Chapter Three Marrying the Laird #2
The minister took their hands, wrapping a strip of material with the same colors as the arisaid around their hands. Alice watched, entranced, having never seen something like this. Evander watched, taking a breath before he would be expected to speak.
“Repeat after me,” the minister said. Alice glanced between the minister and Evander. He had asked for the wedding to be done this way, knowing the English did a different ceremony.
“Ye are blood of my blood,” the minister said. Alice repeated it with Evander, her voice shaking slightly. He squeezed her hand gently under the bindings.
“And bone of my bone. I give ye my body, that we two might be one.” The words were coming out a little easier each time for Alice, her cheeks flushing as she understood what exactly she was vowing.
“I give ye my spirit, till our life shall be done. You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself. But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give. You cannot command me, for I am a free person. But I shall serve you in those ways you requite, and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.”
Evander watched Alice as she spoke, her cheeks turning progressively pinker with each word.
Eventually, the vows finished, and the pair looked at each other.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the minister said gently. Alice looked up at Evander, her heart rattling in her chest. He leaned closer.
“Ye dinnae need t’ be afraid o’ me,” he said softly so only she would hear as he cupped her cheek.
She nodded. He nodded and leaned in closer.
Their noses brushed. Then their foreheads pressed together.
Their breath mingled. Evander paused and looked at his bride.
The corners of his mouth tagged up as their lips pressed together.
Alice’s heart thundered against her rib cage.
He tasted like ale and rosemary. She tasted like milk and sweetness.
When they pulled apart, she was still blushing hard under his intense gaze.
The minister finished the ceremony, and Leopold said something in the background.
Neither paid much attention to it. Their thoughts consumed by that kiss.
Later that night, the keep was filled with the sounds of laughter, feasting, and drinking.
Evander was sitting in his seat, next to Alice, watching the festivities. The Great Hall was warm, the smell of good ale and roasted meats filling every part of the hall. The candles and fire glowed gently, making the guests appear ethereal as their shadows passed over the married couple.
Alice’s hands fidgeted in her lap as she looked over the room.
She had not been aware that Scottish marriages were so…
spirited. She had no better word to describe what she was witnessing.
Evander certainly had not told her, but in truth he had not seen a need to, not realizing that this would be anything other than ordinary.
Evander on the contrary seemed almost bored. He had little interest in prancing around the room and making a fool of himself.
Ahem, a throat cleared.
He glanced up at his Captain of the Guard, Keith. The man looked down at him, glancing between the laird and the festivities very obviously.
“Why are ye acting so strange?” Evander asked with a frown.
“I am trying tae alert ye that if ye dinnae enjoy yerself, then the clan will begin tae wonder if there is a problem with yer new bride,” Keith said between gritted teeth.
“I dinnae wish tae dance right this moment,” Evander said, leaning back in his seat more. Keith took in a sharp, frustrated breath.
“The dancing isnae the only thing happening at this feast, m’Laird. May I suggest that ye at least smile like a happy husband?” Keith gritted out. “At least so the clan Dinnae feel uneasy, and yer poor wife does nae have tae do all the smiling for both of ye?”
Evander frowned and looked over at Alice.
She was sitting, her hands folded in her lap, her eyes tracing the movement of the dancers around the room. Her face was stuck in a smile. He could tell it was not a joyous expression, but a practiced one, one Alice had performed many times before and rarely noticed she was doing. Evander winced.
“I see yer point,” he murmured to Keith.
“Then I would suggest acting upon the information ye have received?” Keith asked with a grin.
“I suppose,” Evander said. He looked out at the room. Everyone there was staring at his new wife. Alice did not act perturbed by this, but he was aware she had been frightened before she had arrived at the ceremony. He took a deep breath and put his hand on her own.
“Ye’re nae used tae the attention, wife?” he asked her quietly.
“I suppose not,” she murmured in return.
“Ye may have tae become used tae it, ye’re my Lady, after all,” he replied.
“I suppose,” she nodded. Her smile stayed plastered on her face as she watched the room.
Alice, for her part, only felt the ache in her cheeks.
People spoke around them, but Alice made no attempt to become a part of said conversations.
Evander noticed the way her eyes would glance around or her ears twitched whenever she heard a word that sounded familiar.
He sighed. She still was not used to the accent and likely would not be for some time.
She was being frozen out of conversations at her own wedding celebration, and nobody even realized what it was they were doing as they did it. His free hand pinched the bridge of his nose. He should have considered this.
He looked back at where everyone was dancing and suddenly stood. He took Alice’s hand, pulling her to stand up with him.
“What—?” she started.
“We’re going tae dance,” he said.
“Da-dance?” she stuttered.
“Aye,” he replied, looking down at her. Her eyes widened. For a moment, she opened and closed her mouth, unsure what to say. Alice had never danced these dances before. She glanced around the expectant faces in the room. Evander noticed and pulled her closer to his side.
“I willnae let ye look a fool,” he promised softly. Alice’s cheeks flushed and she nodded.
She walked with him, her hand warm against his own, despite the usual chill in the air. Evander could feel Keith behind him relaxing.
As they walked toward the dance area, people started to turn to notice them. Then, slowly at first, before building into a roar, people started to clap and cheer for them, some whooping and whistling. Alice’s ears went pink, and she screwed her eyes shut.
“Dinnae worry about them,” Evander murmured to her. “They are just excited that their laird has finally found his Lady.”
“I see,” she whispered. “I am not used to… excitement.”
“I can tell,” he said as they settled in the center of the room. “Ye will adjust tae it.”
“Like I shall adjust to the accent?” she asked. He chuckled and nodded.
“Aye.”
She nodded, and Evander could feel her attempting to calm, even if Alice felt her composure slipping somewhat.
The Great Hall went silent as they took their places.
Then, music erupted around them, and the dances began.