by Gwyn Brodie
"Does he tease more than Galen?"
He snorted. "Nay, no one teases more than Galen," he said, as he led her down the corridor and to the solar.
Kila was trembling, as he opened the door and led her inside. Everyone was standing around, smiling and waiting for him to introduce her. Thankfully, Duncan kept a tight grip on her hand to steady her.
Duncan put his arm around the broad shoulders of a tall handsome fair-haired man who looked more a Viking warrior than anyone she'd chanced to see.
"Lady Kila Murray, this is my good friend, Laird Cinead MacLeod, or Cin, as everyone calls him.
With his good looks and devilish smile, she could certainly see why. She curtsied, pleased to make your acquaintance, my laird."
Cin chucked. "None of that, my lady. Cin will be sufficient. I'm most pleased to meet the bonnie lass Duncan wishes to wed."
Kila smiled. "Then you must call me Kila, as well. Duncan has told me much about you."
He raised a brow. "How much?"
Everyone laughed.
An exquisite young woman with raven black hair came up to Kila. "Since Duncan appears to be taking forever to introduce me, I'll introduce myself. I'm Claire MacLeod, Cin's wife, and please, call me Claire."
She nodded. "Pleased to meet you, Claire."
"You as well, Kila. Dunvegan Castle is quite near Kinnacraig. Perhaps we can visit one another often."
She smiled. "I'd like that very much." It appeared she'd made another friend.
Sorcha walked into the center of the room. "The midday meal is about to be served. I suggest we make our way down to the great hall."
All her previous anxiety gone, Kila slipped her arm through Duncan's.
"I told you no' to fash, lass," he whispered. "Cin and Claire like you."
She smiled up at him. "And I like them." She had one more set of Duncan's friends to meet. Would they like her, as well?
As Duncan and Kila were on their way to the great hall, the castle door opened and in walked her Uncle James and Aunt Inna.
Tears filled Kila's eyes as she hurried to greet them. After giving them both a hug and a kiss on the cheek, she took Duncan's hand. "Uncle James, Aunt Inna, this is Duncan, the man I'm about to wed."
Uncle James grinned. "I'm most pleased to meet you, lad. You've a fine lass, even if I am a bit prejudiced."
Duncan laughed. "You've a right to be, Laird Murray, for she's a fine lass indeed."
Aunt Inna smiled through her tears. "I'm most glad Kila is marrying for love, as James and I did many years ago."
Kila's eyes widened. "I never knew, Aunt Inna," she said, but thinking back about her uncle and aunt's marriage, they had always seemed happy and in love, as her father and mother had also been.
"We were just about to head to the great hall for the midday meal. Please join us," Duncan said, gently squeezing Kila's hand.
Uncle James patted his belly. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Kila laughed.
Once they were all seated at the high table, and introductions had been made, everyone settled down to the meal.
Her uncle exhaled loudly. "Kila?"
"Aye?"
"I'm most sorry that I put you in the position I did with Verona and Balfour. You nearly lost your life and 'twould have been my fault for allowing them to go along with you to Whitestag."
"Kila placed her hand on his arm, and shook her head. "Nay. No one, no' even you, knew what they were capable of doing."
"Well, all I can say is whatever happens to those two, 'tis well deserved."
"How did you learn of the attempts on my life?"
"Duncan sent me a missive explaining all that had happened, and inviting us to your upcoming nuptials."
"You're no' the least bit upset that I'm marrying Duncan instead of Colin Monro?" She had worried that he might be, and it had been a concern for Kila.
He chuckled. "Nay, and neither would your father be. All he ever wanted was for you to be happy, and I can see that you are. That's all that matters."
She breathed a sigh of relief and tackled her side of the trencher with newfound gusto.
KILA WAS IN THE GARDEN with Claire and Sorcha, watching the children play, when a tall dark-haired man and a lovely fair-haired young woman, with a wee lass in her arms, exited the castle. Duncan came out behind them, with a young boy riding on his shoulders.
Kila and the others rose from the bench.
Sorcha and Claire hugged them both.
Duncan placed the boy on the ground beside his father, and took her hand. "Kila, this is Laird Kade MacLachlan, and Lady Jillian. Kade, Jillian, this is Lady Kila Murray, my soon to be wife."
Jillian laughed. "Just Kade and Jillian will do."
Kila smiled. "Please call me Kila."
Duncan placed his hands on the lad's shoulders. "This handsome lad is Robbie, and the wee lass, Lena."
She gently touched the bairn's soft cheek with the tips of her fingers. "She's beautiful," Kila said, then squatted down in front of the lad. "'Tis nice to meet you, Robbie."
Robbie bowed from the waist. "Likewise, m'lady."
Kila rose to her feet. "What a well-mannered lad. You both must be very proud."
His parents beamed with pride.
"Jillian and I were most surprised to learn that Duncan had found a wife for himself. He'd sworn off marriage long ago."
Duncan chuckled. "That was before I met Kila. If we'd met before you wed Jillian, I'd have married her then."
Tears welled up in Kila's eyes.
Jillian slipped an arm around her shoulders. "Look what you've done, Duncan, you've make Kila cry."
Kila smiled. "Aye, but they're tears of joy."
THE MARRIAGE BANNERS had been hanging for the appointed time, and Kila couldn't believe that before nightfall, she would be Duncan's wife. Filled with both excitement and nervousness, she ran her hand across the skirts of the gown.
Wyn had finally arrived from Whitestag, along with all of Kila's belongings. Colin had offered Coira a position at Whitestag and she had accepted. She prayed the maid's next mistress would treat her better than the last.
She sat still while Wyn brushed out her long hair. Instead of putting it atop her head with combs, she decided to wear it loose about her shoulders.
Kila exhaled loudly. Her stomach was in knots, and she couldn't stop tapping her foot.
The maid chuckled. "Are ye a wee bit nervous, m'lady?"
"Aye. I suppose I am. My heart is pounding, and I can hardly breathe."
"'Tis natural for ye to be so. But the man ye are marrying is a fine one, and would give his own life to protect yers."
She nodded, knowing it was the truth.
A knock sounded at the door. "Come."
Sorcha, followed by Jillian and Claire flowed into the room, all dressed in their finest. "You all look so beautiful," Kila said, smiling.
"As do you," Jillian said. "You make a lovely bride, Kila." A mass of golden curls cascaded down Jillian's back, and she wore an emerald gown with matching slippers.
"Much thanks, but I'm certain the three of you made lovely brides, as well." Once Wyn finished with her hair, she rose from the seat and smoothed out her skirts.
Claire, her black hair loose about her shoulders, and dressed in a crimson gown, smiled. "I remember my wedding day—but I remember the night even better."
They all chuckled.
It was obvious the women had enjoyed their wedding night, and if the joining felt nigh as wonderful as the amazing sensations Duncan had already made her feel, Kila couldn't wait for the day to be over and the night to begin.
Sorcha patted Kila's hand. Her fiery hair was held atop her head by several combs made of pale shell, and she was dressed in a dark ivory gown. "You will be the last to wear the blue gown, Kila. It will be returned to Jillian for safekeeping, until her own daughter is old enough to wed."
Jillian grimaced. "Dinnae remind me, Sorcha. My Lena is such a wee lass, and I dread the day she will
leave her father and me for a young man."
"Sorcha? Are you in there with Kila?" Galen's deep voice boomed outside the oak door.
"Aye."
"Father McTavish is ready to begin."
"I'll meet you in the kirk."
"Very well."
She opened the door. "We'll go and take our seats. I cannae wait to see Duncan's face when he sees you."
Nor could Kila.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Duncan stood at the door, greeting his friends as they entered the small kirk. Soon there would be standing room only. Perfume from an array of flowers filled the air, and the vivid colors of the foxglove, primrose and butterfly orchids, were magnificent. But the main decoration was the mass of bluebells adorning the front of the altar—Duncan's own idea. He couldn't wait to see Kila's face when she saw them.
Eadan walked in, with Connor close behind.
Eadan grasped his forearm. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd be getting married, Duncan, but since you are, I'm glad 'tis Kila. She's one of a kind."
"Aye, she is at that," Duncan agreed.
Connor grinned. "We'll be seeing a good bit of you both, for we plan on visiting often." The injury to his head had healed well, and Duncan had thanked God many times that his foster brother hadn't been killed that fateful day in the solar.
"You ken Kinnacraig will always be your home."
The two nodded, then took a seat near the front.
Ranulf and Aileen came through the door.
Duncan grinned. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it here in time for the wedding."
Aileen smiled. "We wouldn't have missed it for the world."
He grabbed his sister up in his arms and kissed her on the cheek, then set her on her feet.
"Oh, Duncan," she said, pretending anger. "Are you ever going to stop doing that?"
"When I'm too old to lift you, or you've grown too fat for me to lift," he teased.
Her cheeks pinked, and she smiled. "That might be sooner than you think. I've good news, brother."
He turned his ear toward her. "Tell me."
She leaned forward and whispered, "I'm with child."
He wanted to shout with joy. She'd waited for so long to become a mother, and she'd be a good one. He hugged her too him, and grasped his brother-in-law's forearm. "I'm so happy for you both."
They left him at the door and took a seat beside Kila's Uncle James, and his wife, Inna.
A few minutes later, Dermit MacDonell walked into the kirk, and threw his arms around his only son. "'Tis a fine lass you're wedding, lad. Your mother would have liked Kila very much, God rest her soul," he said, crossing himself.
Duncan nodded, swallowing back his emotion.
"Did your sister tell you the news?
"Aye, today is a good day, indeed."
His father nodded, then found a seat beside Aileen.
The piper began to play, signaling Kila was on her way to the kirk. Duncan took his place at the altar in front of Father McTavish.
While the piper played in the kirk yard, Kila come through the door, and a hush fell over the crowd. Seeing her nigh took his breath away. Though the others had looked beautiful in the gown, Kila outshined them all. Her long hair lay loose about her shoulders, and the spectacular image of her unclothed, with naught but her long curls covering her silky skin make his breath quicken with desire.
As she made her way to the front, he knew the moment she spied the multitude of bluebells, for her lovely eyes widened and her breathtaking smile broadened.
Duncan grinned.
Kila couldn't believe the many bluebells adorning the altar, and didn't have to guess from whom they came. She smiled at the handsome groom, dressed in his finest belted plaid, and a new black doublet, with his long hair freshly washed and brushed. It hung loose about his shoulders, just the way she liked it. When she reached the altar, she took his outstretched hand and knelt with him before Father McTavish.
The elderly priest spread his arms open wide and the crown became silent. "Duncan MacDonell, speak yer vows."
He took Kila's hands in his and gazed into her eyes. "Kila Murray, I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine. From this day forward it shall be only your name that I cry out in the night, and into your eyes that I smile each morning. I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine. No' a grievous word be spoken about us, for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance. Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life and into the next."
Duncan's face blurred before Kila, as her eyes filled with tears.
"Kila Murray, speak yer vows," Father McTavish said softly.
"Duncan MacDonell, you are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone, I give you my body that we two might be one, I give you my spirit, til our life shall be done."
She could hardly contain her happiness throughout the ceremony, which seemed to be over as quickly as it began.
"I give ye man and wife." Father McTavish's voice boomed against the walls and ceiling of the small kirk.
Duncan helped her to her feet, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
The crowd roared their approval.
Kila's happiness quickly turned to worry. She hoped Duncan had planned their escape, for she had no interest in having anyone watch her husband make love to her. A distant cousin of hers hadn't been so lucky, and had ended up consummating her marriage in a room filled with onlookers. She'd told Kila it had been the most embarrassing event of her life, and she wasn't able to look anyone in the face for months.
Cin, Galen and Kade suddenly appeared in front of them, while Alex stood outside the kirk door keeping everyone's attention on himself.
"The wedding feast has been in preparation for weeks," he shouted, and every sweet and pastry imaginable has been prepared by Blackstone's cook and kitchen staff."
The crowd whistled and shouted their appreciation.
A sword fight suddenly broke out between two MacPherson guards. All eyes were upon them, with wagers being placed as to who would win.
As planned, the crowd was watching the swordplay, and didn't notice when Duncan climbed out the window, nor when Cin lifted Kila onto the sill.
"Jump, lass," Duncan called up to her. "I'll catch you."
Kila's stomach was in knots, as she looked back at the crowd, then down at the ten feet or so she had to fall. She'd always had a fear of heights and didn't relish the thought of leaping into midair from the window.
"Unless you wish all to watch me bed you, you'd best jump."
She jumped.
He caught her, just as he'd promised he would. He lifted her onto Tearlach, then swung up behind her.
"Where are we going?" she asked, as they quickly rode away from the crowded kirk.
"Sorcha had the staff prepare the west tower room for our wedding night. There's another way to get inside, rather than going through the castle itself to get there."
They crossed a rushing stream and a meadow carpeted with buttercups, before circling around and heading for a different section of Blackstone. "Much thanks for the bluebells. They were lovely."
"How did you ken they were from me, wife of mine?"
"I knew the moment I saw them." She slipped her arm around his neck, and drew his head down, pressing her lips to his.
Keeping his eyes on where they were going, he groaned when she drew away.
"How did you persuade Kade, Galen and Cin to help you? With Galen's sense of humor, I'd no' be surprised if he helped the crowd to find us."
He chuckled. "They owe me. I've helped them all escape the wedding crowd, and now 'tis time for them to help me, as well."
"The four of you seem such great friends."
"Aye, but more like brothers. There's naught any one of us wouldnae do for the other. We've stood beside one another in battle many times, and each has saved another's life on more than one occasion."
Kila felt proud
to be a part of such a group.
Duncan rounded the castle, searching for the hidden entrance Alex had said was there. With the voices of the crowd growing closer, he dismounted to take a better look. Then he saw it. An iron grate door thickly covered with vines, approximately four feet square. A servant was supposed to have unlocked it from the inside, and he prayed they had, for time was running out.
Alex rode around the side of the castle. "Did you find it?"
"Aye." He lifted Kila down, and tossed the reins to Alex, who quickly rode off toward the stables with Tearlach in tow.
With no little effort, Duncan used his dirk to slice through the thick vines, then pried open the door, and crawled inside. He reached his hand to Kila, who only had to do a bit of bending to get through the doorway. Once she was within the castle, he made sure the door was securely locked behind them.
A lit candle had been placed in a holder and left on the bottom step. Duncan picked it up, and led Kila up the twisting stairway that ended in front of a locked door. He took the key Sorcha had given him, from his sporran, and opened it.
They stepped into the bedchamber, and Kila gasped. "How lovely! And look at all the food. 'Tis enough for a week."
Duncan grinned. Good. He planned on keeping her in bed for at least that long.
A fire burned in the fireplace, giving the room a soft glow, and candles had been placed along the hearth to provide more light. A large oak bed with intricately carved posts sat in the corner, with the covers invitingly turned down. An assortment of flowers had been arranged in a large vase sitting on the floor near the window.
She walked across the room and sniffed the flowers. "We must thank Sorcha. 'Tis breathtaking," she said, looking about the room.
"Aye," he said, but all he saw was Kila—his wife. And he'd been waiting a lifetime to have her. He walked toward her and she shyly lowered her gaze.
He cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face to his. "Dinnae fash, lass. You are my wife now."
She nodded, then boldly raised herself onto her toes and kissed him.
He returned her kisses, his desire growing more intense by the moment. He slid his hands over her, and had the urge to tear the blue wedding gown from her body, but certain the other women would kill him if he did, he refrained.