“Yes,” they said again in unison.
A church person Bree hadn’t noticed spoke up then, reciting from a piece of parchment the terms of the dowry. Bree grinned at Garlain. “You have to pay to get rid of me.”
“I am happy to do so.”
Bree wasn’t sure how to take that. Was he happy to get rid of her, or was he happy to make the dowry available for her?
He must have seen the confusion on her face because he leaned close and said, “I will always be here for you.”
Bree pecked him on the cheek before he could pull away. “Good.”
Bree and Horland stood there looking at the priest, who didn’t seem to be ready to proceed.
The king whispered, “The purse.”
“Oh, yes.” Horland pulled out the purse and offered it to Bree.
She smiled and took it, thinking, thank goodness someone knew what they were supposed to do.
Garlain urged Bree to take her place before the priest. The king did the same to Horland, and they stood side by side facing the priest.
Horland recited his vows and Bree was impressed that he had memorized them so perfectly. Leeta and Morla already told her she didn’t have to say anything, but she wanted to. She decided to make her vows to Horland once they were all alone.
Horland put every ounce of his heart into every one of the vows, and his gaze had Bree mesmerized.
The priest said something, but Bree was so taken with Horland she didn’t understand a thing.
Horland put a thin gold band on Bree’s finger and kissed it and her hand.
“I know it’s not customary in this time, but I have one for you too.” She pulled the ring Garrett gave her out of the purse attached to her belt.
She turned to her family and found Garrett smiling at her. She smiled back and mouthed‘thank you’. She beamed at Horland.
They both gazed at the priest and Bree raised her brow in question. He appeared surprised but nodded.
“Till death do us part,” Bree whispered as she placed the ring on Horland’s finger.
The priest opened the church doors and Bree and Horland went forward and kneeled before the altar. Everyone else sat in the seats, and some church attendants held a canopy over the bride and groom’s heads while the priest said mass.
When the mass was finished the canopy was removed, and the priest kissed Horland with the kiss of peace. Horland took Bree into his arms and kissed her. Bree wrapped her arms around his neck and gave in to his kiss. Every nerve in her body sent electric charges racing through her veins. Nothing existed in that moment but her and Horland and the kiss.
A small noise sounded but Bree, lightheaded and enjoying her new husband’s ardor, ignored the interruption.
The sound grew louder and Horland groaned as he pulled his face away from Bree, but keeping one arm around her, he gathered her into his side. Heat rose in Bree’s face when she realized the noises were the priest clearing his throat to get their attention. She leaned into Horland, both for the contact and the help in staying upright.
The priest didn’t smile outrightly, but his eyes twinkled with humor and warmth. He finished the wedding with ablessing, and they exited the church with the choir chanting a song Bree didn’t know.
Bree smiled up at Horland. Her heart picked up its pace at his look of adoration. They were married, husband and wife, partners for all time. And all Bree wanted was to be alone with her husband; only then would the butterflies stop winging their way around her stomach.
BACK AT THE CASTLE, Bree and Horland were swept into the foyer and toward the open doors of the great hall.
Bree balked and pulled Horland up. The gigantic room was empty, no guests for the reception, no serving staff holding large platters of food; the place was silent. Where was the party? Abby had a fantastic reception in her castle—Iain’s great room was packed with his family, friends, guards and clansmen and women. Serving staff offered bite-sized morsels from large platters, tankards of ale or water, and the many long tables were filled with food.
But the sight before her was disheartening. There was only one long table. Although it was heavy with covered platters, she suspected might contain celebration food, and leather canteens Bree thought held ale and wine were placed along the middle of the table, there were no serving staff flitting about anywhere.
With her shoulders slumping, Bree looked up at Horland who was frowning, seemingly also disappointed with the state of the room.
“Don’t you have receptions, parties, after weddings, um, marriage ceremonies here?”
