Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Icannae do this.”
The words escaped Iris in a breathless whisper as she stood at the entrance to the great hall. What she’d expected was family, close retainers, maybe a few important clan members— perhaps fifty people. What she faced was easily three times that number.
The massive hall was packed wall to wall with McMurphy clan members, all turned toward the doorway where she stood frozen like a deer caught by hunters.
Tables groaned under the weight of roasted meats, fresh bread, wheels of cheese, and what looked like enough ale to float a ship.
Torches blazed in iron sconces, casting dancing shadows on ancient tapestries that depicted Highland battles and clan victories.
Musicians sat in one corner with pipes, drums, and fiddles at the ready.
And every single person was staring at her.
I cannae do this.
The conviction hit the pit of her stomach a second time. She’d never been trained for this, never been taught how to address a clan, how to hold herself as a lady, or what words to say at a celebration in her honor.
Her parents had made it abundantly clear that she wasn’t good enough for a laird and that any marriage prospects would be to minor sons or merchants. They’d focused all their attention on preparing Lydia to be the perfect Highland wife.
Her chest tightened, her breathing growing shallow, and the faces in the crowd began to blur together—curious, expectant. They were waiting for her to say something, do something, be something she’d never been taught to be.
“I cannae do this,” she whispered again, taking a step backward.
A strong arm slipped around her waist, warm and steadying. “Easy, lass.”
Elijah appeared at her side, as if from nowhere, dressed in full Highland regalia. His clan colors draped over a crisp white shirt, his kilt perfectly pleated, a silver brooch gleaming at his shoulder. He looked every inch the Highland Laird—powerful and commanding.
“I daenae ken what to do,” she whispered desperately, her voice so low only he could hear. “I was never taught. Me parents never taught me.”
“Ye keep walkin’,” he said quietly, his arm tightening around her waist. “Ye smile at yer people, ye let them see their new lady, and ye daenae keep them waitin’. It isnae right.”
“But what if I panic?”
“Ye can panic later.” His voice was gentle but firm. “Right now, yer clan needs ye.”
Yer clan.
Not his clan, not the McMurphy clan but her clan. The simple words did something strange to her chest, made her stand a little straighter.
“What do I say to them?”
“Nothin’ yet. Just walk with me, let them see ye, smile if ye can manage it.” His hand pressed against the small of her back, steady and warm. “I’ll handle the rest for now.”
The strange thing was, she believed him. And she felt safe with him, protected. As long as he was beside her, nothing could go truly wrong.
This should terrify me more than the crowd.
But it didn’t. Instead, it gave her the courage to lift her chin, straighten her shoulders, and take that first step into the hall.
The moment they moved forward together, a cheer went up from the crowd.
Not the polite applause Iris would have expected for a new lady.
This was a genuine, lively Highland welcome that made the stone walls ring.
Men raised their tankards, women smiled and nodded approvingly, and children pressed forward for a better look at their new lady.
“That’s it,” Elijah murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “Just like that.”
They moved through the crowd slowly with Elijah occasionally nodding to someone or acknowledging a greeting.
He kept them moving toward the high table at the far end of the hall.
Iris tried to smile at the faces they passed.
Like the elderly woman who curtsied with obvious respect then a group of young men who grinned and called out good wishes and the children who stared with wide-eyed curiosity.
“Me lady!” A woman about her mother’s age stepped forward with a broad smile. “Welcome to Castle McMurphy! We’re so pleased to have ye!”
“Thank ye.” Iris managed a smile, surprised to find her voice steady. “I’m very happy to be here.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. Surrounded by these warm, welcoming faces, she was beginning to feel something that might actually be happiness.
“She’s bonnier than we expected!” someone called out from the crowd, causing a wave of laughter.
“And she looks like she’s got some spine to her!” another voice added.
Elijah’s hand tightened slightly on her waist, and she caught what might have been amusement in his expression.
They reached the high table, elevated on a platform so they could see and be seen by the entire hall.
The table was set with the finest plates and goblets, decorated with late summer flowers and candles that cast everything in a warm, golden glow.
“Yer seat is here,” Elijah said, guiding her to the chair beside what would obviously be his—a larger, more ornate one, positioned at the center of the table.
As she moved to sit, she noticed they weren’t alone at the high table. Henry was there, grinning at her with obvious approval, along with a few other men she didn’t recognize who she assumed were clan elders or perhaps important retainers. And at the far end a figure caught her attention...
A small boy sat quietly, his dark hair neatly combed, his clothes obviously his finest. He couldn’t be more than ten with solemn brown eyes that watched her with curious intensity. Those eyes were familiar—the same shape, the same deep brown color as Elijah’s.
Her heart stopped.
Elijah noticed her stare and followed her gaze. His expression grew carefully neutral. “Iris, I’d like ye to meet me son. Codie, come here, lad.”
The boy stood immediately, walking over with the careful steps of a child trying very hard to be on his best behavior. He stopped in front of her and executed a perfect, formal bow.
“Me lady,” he said solemnly, “I’m pleased to meet ye.”
Elijah’s voice was quiet, pitched for her ears alone. “Codie is yer responsibility now. He needs a maither, and ye’re his stepmaither. I expect ye to treat him as yer own.”
The words were matter of fact, businesslike, but Iris thought she heard a warning underneath.
Or perhaps, was it a hint that this was a test?
Either way, one thing was certain. This was important to him.
This child was important to him. And looking at the boy’s serious little face, all she felt was protective tenderness.
“How are ye, Codie?” she asked, kneeling so they were at eye level. “I’m very happy to meet ye.”
The words seemed to surprise him. His eyes widened slightly. “Are ye really goin’ to be me new maither?”
How do I answer that?
“I’m yer faither’s wife now,” she said carefully. “But I’d very much like to be yer friend if ye’ll let me. And maybe, in time, we can be more than that.”
Something shifted in his expression. Her heart melted when she saw hope and a flash of relief that crossed his face. “I’d like that,” he said quietly. “Me da says I ask too many questions, but I like learnin’ about things. I’ve been wantin’ a maither for a very long time.”
I can do this. Whatever else happens between Elijah and me, I can love this child.
“Well then,” she said with a genuine smile, “I think we’re goin’ to get along very well. Do ye like honey cakes?”
His whole face lit up. “Aye! They’re me favorite!”
“Mine too. Perhaps tomorrow ye could show me where the kitchens are? I’d like to meet the Cook properly.”
“Really? Ye want me to show ye around?”
“I’d love that. I’m new here, and I need someone who kens all the best places.” She leaned closer conspiratorially. “Especially the places where they keep the good treats.”
Codie giggled—the first truly childlike sound she’d heard from him. “I ken where everythin’ is! I can show ye the secret passages too, if ye want.”
“Secret passages? That sounds very important.” She stood, ruffling his hair gently. “I’ll definitely need to ken about those.”
“Codie.” Elijah’s voice interrupted their conversation. “Go back to yer seat now. The feast is about to begin.”
“Aye, Faither.” The boy looked up at Iris with obvious reluctance. “We’re still goin’ to explore tomorrow, are we nae?”
“Definitely,” she promised.
As Codie returned to his place, Iris became aware that the entire hall had gone quiet.
She looked up to find hundreds of faces watching her interaction with the boy, and she realized they’d all been listening to every word.
From the approving nods and warm smiles on their faces, it looked like she’d passed the test.
“Well done,” Elijah said quietly as he helped her into her chair. “He’s been askin’ about ye since we arrived.”
“Has he?” She studied his profile as he settled beside her. “What did ye tell him about me?”
“The truth. That ye’re me wife now and that he’s to mind ye as he would his own maither.”
“And what did he say to that?”
Elijah was quiet for a moment. “He asked if ye’d like him and if ye’d stay.” His eyes met hers briefly. “I told him I dinnae ken, but that he’d have to wait and see.”
The admission hung between them, heavier than it should have been. This wasn’t just about her accepting a husband she didn’t want; it was also about accepting responsibility for a child who needed stability and love.
“And now?” she asked.
“Now, I think,” Elijah said, his voice so low only she could hear, “that me son is about to be very disappointed when ye inevitably decide ye want nothin’ to do with either of us.”
Maybe that’s what this is really about. Nae just needin' a wife but needin' someone who willnae leave.
Before she could respond, Elijah stood and raised his goblet. The hall fell silent immediately.