Page 227 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

It was Malcolm's wedding day, a few weeks later. A sunless sky greeted them, as Malcolm pressed his face to the wind, and looked outside.

Nerves prickled in his stomach about the upcoming day. It was the culmination of everything he had wished for, but now he felt sadness for the friend who would not be there.

Mounting his horse, James waved jovily at him.

"Tis a shame to miss the wedding, but we have to catch the tide. Nae bother, I'll be back, wi' all the lads, to hear all about it! he grinned.

Malcolm accompanied him to the front of the Duncan keep.

"I'll nae forget the help ye gave," he said, sincerely, as his friend mounted. James' horse gave a slight whinny, and flared a little. James waited awhile as he settled down. "Wi' out ye, none o' this would have happened..."

"Wheesht," said James, uncomfortably. "Ye would have done it yerself, eventually!" he winked. "Perchance afore ye turned ninety-nine..."

Malcolm laughed. Then he looked serious. "Ye were the only one there for me...well, apart from one other... who I am due to wed!"

James' face cracked, rippling into a grin. The cold morning light cast him taut and pale, with a good many wrinkles, but it didn't hide the humor in his face.

"Noo then, back inside, an' wed that lassie!" he said, shooing Malcolm along. "Else she might end up wi' someone else. Good job I'm nae gonnae be here...she might be tempted by' my fair an' beauteous face!"

"Away wi' ye," said Malcolm, laughing. Inside, he was a bag of nerves, but James could still make him crack up. "Off ye go, then, an' hope the tides fare ye well!"

Emotion prickling his stomach, Malcolm watched James ride off, before walking slowly into the keep.

* * *

"She's coming!"

Ainslee approached the smiddy barn, a shy smile beneath her nose. Stepping forwards, she clutched her heather posy tightly.

It was spring. The thick snow had melted to green vista, and a pleasant air swept the glen. Guests packed into the tiny smiddy, but most did not fit, and stood outside.

For a moment, Ainslee hesitated. Everyone in the clan was there. At least that was how it felt, the great and good, at the front, watching her closely. Hundreds of eyes followed her as she passed along the barn. Overwhelmed, Ainslee looked away. There was only one pair she was interested in, and they twinkled at her from the very end of the smiddy barn.

Malcolm.

Ainslee's heart rushed. The heat in the barn spread to her cheeks, turning them pink. Pressing her head down, Ainslee tightened the grip on her posy, and pushed on.

Seeing her approach, Malcolm gawped. Head-to-toe in the lightest blue, Ainslee stunned.

The robe ignited her shape, drawing the eye to her delicate waist and rounded bosom. And the gentle shade made her dark color stand out. On seeing Malcolm, Ainslee stopped.

His clan colors brought out the red of his hair, and his bright green eyes sparkled. As he saw her, he turned and smiled, leaving Ainslee unnerved.

A deep thrill went through her. It was unexpected, and gave her a jolt. Blushing, she felt like everyone saw her thoughts.Malcolm gave a wink, which only compounded it. For a moment, she came to a total halt.

A low murmur filled the barn. Waiting at the anvil, her father, in his long blacksmith's apron; and air of expectation on his face. Then, Marisse nudged her.

"Go on, lass," she whispered, and somehow, Ainslee found her feet.

It was like walking on aspic. Ainslee's legs felt mushy and weird. All she could think of was each step brought her closer to Malcolm's side.

By the time she got there, she felt like a hundred years had passed. The heat and warmth got to her, leaving her faint.

"It's alright lass," Malcolm's calm voice spoke to her. Opening her eyes, Ainslee saw him right by her side. He was smiling. "It's braw lass, yer going to be fine..."

A small grin was playing at the side of his mouth, leaving her longing. Ainslee fought with herself not to kiss him, there and then. Instead, she nodded.

"Nae fash," he said, squeezing her hand. The feel of Malcolm's skin against hers brought her around. Slowly, she came back too, to find the barn and everyone in it staring at her. She blinked hard.