Chapter 3
Ava could sense Caden extending his hand for her to take. She paused to look at Finlay, then turned back to her new husband. His muscles tensed at her hesitation, making the green tartan sash quiver.
It was the only sign he showed that he caught her uncertainty.
Ah, he doesnae like showing his hand. Especially nae in public, I’d wager.
Ava wrapped her arm around his, and he led her proudly down the aisle.
Finlay made a gesture with his hand; he needed to talk to her. Ava did not know if she could talk to him. Her supposed best friend gave a nearly imperceptible nod toward the door.
Caden guided her to the little grove outside, where a cèilidh would soon be in full swing. The small kirk sat on a rolling green hill near MacCabe Castle. The sun was warm on her skin, calming her nerves. Ava felt her chest loosen just a bit with the fresh breeze. She clearly needed it.
Her mind should have been on Finlay and his trick, but she was a bit too preoccupied with her new husband. Apparently, it was the fate of a married woman. She almost laughed at the thought of her being married, especially to someone so…So…
Just what was that near kiss back there? Why am I so flustered?
A large table laden with a feast fit for a king stood before them, effectively distracting her. Candles, fruit, meats, cheeses, and rosemary and primrose bouquets spilled out over the tabletop. It was enough to feed the guests and the entire village down the hill.
“Good heavens, this could feed an entire country,” Ava remarked, wide-eyed.
“Aye, only the best to celebrate me bride.” Caden steered her toward the head of the table, where two ornate chairs waited for them.
“How long have ye ken… that ye would be taking Finlay’s place?”
Ava could not bring herself to say that they switched. It made her feel like a piece of meat they had different tastes for and easily swapped at will. It left a sour taste in her mouth.
“It was decided just this morning,” Caden replied simply, as if she had asked about the weather.
He pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit down. But instead of sitting, she shot him an icy glare.
“It was decided! And nay one thought to mention it to, I daenae ken, the bride? Ye were able to prepare this whole meal meanwhile, and Finlay didnae have the stones to tell me what was happening?” She planted her fists on her hips.
An emotion that she could not quite place flickered across Caden’s face not. She had seen it earlier in the kirk. It was hard to make out, what with the mask covering half his features.
Curiosity gnawed at her. What could he possibly be thinking? And why would she care? So many things had happened in the past hour that it made her dizzy to think about it all.
“I daenae want to talk about me braither’s stones, but I’ll let him tell ye all about what happened.” Caden looked pointedly over her shoulder.
Ava turned around to see Finlay now standing behind her. Her nostrils flared immediately.
“Greetings, darlin’.” Finlay flashed her a flirtatious smirk that he usually reserved for other girls. He had never used it with her. Well, except this time.
Ava’s ears began to buzz like a beehive. Before she knew what was happening, her hand was cutting through the air. A streak of color flashed across her vision, before pain burst across her palm. Barely a moment later, a red hand-shaped mark appeared on Finlay’s face.
He stared at her, his hazel eyes wide with astonishment. “What was that for?” he whined, rubbing his face. His lips curled into a pout, and disgust roiled in her stomach.
“Ye’re daft if ye daenae ken, Braither.” Caden commented, leaning on the chair for support.
Ava walked over to the chair he was still holding out for her and sat down, keeping her nose high in the air. “Thank ye, husband.” She smiled up at him.
His eyes widened in shock, much to her delight.
Finlay seemed like a perfectly good outlet for her anger right now, and she knew just how to make him pay.
He was not in love with her, of course, but she knew he could not stomach the thought of her having feelings for his brother.
His poor rakish soul would be too offended.
Aye, it was easier to be annoyed at Finlay than focus on the fact that she was now married, and that her husband had almost kissed her.
And oh, she should not forget that he was a fearsome Laird.
She shook the thought away and turned to Caden.
“I’m so glad ye’re here to protect me from this…this man, husband.” She gave him her best smile, hoping he would play along.
Caden’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly through his mask. “Ye’re very welcome, me bride.” He nodded and pushed her chair in with ease.
“Can we please talk?” Finlay took the seat to her right. His soft hands grabbed hers, and he looked pleadingly into her eyes.
Ava drew her hand away. Examining her nails, she said in a bored tone, “Dear husband, could ye get me some wine?”
“Of course, wife.” Caden leaned over her to take the wine and pour some in her goblet. He also smiled broadly at her. So, he had understood.
Smart man.
“Ava, please, look at me.” The plea in Finlay’s voice made her heart ache.
Never before would he have hurt her; she did not know why he would now.
He had defended her since they were children trapped in lessons together.
Hell, he had been the one to offer to marry her just to get her uncle off her back.
How could he be here now wanting to talk, after betraying and abandoning her at her hour of need?
“Ye’re in Emma’s seat,” she said flatly.
Exasperated, Finlay looked to Caden for help.
“Daenae look at me. Yer seat is on me left, Braither. Me bride will talk to ye when she is good and ready.” An almost deadly glint flashed in Caden’s brown eyes.
For a fleeting moment, Ava was glad she had married him.
Caden almost felt sorry for his brother. But he would not interfere to whatever this was. He’d already forced Ava to marry him, he would not force her to do anything else she had no interest in. He shifted his focus to the cèilidh that was now in full swing.
He truly loved to spoil his people. All the food would be given to the village and guests after, so the celebrations could go on in their own homes. Even the MacFinns would be encouraged to take their share home. There was more than enough for everyone.
Outside of feasts, Caden would never show his love for his clan with overly grand gestures, but he took joy in helping each family in the quiet routine of daily life. His father had always encouraged him to look after the clan first and foremost, and he took it to heart.
The guests took their turns toasting and congratulating the bride and groom. After everyone had their first servings, they demanded that the musicians play songs. Ale, wine, and whiskey flowed around freely, and the guests hooted and hollered for the bride and groom to start the first dance.
“Me Lady.” Caden grabbed his bride’s hand.
Ava looked at their hands, then at him.
“Are ye asking me to dance, husband?”
“I could always demand it, but I think I’ve ordered ye around enough for the day.”
Ava huffed but allowed him to guide her in the middle of a little clearing. They took their positions while everyone cheered.
The musicians began to play, and he led her in a vigorous dance.
He could not take his eyes off her. A few tuffs of hair had somehow freed themselves from her long braid and were now framing her face.
Her cheeks and neck had flushed, and Caden could not stop himself from looking lower…
and lower. A thin veil of respite covered her collarbones, her chest heaved with every breath.
He had to admit, she was a great choice of a bride.
When he looked back up at her eyes, she was giving him a knowing look. “Do ye think I’ll do well as yer bride, then, me Laird?”
Great. She could read his mind now too.
“We’ll just have to wait and see how obedient ye are,” he whispered in her ear. If possible, she flushed even more, and he wanted to follow that flush with his hand.
“If ye wanted an obedient bride, ye clearly made the wrong choice, husband,” she said with a teasing glint in her eye. The song came to an end before he had a chance to reply, and he was thankful for that. He was not supposed to enjoy this convenient solution at all.
As she moved to circle around him, her foot stayed planted. A large pop sounded, and she crumpled to the floor.
“Ava!”
Many people from the crowd rushed in to aid her.
“Stop!” Caden knelt beside her and threw up a hand to stop anyone from coming closer.
“Are ye all right?”
Her eyes were wide with humiliation, darting from his face to the revelers surrounding them. Somehow, he understood her perfectly without her saying a word.
Caden scooped her up into his arms and turned to the crowd. “She’ll be all right. She just needs some air. Please, continue the celebrations.”
Ava fit so perfectly in his arms that it felt as if he had done this a million times before. Not that he noticed. He started walking toward the castle.
“Where are we going?” She looked anywhere but at him.
Caden cleared his throat. “I’m taking ye away from prying eyes.”
“Thank ye,” she whispered into his chest. “I couldnae face them. I twisted me ankle pretty bad. And I think we already gave them enough show for a day.” Her voice was low but firm.
He felt the back of his neck prickle. “I’ll have a look at it once ye’re settled,” he reassured her.
Pain radiated from her ankle up her leg, sharp and throbbing. Ava was grateful that Caden was taking her away from the guests. It was enough humiliation to marry the wrong man not. Breaking her ankle at her own wedding was more than she could bear.
Caden’s gait was steady, and his arms were strong as he carried her up the hill to the castle. It was much bigger than her own, and she could tell it was built with love by a clan that was proud of their Laird and land.