Loyal to the Laird at Christmas
Page 8
“Ye are nae James, but I daenae need ye to be, ye are Blayne and ye have proved yerself worthy in every way,” she said. “I will marry ye and together we will return this clan to its noble greatness in memory of those who have gone before us.”
A cheer went up from the congregation and the two got to their feet. Blayne replaced his sword, and he embraced her, holding her close and whispering of his love for her. Now, her father stepped forward and nodded to the priest who extended his arms in blessing.
“Now?” Isla said, laughing, as Blayne took her hand.
“Aye, now,” he said, as together they came to the altar and the congregation seated themselves.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” the priest asked, and her father loudly said, “I do.”
It was the happiest of scenes as the two exchanged their vows, but when it came to a ring Blayne looked forlorn.
“In my haste I had nay ring to bring ye, lass,” he said, looking at Isla and then to the priest.
“It daenae matter, son,” the priest said kindly, but Isla smiled and from her pocket she took a little sprig of white heather.
“This is worth more than any ring ye could give me. Let it be a symbol of our love, which will blossom forever, just as the heather does upon the moorlands each year,” she said, tucking it into his tunic.
Blayne smiled, and the wedding continued until that final happy moment when the priest pronounced them man and wife. Another cheer went up and Blayne leaned forward and gently kissed Isla on the lips. It was a perfect moment captured in time and Isla felt a sense of happiness such as she had not done since those happy days at James’s side. As they made their way back down the aisle, she glanced back towards his tomb and knew that he was glad she was happy. She would never forget him but now she knew she had found a new way of being happy and that too would bless her and keep her all her days.
A great feast had been planned for the wedding of Isla and Robert, but now that he was banished a double celebration ensued. Hamish too had fled, and Isla’s parents took their places at the high table along with Una as together they celebrated the marriage of Isla and Blayne. The feasting went on long into the night and the pipers played as the clansmen danced together and much whisky and ale was drank, so that all became merry.
“I had given up hope for ye,” Isla said, as she and Blayne sat together watching the dancing.
“I had given up hope in myself,” he replied, “but it was the thought of ye which kept me going. I couldnae allow ye to suffer such wickedness, but it was love that drew me here. I hadnae realized just how in love with ye I was, not until that terrible day ye were taken. I searched all over the city but nay one had heard tell of ye but then when I received Una’s letter and knew the truth, my heart was sorrowful. All I could dae was think of ye and I knew then that I had to come, even if it meant death, for I couldnae leave ye here at their mercies.”
“I am sorry I doubted ye,” she replied.
“Ye had every right to dae so, and I know I still have much to learn. But I know that ye will be by my side to teach me and for that I am glad,” he replied.
“Thank ye,” she replied, resting her head upon his shoulder, “I had thought I couldnae ever love again but I have realized that love comes in so many ways. Love can be a memory as well as be in the present and tis’ alright to love in the past and in the present.”
“We shall always honor James’ memory, I promise, and I promise too to love ye as much as he did,” Blayne replied.
“I love ye too, Blayne and I am glad that finally we have realized our love together,” she replied, as they settled back to watch the dancing, rejoicing together in the love they had found.
Epilogue
Blayne Gordon, or Mackintosh as he became known, was as good as his word. He returned all the land seized from the peasants and restored the crofters to their farms. Isla’s parents were overjoyed to return home, and it was agreed amongst all the clan that their new Laird was a kind and benevolent soul.
He was right though, he still had much to learn. Over the coming months and years, Isla taught him all she knew about Highland ways and soon he could ride and hunt as well as any of his clansmen; if not better. She would often accompany him up onto the moorlands and even when she bore her first bairn, the child too would come, carried on its mother’s back.
They named the baby James, a fitting tribute to the Laird whose portrait was restored to its rightful place in the Great Hall. Una was made godmother, and she delighted in the wee lad as though he were her own grandchild.
There was great happiness in the castle and in the glen and despite his preferment for books and study, Blayne found much time to be amongst his people. He was kind and gentle and always had time for anyone but there were some days when he and Isla would walk alone up towards the crag. There they would sit and look out across the glen, talking of their plans or sharing memories of the past.
The Highlands were never truly Blayne’s home but, as he had said on their wedding day, they were where his heart was. There, amidst the white heathers, sitting side by side, they felt at peace. A peace which each had never thought possible, but one discovered in the sharing of their love together.
“Are ye happy, Blayne?” she asked one summers day, as they sat looking down upon the castle below.
“Aye, I couldnae be happier, lass,” he replied, and he plucked a sprig of heather and handed it to her with a smile.
*** The End ***
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