“We can start over. At the Aerie. We’ll start a new life there, and see where it leads us. But wherever that is, we’ll go together.”
He opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace as if she’d always belonged there. She was his, and once they reached the Aerie, they’d make it official, if they had to handfast first. “I’ll never give ye up, Aftyn. Never.”
20
“Be still, child, and stand straight,” the seamstress, Moina, scolded. I’ve only a little more to hem. Ye are near as tall as Aileanna, but I willna have ye trip on yer way to yer wedding. Ach, ye’ll be a beautiful bride for our Wee Jamie.”
Hearing that name made her grin and straighten up. Though he was named for his father’s best friend, someone she’d yet to meet, she could not picture the man she loved ever being “wee” or answering to “Wee Jamie” past being sent to fostering. There was nothing “wee” about him, from his broad shoulders to the parts she’d spied in his bath, parts she would become more intimately acquainted with tonight. Her grin fled and nervous anticipation took its place.
“Do ye ken I nursed him when he was a bairn? Three were a bit much for their mother, and I with a newborn of me own could suckle one of hers as well.”
But of course, a nurse would use whatever name pleased her.
As would a wife, and to Aftyn, he was Jamie, her love. The man soon to become her lover. She knew what happened in the marriage bed. She’d overheard other lasses talking about their experiences, some good, some… not. She hoped tonight would become a cherished memory for both of them. She’d do everything she could to please Jamie. If only she could have more success than she’d had as a healer. The thought made her shoulders slump just as the dressmaker sighed and snipped the last thread.
In the three days she’d been here, she’d been welcomed and provided with all that a lass could need. Aftyn smoothed a hand over the deep green kirtle Jamie’s mother had given her to be married in this afternoon.
A healer’s color, she called it. “And ye are a healer.” she said, giving Aftyn her serene smile.
That recognition, coming from a healer of Aileanna’s stature, had brought Aftyn to tears. She could not claim to be a healer like her or her son, but she tried her best and was eager to learn.
“’Tis done,” Moina announced. “Ye are ready.”
Was she? She took a breath. Aye, she was. “Thank ye,” she said as she helped the older woman up from the low stool she’d perched on to take up the length of the dress. Fortunately, the rest fit her well enough, and the lacing of ties in the back made it snug. She wished she could see herself in it. But soon, she would see herself in Jamie’s eyes, and that would be enough.
As Moina left, Aileanna entered with her two daughters. Lianna was one of the triplets with Jamie and the heir, Drummond. Eilidh, two years younger, who had a twin brother, Tavish, followed.
“Ach, ye look lovely,” Aileanna told her. “And just in time. The priest is with Toran at the kirk.”
“And Jamie is there, too, pacing at the doorway and looking impatient,” Lianna said with a smile. “If ye are ready, we’ll walk with ye.”
Aftyn started to nod, then noticed Eilidh’s expression. Her brow furrowed and she kept her gaze on the floor. “What’s amiss, Eilidh?”
“I’m happy, no’ sad. I just realized that now we’ll have as many sisters as we have brothers. They’d best have a care.”
“They picked on ye two, did they?”
“Aye. Tavish is the worst. Jamie’s no’ so bad, though. Ye are lucky to have won the nicest brother.”
Aftyn thought back to the night Jamie arrived at Keith and what she’d overheard through the door to Niall’s chamber. “Nicest?”
“Most of the time,” Lianna said. “I’m sure ye’ve seen his temper a time or two.”
“Och, aye.”
“Lasses,” Aileanna interrupted, her tone firm. “We’re expected at the kirk. Now is no’ the time to frighten Aftyn away with all yer stories about yer brother.”
Aftyn’s body went cold, then hot. It was time. She was getting married today. She couldn’t help the smile that she was certain shone in her eyes. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
The wee kirk was outside the main keep, around the bailey. Aftyn didn’t see it until the last moment, but even then it barely caught her notice. Instead, her gaze went to Jamie, pacing in front of the doorway, his kilt swinging around his legs as he strode, first in one direction, then back again.
He must have noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. He stopped suddenly and turned to face the group of women. His sisters snickered, but a glance from their mother put a stop to that.
“We’ll see ye inside,” Aileanna said and hurried her daughters forward, past her son, though she paused to bestow a kiss on his cheek, and into the kirk. Jamie squeezed her hand, but didn’t move. He hadn’t since he saw them, his gaze remained fastened on Aftyn.
“My God, ye are beautiful,” he told her, once the women of his family went past. He came down the steps to Aftyn and took her hands. “I’m the luckiest man in the Highlands.”
Aftyn freed one hand to stroke the side of his face. “I hope ye remember that in the future.” Then she grinned. “’Tis a lovely day for a wedding. I’m ready. Are ye?”
