He offered the crowd his most charming smile. “Gossip abounds in small villages, eh, my friends, and I’m quite certain that you’ve heard tales of a lad belonging to the laird of Castle Rock and the lady of Castle MacGinnis. Well, gossip stands true. The boy is ours. Heir to all that is mine. In honor of our son, we are delighted to make our relationship legal and proper.”
Gasps sounded. So many of them, it was almost as if the crowd had inhaled and exhaled simultaneously.
Then there was silence.
The whispers began then along with the cheering and calls.
Whispers.
Speculation.
Some of the people had indeed surely heard that Danny was the lady’s child. Some had doubted it. Some had believed.
Surely, all had gossiped.
And now David had made certain that everyone knew.
“Reverend Massey?” David said.
The reverend, looking completely pleased, smiled benignly at the two of them.
“Laird Douglas, m’lady, if you will?”
He stood before them and began to pray.
“I cannot do this!” Shawna whispered. “David!”
David ignored her.
Before Shawna managed to tell the reverend that though she loved David, she couldn’t marry a man who completely mistrusted her, she found David dragging her down. She was on her knees, head bowed in prayer.
And she was praying, she discovered.
God, help me! What is right here, what do I do here? I cannot do this, or can I? I would do anything for Danny, but is it right to marry…
She glanced at David. His head was bowed. Dark and handsome, he appeared the sincere bridegroom, seeking the blessing of his maker as he entered into the holy sacrament of marriage.
Except that his eyes were actually open. And he was listening not just to the reverend, but to every word and whisper going on around them.
Yet he responded. When the Reverend Massey spoke to him, he responded. She watched him, amazed that he could appear to be so rapt in the proceedings when his attention was in fact for all those around him.
“Shawna?”
Her head jerked around as she looked at the Reverend Massey, curious as to what he wanted. “Aye?”
The Reverend Massey smiled, reaching out to her. “M’laird, m’lady, I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Flowers flew, bagpipes screeched. She found herself drawn back to her feet and into David’s arms.
He kissed her dutifully.
“Laird Douglas! Ye’ve been gone too long for so chaste a touch!” came a cry.
“Come now!” laughed someone. “Ye know what ye’re about, ye’ve a child already, Laird Douglas.”
Delighted laughter arose.
David responded, lifting a hand to those who tormented him. He swept Shawna nearly off her feet. His kiss was deep, passionate, blazing. So intimate those who had teased him cried out with hearty approval.