Chapter Six
Iain was hard put not to gape when Islaen was brought to him in the crowded hall. Her thick glorious hair hung in waves almost to her knees and the occasional sparkle of a jewel was hardly noticeable in its depths. As she reached his side he saw that the gold of her gown brought forth the gold flecks in her lovely eyes. His loins tightened as he thought of the additonal beauty that lay hidden beneath her gown and the bindings. As he took her hand, he covertly glanced around and saw that others were now fully aware of Islaen's special beauty, something he suspected would cause him some trouble for a while. Despite that, he could not fully suppress an inner glow of pride as he led her to the priest.
Islaen was only partly aware of the priest's words. She had always thought Iain a splendid figure of a man but in his black and silver wedding finery he left her speechless and more than a little afraid. No matter how she tried to dispel the thought she could not help but wonder how she could ever expect to hold onto such a man.
When they finished their vows they rose and he gently kissed her. Islaen found that she had to fight the urge to press for a fuller kiss. She mused, with a great deal of mockery directed at herself, that she had certainly learned quickly to crave that sort of thing. From total innocence she had rapidly become quite the wanton. When the look in Iain's fine eyes told her that he had recognized her reaction to his brief kiss, she sent him a very stern look but it only made him smile.
The feasting had barely begun when Islaen found herself growing annoyed. Even though it was her wedding day the women still tried to catch Iain's eye. Their flirtations and invitations were far from subtle. There was one spot of humour in it for her, however, and that was found in Lady Constance's actions. The woman seemed to be in great turmoil over which man she really wished to draw to her side, Alexander MacDubh or Iain. Alexander sat on Islaen's left while Iain sat upon her right. Islaen was almost able to laugh as she mused that the woman was apt to do herself an injury with the way she kept turning her face from right to left and back again.
"Come, Lady MacLagan,” Alexander said quietly, “'tis not right for a bride to scowl so at her own wedding feast."
"Weel, ye would think they would give it a rest today of all days,” Islaen grumbled and took a drink.
"Give what a rest, sweeting?” Iain asked and signaled a page to refill her now empty goblet.
Quickly shaking free of the bemusement his use of an endearment always sent her into, Islaen replied, “The women should cease leering at you. ‘Tis nay right for them to leer at the groom at the wedding feast."
"Leering at me?” Iain croaked, rather flattered by what appeared to be jealousy upon Islaen's part. “Cease cackling, Alex."
"Och, weel, ‘tis no matter an he laughs.” Islaen fleetingly grinned at a still chuckling Alexander. “People will think I am the greatest of wits. Aye, Iain,” she belatedly replied, “leering at you. ‘Tis quite clear to see if ye would but look."
"I dinnae care to look."
"Weel, mayhaps ye ought to tell Lady Constance that for the poor woman is near to twisting her head off o’ her shoulders trying to share her smiles atween ye and Sir Alexander. I have set him to laughing again."
"Pay the fool no heed.” Iain felt extremely high spirited and decided to do nothing to hide or stop it. “Ah, the musicians begin to play.” Iain stood up and took Islaen by the hand. “Come, we must lead the dancing."
"God's teeth,” Islaen gasped, then flushed and covered her mouth with her hand. “Forgive me. It slipped free."
"I heard nothing."
"Nor I,” declared Alexander.
"Weel then ye are both as deaf as posts but thank ye. Iain, I am nay verra good at this dance."
Tugging her to her feet, he smiled. “As long as ye keep upright, t'will do fine enough."
"Weel, an I fall just pay me no heed,” she said on a sigh as he towed her out onto the area cleared for dancing.
"As you wish. I will merely take care not to step upon ye."
"So gallant,” she managed to murmur before forced to concentrate upon the steps of the elegant dance.
At the end of the dance, Iain kissed her, a kiss far less chaste than the one before the priest. Islaen was oblivious to the rowdy cheers of their audience. She felt her insides melt as she tasted the promise in his kiss. When he lifted his head, she gazed up at him from beneath her eyelashes feeling quite bemused by the way he could make her feel.
"Ye do that verra weel,” she said, surprised at the soft huskiness of her voice.
"Dancing?"
"Aye. That too.” She grinned.
Before they were able to return to their seats, Islaen was whirled away by her brother Robert. Iain sprawled in his seat and watched her. She revealed no uncertainty or reluctance in the less courtly forms of dance. Glancing around, he caught the king and Alaistair MacRoth watching him and raised his tankard in a cocky salute. This day he knew they would find little to criticize.
Breathless from dancing and laughing with her brothers, Islaen hurried back to Iain's side. She returned his welcoming smile with a bright one of her own. He was acting almost carefree but she did not let her hopes rise for she knew it could be due to the celebration. Good food, plentiful wine and gaiety could soften the hardest of men. For the duration of the wedding and the wedding night he may have decided to ease the aloof stance he usually clung to. While it was a very good chance for her to try to grasp at a little of his affection before he shut it all away again, she would not let herself hope that her fight was so soon over.
Taking a refreshing drink of wine she leaned against Iain. Inwardly she smiled when he began to idly toy with her hair. The man was not totally uninterested. Such small touches, ones he seemed unaware of making, did give her hope as did the occasional endearments that seemed to slip free without his knowing it. They were signs that she was slipping beneath his guard, making some chinks in his wall.
Iain found that he was swiftly growing very weary of the celebrations. He buried his hand deep within her thick hair, savoring its silken fullness, and wished to be within their chambers wrapped as fully in her arms as his hand was in her hair. It was more than a lengthy celibacy that made him so greedy and he knew it. There was a weakness that could cause him a great deal of trouble.
