Even after Califinished draping Margaret in expensive jewels, the two voices in Margaret’s head were fighting with one another. For every good quality she conjured, the voice of her aunt thwarted it with stories about unnamed Scotsmen. It wasn’t until they arrived at the kirk that the voices stopped.
It’s toolate to go back on this now. I’m doing this.
As she climbedthe steps of the kirk, Margaret was surprised to find that it wasn’t all that different from the churches she knew. It was a quaint thing, lacking some of the more elaborate symbols, but it was markedly a holy place. And when she was led inside, her breath was stolen from her lungs, but it wasn’t because of the decor.
The place was packed.It seemed as though everyone from the castle and most from the village were in attendance. Her body shook as she began walking toward the end of the aisle where Ryan stood waiting for her.
He smiled at her,a small and private thing, and the force of that small gesture nearly knocked her over. His handsomeness was undeniable here. The kilt he was wearing was one she’d yet to see, and his shirt hugged his body in just the right places.
Eyes followedher as she made her way to him. She held her chin high, telling herself this was just like her first day in the great hall. Everyone wanted to see their lady and appraise her. This was no place to show uncertainty.
Reaching the Laird,she felt more sure of her decision. This would all be worth it for the protection. Despite her skepticism, she could not deny how safe he made her feel.
The officiant,a priest, began the service. It was quite different from the weddings she had attended in England. Rather than reading the scriptures and guiding Ryan and Margaret through a series of elaborate traditions and ceremonies, he spoke fromthe heart. Though Margaret was unable to focus on each word he said. Her mind was on her husband-to-be.
It seemedthat Ryan couldn’t take his eyes off her either. His gaze roamed over her body, making her flush. There was a softness to his expression, and Margaret’s insides fluttered. This should be purely business, yet there was an underlying heat threaded through the air.
This was morethan that to her, she realized. Despite her hesitations and the fear that she still harbored, she was growing to enjoy the time she spent with Ryan. He offered her more than just protection. He awakened something in her that she didn’t know resided there. And sheenjoyedhis teasing, the demeanor he seemed to adopt only when they were alone.
Seemingly out of nowhere,Ryan offered her his hand. She stared down at it, trying to remember what part of the ceremony this was. She’d had so much information shoved into her mind over the past few days that she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do.
“Take me hand, Sassenach,”Ryan whispered, the very corner of his mouth tugging upward. “This is a handfastin’ ceremony, remember?”
“Oh,”she whispered, clasping his left hand with her own.
His palm waswarm and steady against hers. His grip on her was steady but not too tight. Margaret stared down at where theywere connected. Her hand was completely dwarfed by his, and that sent a curious thrill through her.
The priest pulledout a length of silken rope, speaking in Gaelic. As he draped it over their joined hands, his words wrapped around the two of them. Even though Margaret couldn’t understand what was being said, emotions still inundated her.
Again,she was struck by the stark difference between this ceremony and the ones she’d grown up with. The rope was knotted carefully over their hands, symbolic of their lives and souls now being bound together. It was beautiful, more beautiful than Margaret thought was possible.
The only thingthat could have made this more special would have been her family’s presence. She forced herself not to dwell on that, though. This ceremony wasn’t meant to be sad. It was meant for joy and celebration.
After the finalknot was tied, the priest went silent. It seemed as if everyone packed inside the kirk was leaning in. Anticipation hung heavy in the air, and Margaret grappled for the next steps once again.
“Now’swhen ye kiss me, wife,” Ryan said, doing nothing to hide the smirk on his face.
The expression was infectious,and as she was pulled close to him to seal their marriage with a kiss, she grinned.
Havingtheir second kiss in front of this congregation should have turned Margaret’s stomach. Yet, she found that she didn’t care. Their attention wasn’t judgmental. It was celebratory.
When Ryan tugged her closer,her stomach swooped pleasantly, and heat settled low in her belly. The crowd let out a cheer of encouragement. It seemed to embolden her new husband, and he nipped at her lips.
Margaret pulled away with a giggle,her face bright red. She was smiling so wide that her cheeks hurt. Her lungs screamed for more air, even though she was sucking down as much as she could.
“Now ye’re officially Lady McGhee,”Ryan told her, his voice low. She had to strain to hear it over the congregation’s excitement. “Me wife.”
“My husband,”Margaret replied, testing the word out.
Strangely,it felt at home on her tongue. She thought that perhaps this would all feel wrong. That’s what her mind had been screaming the entire way to the kirk. But now, it felt anything but.
I’ve never believedmuch in fate or soulmates. But this is… special. Perhaps coming here was the right decision after all.
Before she could dwell toomuch on that thought, Ryan began to pull Margaret back down the aisle. She followed him, lettingher eyes scan through the people calling their congratulations. She spotted Agnes among those in attendance and lifted her hand in greeting. The resulting excitement on the seamstress’ face made Margaret feel as though she’d found somewhere that she truly belonged.
“Where are we going?”she asked Ryan as they stepped into the late-morning sunlight.
His hand was still wrapped tightlyaround hers. He glanced down, giving her another smirk before directing her toward the carriage waiting for them on the road.