Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
“Ye look absolutely bonnie,” Tilly said, her voice barely audible over the carriage wheels. She ducked her head, taking in the finer details of Katherine’s appearance. “Though I wish ye would have let me put more jewels on ye.”
Katherine looked down at the gleaming, beautiful rocks hanging from her neck on fine metal. Her hand twitched in her lap, and she fought the urge to reach up and touch them. She was very aware of how much wealth she was wearing on her body and didn’t want to do anything that might damage it.
“I think that I’m wearin’ more than enough,” she said, her stomach dropping as the carriage began to slow.
Nerves had been fluttering around her chest all morning.
“It’s nay as if anyone but Laird MacDougal will be close enough to me to see everythin’ I’m adorned with.
And I doubt it makes any difference to him whether I’m drippin’ with jewels or nae. ”
“I suppose ye’re correct,” Tilly said, sliding forward to adjust Katherine’s hair one last time.
She twirled a strand of Katherine’s long, brown hair around her finger.
“But ye’re gettin’ married. If there were ever an occasion to wear more jewels than necessary, it’s today.
It’s nae only for Laird MacDougal, it’s for ye. ”
Katherine nodded, a nervous sweat breaking out on the back of her neck.
Guards spoke to each other just beyond the walls of the carriage.
The door to the carriage was pulled open, and a guard offered her his arm.
It wasn’t until Tilly nudged her side that Katherine accepted the help, her hand trembling slightly as she held tight to him.
When her feet hit the ground, she took a moment to look at Brimstone, the braids in his mane now flecked with flowers. Agnes was standing with a basket of petals, waiting for her to arrive. Her face brightened a bit, and the gown she wore bounced as she walked toward Katherine.
“Are ye ready?” Agnes asked, her voice still carrying that deep sense of duty. She shifted the basket in the crook of her elbow, standing herself up straighter,
“I should be askin’ ye,” Katherine said, picking up a flower from within the basket. She brought it to her nose and took a long inhale. The scent steadied her, floral and light. “Are ye the one who decided Brimstone would be wearin’ flowers?”
“Aye,” Agnes said. “Ye braided his mane, but he looked quite plain. I picked the flowers yesterday evenin’. Our groom wove them in for me.”
“I’m sure ye made it quite difficult for him to say nae,” Katherine said. “Ye’re very convincin’ when ye wish to be.”
Before Agnes could say anything else, the kirk door opened, and Cillian slipped out.
His eyes scanned the horizon, almost as if he were looking for the approach of a distant threat, before he turned his attention to the two girls.
He smiled as he took in their dresses, saying, “Ach, seems ye’re already here.
We can start soon. Liam is waitin’ for ye.
The priest is ready. I daenae suggest we keep Lady Agnes waitin’ too long. ”
“Aye, I cannae imagine the pews are comfortable for her to be sittin’ in for any period of time,” Katherine said, the admission making her nerves churn harder.
Cillian nodded at her before returning to the doors.
He slightly opened them and whispered something to whoever was on the other side.
A few seconds later, the kirk’s organ started playing something lyrical and beautiful.
It filled her with a sense of strength for the coming spectacle.
But before Katherine was fully ready, Cillian swung the doors open wide, and Agnes stepped forward, tossing flowers down the aisle as she moved.
After this, I willnae have to worry about bein’ sent back to father.
Strengthening her resolve, Katherine lifted her chin and started her slow walk over the delicate petals.
Although there weren’t many people present—only a few witnesses from MacDougal castle—all eyes were on her.
It seemed as if they watched her journey with bated breath though it was more likely they admired how well Tilly had prepared her for the ceremony.
She clasped her hands in front of her, her fingers tangled so tightly it hurt, and she kept her focus ahead.
Liam stood at the end of the aisle, looking at her with an expression she couldn’t quite understand. It was somewhat warm, but she wasn’t sure if she could trust that. She couldn’t dismiss the possibility that he was just watching her that way for the audience.
Tearing her eyes away from his face, she took in his clothing. The green kilt was a shade that complemented the dress she was wearing. His white doublet was pressed and bright. He looked polished, even more put together than he did on a daily basis.
He’s so handsome.
The thought echoed in her mind when she finally took her place across from him in front of everyone. Leaning her head back, she met his gaze once more, and her breath caught. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears that she nearly didn’t hear the priest greet the congregation.
“It is me honor to be performin’ the handfastin’ between Laird MacDougal and Miss Morrison,” he said when the song came to its conclusion. “I would like to begin the service by readin’ a bit of scripture.”
As he spoke, Liam swallowed. She watched the way his throat worked, feeling a bit warm where her corset pressed against her skin. He was watching her, too. It might have been the longest he’d gazed at her since the auction. She wasn’t sure what to do with so much attention.
“Ye may join hands,” the priest said after a few minutes, the words the only ones that she managed to catch.
Liam extended his hand obediently. Katherine looked down at his large fingers for a moment. Then, her mind caught up with her surroundings, and she reached out, pressing her palm against his slowly and carefully as if he might snap at her.
His hand engulfed hers, warm and solid. She knew he was strong, had felt his arms around her, but everything felt more acute now. A shiver ran through her, and it took everything to suppress it.
Something in her chest fluttered when she met his eyes. His gaze was soft and thoughtful. It was the first time she had ever seen him look unguarded. The expression disappeared instantly, but a new feeling was quickly developing. She couldn’t name it, nor analyze it here. Not in front of anyone.
Am I blushin’? I think that I may combust if I’m nae careful.
The priest accepted the ribbon from a clergyman and stepped forward. As he wrapped it around their hands once, he said, “May the sun and the Lord bear witness to this union.”
She watched as he wrapped the ribbon around again, his words no longer reaching her.
Blood rushed in her ears, her pulse pounding like a war drum.
Liam’s fingers tightened, the tips brushing her inner wrist and applying a gentle pressure.
Without thought, she held onto him tighter, responding to the warmth of him.
As the priest stepped back, Liam pulled her in closer. Her eyes widened, her head tilting in confusion. Then, as he leaned forward, she realized what was happening.
She didn’t even get a chance to brace herself before he kissed her.
The press of his lips was brief, but it was just as intense as she expected. He felt warm and strong. Before the spark she sensed could turn into a flame, the pressure disappeared. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she could only focus on him. It was as if the rest of the building had vanished.
“I am pleased to present to ye Laird and Lady MacDougal,” the priest announced as Katherine’s lips tingled at the loss.
The small congregation clapped respectfully. Katherine glanced at the crowd, her eyes landing on Lady Agnes. She was watching both of them, a look of motherly warmth in her eyes that made Katherine feel like everything would work out.
The sense of calm didn’t last very long. As the applause continued, Liam whispered in her ear, low enough so that only she could hear, “Ye will meet me in our chambers after we leave the ceremony.”
Katherine nodded, her free hand beginning to shake. She knew what to expect now that she was a married woman, and, strangely, she found that she wasn’t just shaking out of fear.
* * *
I’m nay avoidin’ this.
Liam’s jaw twitched as he approached the chambers he would now share with Katherine.
Now that she was his, he didn’t know how he’d keep his hands to himself.
Even there at the altar, when they’d been bound together, he hadn’t been able to stave off the thoughts of pulling her closer.
Not even the eyes of his people were enough to stop the compulsion.
If he could have declined the kiss, he would have.
Now that he’d had a taste, he wanted more. And he had no idea how long he’d be able to keep his composure around her. The ceremony seemed to have lit a fire in his gut that threatened to take over his entire body.
Gathering all of his strength, he opened the door slowly. As he stepped inside, he held his head high. This wasn’t a visit to consummate their marriage. He had a professional purpose for being here.
“Laird MacDougal,” Katherine squeaked from the armchair by the couch. “I wasnae sure when ye’d come.”
As she scrambled to her feet, her wedding nightgown swished around her ankles.
It was purple, made from a linen so thin that he thought it might as well be translucent.
Her breasts pressed against the fabric, full and enticing.
He had to tear his eyes away from her chest, her nipples visible through the garment.
His hands curled into fists at his sides.
“Ye may call me Liam if ye please,” he said, unsure of why. By all accounts, the distance would be advantageous. “We are married after all.”
“Liam,” she said, smoothing out the skirt of her gown nervously. His name sounded sweeter than honey coming out of her mouth. Again, she repeated, “I was wonderin’ when ye’d be comin’.”