Page 155 of Claimed Highland Brides

NEGOTIATIONS

In the end, the plaid corseted gown looked quite well with a white petticoat. Aileen’s hair was combed to within an inch of its life and stuffed beneath a bonnet, a few wisps left hanging down, cradling her face. Sarah framed her eyes with kohl, emphasizing the moss-green of her eyes.

Sarah was unable to do anything about the paleness of her skin or the fear in her eyes. She felt as if she was jumping off a cliff with no idea how far the bottom was. Realizing that she had led a hitherto extremely sheltered existence, buffeted on all sides by her sister, she felt entirely alone, surrounded by strangers.

Barclay stood on a short stone plinth in front of which stood the lawyer, Euan McGregor. On either side of Barclay stood his cousins, smiling as Aileen walked towards them. The members of Euan’s household hovered near the terrace, smiling and talking excitedly.

Her heart was pounding so hard she was surprised that they could not hear it. Finally, she came to a stop opposite Barclay.

Euan smiled at them both, pointing down at the plinth where a sheaf of scripts lay. “First things first, we have the marriage contract.” He picked up the scripts, handing two each to both Barclay and Aileen.

“Take yer time. Read, and sign.” He handed them each a quill.

Aileen read every word, seeing that it was a reasonably standard marriage contract. She could spot no pitfalls, but her stomach still churned at the thought of signing it without having an independent solicitor read through it. She glanced at Barclay and found him watching her.

“Is there anything the matter?” he asked quietly.

She looked back at the document. In truth, there was no cause for alarm aside from her innate caution. She read through the document again. “I think it is fine,” she said at last.

“Excellent.” The solicitor bowed to her as he handed her a pen. She signed with a flourish, managing a small grin as she handed the quill back. Euan dipped it into the ink and passed it to Barclay, who signed his contract with no hesitation. They exchanged contracts and signed again.

Euan gathered the pages together neatly and tied them with a bow. “Now that the formalities have been completed…” He turned to Diego. “Ye have the rope?”

Diego reached into his tunic and extracted a long red silk ribbon, handing it to the solicitor. Aileen gave him a sidelong glance, and he turned, quirking an eyebrow at her. She raised her own eyebrow, and Barclay loudly cleared his throat. She jumped, her eyes darting to his, and found that his were narrowed at her. He stuck out his hand, still glaring, and she did the same, her brow furrowing with puzzlement at his apparent annoyance. He produced a sghian dhu from his tunic and cut across her palm and then his own.

They pressed their palms together as Euan tied their hands and then stepped back, gesturing to them both. “Ye may say th’ words.”

Barclay turned to Aileen. “I, Barclay MacFarland, do take thee, Aileen Douglass, as my duly wedded wife, to love and to cherish, today and all days, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, ’til death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my troth.”

Aileen gasped, hands shaking slightly as she repeated the words back to him.

“Ye may kiss the bride.” Euan grinned, his palms up as he gestured for them to complete the ceremony.

Barclay leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. It was only a brief touch, but it burned like a brand.

“I now pronounce ye husband and wife. Congratulations!”

A cheer went up among the household staff. Diego and Antonio both clapped Barclay on the back and kissed Aileen’s cheeks. Barclay quickly pushed them away and led her back to the house, where a wedding breakfast was set out.

Aileen looked up at Barclay. “Why were ye glaring at me earlier? Did I do something wrong?”

Barclay took a deep breath, giving her a strained smile. “No, o’ course not. Ye’re free to disport wi’ whomever ye like, I suppose, but I would ha’ thought that ye would refrain at yer own marriage ceremony.”

“Disport? I dinnae ken wha’ ye’re on aboot.”

Barclay sighed. “Dinnae take me for a fool. I saw ye makin’ eyes at Diego.”

Aileen laughed, absolutely taken by surprise. “Wha’? I wasnae making eyes at him. I was simply surprised that he had such an elaborate ribbon for the handfasting ceremony.”

Barclay frowned at her. “So it was the ribbon ye were smiling at?”

“Aye.”

“Oh.”

He looked the slightest bit sheepish. Aileen smiled, suddenly feeling optimistic about this marriage. “Are ye reassured the noo? Can we eat our breakfast?”

He tightened his hold on her hand. “O’ course. Let us eat.”