Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Standing at the entrance to the castle, Eleanor took a deep breath as she looked down at the bunch of heather in her hands.
I cannae believe that this is happenin’.
Her heart fluttered in her chest as the soft fabric of her cream and gold dress fluttered in the wind.
It had been only a week since Callum had asked her to marry him, and she still could not believe that it was happening.
The past few days had blown by in a blur of planning as she now stood ready to make her way to the tiny chapel on the side of the castle, prepared to exchange her name for Callum’s.
Her blonde curls had been pinned at the back of her head, and the vibrant color of her dress made the gold flecks in her hazel eyes sparkle.
“Are ye ready, lass?” her father asked from beside her, his eyes shining brilliantly with pride.
“Aye, I am ready, Father,” she said in a soft voice as her heart leaped into her chest.
Taking her arm, her father hobbled alongside her, using his cane for support as he led her down the steps and toward the side of the castle.
The sun was bright above their heads, an uncommon, good omen for that time of year in the Highlands of Scotland.
Eleanor’s heart felt as if it would burst as they reached the tiny chapel in no time at all.
She was about to nod to the servants to open the doors when her father suddenly held her back.
“Is everythin’ all right, Father?” She quickly turned to him and searched his face in a panic, fearing that his health had gotten the better of him again.
Shaking his head, her father smiled at her.
“Nothin’ is the matter, lass, that healer of yers has all but healed me chest. I just wanted to get rid of this darned thing before I walk me daughter down the aisle.
” He lifted his cane from the ground and handed it to one of the servants before taking her arm once again.
“Now I can walk ye down the aisle with pride.” She smiled in relief and utter joy, not expecting this moment to be more perfect than she had ever imagined.
There had been a time when she had not even thought of getting married after her brother had died, but she now knew that she was just punishing herself for something that was never her fault.
The doors to the chapel opened, soft light streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colors across her dress as she stepped into the aisle.
Beloved faces smiled at her from every side as she took her time to soak in the moment. The wooden pews were full, almost as full as her heart was in that very moment.
Her brother stood in the front pew along with Iain, while Fiona, Marion, and Freya stood at the back with warm expressions of love. The two girls seemed to have mended their fences over the past week and had even worked together in helping Eleanor plan her wedding.
It was strange to Eleanor, but she could have sworn that Freya and Andrew kept on looking at each other. It would not have been the worst thing in the world, after all, and Andrew had been through hell and back as much as she and Callum had been over the past few weeks.
Me heart…
Eleanor’s attention was drawn back to the front as she locked eyes with Callum, who looked more than just handsome in his green and black kilt under the black coat. His long, dark hair had been plaited down his back in an intricate braid that spoke of the pride he had taken in marrying his bride.
Reaching the front of the chapel, Eleanor held her breath as her father let go of her arm and handed her over to Callum.
The young vicar with light brown hair and grey eyes stepped forward in his white vestments and began the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony. Which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocence, signifyin’ unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church.
” He stopped to smile at them both, and Eleanor felt as if she could barely catch her breath.
This is really happenin’.
She forced herself to breathe, feeling a gentle squeeze from Callum’s hands.
The vicar continued. “Which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and the first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have nae understandin’; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considerin’ the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. ”
Callum’s lips twitched into a knowing smile, and Eleanor could not help but blush as she imagined what he was thinking. They had not spent much time together in the days leading up to the wedding, and even she longed to feel his touch on her skin once again.
“We shall now continue with the vows.” The vicar drew her attention back to the ceremony and the task at hand.
“Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?
Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? ”
“I do,” Eleanor could feel her hands trembling in his.
“And do ye, Laird Fraser, take this woman to be yer wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do ye part, accordin’ to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto plight her thy troth? ” He turned to Callum.
“I do, from now until I draw me very last breath,” he said with conviction, making Eleanor’s core flip with excitement.
He loves me. I ken now that he does.
“Then we shall now proceed with the exchange of rings.” The vicar cleared his throat and continued the ceremony, allowing Eleanor and Callum to exchange the simple gold bands that meant that they were joined together as husband and wife.
Taking the white stole from around his shoulders, the vicar wrapped it around their joined hands. “And by the power vested in me by God and his holy ordinances, I now pronounce ye husband and wife.”
A light round of applause filtered through the congregation, and for the very first time, Eleanor and Callum locked eyes as husband and wife.
The flames behind the grate flickered in the hearth as Eleanor stood with her back to the door. She had been waiting for the moment for so long that she could hardly recall a time when she had not been longing for Callum’s touch.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, Callum pressed his chest against her shoulder blades and whispered in her ear, leaning in close. “Are ye ready, macree?” he used the term of endearment that had become so dear to her heart over the past week.
“Aye, Callum,” she whispered his name, feeling the tiny pricks of pleasure that traveled over her skin when his palm slid down the sides of her arms.
His hands moved to her back, first undoing the ribbons of her dress and working the silk loops before the bodice of her dress finally gave way.
Eleanor gasped and shut her eyes as the fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her standing in nothing but her corset and chemise.
Working his way over her back, he slowly began to undo the laces of her corset, freeing her breasts until there was nothing left between them but the soft silk of her undergarment. Placing his hands on her upper arms, he gently turned her around, making her face him in the soft, flickering light.
Her heart thudded in her chest as if she would explode.
“Ye are beautiful, macree…” he whispered to her, allowing his eyes to dip to her breasts that hung free beneath the silk.
Reaching for his hands, Eleanor took them in hers and lifted his palms to her chest, allowing him to cup the supple mounds.
A single gasp of pleasure escaped her lips as her nipples responded to his touch, erecting beneath the firm, but gentle pressure.
“I want to see all of ye, macree.” His voice was almost hoarse with longing as he moved from her breasts down to her ribs and gripped the fabric, bunching the silk in his fists until he lifted the garment over her head.
The pit of her stomach knotted in delicious anticipation when his eyes hungrily moved over her curves.
“I kent that ye were beautiful, lass, but yer figure…” He seemed breathless as he moved closer and placed his hands on her hips.
The sensation of his fingers touching her bare skin was enough to drive her insane as her lips parted in a silent gasp.
She needed him to touch her more than the air that she breathed.
Coming closer, he dipped his head and took her breast in his mouth, swirling his tongue over her nipple.
“Callum,” she breathed his name and closed her eyes, curling her fingers in his hair.
He worked his tongue over her nipple in small circles before leaving one breast and working his way to the other.
A hot sensation of pleasure shot through her body when he worked his mouth over one breast and used his fingers to cup and massage the other. He took his time, deliberately focusing on her breasts before kissing his way down to her stomach and stopping just before the dip in her hip.
Feeling a rush of disappointment, Eleanor looked up.
The passionate look of longing in his eyes caught her off guard as he reached out and scooped her up in his arms. “Daenae fuss, lass, there is still more to come, and I can promise ye, it will be worth the wait.”
Every ounce of her resolve melted into longing again as she caught her breath, anticipating what would happen next.