“Robina, I knew you would be beautiful but I never dreamed you would look like a queen!” He was beaming from ear to ear. He came across the room and gathered her tenderly into his arms.
“If you crush that dress I will kill you!” Donna warned, but she was smiling.
“You are always killing me,” he said dismissively, flapping his hand at her. He put Robina away a little to look into the hazel eyes that were so like his own. “I am so proud of you,” he whispered, and laughed as he dashed away tears from his eyes.
Robina hugged him, unable to speak.
The bouquet had been found. It was spring, and the woods were carpeted with bluebells. Robina carried these: marsh marigolds, snowdrops, mountain avens, and heather tied with a ribbon to match her dress. There was a garland of bluebells in her hair too, the bright color of the flower and that of her red hair singing against each other.
“Did I say a queen?” Bearnard mused. “I was wrong...I meant a goddess!”
Robina laughed. “I think, Father, that you are just a tiny bit biased.”
Bearnard smile. “I think it is time I gave you away,” he said regretfully. “I have been dreading this moment all my life.”
Looking at his sad face, Robina felt deeply sorry for him. She wanted him to hug her again and not let her go, and sit her on his lap the way he used to do when she was a little girl.
They went downstairs very slowly so that Robina did not damage her dress, then came out into the courtyard where a few brave souls were standing outside to watch her. They applauded and cheered as she hitched her dress up to her knees and ran across the flooded courtyard. Her dress survived but her dainty leather boots were soaked. Her mother brushed away the raindrops that were sparkling like jewels on her hair, then took one last look at her.
“You do look like a goddess, my darling,” she whispered, before kissing Robina and sending her on her way into the arms of the man who would promise to treasure her forever.
Robina took a deep breath as she began the long walk down to the altar, where Alex was standing.He has such broad shoulders, she thought. His calves were muscular and powerful, and his shining hair reached to his shoulders. He truly was a magnificent man. But he looked very serious. Only for a moment when they first talked she saw emotion in his eyes, and it quickly went away. She hoped that tonight she could bring that emotion back. She was very unsure whether she could do that or not.
When they got to the altar, Bearnard kissed her cheek and put her hand into that of her future husband. He gave her a slight smile and squeezed her hand to reassure her.
Alex has done this before. Alex has also done what comes after this...she thought, and the notion chilled her. She tried to get it out of her mind for the moment.
Father Callaghan was waiting for them. He was a tall, burly, bald man who looked as if he had been a prize fighter in his youth. He was very dedicated to his calling and always said that his favorite part of the job was joining two young lives together. Now he smiled at them both, and they dutifully smiled back.
He said the blessing, and was about to go on to the vows when suddenly the enormity of the occasion struck Robina full force. This was real. This was for the rest of her life, and if she did not back out before tonight she would never be able to. She froze out of sheer terror, and her bridegroom spoke to her, seemingly reading her mind. “Robina, you do not have to go through with this,” he said, too softly for the congregation to hear. “I am not pressing you. You are free to go if you wish.” He let go of her hand. “If this is not what you want then say so now before it is too late.”
Robina looked up into his ice blue eyes, and for a moment, as is the way of things at such crucial times, she was distracted by the inconsequential thought of of how bright they were.
She glanced back at her father, who wore an expression of puzzlement; her mother’s face was a study in black fury. She was extremely intuitive and had sensed exactly what was going on.
At that moment Donna Forsyth knew there was a very good chance that her daughter would turn and run out of the church. She was about to rush over to her and stop her, but Bearnard, with a rare show of forcefulness, gripped her arm tightly and forestalled her, shaking his head and frowning. A ripple of unrest spread through the church.
She looked away. Robina’s heart was beating so fast and so hard that she thought Alex could hear it. She knew he was about to turn away and leave. She met his eyes and in that moment, saw the same tenderness she had seen the first time they met. For a moment the world paused and there was only Alex.
With a slight shake of her head, she whispered, “I am a little nervous, that is all.”
For a moment longer he stared at her and it felt like he looked into the depths of her soul. This time she did not look away. Then Alex turned and nodded to the priest, who sighed thankfully. Robina put her hand back in his. His hand was large and warm. His touch was a bit more gentle now.
“Will you make your vows now?” Father Callaghan asked. “You first, Robina.”
It was customary, but not obligatory, for the man to go first, but Father Callaghan obviously wanted to take no chances that Robina would run away.
She took a deep breath. “I promise to be the best wife I can be, to honor and be faithful to you for as long as we live.” She was not in love with him, and could not summon up words to pretend that she was.
“And I pledge you my protection with my body and my name, and if we are blessed with children, to be the best father I can be,” Alex said firmly. There had been no mention of love from his side either.
The congregation watched with bated breath as the ring was slipped on Robina’s finger.
Father Callaghan smiled at the newlyweds. “And now, Alexander James Lindsay and Robina Maria Forsyth, I pronounce that you be husband and wife together.”
5
Wedding Night
