Page 76 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

"Dinnae fash," he quipped, teasing her with his accent. Lissie grinned. "I'm not going anywhere."

At that moment, McTavish glared at them. He had finally succeeded in subduing the room and was anxious to press on.

"An' McTavish isnae quite the archbishop o' Canterbury, but we do oor poor best!" Lissie strained, whispering in Will's ear.

"Ladies an' gentleman," began McTavish before stopping completely for a few minutes to think on what he was to say. There was a murmur, then he coughed.

"Ladies an' gentleman, Elisabeth an' William..." McTavish looked at them before returning to his speech. "We are here to join these two people, to be bound for all time..."

Grinning, Will stroked her hand. His warm touch ignited thoughts inside her that burned and inflamed. And the last thing she needed was more heat.

"An' it remains to me, as clan elder, to join ye in matrimony with this ribbon."

Reaching out, McTavish wrapped the ribbon—in clan colors—around both of their hands. As he did, Lissie felt a warmth running through her. His arm squeezed her as they were bound, sending a tingle racing through her. Then, they were tied!

Just as Will looked bewildered, McTavish appeared with a wooden quaich.

"Now ye may drink from the loving cup," he said after pouring the liquor inside it.

Gingerly, Lissie picked it up, taking one side, and lifting it to Will's lips, tipped the drink into him. Then he did the same, dabbing her lips and offering her a dram from the cup, which she accepted.

She dropped it with a clatter.

The quaich tumbled to the floor with a bang. All the liquor flooded out, trickling fast across the hall. Horrified, Lissie brought her hands to her mouth.

"Dinnae fash," said Will, reassuring her with his other arm.

A ripple ran through the crowd, but Lissie was too busy trying to stem the flow of drink from the cup. Looking for something to mop it with, she remembered the handkerchief.

Unfurling the handkerchief from her person, Lissie scooped up the trickling drink. She did not give it a second thought, but as she leaned over to pick it up, Will's other hand steadied her.

Glancing at the embossed square, he took it curiously. Opening it up, he saw the initials W.I.

"This is mine?" he said uncertainly. "I did not remember you having one."

His eyes swerved to hers in surprise. Taking the now wet handkerchief, Lissie smirked.

"Ye didnae ken," she grinned as they stood together hand-bound.

There was a low murmur from the crowd, but just for the moment, neither of them noticed it. Instead, Will stared at her intently, his blue eyes gazing.

"I did not know, well, that does not matter. I do not mind you."

Puzzled, Will looked at Lissie, then gave up. Laughing, she came to him, kissing him intently on the lips. Then she shied back.

It was forward. The man was meant to kiss the bride. She had not even been asked.

A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd. But McTavish cleared his throat pointedly. Now they turned to him.

"Sorry," she murmured, wiping the grin from her mouth, but Will took her with his spare hand and kissed her deeply.

The taste of Will's kiss lingered sweetly on her lips. She felt a wave rush through her, but still, she wavered.

Watching them, a ring grew around McTavish's pursed lips.

"Now ye may kiss the bride," he said pointedly. Will almost laughed out loud but just managed to keep it in as, for a second time, he gave her the kiss of her life.

His kiss spiraled deep, and right then, Lissie was transformed. She was taken to another place, one of aching deep and longing. It was so intense it almost knocked her from her legs. A hot throb burst through her. Lissie looked up. This was unexpected. She had never experienced anything like this before.