The door burst open again, and the men tromped inside, each of them backing up to wipe their feet on a board after a hard look from Beulah.
The heavier man, his round cheeks red as apples, gave a polite bow. “I be Thomas MacGougan, Mistress Kennedy. Welcome to our home.”
The lanky man who had done his part in fetching jugs from the still house removed his cloak, revealing the somber dark robes of a priest. A simple wooden cross on a leather cord hung around his neck. From one of his pockets, he pulled a worn book, a folded bit of frayed parchment, and a pair of spectacles which he immediately perched on the end of his long nose. He bobbed his head like a great waterbird dipping its beak as he smiled. “I am Father Henry Duffigan, Mistress Kennedy. ’Tis a pleasure to meet ye.”
She had no time for polite conversation. For her sanity’s sake, she needed to sort out this strange turn of events. Evander seemed ill at ease, as well. Even after what she felt certain was several swigs from one of those jugs. This time of year, a trip from Fort William to the MacGougans would take several days. Maybe even a week or longer, depending on the horse and the weather. She and Evander hadn’t been assigned the penance of this trip until late Christmas Eve—a mere four days ago. “Mistress MacGougan said ye traveled all the way from Fort William?”
Father Henry acted a bit taken aback at her abrupt question. “Aye. ’Twas there I received the letter about ye coming here and wishing to marry all official-like, with yer vows properly said in front of a priest.”
“Ye received a letter?” She didn’t wish to seem rude but needed to know who sent this letter.
With a confused shrug, he unfolded the frayed parchment he had pulled from his pocket. “Aye, this letter right here. Said ye wished to be married here at the fine home of the MacGougans since ye didna ken if foul weather might hit and delay ye afore ye returned toTor Ruadh.” With a judgmental look at Evander, then back at her, he cleared his throat. “After all, the two of ye traveling alone might appear unseemly, even if ye are promised to one another.” His long face drew inward with a sudden scowl. “Unless, of course, ye’ve already handfasted or claimed yerselves wed in front of witnesses? Even in that case, proper vows in front of a priest would still be better to—”
“I think she would like to know who sent the letter,” Evander interrupted, stepping forward to take his place at her side.
“Well, see, that there’s the thing.” The priest’s scowl drew in tighter, nearly dislodging his spectacles. He paused and firmly settled them back in place, then tapped on the page. “The ink smeared something fierce on the signature, and when they stamped the seal on the wax, it slid. Couldna make out either of them other than maybe anM?” He squinted at the paper, flipped it over, then rubbed his thumb over what was left of the seal. “The commander at Fort William assured me Clan MacCoinnich still heldTor Ruadh.” He beamed with a proud smile as he tapped the page. “And it mentionedTor Ruadhright here, so I knew it to be valid.”
Knees suddenly gone weak, Marianna lowered herself back to the bench. What force, whatstrangeness,was so determined to see her joined with Evander? And why?
Evander settled down beside her and leaned close, covering her clasped hands with his. “Please dinna let this sway ye, Mejjy. Please trust in our love and be my wife.”
“I am afeared,” she whispered.
“I am not.” He squeezed her hands. “I know in my heart we are meant to be.”
“All things happen for a reason,” Beulah said with a wise nod. “Everything on this earth is planned, lass. Whether or not we understand the planning.”
“Aye.” Father Henry continued with the odd bobbing of his head as he circled the table. “Mistress Beulah is right.”
Marianna frowned at the fidgety man, wondering what kept his brains from rattling out of his ears.
“Please, Mejjy,” Evander whispered for her alone. The heat of his will surrounded her. All that Evander had been and wanted to be reached out and embraced her, comforted her in the knowledge that this was right and true. “Be my wife this day.”
She looked into his eyes, those rich, warm, trusting eyes that had always looked at her with love, even when she didn’t deserve it. “Aye, m’love, I will be yer wife. This day and for all the days until time is no more.”
Thomas snorted and elbowed Father Henry. “Best keep up, Father. Sounds to me like them vows are being said right now.”
The holy man jumped as if someone had jabbed him with a sharp stick. He tossed the letter to the table and started fumbling with the prayer book, thumbing through the pages to find his place. “Dearly beloved—”
Evander cut him off with a shake of his head as he held Marianna’s hands with both of his. “We dinna need all that nattering, Father.” He gave her a smile that made her melt. “Do we, Mejjy, love?”
“Nay, my dear one.” She locked her gaze with his. “I, Marianna Jennett Kennedy, do take Evander Shaw Cameron to be my husband until they lower me into my grave. I vow to tend him, love him, nag him, and vex him, whether we be sick, healthy, rich or poor. I love this man. And may God help him, bless him, and keep him because of it.”
Thomas hissed out laughing snorts like a kettle boiling on the fire. Beulah swatted his shoulder, then nudged Father Henry.
The priest jumped again, cleared his throat, and scowled at Evander. “And do ye—”
“I, Evander Shaw Cameron, do take Marianna Jennett Kennedy to be my wife for now and forevermore. I swear to protect her, provide for her, and never forsake her no matter how much she vexes me, whether in sickness or health, richer or poorer, ’til time is no more.”
Father Henry tossed up his hands. “I give up. I now pronounce ye husband and wife in the eyes of Scotland, the Church, and God Almighty. Let no man dare put asunder what God hath joined.”
“Amen and Merry Christmas!” shouted a chorus of youthful voices from the loft. “Is the goose ready yet? We’re hungry!”
“I suppose we kiss now, aye?” Marianna teased.
“Aye, my love,” he said, drawing her into his arms and tipping back her head. “The first of many kisses to come.”
Epilogue
