Siena slipped on her hose and then her kirtle. Next came the cotehardie which was emerald green velvet. It had large sleeves that had been trimmed in gold. Next, Agatha had Siena sit upon a chair, so she could pull her hair up in curls which spilled over her shoulders.
“You look so pretty, milady,” Agatha said once she’d finished. “Let’s go downstairs. I believe everyone is waiting in the chapel for you.”
Chapter 10
Once outside, the church was to the left of the keep.
Two trees flanked either side of the building as if they offered protection to the church which was made of the same stone as the keep. A set of double red doors greeted all who entered. The red was to keep the devil out.
Siena hadn’t paid much attention to the small building when she’d been out before, but now she had to admit it was lovely sitting nestled in the snow. The sky was a brilliant blue with not a cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Her wedding. She still couldn’t believe she was getting married.
A noise caught her attention and she looked over her shoulder and found clansmen walking up the hill. What was their mood? Thankfully, she would enter the church before they gathered just in case they wanted to throw stones.
Agatha held Siena’s gown up so that it would not drag in the snow and wet mud where others had walked back and forth, creating a sloppy mess. Once they entered the vestibule, Agatha helped straighten Siena’s gown.
“You are ready, milady,” Agatha said as she smoothed her hand across the dress once more.
“What if this is some kind of sick joke and Roderick is not inside the church standing by the altar waiting for me? I’ve not seen him in a couple of days. He could have changed his mind.”
“There. There.” Agatha hugged Siena. “You’re nervous as all brides are before they are married. It is only natural. Take some deep breaths.” Agatha patted Siena’s back as she tried to control her breathing. I’ll go inside and sit down and then you are to enter. If Roderick isn’t there, then I’ll come back out and we can leave.”
“Thank you,” Siena murmured as Agatha walked away. Siena waited and held her breath, slowly she let out her breath. It seemed like forever before she got up the nerve to shove the door open and enter the church. What had she told herself before? She was finished being afraid of everything. She was a strong woman . . . she hoped.
Siena gasped. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The church was filled with red and white roses. Sprays of flowers were on each pew and the altar was covered in blood red roses. Her wish had come true.
All heads turned toward her. Siena hoped she managed a small smile as she held her head high and took the first step to a new life with a man she hardly knew. Her legs were a little wobbly as she moved down the aisle.
When Roderick turned toward her, she noticed that his brothers stood beside him. They were all huge, strapping men. Roderick was maybe a couple of inches taller, but they all had those piercing black eyes. However, it was Roderick’s gaze that held her and kept her moving forward instead of running back out the door. Today he was especially handsome dressed in a white shirt and his red kilt. His crimson tartan swept from his right shoulder in a graceful drape. His silver crest stood out. A stag trippant encircled in a leather strap inscribed with the clan’s motto “Amo”. She’d found out that meantI love.
When she neared the altar, she took Roderick’s warm hand. He squeezed her cold fingers as they turned and faced the priest who motioned for them to kneel.
Roderick felt like he’d been punched in the stomach. His little mouse now looked like a beautiful woman. Her skin glowed in the candlelight and her eyes glistened silver as did her long black hair. A surge of warmth soared over him. He’d kept his emotions under control for so long that the surge of warmth that swept over him once he saw Siena was bewildering. And bewildering wasn’t something he cared for. He liked control, but he had to admit at the moment he felt wonderful.
The priest after saying a prayer asked for the ring, which brought Roderick back to the moment. He turned to Galen who placed their mother’s ring in Roderick’s palm.
Father Collins took the ring from Roderick and blessed it, then he said, “Place the ring on the fourth finger.”
Roderick first placed the ring on her thumb and said, “In the name of the Father.” Then he moved the ring on her index finger and said, “And of the Son.” Next was her middle finger. “And the Holy Ghost.” Last was her fourth finger as he said, “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Siena nodded as she looked at the large ruby that twinkled up at her. The stone was breathtakingly beautiful and large. She wondered if it had belonged to Roderick’s first wife.
Siena was actually glad she wasn’t required to say anything. She would probably croak like a frog because at the moment everything seemed surreal. However, she did have to repeat her vows and her voice shook, but she got through them.
Then before she knew what was happening, she caught a flash of silver out of the corner of her eye and her wrist was cut.
“Ooww,” Siena cried as she jerked back her arm and stared at the thin line of bright red blood.
“Trust me,” Roderick whispered. “’Tis part of the ceremony.”
She frowned at him, thinking this was a strange custom.
Next, he cut his wrist, and then placed it over her cut so that their blood mixed. And in that very brief moment, Siena saw glimpses of Roderick’s son, Michael, and it gave her hope that the child lived.
A small white strip of cloth was placed around both their hands.
“Our blood has been mixed. Yer blood is mine and my blood is yours until the end of time.”
Siena was so touched that tears sprang to her eyes.They were one, she thought. Maybe this was a good custom after all. She hoped this meant Roderick couldn’t get rid of her. “You promise?” she whispered.
