Page 50 of A Scot to Wed

It had just occurred to Katie that aside from his initial greeting when she’d joined him in front of Mr. MacDuff and their wedding vows, she and Evan hadn’t spoken to each other all morning.

“Is all well, lass? Ye look a bit confused.”

Katie shook her head. “Nay. Well, maybe, aye. This all happened so quickly, I’m still a bit disconcerted.”

He covered her hand with his warm one. “Yer hand is like ice, lass.” He moved his chair closer to hers and whispered in her ear. “When this blasted celebration is over, we’ll retire upstairs, and I have many ways to settle ye down. And warm up more than yer hands.” He drew back and gave her that crooked smile that made her insides dance around like a midsummer’s night frolic.

…

Evan leaned back in his chair and surveyed the Great Hall. ’Twas nice how the MacDuffs and Stirlings were getting on, which would make him and Katie leaving in a few days not a concern for Ian MacDuff and his wife to take charge.

Truth be known, he was quite anxious to be gone. He felt as though his work here was finished. His own clan needed him; he had a pretty lass for a wife, a young brother-in-law who needed his protection and guidance, and bad weather on the horizon. He also wanted to put Gavin and Lord Armstrong as far apart as he could. He didn’t put it past the man to try something sneaky.

As soon as most had finished their meal, the tables were pushed back against the wall, and the music started.

TheTraditional Grand March began the dancing. Evan stood and held his hand out to his bride. He took Katie’s hand, and with the sound of bagpipes, now once again allowed in Scotland, he marched her around the room. Meggie and Alasdair joined in, and then finally all the guests. Peals of laughter and suggestive comments followed them as they made their way past the guests.

Then Katie filled the Scottish Quaich, a two-handled silver bowl, with whisky and passed it around for the wedding party to sip. It had taken Alasdair some time to find the traditional bowl on such short notice, but he’d turned one up from a villager who’d been more than happy to share his family heirloom with them for the wedding.

As a final tribute to tradition, Katie sat on a chair as an older married woman of the Stirling clan sat on a stool and washed and dried her feet.

Evan was quite anxious to be done with all the traditional celebrating and wanted to hurry his wife upstairs to his bedchamber. He had ideas for his own celebration that involved a fine bottle of wine he’d found in the basement, along with candles and soft linen sheets.

He was growing hard just thinking about it, and if he dinnae find a way to bring his body under control, he wouldn’t be able to walk across the room with her. But Katie seemed to be having a good time, dancing with her brother, then Alasdair, and then a few of her kinsmen. And then a few of the MacDuff kinsmen.

’Twas not jealousy he felt as he watched her, cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling as she danced with one of the Stirling lads. However, no one else should see her thus—her lovely breasts swaying with the music.

The Stirling lad passed her along to another mon he didn’t ken, and a new song started up. Evan growled in frustration.

“Why dinnae ye join the others and dance a bit?” Alasdair sat alongside him, wiping the sweat from his face. His brother had always enjoyed these events, while Evan had tried his verra best to avoid them. But a mon couldn’t avoid his own wedding celebration.

“I did dance.”

Alasdair took a swig of ale. “Aye. Ye marched Katie around the room and then tried yer best to haul her upstairs when ye passed the staircase.”

“She appeared tired. I thought she might do with a nap,” he groused.

Alasdair’s laugh could probably be heard in London. “Aye, yer right. The lass does look a bit peaked.” He gestured in the direction of the dancers.

Just then, the man dancing with Katie picked her up by her waist and swung her around, forcing her to cling to his shoulders. Meanwhile, the man’s thumbs were a wee too close to Katie’s breasts.

“That’s enough!” Evan stood and strode passed the revelers and snatched Katie from the man’s arms. “My wife looks a wee bit tired. I think ’tis time for us to retire for the night.”

“Night?” Alsadair called from the table. “’Tis no more than four in the afternoon.”

Katie looked exactly how he wanted to see her in his bed. Flushed, panting, her eyes shining with excitement. No one should put that look on her face except her husband.

“Actually, I am a wee bit worn out. I dinnae sleep a whole lot last night.” She slumped against him, her breathing still erratic. “But I want to say good night to Gavin before we depart.”

“Aye. I’ll go with ye.”

Gavin was off in a corner with some of the other lads who were playing some sort of a ring toss game. The lad seemed much more at ease with other children since he’d arrived. Evan had taken him riding a few times and was even teaching him how to use a dirk. Gavin was a fast learner and eager to acquire skills that the other lads seemed to have learned from their das.

“Gavin, the laird and I are retiring for the night.”

Gavin nodded at his sister but never looked up.

“Gavin.” She leaned in and pinched his chin. “I’m speaking to ye.”