At the chapel entrance, Keith and the priest waited, both lookingworried.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Father. I appreciate you taking this situationseriously.”
“I admit it is unconventional, my lord. However, Keith explained your concerns and though it is not my place to advise you, I feel you are making the correct decision. But, I will not conduct this marriage if the lass is not willing. Do youunderstand?”
He did understand and prayed Sheona would not lose her nerve and change hermind.
“She too understands the situation and has agreed to themarriage.”
“She can speak for herself,” Sheonasaid.
“Well, lass?” the priest asked. “Do you come to this chapel and this marriage of your own freewill?”
She hesitated. Malcolm didn’t take a breath until she spokeagain.
“Aye. I do come to this chapel and this marriage of my own free will. I will marry Malcolm MacDonaldtoday.”
Malcolm let out a great breath and squeezed her hand. She smiled up at him and his heart stopped. By God she was beautiful and he could not wait to bury himself insideher.
“This way, my lord and my lady. We will skip all the formalities except the necessary parts in vows and prayer. Keith, you will stand aswitness?”
“Aye. I would not miss this for all the gold in the king’scoffer.”
Malcolm looked back at his friend and grinned. For the first time in a very long time, Malcolm felt a sliver of peace. This one act was about to change everything. He gazed down at her lovely face as she repeated her vows, revelling in the knowledge that no other man had ever or would ever touch her like he would have a rightto.
Once the ceremony was over and they were blessed, Malcolm leaned down to claim her lips. Hers quivered as he brushed his acrossthem.
“I told you that you would be mine,” he whispered against hermouth.
“Insufferable,” she whisperedback.
The minister and Keith gave them a wide berth as they moved toward thedoor.
“Now what?” sheasked.
He looked down at her and hesitated. He had no choice. There was no way they could hold off. If they did not consummate the marriage, his father would not hesitate to annulit.
Malcolm took her face in his hands. “Lady MacDonald, in order for this marriage to be recognized we must become man and wife in everysense.”
“Now?”
“Aye, love. Now. I will be gentle, but we do not have muchtime.”
He hated to see the tears forming in her eyes. He was responsible for putting them there and there wasn’t a damned thing he could do aboutit.
Sheona blinked several times and nodded. “So be it, husband. If we are man and wife, we must see this through. I am ready,” she said, slipping out of his embrace and walking toward the castlekeep.
* * *
Sheona wentstraight to her chamber. She sensed him a few steps behind her and was grateful he’d given her the space she needed to accept everything the day had brought. Now standing in the middle of her chamber, she clasped her hands together in front of her andwaited.
The door closed quietly behind her. Three footsteps later, two hands came around her waist and pressed her body tight to his. She drew in a sharp breath from the resultingjolt.
“We should go to my chamber, Sheona. For ’tis yourstoo.”
“Can we not stay here? I mean, this was only my chamber for a night, but I feel comfortablehere.”
He kissed her hair and wrapped his arms tighter around her. “Aye, love. We can share our first time here if youwish.”
