaned forward and kissed Elene softly. “Shall we get married?”
“I think we shall.” Elene returned Liam’s kiss before he pressed open the door for her.
Noise and heat met her as they stepped inside. She was unprepared for the enormity of Castle Dunbeath’s Great Hall or the number of people within. Heads turned as they made their way toward the dais. Liam squeezed her hand as they stepped onto the raised platform. Liam came to stand in front of his grandfather and father. Tristan sat to Liam the Older’s left, with Mairghread on the other side of her husband. Callum sat to the earl’s right, and the family fanned out further along the table.
“After the meal, we’d like to handfast,” Liam announced. “We wish for the family to be part of it, but I’d ask that we do it in Grandda’s solar.”
“Is that what you’d like, Elene?” Liam Sinclair asked as he gazed at the young woman.
“It is.” Elene glanced at Liam the Younger. “Liam says we’ll still have a church blessing, but I’d like to marry tonight.” Her cheeks pinkened as she looked at her boots. The youngest cousins seated around the table giggled while the older ones offered their congratulations. Five married couples and a widower exchanged knowing glances as the young couple looked everywhere but at each other or the older relatives. It suddenly embarrassed both that Liam’s adult family understood what they would do that night. If anyone had wondered if the couple anticipated their vows, it set their minds at rest.
“As soon as the meal is over. It shall be a tight fit, but we will make it work,” Laird Liam announced. It seemed like only minutes later, not a five-course evening meal later, that the family filed into the laird’s solar. The couple took their place before the fireplace, where Tristan wrapped the extra length of Liam’s plaid around their joined hands. Elene whispered her middle name to Liam.
“I, Liam Brodie Mackay, pledge myself to you, Elene Catriona Isbister. I will be faithfully at your side from this eve until my last breath. I shall find you in the next life and any after, so I can love you, honor you, protect you, and make you happy. I will do this all the days of my life. I plight thee my troth.”
“I, Elene Catriona Isbister, pledge myself to you, Liam Brodie Mackay. I will honor and cherish you, abide by your side in this life and the hereafter. I will be your partner in all things, the person you can trust, a helpmate through struggles, and a friend during happy times. I will do this all the days of my life. I plight thee my troth.”
Liam’s free hand skimmed up her arm until he cupped her jaw, his broad palm brushing her throat as his fingers tunneled in her hair. She rested her free hand over his heart. For a moment, their foreheads pressed together as they smiled at one another. Then their mouths fused, and passion erupted. Elene bent her arm bound to Liam’s behind herself as he encircled her with his. She stepped forward at the same moment he pulled her closer. Their tongues tangled, as need surged through them both. They ignored the laughs and coughs until they were breathless.
“He’s certainly a Sinclair,” Alex announced in Norn before his wife, Brighde, elbowed him and he oomphed.
“He’s a Mackay, thank you very much,” Tristan responded, also in Norn.
“We’ve made a Sinclair of you, brother,” Magnus said as he clapped his hand on his brother’s-by-marriage shoulder. “He takes after all of us. None of us could help ourselves with our bonnie brides.”
“We still can’t,” Tavish chuckled before he whispered something in his wife’s ear. Ceit winked at him.
