He wore a huge smile as he came toward her with his arms outstretched.
“Ahh, my wee sweet lass. You are the most beautiful creature I ever beheld, and I am so very proud of you.”
“Shall we collect Mother and head downstairs?”
“Your mother is already below and waiting for us.”
Her curiosity was on bust. The most logical thought was that he had them prepare a betrothal celebration and perhaps invited some guests from the village. She would know soon enough!
Agnes and her father reached the bottom of the stairs and crossed the inner courtyard toward the hall.
When the doors opened and she stepped inside, she could not believe her eyes. They’d decorated the hall top to bottom in garland and whatever flowers they could find. Tables were adorned with vases full of them and trenchers were laid out for guests. Servants were all in a row and smiling at her.
Her gaze trailed the length of the hall until her breath caught. At the head was William and standing next to him was Father Alasdair.
This was no betrothal celebration. This was her wedding!
*
William’s heart thuddedin his chest like a wild buck during rutting season. He knew the moment her eyes grew wide and realization dawned on her what was going on and he prayed she would not oppose.
She and her father advanced toward him and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. The dark-crimson gown somehow accentuated her mesmerizing eyes even more than the blue he loved so much, if that was even possible. Cut straight across her breasts, he could make out their fullness beneath the gown and shifted knowing that in a few short hours, he would need to fantasize no longer.
The next moments were a blur as they exchanged vows and the priest said the words he’d been dying to hear.
“You may kiss your bride.”
William wasted no time. He took her face in his hands and kissed her lightly, well aware of her father standing to her side.
“Do you like your surprise?”
Her smile lifted his heart to soaring.
“Aye, my lord, I do love this surprise.”
“No more of that,” he said trying to sound stern. “You will now refer to me as husband or by my given name, wife.”
Her cheeks grew that lovely shade of pink to which he was favorably accustomed by now. He took her hand and turned them toward the folks who had been available to attend on such short notice. Many from the close-by village of Wick together with her family and some of the household staff made for a modest gathering, but he was pleased to have that many come to witness their nuptials and bear witness to the joining of their houses.
“Dear gentlefolk, I thank you for joining us in this celebration this day,” William said. He’d previously been granted permission from her father to introduce his new wife. “I would like to introduce my wife, Lady Graham, the Countess of Montrose.”
He was pleased when the guests curtseyed or bowed. He intended to ensure the evening was perfect in every way.
Her parents both hugged her and they all made their way to the tables. When she sat on her chair and spied the decorations before her, she tilted her head back, laughter erupting from her. The sound thrilled him.
Her father had confessed his delight in the request to have someone whittle tiny carvings of the monster from Loch Ness as well as one of Bregdi.
“This is my wedding gift to you, wife,” he said. “Now you may lock them into battle any time you like and determine for yourself which would be the victor.”
“This is the best gift I’ve ever received,” she said through a watery smile and squeezed her hand. “How did you manage all this while we traveled?”
“I told you, I sent word to your father, and he complied with every wish.”
“Aye, and some of it was not easy. The best—”
“Will turn out perfectly,” William cut him off.
“Aye, aye, I shall say no more.”
