Proving it, she refused his arm and set her hands on her hips. “Your friend Torcaill is holding a binding cord.” She turned to watch the ancient approach the high table, the long golden cord dangling from his hands. “Why does he need the like?”
“Because he will use it to bind our hands when he —”
“You wish him to handfast us?” She stared at him, eyes wide. “I thought —”
“We never spoke of a handfasting!” Valdar slammed down his wine cup. “ ’Tis a true betrothal ceremony we need.” He leaped to his feet, his eyes blazing like a Norse thunder god. “A betrothal this e’en, with a wedding soon to follow.”
“We ne’er spoke of aught.” Ronan met his glare, for once allowing his greater size and strength to work to his advantage. “Torcaill will perform a handfasting, as I summoned him to do.” He turned to the Black Stag, his voice firm. “A handfasting is as binding as a betrothal or wedding. As honorable. I chose it because of the circumstances at Dare. If, after a year and a day —”
“Pah!” Gelis waved a dismissive hand. “I will not feel any different months from now than I do this day. We do not need a trial marriage.”
“I deem it sensible.” Her father leaned forward, entirely agreeable. “I will leave here with a lighter heart, knowing this day’s deed can be so easily undone.”
“Not so!” Gelis lifted her chin. “A handfasted couple is as married as any other once certain intimacies are accomplished.” She smiled again. “After that, no one can unsay the pact.”
Her father’s expression darkened.
A bit farther down the high table, her scar-faced uncle took a slow sip of wine. “That being so, you have no cause to reject such a ceremony.”
“Then so be it.” She gave a light shrug, her gaze on the druid’s golden cord. “I am not worried.”
Ronan braced himself, his own worries multiplying with Torcaill’s swishy-robed preparations. “Aye, so it shall be done,” he agreed.
Already the ancient stood before them, his gnarled fingers wrapping the silken cord around their joined hands, his incantations binding them with words even more constricting than his sacred golden rope.
Drawing a tight breath, Ronan glanced at the raftered ceiling, wishing the graybeard had words that would make the rest unfold with equal ease.
Unfortunately, something told him there wasn’t enough druidic magic in the world to help him.
He was wholly on his own.
Left to his own devices to convince Gelis MacKenzie she wanted nothing to do with him.
Chapter Four
For you, my lady. Sugared almonds.” A pink-cheeked boy with bright red hair placed the sweets on the high table, carefully setting them next to the trencher Gelis shared with the Raven. “My lord thought you might like them.”
“I am fond of sweets.” Gelis reached for one, her words causing the boy’s flush to deepen. “Thank you.”
Beside her, Ronan stiffened. “Sugared almonds are Cook’s favored fare, offered to all Dare’s guests.”
“Say you?” She had her doubts about that, but flashed her best smile all the same.
Seeming not to notice, her newly handfasted husband applied himself to the roasted meat on the trencher.
Not about to let him spoil the moment, she picked up the bowl of nuts and held it out to the boy. “Why don’t you take a handful for yourself?”
“Och, I have my own.” His small chest puffing, he produced a grubby leather pouch, opening it to reveal a portion of the sticky treats. “Lord Ronan wanted me to have them.”
“Ah, is that so?” She slid a glance at him, pitching her voice for his ears alone. “You already mentioned how infrequently guests honor Dare, but I am pleased to see that you are fond of children.”
“Hector is a good lad.” He set down his cup without looking at her. “He tends Dare’s dogs and helps with the chickens.”
“I will soon have more duties.” The boy’s face lit with importance. “The lord has promised me asgian dubhwhen he next leaves the glen. Once I have it, I shall join the night patrol. They’ve chosen me to train because I have sharp eyes.”
“And if you had a fine dirk now?” Gelis spoke to the lad, but turned a questioning look on the Raven. “I might have the perfectsgian dubhfor you.”
Hector’s eyes rounded. “You do?”
