“IknowI can beat ye, Lennox,” she challenged, beckoning him with her sword. “Though I hope this match will be less bloody than the first.”
James had to agree with that sentiment.
“Then first pin,” he said wickedly, wanting to feel her body against his again.
He would never grow tired of that.
20
Three weeks later
“Stay still, Iris! I cannae lace ye up properly if ye keep squirming like that!”
Iris huffed a breath. “Well, I feel like ye are squeezing mah insides, Gretna. Does it really have tae be that tight?”
Lena laughed as she weaved flowers in Iris’s hair.
“Come now, Iris. Dinnae ye want yer intended tae swoon at the first sight of ye?”
Iris wrinkled her nose. “Swoon? Nay, I dinnae want him tae.”
Her lips pressed together tightly, keeping the rest of her thoughts to herself. There were a lot of things she wished for James to do, but swooning was not one of them.
It had been three weeks since they had professed their love to each other and told their families, who didn’t seem that surprised at the announcement. In fact, Iris would wager that they all expected it somehow.
Still, James had been busy with the truce, and Iris had been busy with her sisters planning a wedding celebration, realizing for the first time that she far preferred to be facing her enemy on a battlefield than dealing with her overenthusiastic sister.Gretna had nearly taken on the entire celebration by herself, and Iris had long given up fighting her about what she would like.
“There,” Gretna finally announced, stepping back. “’Tis done.”
Iris turned to the mirror and gasped as she saw herself. Though she had lost some weight since the crushing death of their father, she still looked lovely in the pale cream gown, her bosom nearly threatening to spill over the square neckline. Her hair was down about her shoulders in waves, with braids woven in the thick curls so that Lena could place her flowers.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with anticipation. She was a woman in love.
“Ye look lovely, Iris,” Lena said softly, holding the bouquet of flowers that Iris would carry. “A vision.”
Gretna dabbed at her eyes. “James will likely swoon.”
The sisters laughed before a knock on the door cut through the chamber. Gretna opened it to reveal Ian in his finery, his tartan kilt showing off his muscular legs. His eyes widened as he took in Iris’s gown, letting out a low whistle.
“Ye look bonny, lass.”
Iris flushed and busied herself with smoothing the skirt with her damp palms.
“Is it time?”
He nodded. “I would like a word with ye first.”
“We will be downstairs,” Gretna said quickly, ushering Lena out and shutting the door behind them.
Iris cleared her throat, more nervous than she had ever been.
“I dinnae know wot I’m doing,” she confessed. “Am I really marrying James?”
Ian barked out a laugh. “Aye, lass. Now, if ye are changing yer mind?—”
“Nay,” she said quickly. That was the last thing she was thinking. She loved James fiercely, and now that she thought about not having him in her life, it seemed laughable.
Iris couldn’t thank him enough for coming for her. He made her feel complete. Nothing in her life, not being a warrior or her family, could make her feel the way he did.
