A plaid sash, in complementary colors to his tartan, was draped diagonally across his chest and fastened with a decorative brooch, adding a touch of elegance to his ensemble.
Although all he could see were joyous faces, he couldn’t really be a part of this. He had wanted to choose the right moment to announce his betrothal to Keira. Or perhaps that was only what he had been trying to convince himself of.
As Raphael watched the cèilidh unfold and felt the energy of the room swirling around him, he couldn’t escape the overwhelming emotions that surged within. The decision to pursue a marriage of convenience with Keira weighed heavily on his heart, and it was a bittersweet truth he grappled with.
He was drawn to Keira in ways he couldn’t deny, and yet he believed that pushing her away, limiting their relationship to one of convenience, was the only path that would safeguard her reputation and her future. He knew that passionate love, while intense and beautiful, could also be fraught with challenges and risks. Especially when it included him.
Suddenly, Raphael felt someone place their hand on his shoulder. He turned around, only to lock gazes with Dallas. He was smiling at him reassuringly, and just as he always did, Dallas knew exactly the right words to say.
He leaned in and said in a low voice, “It might be the right time to make the announcement.”
With a nod of gratitude to Dallas and a renewed sense of determination, Raphael made his way through the joyous crowd of cèilidh-goers until he reached Keira, who was watching the dancers with a wistful expression.
He took her hand in his, and their fingers intertwined, a silent connection between them. He didn’t need to tell her anything. She knew that the moment had come, and she had accepted it, just like him.
Raphael’s heart raced as he raised their joined hands, his voice carrying across the grand hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have yer attention, please.”
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the center of the room, where Raphael and Keira stood together.
He continued, his voice steady, “Tonight, in the spirit of this magnificent cèilidh and with the blessings of our families, I am thrilled to announce that Keira Webster and I are to be wed.”
A burst of cheers and applause erupted from the guests, the joyous noise filling the grand hall. The atmosphere was exuberant, and the heartfelt announcement was met with enthusiasm and delight. Raphael dared not turn to lock eyes with Keira as she tried as hard as him to smile at the outpouring of support and happiness from friends and family. But her hand was still warm in his.
Maybe this won’t be so bad. Maybe this will go well.
After the onslaught of congratulatory embraces had ended, Raphael had been pulled away from Keira. Just as she considered having a drink to steady her nerves, she noticed her dear friend Joan and her husband Jasper approaching her with warm smiles.
“We wish you all the best,” Joan gushed. “Can you imagine? You will be so much closer to us now!” Then, after she hugged Keira, she looked around. “What about Avery? She didn’t make it?”
Keira sighed, her expression softening. “Thank you both for coming. I had hoped that Avery would also be here, but it all happened so fast that I doubt the invitation has reached her yet. However, she will be here for the wedding.”
Joan smiled, taking Keira’s hand into her own and squeezing it reassuringly. “Avery wouldn’t miss your big day for the world. We all look forward to celebrating when the time comes.”
Keira’s heart swelled with gratitude for her friends’ support and understanding. The absence of one dear friend was tempered by the presence of another, but unfortunately, she was not the only one missing this evening.
“I have seen your parents here.” Joan glanced somewhere behind Keira. “And I’ve greeted them, but I haven’t laid eyes on your brother yet.”
“And you shan’t,” Keira said with a heavy sigh. “The journey was far too long for him to arrive at such short notice.”
“Indeed.” Joan eyed her friend strangely, and Kiera did not fail to notice this gaze. “Everything happened so… hastily, somehow.”
Keira smiled a little nervously, but it was the best smile she could muster. “Sometimes, you just know. Why wait?”
“Indeed,” Joan repeated, frowning as she did so. But a moment later, she was smiling again.
Keira knew that Joan had probably seen through the facade, and she would demand explanations, which Keira would be happy to give. Only, this was neither the time nor the place.
If they had a chance, they might be able to sneak out into the garden for a moment or two. That was the only place where Keira was certain that they would not be overheard, because, in places such as this one, even walls had ears.
At that moment, the arrival of the Duchess of Murray interrupted them.
“Joan, I am so happy that at least you came to celebrate this wondrous day with Keira,” the Duchess gushed with a radiant smile that couldn’t hide her overwhelming joy. “It seems that Avery and Anthony simply weren’t able to make it. But nomatter, an even bigger celebration is yet to come, and they cannot miss that for anything in the world.”
“I’m sure they won’t, Your Grace,” Joan assured.
The Duchess turned to Keira. “Oh, Keira, my darling, I am so happy for you. This betrothal is a dream come true…” she said, then embraced her.
Keira returned the embrace and managed a smile, her eyes shining with tears that she was trying to keep at bay. “Thank you, Mother. I am happy, too,” she replied, her voice steady despite the pain that churned within her.
