A wife? She had never considered that would be her lot in life. Things were definitely different now.
Standing in the entrance to the Great Hall, she was surrounded by kind faces smiling and enjoying each other’s company. There was not one person she recognized and why would she? She was the outsider here and her heart started racing. She resisted Lachlann’s tug on her arm.
“What is amiss?” he asked.
“This is wrong. I canna come in here with ye like this.” Rejection was something she knew quite well and experienced often from these people. “I am not allowed in here.”
“Why would that be?”
His questioning gaze changed to one of understanding right before her eyes.
“If ye prefer, we can eat under the stars.”
She located Niall and Aldred. They sat with some castle folk, but the soldiers at the next table, she recognized. They’d been the ones who had run them out of the hall. Taking a slow, deep breath, she fought against the fear worming its way through the pit of her stomach, the one that urged her to make her escape before she was spotted.
“I would be happy to be alone with ye.” Lachlann tipped her chin up to look in her eyes. “’TisyeI wish to share my repast with.”
“Lachlann.” Aldred stood at the table where he sat beside a young man with dark, curly hair and waved them closer.
Her gut tightened. “Mayhap I should eat outside and ye can partake with—”
“Never!” Lachlann’s words were quiet, but his tone firm. “Never would I choose another’s company over yers.”
He must have read her indecision because he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and walked straight to the table.
“Ladies? Gentlemen? I wish to make known to ye my wife, Ethne.” The pride in his voice brought tears to her eyes, but she dared not venture more than a glimpse to see his happiness at the pronouncement.
A young woman about her own age with dark hair bounded forward, excitement lighting her face, and took Ethne in close for a sweet hug. “A wife! Oh, Lachlann, how wonderful.” The lass pulled back, lightly taking her hand. “And she’s a beauty.”
A man Ethne didn’t recognize came up alongside the lass. “Aye. Ye’ve done well, Lachlann.” He bowed at the waist. “My name is Cull and this is my wife Rhona.”
“Pleased I am to make yer acquaintance.” Ethne hoped she didn’t appear as awkward as she felt. Lachlann wrapping a possessive arm about her waist was a boon. She smiled up at him. “I believeIam the one who has done well.”
Ignoring Niall and Aldred, who stood there with jaws dropped, Cull motioned to the table. “Join us. We will celebrate yer good news.”
Lachlann sat beside Aldred, so Ethne was placed on the other side, between Lachlann and Rhona. Cull remained standing and lifted a glass.
“My friends. We have our pilgrims back with us this night.”
A large red bearded man at the next table huzzaed.
“With exciting news.” Cull smiled at Ethne. “Lachlann has taken a wife. Let us raise a glass to his good fortune!”
The rest of the assembly huzzaed as well. This was followed by loud banging and carrying on, with all eyes on Lachlann and her. He just smiled at her.
“They’re saying we need to kiss.”
“What?” Her face heated.
“A simple show of affection. No more.” His mischievous grin should have warned her, but as soon as she nodded her consent, her drew her onto his lap and into his tight embrace. His mouth was so warm on hers that she quickly forgot the show they were putting on, getting lost in his passionate kiss. Her heart raced and her breath quickened. When he finally broke the kiss, his solid hand at her back was the only thing that kept her from becoming a puddle on the floor.
The claps and shouts of encouragement were deafening, but he whispered close to her.
“I am not certain I want to wait until we have eaten, my love.”
* * *
“And how do ye like being in a stone structure compared with thecaves?” Rhona said the last word as if it was something spooky.
