Chapter Eighteen #2
The king’s lutenists played their solemn hymns quietly until they were signaled to increase the volume and tempo.
And then he saw her. This vision in pale green with hair like flame and a tiara that sparkled as the sunlight hit it when she passed by the high arched windows of the abbey.
No one made a sound as she walked toward him with her father to her right and her holding a thick bouquet of hawthorne. This pleased him so, since she could have chosen the most exotic flower from the king’s gardens, but instead she chose a flower native to Scotland and as hardy as her people.
He met her gaze as they neared. She was more beautiful than any woman he’d ever beheld and even more beautiful than even she was before this moment. His breath caught in his throat as her father placed her hand in his.
He mouthed “beautiful,” which brought color to her cheeks and that shy smile he was coming to adore on her face.
The archbishop said some words and offered blessings, but Alexander could focus on none of it.
All he could see was this glorious woman before him and envision the life they were about to embark on together.
He could see them expanding the gardens at Inverary, their many children, and he could even see them growing old together.
In a flash their entire lives played out behind his eyes, and his heart ached with love for her so much it hurt.
The archbishop instructed Alexander to place his ring on her finger then joined their hands together.
“Alexander, Earl of Argyll and Chieftain of Clan Campbell, will you take this woman to be your wife?”
“I will,” he said.
“Marion, will you take this man to be your husband?”
“I will,” she said.
“Now let us humbly invoke God’s blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony. By the power vested in me by His Holiness the Pope of the Holy Catholic Church, I pronounce thee husband and wife.”
Alexander didn’t hear another word. He reached for Marion and cupped her face with his hands and brushed the softest kiss on her lips as prudence would dictate.
He’d make up for that later. And he also recalled a conversation about her gown being sewn onto her.
They would have to repair it on the morrow for he was not about to waste one second on her gown once they were alone later.
For the moment, he could not wait for her to see the great hall and how perfectly it had been transformed not into a garish affair with overly ornate decoration, but something elegant and soft, just like her.
“Fare thee well, Countess?”
She squeezed his arm where she held it as they walked down the aisle of the abbey and nodded at the various nobles and commonfolk who had come to bear witness.
“Aye, my lord. I am very well.”
“I am pleased to hear it and am looking forward to your impression of the great hall. I believe you will find it much transformed from the last time you were here. And by the way, I am very pleased that your tastes won out regarding your gown and choice of decoration. I shall do my best not to cause it too much harm later.”
Her fingers dug even harder into his arm.
“My lord, you need not worry about the gown. The seamstress devised a solution for ease of removal.”
It was everything he could do not to stare at her as they continued on down the impossibly long aisle, nodding and smiling at attendees.
“I am not certain if I am relieved or disappointed.”
“Are you saying you wanted to damage my garment?”
“I believe I was prepared for the challenge, aye. But truth be told, I am counting down the moments until I have you alone and we can explore one another for many—long—hours.”
Her hand on his arm was like a death grip now and he was left in no doubt she was as affected by him. Their joining would be jointly enjoyed; he would ensure it.
“My lord, I believe you have stirred me to the point of distraction.”
He sucked in his breath. He deserved that as his loins tightened at her admission. Aye, he would need to desist lest they both make a spectacle of themselves before all these witnesses. They were to witness the nuptials, not the consummation!
“My lady, I promise to behave myself until such time as we are alone, as long as you do not do that thing with your eyes watching my mouth. If you do, all bets are off, and I will fling you over my shoulder and carry you off to our chamber without a care who is offended.”
He chuckled when she sucked in her breath.
Oh, but it was growing painfully clear they had the capacity to drive one another to distraction, and upon her knowledge of lovemaking, he was not sure he would be able to remain in control of their passions.
A part of him was wary of relinquishing control, but another very visceral part longed for it—for her to command him and be free with her needs.
Christ, would this aisle never end?
But eventually it did. He led her to the walkway to enter the courtyard and onward to the great hall. He wanted her to see it before anyone else arrived so had requested they all remain in the abbey for a few moments until he could let her take it all in.
They ascended the steps and turned the corner, and when they did, she gasped and placed her hand on her heart. She looked to him with tears welling in her eyes.
“Please tell me those are tears of joy and not abhorrence.”
“How did you make this happen? What sort of magic could offer such a transformation?”
“It was all the king’s doing. You have him to thank. I merely tried to illustrate the difference in our preferences.”
He was pleased the king had clearly listened.
The entire walls were covered in white and pale pink flowers of many variations, but the effect was as though the hall sat in the middle of a garden.
Each table was adorned with bouquets of similar flowers of the same palette, but protruding from them were feathers shaped to resemble a white peacock.
The head table was dressed in pine garlands decorated with roses, thistle, and a touch of the design in the hall.
Butterflies flitted about the flowers, giving a faerie-like visage.
“Alexander, ’tis the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” she said and turned to him, a small tear rolling down one cheek.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead, each cheek, and then her lips.
“You are more beautiful than anything here. Do you know you have made me the happiest man in all of Scotland—nay, the world this day? I love you, my sweet countess.”
They stood there for a few moments longer in an embrace, looking at the sight before them, holding onto the moment before the crowd would descend and the celebrations commence.