“Yer loyalty is appreciated, lass. But the truth is, me braither just didnae want to marry ye, all right?”
“Braither?” his bride gasped, recognition finally dawning in her eyes. “Caden?”
“Aye,” Caden said, exasperated.
Why did it take her this long to recognize me? Had Finlay never talked about me with his best friend?
He almost felt sorry for the lass. Almost.
“Ye needed a groom, and I’m here. Finlay didnaewantto be here. So I’ll be the one to marry ye, and I willnae waste any more time, is that understood?” He crossed his arms over his chest, feeling his fingers flex against his ribs.
He wanted to get this over with.
“So… ye…?” she stammered, before shaking her head. “Finlay is all right?” Concern flickered in her eyes.
Caden wondered for a brief moment if her feelings for his brother were genuine and romantic. He also wondered if Finlay knew and returned her feelings.
Did his rogue of a brother run because he actually cared for her? Or was he none the wiser about her feelings? It should not matter.
Frustrated that things were not moving along, Caden huffed. “Aye. Now, let us get married, lassie. I daenae have all day.” He held out a hand for her to take.
Ava stood frozen for a moment, then turned her ire on her uncle, who had managed to stay quiet this whole time. Maybe he had been hoping to avoid the brunt of her fury. He was wrong.
“So ye didnae ken about this, Uncle Archibald?” Sparks seemed to fly around her hair and eyes.
Laird MacFinn eyed the crowd out of the corner of his eye. Even Caden stole a glance. Everyone was holding their breath in anticipation of what the bride would do.
“Ye wanted to trap me in a marriage with a Laird from the beginning after all!” she whispered harshly.
“I dinnae ken, lass. But I dinnae mind the switch. Like I said, the clan needs?—”
“Alliances. Aye, I got it the first time ye said it. Or the hundrenth,” Ava interrupted him.
Laird MacFinn looked tired, explaining that to her. Caden almost pitied her.
His bride straightened to her full height, and, as if a door had closed, her face hardened in the blink of an eye.
Caden cleared his throat, even though it did not need clearing.
She’s a smart lass nae to show all her cards at once.
He could tell their marriage was going to be interesting. If she decided to marry him, that is. He was tired of waiting.
“Again, I daenae have all day. Are ye ready to get married now?” He held out his hand again.
He bit the inside of his cheek, a bad habit he had had since childhood.
“It seems I have nay other choice,” she huffed, placing her small, calloused hand in his.
He nearly breathed a sigh of relief, but stopped himself at the last minute.
“Shall we get started now, me Laird?” The priest looked to Caden for approval, his eyebrows raised.
Caden cast a glance at his bride, who gave a curt nod. “Aye.”
They stepped toward the priest. As soon as Laird MacFinn took a seat, the tension in the kirk eased. Caden heard several old ladies ooh and aah when the priest wound the braided cord of his clan colors, green and blue, around their wrists, knotting it tight while reciting ancient words..
Funny how that was supposed to symbolize their bond. All he knew of her was her name, a glimpse of her temper, and the fact that her hand on his was surprisingly rough.
