It was her wedding day, and Edna had no regrets as to what she was about to do.
“Are ye ready, lass?” Erik asked as she tucked her arm in his. “There’s always an escape.”
Edna laughed. “Nay, I dinnae wish tae escape.”
“Well,” her father replied, “ye were always the bravest one, Edna, and ye will be a fine match for Malcolm.”
“And he is for me,” she said, thinking of her handsome soon-to-be husband. Malcolm had been through the worst that could happen and somehow had come out stronger in the end, just as she had. They would always have their memories of James, but their future was to each other, no one else.
She loved him and planned to tell him when they had a moment alone. The past week had not allowed for any stolen moments between them, Malcolm spending time with her father to learn about being an advisor to a laird, and the other times with his laird himself. When Malcolm had told her that Irvine had offered him the position, she had immediately told him that he must accept it. It mattered not to her that she wouldn’t be right there with her family, but he was about to be her family, and her cousin’s bond with her husband was strong.
Besides, Edna would still have family surrounding her. That was enough in itself to have Malcolm accept the position. After a few days in the keep, they would depart with Irvine for their new home, and Edna was excited.
Raising her chin, she stared at the crowd gathered. “I’m ready.”
Erik led her down the short aisle to where Malcolm was standing with the elder that would wed them, looking far too handsome in his ceremonial kilt and fine lawn shirt. Irvine stood next to him as his witness, and once they reached Malcolm, her father handed her over with a kiss to the cheek.
“We are so proud of ye.”
Tears sprang to her eyes, but Edna forced them back. “Thank ye.”
He nodded and went to join her mother and sister, leaving Edna and Malcolm to stare at each other. His smile warmed her heart, and she cleared her throat as he reached for her hand, tucking it in his large one.
“Nervous?” he asked lightly.
She shook her head. “Excited.” She was excited for today, for the wedding night, for what the future held for them both.
Malcolm’s smile only grew wider. “Aye, me too, lass.”
“Shall we get started?” the elder asked, drawing a chuckle out of the crowd.
Edna blushed, and Malcolm nodded, not releasing her hand throughout the ceremony. When it came to their vows, Malcolm dropped to one knee, offering up his sword to her and repeating the warrior vow that one would give to their wife, to the future family that they would have together. Edna’s hands were shaking by the time he finished, and she took the sword, waiting until he had risen to kiss the tip of it and murmur the blessing of swift fighting, love, and honor to the Scot that held it on behalf of their family.
They exchanged gold bands forged by the McGregor blacksmith, and before Edna knew it, the elder was telling Malcolm that he could kiss his wife. When he pulled her close, she saw the love in his eyes, knowing that without a doubt, she wasn’t making this decision lightly or without love in her heart for him. His lips brushed hers, and Edna shivered, thinking of the night ahead and what she would learn about the marriage bed.
They were wed! She could kiss her husband any time she wished to. If that wasn’t something to be happy about, she didn’t know what was!
“Wot?” he asked as he pulled away, the clan cheering around them.
Edna smiled broadly. “I was just thinking aboot how I can kiss ye any time I want now.”
Malcolm laughed, pressing his forehead to hers. “Lass, there are a lot of things ye can do with me now any time ye want, but those...we will have tae save for later.”
He pulled back, and Edna didn’t even bother to hide her blush as they accepted the well wishes of their family and friends.
The celebration lasted well into the night. Edna drank and danced. At times, found herself at the end of numerous toasts and ribald jokes from the clansmen and her own family.
Malcolm swung her about the room and kissed her senselessly while everyone was watching. It wasn’t until their last dance that Malcolm leaned in, brushing his lips over her forehead.
“Are ye ready tae retire?”
“Aye,” she answered, warmth spreading throughout her limbs. Her mother had already explained what would happen in her marriage bed, and while she wasn’t much of a stranger to the male form, there was still an excitement about what she would learn with her husband tonight.
Her husband. That was going to take some getting used to.
Malcolm released her and tugged her up the stairs until they had reached the chambers he had been using over the past week. Someone had come in and stoked the fire, giving the room a nice, warm glow. The bed was piled high with furs, and as Malcolm shut the door behind them, throwing the lock just in case, Edna found the room suddenly far too hot.
Malcolm’s hands found her shoulders, and she shuddered under his touch, even through the layers separating her bare skin from his.
