Rory swallowed against a surge of emotion as he accepted the blade.
“Rory Ian Fraser MacKenzie, the 9thof Kintail,” Malcolm called out, giving him the MacKenzie chieftain’s title, “I swear before our Lord Jesus Christ and every member of my clan that I shall give you my fealty and loyalty. My sword and my life are yours to command, and may God strike me dead should I ever break my oath to you.”
One after another, the men knelt before him, kissed the blade, and pledged their loyalty. Rory felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders as he accepted each man’s pledge. The fate of these good men and their families depended upon his ability to lead.
Deep in his soul, he sensed that this was his destiny, the role he’d always been meant to play. He prayed to God that he would do honor to the memory of the chieftains that came before him and become the chieftain his clan needed him to be in the troubled times ahead.
***
Sybil’s heart swelled with pride on Rory’s behalf, and she joined in the noisemaking, raising her hands and shouting with the best of them.
Though she understood the dangers and difficulties he faced, she knew in her heart that he would make a great chieftain. He certainly looked the part, strong and commanding, as he looked out over his people from the dais.
When Rory raised his arms, signaling for silence yet again, she looked around, wondering what came next in the ceremony. She hoped there would not be a lot of long speeches.
“We will bear the challenges ahead and fight the battles we must,” Rory said, “but we will share our joys as well. As to the joys…”
Rory shed his solemn expression, and his eyes flashed with good humor. It was good to see him enjoying this momentous event.
“…I know you’re all wondering about the lovely lass I brought home with me,” Rory continued. “As my first act as your new chieftain, I invite you all to bear witness to our marriage vows on the morrow and celebrate with three days of feasting!”
Sybil was too stunned to move. When Rory held out his hand for her to join him, she gaped at him. What had he done? With Alex pushing her from behind, she stumbled forward. Rory clasped her hand, pulled her onto the dais, and held her against his side. She looked out at the sea of shocked faces. They could not be more surprised than she was herself.
Alex and a few others began clapping. After an uncomfortable delay, others joined in. Eventually, all the MacKenzies applauded, but with noticeably less enthusiasm than before. Beneath the cheers, she heard the low rumble of objection.
The new chieftain’s first act was unpopular, and Sybil feared it was also unwise. Questions whirled through her head at lightning speed. Why had Rory acted so precipitously?
And what, in heaven’s name, would she do now? Rory believed the ceremony was just a formality, but she knew it would be an end to the pretense, an end to their false marriage.
If she said those vows tomorrow, she would be good and truly wed.
***
Rory tucked Sybil’s hand in his elbow and began moving through the crowd of his clansmen.
“Ye should have forewarned me,” Sybil said beneath the noise of the hall.
“My clansmen must see you from the start as the chieftain’s wife, not my mistress, or they’ll never accord ye the proper respect.”
He’d been counseled against the match too many times already, and he decided to act before most of his clansmen had time to form an opinion. Now they would have no choice but to accept Sybil, and at the wedding celebration every last one of them would swear to protect her.
“This group gathered by the hearth are all well respected men in the clan,” he said as he guided her toward them. “Others will be guided by their opinion.”
“You’re Uilleam Mòr, are ye not?” she said with a winning smile before Rory could give her the first man’s name. “I remember your name from when ye took your oath.”
She gave each man a heavenly smile and flattered him by remembering his name, as if he were special, when in truth she apparently had memorized nearly every one.
“How do ye do it?” Rory whispered as they moved to another group.
“Douglas training,” she said, humor lighting her eyes.
“I can see that it was not just your beauty that made ye a success at court.”
“And I can see that your clansmen are verra pleased with their new chieftain,” she said.
“Not all of them are pleased,” he said. “None of the Gairloch MacKenzies came to swear their oath, and many others stayed home as well. They’re waiting to see what Hector will do.”
Whatever Hector’s next move was, Rory had to be ready.