Page 80 of Dancing On Air

Eleanor held an autumn bouquet of yellow, white, and crimson wildflowers tied together by a trailing long, colorful conglomeration of satin ribbons.

“God’s eyes, she is beautiful,” he mumbled under his breath, as her father stopped and handed her over to Connor. Connor held out his arm and Eleanor took it. They both turned and stood in front of the priest.

The wedding was short and simple, and that is exactly what Connor preferred. All he wanted was to hear the words I do, making Eleanor his wife. He couldn’t wait to consummate the marriage. Tonight, he would sleep soundly for the first time since becoming son to a hangman. Tonight, he would have sweet dreams, holding Eleanor in his arms as they made love and their bodies melded into one.

They repeated their vows and he heard Eleanor say those magical words, I do.

Then they exchanged rings, completing the ceremony, as the priest pronounced them man and wife.

“You may kiss the bride,” said Father Francis, the same priest who had married Connor’s parents so very long ago.

Connor turned to Eleanor, slowly lifting her veil, pushing it to the back of her head. Her clear, hazel eyes held so much love that Connor swore he could feel it engulfing him and flowing through his entire body.

“I love you, Eleanor,” he said, leaning in and gently kissing her on the mouth, right in front of everyone.

“I love you, too, Connor,” she said, smiling from ear to ear.

The crowd cheered and clapped, and then the nobles came forward to congratulate them on their marriage.

“Connor, I’m not sure if you remember my brothers, Ethan and Edgar,” said Eleanor, introducing them to him.

“Aye, of course I do,” he said, shaking their hands. While Ethan was about the same age as Eleanor, Edgar was older, and really the son of the Lord Warden’s dead brother.

“Welcome back to being a noble,” said Ethan. He was a good-looking man and a charmer when it came to the ladies. Or at least, that is what Connor heard from Eleanor.

“Eleanor, I didn’t think you’d ever get married,” said Edgar, who was a few years older than she. “Or that you’d get married before Ethan, anyway.”

“Me?” asked Ethan, his hand thumping against his chest. “Edgar, you’re older than both of us. I think it’s your turn next.”

“Well, mayhap we should both go observe the single ladies here today,” said Edgar, walking away with Ethan.

The abbess, Sister Sybil, and Sister Barbara were the next to congratulate them.

“We are going to miss you at the abbey,” said Sister Barbara, taking Eleanor’s hands in hers.

“Aye,” agreed Sister Sybil. “Who is going to watch over those little girls?”

“Oh, you won’t have to worry about that,” Eleanor told them. “Tom and Alice from town are going to take them.”

“The butcher?” asked Sister Barbara.

“Yes,” said Eleanor.

“Is that good?” asked the abbess. “I mean, they couldn’t seem to handle that boy who is a thief and was almost hanged.”

“Oh, don’t worry about Finnian,” Connor told the nuns. “I can promise you that after his close brush with death, he’ll never steal again.”

“That’s right,” said Eleanor. “He has already changed and is getting along nicely with Tom and Alice. Finnian is going to learn the business from Tom. He also promised to help watch over little Lena and Margaret. Alice is happy all the time now, and loves having so many children. They’ll be visiting Edna and Albert at the farm regularly, so the girls can spend time with Bertram and Hamlin, and to play with the dog.”

“Do you mean those serfs?” asked Sister Barbara.

“Yes, but they are not serfs anymore,” said Eleanor, looking over and smiling at Connor. “You see, Connor and I bought their freedom. Now, Edna and Albert are no longer tied to the land or to the new lord of Marvane Castle, whoever that might be.”

“That was so thoughtful of you, Lady Eleanor,” said the nuns, congratulating her once more and then leaving to mingle with the crowd.

“Eleanor,” said Robin, walking up with Lark and Florie. “I am sorry my sisters and parents aren’t here, but they couldn’t make it here on such short notice.”

“I understand,” said Eleanor. “This wasn’t a normal wedding. We never even posted the wedding banns.”