“Bonny doesnae even begin to describe her.”
“Ma, she is a princess.”
“A lady, lass. Ye should ken the difference.”
Something about those conversations happening almost offhand made her feel like the most special woman in the world. But then, maybe she was. She was marrying the most revered Highlander of this time. It did not get more special than that, did it?
At the altar, Alex waited without armor or a guarded posture. He stood as if nothing in the world could rush him and nothing could keep him from this.
For the second time in her life, Erica felt both fear and certainty.This time, though, she knew exactly which one she wanted to speak.
Bettie and Katie reached the end and dumped the last of the petals in one generous heap. The pup leaped into it and sneezed, causing the priest to chuckle and then clear his throat.
Erica stepped up beside Alex, and they turned to face each other.
“Aye, Katie,” Bettie whispered loudly. “We did it.”
Erica stifled a smile. Alex did not bother; his mouth curved.
The priest asked if they came of their own will. They said yes. He asked if they would be honest, even when honesty cost more than they were willing to pay. They said yes. He asked if they would keep faith through the seasons that crowned love and the seasons that tested it sorely.They said they would.
Erica spoke first. “I choose ye. Nae because I must, but because Ican. I promise truth where I can give it, and patience where I cannae. I will stand with ye when the days are easy and when they arenae.”
Alex’s good eye was steady. “I choose ye,” he answered. “I promise ye me name, me house, and me word. I will stand with ye when the world is at our backs and when it isnae.”
The priest nodded.
Erica’s hands were sure in Alex’s. Heat and determination moved between their palms like a vow.
“I love ye,” she said, low enough for only him to hear.
He exhaled like a man allowed to breathe at last. “I love ye.”
The kiss was joyful and deep, and cheers rose from the crowd. A whistle sounded, quickly stifled by a single look from Grandmamma. Bettie clapped her hands, and Katie stamped her foot and tried to shush the pup, which set him barking again until a guard scooped him up and let him lick his chin.
If there was a way to freeze this moment in time, Erica would do it, and a part of her knew that Alex would do the same.
Right here, she had everything she could ever need: her mother, her brother, the love of her life, and the two girls she had come to love like her own.
It felt surreal, considering everything she had been through, that a day as simple as this would give her all the joy in the world.
The girls stood proudly at the front like architects admiring their finished work. Leah wiped her eyes and pretended she was only fixing a ribbon. The men who trained in the yard grinned like boys.
For a heartbeat, the chapel felt like a warm and cozy fireplace.
They stepped out into the light, and the banners lifted on a mild breeze. The courtyard spread wide, full of color and food and tables pulled close. Music began to thrum in a steady beat that found the feet before it found the ears.
The clan poured out after them with the slow press of people who meant to stay, who meant to eat and talk and dance until the sun set.
Grandmamma waited near the steps with her cane planted and her eyes bright. She looked them over from crown to boot and bit back a smile that fooled no one.
“I always kent yer fake betrothal would become real,” she said. “Took half the castle to teach ye, but stubborn folks require elaborate lessons.”
Laughter rippled, and the twins beamed as if they were paid for the joke.
Alex shook his head, resigned but smiling. “Well, it only worked because ye meddled,” he said.
“Och, daenae give me all the credit,” Grandmamma answered serenely. “But aye, I agree. What I meddle with thrives.”
