Her sister’s eyes widened in shock. “That is why the villagers speak ill of ye, ye ken. They will go mad with this turnaboot.”
Why was it that every time something happened with her, her family had to bring up the gossiping villagers that kenned naught of how Eilidh truly was? Irritation filled her, and she pushed off the chair, her fists clenched at her sides as she paced the floor.
“Afore, their veiled whispers were naught but rumors that they had concocted in their heads for whate’er reason. Whether it be jealousy o’er my music that they couldnae stand such a thing, so a few started talking and then it only grew from there.” She threw her hands up in exasperation. “I havenae any idea what sparked them to start saying such things. I only ken that what they said I did, I didnae. But now? Weel, at least if they continue to talk, they will be speaking the truth.”
Morven gasped. “’Tis true then? Ye and Torquil MacGregor.” She leaned toward Eilidh and lowered her voice. “Ye two have lain together?”
Eilidh would not deny it, nor did she regret it. She straightened her back and pushed back her shoulders. “We have. More than once, I will admit.”
She waited for Morven’s reaction, expecting to see shame cross her face. Instead, her sister surprised her by smiling and nodded. “I kenned there was someone ye were fancy on.”
With a sigh of relief, Eilidh chuckled. “But look where it has gotten me,” she mumbled.
Morven clapped. “Aye. ’Tis gotten ye wed to the man that ye—wait, do ye love him?”
She couldn’t stop the smile that ticked up the corners of her mouth. She couldn’t ignore the fluttery feeling that she got when Torquil was near.
“Ye neednae say a word,” Morven announced, slapping her knee. “Yer face says it all.”
“He doesnae want to marry me, though.” Eilidh started pacing the floor again. “He has agreed. There is nay doubt there, but ’tis no’ because he wants to. He is being forced. I dinnae feel that is right. I told him he could say no, that I would understand.” She paused. She was rambling, words spilling from her mouth.
Morven approached and grabbed Eilidh by the shoulders, forcing her to meet her eyes. “I dinnae ken that is the case at all. He is quite infatuated with ye. Spend one minute with him and one would have to be blind no’ to see.” She squeezed Eilidh’s arms. “Now,” she moved to the sack she had brought with her. “I didnae have a lot of time afore I had to leave, so all I have with me was grabbed in haste.” She pulled out a deep-blue gown and held it out to Eilidh, following with a matching pair of slippers.
“’Tis no’ a wedding gown and may no’ be what ye expected to be married in, but ye have always looked beautiful in this gown. Torquil will love it.”
*
The next morning,the wedding was held at a stone altar in thewoods halfway betwixt MacGregor and Hart lands. The ceremony was quick and quiet. In attendance, was only Morven and Callum, serving as witnesses, along with the clergy man officiating the union. Fergus stood to the side, ensuring that they were going through with his demands.
Eilidh wore the gown Morven had brought, but unlike the wedding she had dreamt of, she held nay flowers. There was nay music serenading in the background, just her breath and the sound of the wind.
Torquil had remained silent the night afore. She and Morven had slept in the one bed together, whilst he slept on the floor near the hearth. Eilidh had refused, but he insisted. It was just one more thing she felt horrible about. Not only was he being forced to wed her, he had also been forced out of his own bedchamber. Never had she thought she would uproot his life in such a way.
Beside her, Torquil gently took her hand in his, and Eilidh’s heart ached with the weight of it all. As they spoke their vows, her mind raced with her kenning he was only going through this ceremony because of her honor and reputation. Not because he wanted to.
His touch was warm as he stroked her hand, but his expression was guarded, as if he were holding something back. Just what that was, she was unsure. The one thing she kenned to be true to fact was that he was an honorable man for stepping up to do what he was doing. And she hated that he would forever hold that against her.
When the officiant declared them husband and wife, there was no applause. No cheering. The silence was thunderous. They kissed each other’s lips softly, barely touching. She was unsure if it was for them or for show.
Fergus nodded, happy that his demand had been met. “Now ’tis up to ye to make yer families aware. I wish ye weel in that endeavor.” He left, guiding the clergy man through the woods and back to wherever he had found him.
Torquil scoffed.
Morven approached them tentatively, first hugging Eilidh tightly. “Congratulations,” she whispered in her ear. Then she offered a hug to Torquil. “Welcome to the family. I wish ye luck with them.” She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
It worked a wee bit to lessen the tension that had hung above them all morn like the heaviest of rain clouds.
“But truly. I wish ye both a blessed life of happiness.”
Callum was next, shaking Torquil’s hand, offering his own congratulations. “The future will indeed be of interest in the next few weeks.” He hugged Eilidh, a little stiffly, but she held nay resentment. She understood the awkwardness of the situation. He turned to Morven. “Since Fergus has left, allow me to escort ye home? Or, at the verra least, close to it, so ye return safely.”
Morven nodded afore saying her goodbyes. “Whose family are ye going to tell first?” she asked.
Eilidh looked at Torquil. “’Tis up to ye, Firebrand.”
She smiled at his use of the nickname. It had been a couple of days since he had called her by the moniker. “I suppose, ’twould be most beneficial to go to Hartsmoor first since my parents had wondered where I was and sent out a search party. Also, hence our current predicament.”
Torquil nodded and Eilidh wasn’t sure if it was because he was agreeing to her reasoning or agreeing because that was the reason why they were now wed.
