It was all she could do not to turn around and run, screaming, through the village.
She walked woodenly toward the crowd that was gathered here to see this living nightmare fulfilled.
Run, Nora, run.
Her father’s tight grip on her arm was the only thing that prevented it. “Don’t embarrass me, lass,” he whispered under his breath.
Nora kept her gaze forward. Ryan’s mother was weeping in happiness. His father looked rather aggravated. The two of them stood off to the side, waiting for the moment when she would become their daughter.
They still didn’t know how much money their son owed.
Ryan stood at the door with the priest, but he refused to meet her gaze. He glanced at anything other than her as if ashamed of what he’d done.
And well he should be.
They paused in front of the priest.
Nora locked her legs together, afraid she was going to faint before this could be done.
She trembled as her father passed her hand from his arm into Ryan’s hands.
Her father publicly renounced his ties to her and moved away from them. He went to stand next to her mother who watched on with misery burning bright on her beautiful face.
“I’m sorry about this, Nora,” Ryan whispered. “But I promise I’ll make you a good husband.”
Nora’s thoughts whirled at his words and at the memory they evoked.
My wife...
A momentary slice of happiness slashed through her. Could she have found her reprieve?
Oh please, let this work.
The priest began the ceremony to bind them...
“Do you, Eleanor ingen Alexander of Canmore take Ryan?—”
“Wait!’ she said, her heart pounding in fear and excitement. “May I ask a question?”
“Nora,” her father’s voice boomed. “This isn’t the time for your curiosity.”
She flashed him an impatient scowl. “But ‘tis an important question.”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Best let her have at the asking or we’ll have no peace from her tongue.”
She glared at him and fought down a sudden urge to kick his shin.
“Ask your question, lass,” the priest said charitably.
Drawing a deep breath, she spoke, “Can a woman marry one man while being handfasted to another?”
There was an audible intake of breaths at her question.
The priest frowned. “Why would you ask that?”
“Nora,” her mother said, her tone suspicious, “what are you saying?”
Nora squirmed a bit as she hoped this worked to her benefit. Ewan might not want her, but at least this would save her from being tied to Ryan.
