A young mother with two wee bairns and no husband…at least not yet. If only Cora had said Tira loved him, too, not just that she needed a father for her children?—
“I take it your nod was an ‘Aye’? By God, Errol, I’m not a woman tae curse, but will you give me an answer?”
“Aye, I will marry her. The healer gave me a strong sleeping brew last night—and I fear it affects me still, forgive me.”
At once sympathy washed across Cora’s face and she took Errol’s arm to draw her with him toward the keep.
“You must forgive me, too. I was so excited tae tell you the news, not even thinking—och, do you feel well enough tae wed her today?”
“Aye,” he said firmly this time, which made Cora squeeze his arm as if encouraged that he sounded so resolute.
He scarcely heard her, though, as she began to tell him all that needed to be done before the ceremony…Errol’s heart beating faster as he bolstered himself that there was still hope.
Hope for love. Hope for happiness.
Tira would soon become his wife, aye, it was enough for now.
It had to be…for all he yearned for depended upon him making her feel safe and cherished, and that he would be a good father to her bairns.
Mayhap one day she would open her arms to him, too, aye, and he would see joy in her eyes again and feel the wonder of her kiss?—
“Och, Errol, didna you hear anything I’ve been saying? Off with you tae the barracks tae wash up while I send a servant over with one of Gavin’s finer tunics for you tae wear at your wedding. Go!”
Cora’s laughter, so happy again, made him smile, which made her eyes dance again with excitement.
Excitement that seemed infectious, Errol’s step undeniably lighter as he obliged her while more of Gavin’s men steered clear of him, making him laugh, too.
CHAPTER 10
“You look so beautiful, Tira!”
As Cora clapped her hands with delight, Tira swallowed hard against the nervousness threatening to overcome her…the wedding ceremony only moments away.
God help her, she still had time to change her mind, but why delay what she knew had become inevitable?
She needed a father for her twins and a husband to protect and provide for them, she couldn’t do it alone. Something else tugged at her, too, her heart welling again with emotion that Errol could still love her enough to marry her after another man?—
“Och, you must only have happy thoughts this day,” Cora gently chided her as she fussed with the flowered wreath atop Tira’s upswept hair—deep purple heather entwined with wild white roses. “The past is gone and your future with Errol in front of you, a man who truly loves you, Tira. Is that not enough tae make you smile?”
Knowing Cora wanted an answer, Tira did summon a smile, albeit a shaky one, and reached out to squeeze Cora’s hand.
“You’ve been so gracious. I can never thank you enough?—”
“My thanks will be your happiness if you will only open your heart enough tae embrace it. Now we must go. Your husband-tae-be and the priest are waiting for us in the chapel.”
Tira sucked in her breath, but Cora’s fingers squeezing hers back gave her a jolt of courage as she forced away thoughts of a wedding that might have been thrust upon her if Errol hadn’t been so determined to rescue her.
She hadn’t said anything to Cora, but she remembered the blond-haired lass who had been thrown overboard with Thorgren’s men laughing raucously at her panicked attempt to swim to shore. Her head going under the dark waves several times before she no longer resurfaced, Tira helpless to do anything to save her—ah, God, when would she ever be free of these torturous memories?
She was glad Cora walked in front of her as they left the bedchamber so as not to see the distress upon her face. Tira focused upon the swish of gold-colored silk around her legs, which helped to calm her.
The nursery door was closed, so she couldn’t cast a glance at her sleeping bairns, the candles in the wall sconces already lit in the hallway for it was nearing dusk.
Tira had seen little of Cora since she had rushed breathlessly into Tira’s room at midday to announce that Errol wished, indeed, to marry her, and then had left as suddenly, saying she had so much to do.
The rest of Tira’s day spent surrounded by maidservants who had bustled in and out to help with her bath, her freshly washed hair dried and swept up into a coiled bun at her nape, and a light meal of oatcakes, a wedge of goat cheese, and apple cider brought to her as she sat in a robe awaiting a new gown being hastily sewn by Cora’s seamstresses.
At one point the two wet nurses had appeared with Isobel and Monroe so Tira could hold them for a while, admiring with wonder their tiny fingers and toes and sweet faces.
