Chapter 11 #2
Daphne’s letter had asked Ceana to choose a life of her own. Running merely because her sister had would be another way of following Daphne into a place she had never chosen.
“I want to proceed with the wedding,” Ceana declared.
Heather searched her face. “Why? Daenae tell me it is because ye gave yer word.”
“That matters to me. The children matter as well.” Ceana brushed the ribbon with her thumb. “Oscar has treated me with respect since we made our bargain, and he has kept every promise he made me.”
“Is that all he has done? Has he never frustrated ye? Nae even once?”
“Well, he has.” Heat rose beneath Ceana’s skin as she remembered the press of his mouth against hers. “He is skilled at that.”
Her mother’s expression softened with understanding, though she doubted it was for what she was thinking.
“I cannae ken what sort of husband he would be until I marry him,” Ceana continued. “I want the chance to build somethin’ here. If I leave today, it will still be because I am afraid.”
Heather stood and held out her hand. Ceana took it, allowing her mother to pull her to her feet.
“Then I will walk ye as far as the garden,” Heather relented. “After that, every step is yers.”
When she reached for the pins again, Ceana stopped her. “Daenae arrange me hair like Daphne did hers for formal occasions.”
“How would ye like it?”
“Braid it as I have always preferred.”
Heather removed the pins already placed and divided Ceana’s hair into sections with her slender fingers. By the time she secured the braid, a soft knock sounded at the door.
Tommy pushed it open before anyone could answer, and Paisley entered behind him, carrying the second embroidered ribbon with both hands.
“Ye look finer than a queen,” Tommy complimented.
Paisley gave her brother a restrained look, then looked at Ceana and went very still. The relief on her face mingled with the uncertainty she had carried since learning of the wedding.
Ceana held out her hand. “Will ye carry yer ribbon into the garden and give it to the priest?”
Paisley’s fingers tightened around the ribbon. “Ye truly wish to use it?”
“I promised to keep it, and I meant what I said.”
The girl nodded, holding the ribbon closer to her breast.
“Thank ye for takin’ such care,” Ceana said. “It matters to me.”
Tommy smiled almost like a warrior entrusted with a border. He left with Paisley to take his place, managing to close the door softly after them.
Heather settled Ceana’s cloak around her shoulders, then offered her arm. They moved into the passage as the sounds of the gathering grew louder. Several voices carried through the open entrance, and a bench shifted across the grass. One distant bleat came from the stables.
At the foot of the stairs, a clanswoman leaned toward her companion. “That must be Lady Daphne, the bride Laird MacKane stole from Laird Angus.”
Mairi spoke up before Ceana could. “Her name is Lady Ceana Tulloch. She is the one marryin’ Laird MacKane, nae Lady Daphne.”
The correction was quiet enough to avoid spectacle. Its certainty followed Ceana to the garden entrance, where her father waited in his formal coat.
David looked at Heather first. Whatever he saw on her face made him turn toward Ceana with greater care.
“Do ye wish me to place yer hand in his?” he asked.
Ceana looked beyond him. Oscar stepped forward before the priest raised his hand, then checked himself as his gaze traveled over her with an intensity she felt through her gown. For one brief moment, his control faltered, and desire flashed hot in his eyes.
“Aye,” she said. “I want ye to take me to him.”
David offered his arm. As they walked down the aisle, Ceana kept her attention on Oscar. His dark, formal coat accentuated the breadth of his shoulders, and his scarred hand hung still at his side.
At the end of the aisle, David paused. Ceana gave him a small nod before he placed her hand in Oscar’s.
Oscar’s fingers closed around hers. His grip was gentle, though it tightened once their palms met.
“Ye’re beautiful,” he murmured.
The simple words reached the part of her still wounded by his apology.
She held his gaze until the priest stepped closer. She looked once toward her mother, who had offered her escape. Tommy stood near Oscar, his eyes fixed on them, while Paisley waited beside the ribbons.
Ceana drew in a deep breath. “I come of me own will, and I take Oscar Barr as me husband before God and those gathered here.”
Oscar’s thumb pressed over her pulse. “I come of me own will,” he said, “and I take Ceana Tulloch as me wife before God and those gathered here.”
Paisley approached with her embroidered ribbon.
Heather brought the Morrag blue, and the priest wound both lengths around Ceana and Oscar’s joined hands.
The cloth tightened gently around their wrists as the wind lifted one loose edge.
Oscar’s palm covered hers, his thumb lingering against her pulse.
Once the vows were spoken, the priest pronounced them husband and wife.
Oscar kept hold of her hand as he stepped closer. His free hand settled on her waist, firm enough to send heat through the layers between them. He lowered his head until only she could hear his next words.
“I have spent all day thinkin’ about kissin’ ye.”
Before she could answer, his mouth descended on hers. Ceana caught his sleeve and rose onto her tiptoes, kissing him back as his hand tightened around her waist.
The kiss lasted longer than anything Ceana thought the audience deserved. She forgot herself long enough to curl her fingers more tightly into his sleeve.
A cheer broke out somewhere behind them, and she startled against him. Oscar lifted his head slowly, but he did not release her. His face remained close enough that she could feel his breath against her lips.
“Ye could have warned me,” she whispered, fightin’ the smile already forming.
“I did.”
“Tellin’ me ye had been thinkin’ about it wasnae a warnin’.”
“It was the only one ye were gettin’.”
Her laugh escaped before she could stop it.
Another round of applause rose from the gathered clansmen. Tommy was shouting louder than anyone, while Paisley stood beside Heather with both hands over her smiling mouth.
Oscar finally loosened his hold, though his fingers slid across Ceana’s waist before leaving her completely.
“Come, wife,” he said quietly, and the single word sent another rush of heat through her.
Ceana placed her hand in his, and together they turned toward their families and the celebration waiting for them.