Page 78 of The Lady of Her Highland Clan

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"It's too late tae back out now, lass!"

Grace's voice was teasing, but trepidation still burned in Fiona's throat.

It was the day she had been waiting for. Her wedding ceremony.

Simultaneously, she had been praying for and dreading this day to come. Now that it had, it seemed that time was racing forward at a never-ending speed.

It felt like only moments had passed from the moment of her waking to being here, standing at the edge of the great hall. But now that she was here, her heart was beating hard.

And the room was packed. Jam-packed. Never had Fiona seen so many people in the Duncan hall. And that was just the ones inside. Outside, on the castle grounds, many more gathered, coming from all around to celebrate the union of the clans.

"Only a few hundred here tae see it," teased Grace cheerfully. "Nay pressure."

She tightened her grip on Fiona's arm and marched her up the aisle. It was just as well she did, as at that moment, Fiona might have fallen sideways.

"Hundreds?" she asked. This was worse than she thought, and the tension crept further, through her throat and into her mouth, paralyzing her with fear.

"Dinnae fash," said Grace warmly. Perhaps she sensed she had gone a little too far with her teasing, and now she attempted to settle Fiona down. "Ye'll be braw."

And for once, Grace was right. Because just as she propelled her toward the front of the room, she caught sight of Clyde.

Fiona's breath almost stopped. Now there was no going back. Clyde turned to look at her, his green eyes winking playfully. Fiona felt herself heat up despite it being a chilly September day. Outside, the Highlands pitched its best storm, blowing all around the hall and letting in drafts.

None of that bothered Fiona; she only had eyes for Clyde, fully attired in the colors of the Greenock clan. The blues and reds set off his black hair to good effect, and Fiona could not help but fantasize about running her fingers through its silken lengths.

"Slow down a wee bit, lass," called Grace, as she stumbled behind. Grace was the chief bridesmaid. Behind her, Lissie and Aileen followed on.

But Fiona wasn't listening. Or watching. All she wanted to do was to get to the bottom of the room and be with Clyde. She was in such a hurry that she almost hitched up her skirts and ran! But somehow, she did not, remaining a model of decorum until she reached the end of the hall.

Fiona's blue gown stretched out behind her, dutifully attended to by her little sister, Aileen. The tartan sash had been specially woven to unite both the Duncan and Greenock clans’ colors. And with a matching ribbon in her hair, Fiona looked stunning as she came toward him on the aisle.

Clyde's eyes were on her every step of the way. Then, after what felt like forever, she joined him at the altar. The murmur from the crowd dissipated as the elder rapped on his lectern.

Counselor McTavish nodded at Clyde to make his vows.

For a minute, Clyde stared anxiously, as if he had forgotten what he was meant to do. His crazed look filled Fiona with lust. She longed to hold and comfort him in her arms.

Finally, Clyde smiled. Composing himself, he turned toward her.

"Behold, Fiona, hear my oath that I make on this day. I will have no other wife than ye."

McTavish smiled encouragingly. He had made an effort for today, his haphazard hair combed into some sort of haystack on his head. He forced his stiffened features into a grin. Fiona was not sure whether she liked it or not, but he was trying.

Faltering beneath their gaze, Fiona nodded. "An' I, Fiona, ask o' ye, Clyde, tae hear my oath also. That I will take no other man but ye tae be my wife, until death do..."

A low ripple of laughter ran around. Grinning, Clyde looked up at her.

"I'd love tae be yer wife, but perhaps we better stick wi' convention?" He wore a lopsided grin that made Fiona collapse into giggles.

She had not noticed her mistake until it was pointed out. Red-faced but grinning, Fiona turned to the elder.

"I will take no other man to be my husband...until death do us part."

The counselor nodded, then signaled to Clyde to give his hand. Then he gestured for Fiona to follow. Confused, she followed but momentarily a little off-kilter. In her haste to be wed, she had forgotten about the actual hand binding!

The elder took their hands, binding them together with the joint colors of the clans. Before long, a braid of blues and reds entwined together, uniting them.