“Yer betrothed, husband-to-be… groom.” The stranger—rather handsome, from what she could see of his face—blinked slowly at her.
Ava mentally kicked herself for noticing it. She still could not quite catch her breath.
“Yes, I ken what a groom is, but ye are nae Finlay,” she ground out, aware she was making a scene. “Ye are naemegroom. I daenae even kenwhoye are!”
The priest cleared his throat. “Shall we start, me Laird?”
Ava’s mouth dropped open, rather unladylike.
“Laird?”
CHAPTER 2
His bride was wearinghis favorite color, a deep forest green. There was no way she could have known, but he took it as a sign that he was doing the right thing.
She turned to Laird MacFinn, her mouth agape like a fish. She looked exactly as she did when they were children, just grown.
“What did ye do with me friend?” she demanded in a hushed tone.
Caden did not know whether he should be angry or amused that she had not recognized him.
“Ye kidnapped him, Uncle!” she hissed.
A wave of murmurs rippled through the guests.
“Kidnapped?”a guard asked, his hand landing instantly on the hilt of his sword.
“Whowasshe going to marry?” a lady from the MacCabes whispered.
“Did the Laird plan this? Was that the only way to get a bride?”
“Nay, the Laird doesnae need such tricks!”
Maybe he did not, but it was clear that his bride needed a breath. He glared at the crowd and the whispers stopped at once.
Ava was still looking at her uncle.
Laird MacFinn flushed. “I wouldnae do such a thing! However, I cannae blame the wise fool for nae wanting to marry a disrespectful lass such as ye,” he scoffed, shaking his head.
“That’s all right,” Caden found himself saying. “I’ll tame ye.”
He glanced up and down his bride’s figure as she turned furiously towards him. He notwould never have expected that she would grow into such a beautiful woman.
Aye, she’ll do just fine. How can she nae remember me? I guess after being away at school and her not seeing me since before the accident, she’s forgotten who I am.
A hint of revulsion and distrust flashed across her face, and her eyes narrowed on him. It sent an unwelcome chill down his spine.
“What haveyedone with Finlay?” The fire in her eyes hid secrets he was not sure if he wanted to uncover.
“What haveIdone?” Caden put a hand over his chest in mock shock.
Chuckles rose from the congregation.
“Must ye insist on nae answering me questions?” The red hair matched her temper. He found himself holding back a smile. “If ye hurt him, I swear?—”
“Whatever ye swear, I must insist that ye refrain from doing it in the kirk,” the priest interjected, smoothing down his robes. He was clearly offended, having been with the kirk for years.
Caden took pride in irking the man. He felt like swearing just to see what his reaction would be. Surely, he would not be so explosive as his new bride. He turned his attention back at her and sighed.
