Theodore inched even closeruntil he shared the same space as her. Madison’s body yearned for Theodore’s secure embrace. The heat of his body crashed against hers as he lifted a hand to brush back the loose strand of her hair.
“Marry me,and I’ll tell ye whatever ye want to hear,” he said as he leaned closer. His lips brushed against her lighter than a whisper.
“I’ll marry ye,if say it again.”
“And what isit ye want to hear?” he teased as he curled his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him.
“That ye’ll love me,”she answered.
“Aye, Madison, I love ye,”he said as he crushed his mouth to hers.
EPILOGUE
“If ye ask me, ye’re makin’ a mistake.”
Theodore glaredat the line of council members wondering which one had made the complaint. He wasn’t about to let any of them make such comments when Madison made her way down the aisle.
“Good thing I am nae,”Theodore clapped back, insuring that his tone remained stern. The men at the front of the kirk dared not look at him as they passed to pay their respects. Theodore scanned the crowd that had come to witness his marriage. To his surprise, he spotted Laird McGowan in the crowd. A small smile stretched across the laird’s lips as he nudged the woman to his side. Theodore’s eyes widened. Sitting next to Lucas Gilmore was a stunning lass with a familiar face. It took but a moment for Theodore to figure out where he had seen her before.
The fact Lucashad Flora sitting beside him was a miracle in itself. The guilt that pounded against Theodore’s back relented.At least he wasn’t the only one to fall for their guest. Seeing how happy she was beside him though made all the difference. It was her choice to be next to him, he could see that. And it was the very same choice he wanted for Madison.
“Me laird,ye might want to consider yer shirt, it looks as if ye could tuck it in a bit more,” Edith said as she came up to him to place a spring of heather to his tartan. He flashed her a proud smile as she pinned the twig to his shoulder. “I would say ye look handsome as ever, but ye might already ken that.”
“And areye here to tell me I’ve made a mistake?” Theodore asked as he arched an eyebrow. It had seemed as if everyone had come up to him to give him a piece of their minds. Yet, nothing they had to say so far could convince him to change his mind. Madison was going to be his, that much was certain. He’d given her his heart and there was nothing more to give.
“Now why wouldI do that when the lass was made for ye?” she answered with a wink. “There was a reason her path crossed yers. And here we are.”
“Aye,here we are, just as I said ye’d be,” Sister Marget’s voice carried over the soft chatter as everyone waited Madison’s arrival. Theodore turned to find the sister meandering down the side aisle. The playful smirk plastered on her spoke louder than words. “And what a turn out.”
“I havea bone to pick with ye,” Theodore said as she came around to pay her respects. She bowed low as her smile didn’t fade or shift.
“Oh?And what have I done to offend? From where I stand, I said she was to be married, and here we are,” the sister said as she rose and embraced Theodore. “Ye cannae get made at how things turned out. Yer timin’ will never be his timin’.”
Theodore didn’t knowwhat to say, only that she was right. He couldn’t be mad at how everything ironed itself out. Madison had been returned to her family and they let her go. He glanced to the group sitting on the left of the aisle. It was Hallie’s sour expression as the music started that made him chuckle.
He turnedhis attention to the doors and held his breath. In just moments she’d enter and his world would change. The fact that he wasn’t scared astonished him. But knowing he was facing the world with the strongest woman he had ever met gave him the strength to stay rooted to the spot.
The crowd roseas the doors opened. Music filled the kirk as the children from the orphanage spilled into the kirk. They raced and scattered down the aisle like little banshees. And then she stepped into the kirk. Theodore’s chest tightened as he felt every beat of his heart against his chest. It was as if it were trying to break from the mortal cage that contained it.
She moved closerand all it took was a single gust of wind coming from the outside to carry her scent to him. Wildflowers mingled with heather as the world stopped. Madison was by far the most stunning thing he had ever scene.
“I thinkye might have found an angel in the place of yer bride,” Boyd whispered into Theodore’s ear. Theodore had completelyforgotten anyone was even around him. All he could focus on was the beauty before him. She was stunning in the pale blue dress that hugged her hips. Her dark hair was pinned to her head as if it were a tiara. With her shoulders back, Madison entered like the Lady MacLeon, Theodore always knew was in her.
“Yer mouth is open,”Madison whispered to Theodore as she took her place next to him.
“I’m stunned,”he whispered as he took her hand to help her kneel. She took to the ground and bowed low. Theodore’s heart fluttered wildly at the sight of her bare neck. He dropped to his knees willfully as the Priest took his place to bless their union.
Madison’s bodytingled as she followed Theodore down the corridor. Their steps echoed and bounced off the stone walls. She glanced up to find Theodore stealing looks at her. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was just as nervous as she was. Her body was eager, but it was her mind that was throwing her for a loop.
“Where are ye takin’me?” she asked as they stopped at the door at the end of the hallway. Theodore’s smirk stretched into a smile.
“I daenae thinkye’d want anyone watchin’ us, to prove we’ve consummate our marriage,” he answered plainly. Panic shot through her. She hadn’t thought of an audience coming to watchthem. It wasn’t like they were royalty or anything. Noticing her stiffening, Theodore opened the door.
“I wasnae bein’serious,” he answered to show her the side door that lead to a private balcony overlooking the sea. Her heart skipped as the salty air swirled around her, pulling her back in time. She turned to Theodore as if no time had passed between. She didn’t want to think of the months she had spent pining over him to come for her. For now, all her dreams had come true.
“Do ye like it?”he asked as he closed the door behind him. He walked to her and curled his arms around her body. The heat from him was like a blanket she just wanted to snuggle deeper into.
“I like this,”she answered as she pulled his arms, trying to make his embrace tighter.
