“The marriage means our clans will be joined. The agreement must be that ye will not seek to harm any member of my family.” The McLeod’s voice was even. Obviously, the man was also well-versed in negotiations. “I agree that his actions were rash and without provocation, but he is my son and I do not wish him dead.”
“He killed my father,” Tristan said.
“And what of all the fathers that ye have killed since?” the McLeod rebutted.
“Tis not the same thing and ye know it.”
“Is that what ye tell the orphans? The widows?”
“Enough,” the Mackenzie spoke in a soft tone. “I find it interesting that yer laird did not come here and sent ye in his stead. Inform him that he must come, and soon.”
“As the new laird, with spring just now beginning, there is much to do. As the McLeod can state, caring for many after a war weighs heavy. He feels his duty is to the people right now.”
“I must leave soon,” the McLeod said. “Tis too many days to be gone. Although my eldest is a good leader, I feel the obligation to be with my clan.”
“After the wedding tomorrow, I understand ye will wish to take yer leave.” The Mackenzie met Tristan’s gaze. “Ye gave yer word, therefore, it will happen.” He then turned his attention to the McLeod. “Ye have lost more than they. I find yer willingness to negotiate admirable.”
The McLeod looked to Gregor and then to Tristan. “I was friends with yer brother…and father and held him in high regard. That he was killed so senselessly grieves me greatly. If it could be undone, I would be the first to see to it. On behalf of Clan McLeod, I offer my apologies.”
There was silence and Tristan’s throat constricted. He’d known that the McLeod and his father were friendly, but hearing the hoarseness in his tone made it obvious he would have never agreed to what his son did.
“Ye do not owe us an apology,” Tristan said. “But thank ye.”
“When the sun is highest tomorrow, there will be a marriage ceremony,” the Mackenzie said with a gleeful smile. “Cook is preparing an astonishing feast.”
Tristan fought not to roll his eyes. Instead, he nodded at the annoying man and accepted the cup of whisky placed in front of him.
“A toast to peace between Clan Ross and Clan McLeod,” the Mackenzie said, raising his cup. Tristan, his uncle and Clyde McLeod lifted their cups as well. Just before taking a drink, Tristan noted the McLeod’s gaze traveling over him.
The man was deciding if he was worthy of his beautiful daughter. If Tristan was to be honest, he was not. Not only did he not care for her family, but also he wasn’t sure he’d make a good husband to Merida McLeod. Tristan placed his still full cup down, hoping the Mackenzie didn’t notice. Just the smell of whisky made his empty stomach lurch.
They walked out of the keep moments later and Tristan took a deep breath of air.
“Thank ye for trying,” he said to his uncle. “I was sure even ye would not change the man’s mind.”
His uncle watched a flock of geese fly overhead. “How do ye get along with the lass?”
“She is quite headstrong. Just this morning, she attacked me and two guards with sticks and stones.”
His uncle frowned. “What did ye do?”
“Nothing,” Tristan lied.
Chapter Twelve
The morning was sunny and although the air was crisp, Merida wasn’t cold. Guiding her horse out through the gates of the keep, she allowed Duin to meander to wherever it wished. Her mind wasn’t in the moment, but on the events that would happen later that day.
Even after telling her father of what she’d overheard Tristan say, he was unbendable in that the marriage would take place. In truth, she didn’t protest much. There were lines of exhaustion around his eyes and although he didn’t raise his voice, it was evident he’d lose patience quickly.
“The marriage is tomorrow. I suggest ye go and prepare. Do not do anything to embarrass me.” He’d dismissed her promptly.
Merida had nodded. “I will be ready come the appointed time.”
At the evening meal the night before, Tristan had been present, seeming unfazed and even laughing with his cousin and uncle. Apparently, the upcoming wedding was not as worrisome to him. Of course not, he’d return to his home and all that was familiar. Merida couldn’t help but glare at him when he looked in her direction.
When her mother elbowed her none-to-gently in the ribs, she let out a sigh and forced a smile.
Birdsong brought Merida back to the present and upon seeing several birds on a branch singing, she relaxed.
“Ye are too far from the keep,” Tristan said, coming up from behind her. “Ye should take a guard or two when out and about.”
As if sensing her tension, the birds stopped singing and flew away. Merida looked over her shoulder, noting not only that Tristan watched her with curiosity, but that the keep was out of sight.
“I came here to get some peace,” she snapped. “Why are ye here?”
“I followed ye,” he replied with aggravating nonchalance. “We need to speak about yesterday.”
Merida pulled Duin around to face Tristan. “What about yesterday? That ye insulted me or that ye went after my brother?”
“Both,” he replied. “What I said was not meant for yer ears.”
“Ye do not want to marry me, that is one thing, but to insult my clan is not something I will allow.”
His eyes went flat. “Do ye expect me to respect the clan of the man who murdered my father?”
“The clan has nothing to do with what my brother did.”
With an unreadable expression, he studied her, his hazel gaze unwavering. “Ye must know that because we marry does not mean my clan will not continue to seek retribution.”
“Ye plan to continue to be at war with us?”
“Nay, but yer brother will pay for what he did.”
It was hard to keep the tears of frustration at bay. Merida blinked at the thought that her brother could eventually die by her husband’s hand.
“Guards are coming,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “They look to be McLeods.” His voice took a lower, growl-like tone. “We should return.”
They rode side-by-side toward the keep. Upon meeting with the guards, Merida instructed them to return as well. The men insisted on following them, which she could tell did not please Tristan. However, he didn’t say anything.
Just as they reached the gates, Tristan turned to her. “I do look forward to marrying ye. Tis not ye that makes me hesitate, know that.”
Merida could only nod as the guards dismounted and neared. She waved them away. “I am taking Duin to the corral myself.”
Tristan dismounted and she did as well, guiding her horse toward the stables and corrals. “I would like to take my horse with me,” she said and lifted her gaze to him. “And, I will go visit my parents regularly.”
“Anything else?” Tristan asked, not looking at her, but straight ahead.
“I wish to have freedom to ride Duin outside the keep walls.”
“With guards, yes.”
For now, she let it pass as she wracked her brain to ensure he heard all her demands before they married. “I would like Mother and Paige to visit. Also, my companion, Elsa, will come with me.”
“I do not have a problem with any of it. I will ensure my brother agrees to it. We do not hold Alec or Paige to blame for what happened. However, we have to give the people time to become accustomed to our marriage before having McLeods traveling freely through our lands.”
“Of course, I understand.”
They reached the corrals and Merida went about ensuring Duin had food and water before making her way back to the house.
Tristan walked away after his horse was taken by a stable lad, seeming to understand she needed time alone.
Soon, she’d be bathed, dressed and prepared for the wedding ceremony. As she crossed the threshold, her stomach tumbled at the realization that on this day, her life would change for
ever.
*
People from the surrounding villages soon filled the great room, overflowing out to the courtyard. Pipers played lively tunes and children ran circles around people, darting here and there in their games.
A tent was erected, under which ladies sat on blankets, gossiping happily in cheerful circles.
There were camps set up outside the gates with chopped wood already collected for bonfires that would keep everyone warm when evening came.
Lady Mackenzie, Lady McLeod, Paige and the Mackenzie’s cook rushed to and fro calling out orders to servants, ensuring everything was just so.
Merida stood at the top of the stairs for a long moment, watching the commotion with interest. It seemed the women below were having the time of their lives as they glided here and there, pointing to items that needed rearranging or discussing the evening’s meal offerings.
No one seemed to remember her at the moment and it suited her just fine. She’d bathed and several servants had come to assist braiding her hair and wrapping it about her head in a beautiful, intricate style.
In truth, the entire affair was to be grand, almost as if she were, indeed, marrying a Mackenzie. The great room was twice the size of the one at her home. Not only were many coming from Mackenzie lands but, overnight, McLeods piled into wagons had arrived.
Whether out of alliance or curiosity, Merida wasn’t sure why her clan’s people had traveled so far. If she were to guess, it was because they wanted to see with their own eyes that the McLeod’s daughter was, indeed, marrying a Ross.
Moments later, her mother appeared at the top of the stairs. Cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling, she tugged Merida by the hand to the bedchamber. “Isn’t it grand? I never hoped to have a wedding so well attended and with so much…” she waved her hand in the air, unsure of what word to use.
“Everyone is just overly excited at winter finally ending and warmer weather,” Merida replied. “They are celebrating the warmth of the season more than my wedding.”
Her mother smiled widely. “And the food. Oh, Merida, wait until ye see the grand feast Lady Mackenzie is having prepared. They’ve slaughtered three large hogs.”
Merida’s stomach tightened. Her palms became moist and her heart thudded erratically. “I hope the hogs take everyone’s attention. I haven’t a proper dress for such an occasion.”
“Come,” her mother said, guiding her upstairs to a chamber that had been set aside for the wedding preparations.
With a secretive smile, her mother went to a wardrobe against the back wall and pulled the right door open. A beautiful cream gown hung on the door, the bottom of the dress spilling in a puddle of softness on the floor. Unable to help it, Merida gasped and hurried to it, her mouth agape.
“Where did it come from?”
“One of Lady Mackenzie’s nieces had it made for her wedding, but later decided on a different one. It was being held for one of the younger daughters, but the girls insist they would rather choose their own.” Her mother spread the skirt out. “Lady Mackenzie was generous enough to gift it to ye.”
Merida neared and lifted the skirts to get a better look. Although woven, somehow the dressmaker had managed to create the lightest fabric she’d ever seen. It was soft to the touch and yet sturdy and would keep the chill away.
“It’s beautiful,” Merida said, running a finger across the lacings down the center of the blouse. There was a light sage-colored edging that made the dress both elegant and with a hint of the Highlands.
There was a discreet knock and Paige entered. Her lips curved. “Do ye like it?”
Elsa walked in behind Paige with a tray of food and her mouth fell open. “Wondrous,” she whispered, her eyes locked on the gown.
Merida could only nod. Once again, she was nervous and worried about what the day would bring.
Once she was dressed, servants came in and set about exchanging the linens on the bed. A screen was set up just as one came into the room. It would have blocked a view of the bed from the corridor, however the fabric was sheer. Several chairs were brought and placed on the opposite side of the screen from the bed.
Merida walked around the screen and peered through the sheer fabric. She could see through it, not clearly, but certainly enough to know whoever sat there would see more than she felt comfortable with.
“Why is this necessary?” she asked, stalking around it to where her mother and Paige both met her question with uncertainty. “I am not marrying a laird’s son, but a second born. There is no need for this depravity.”
Her mother neared the screen and shook her head. “I do not like this garish display for others. Lady Mackenzie attends royal court often. It must be how it’s done there.”
Paige was flummoxed. She looked from Lady McLeod to Merida. “What exactly is going to happen? Why the screen and chairs?”
“The bedding ceremony,” Merida’s mother replied. “I suppose it must be witnessed since our clans are at war and ye are a laird’s first-born daughter.”
“Witnessed?” Paige’s wide eyes met Merida’s. “Have ye no choice in this?”
Merida snorted in the most unladylike fashion. “Oh, I believe I do. I will not do it.”
“It’s the most unpleasant thing I have ever heard of,” Paige said, going to the other side of the screen and poking at it. “Most unpleasant,” she repeated.
Not wanting to dwell on it for the moment, Merida went to peer out the window. The courtyard was now fuller than earlier. People spilled out from the great room where the ceremony would take place. Merida would have preferred the chapel, but the one in the keep was surprisingly small.
“Tis best to get this over with,” she mumbled. “Is everyone ready now?”
A hush fell over the great room when Merida descended the stairs. Soft murmurs were swiftly hushed as she passed people to where her father stood.
Merida kept her gaze forward, but not really seeing anything. Her father took her arm and escorted her to the front of the room. Once there, she finally noticed that Tristan stood, with his uncle beside him. Wearing his plaid tartan of deep green and blue, he stood proudly, the Ross broach on the left side of his broad chest.
By the dampness of his hair, he’d bathed recently and smelled of outdoors and fresh pine.
Their gazes clashed and she could only see certainty in his hazel gaze. Both turned to the minister when he cleared his throat to announce that they’d begin the ceremony.
Merida kept her voice even when saying her vows, her eyes never moving from Tristan’s. He radiated certainty and it gave her strength not to collapse since her knees shook uncontrollably.
“Yer vows,” the minister said.
“I, Tristan Roderick Ross, swear to take ye to be my wife and my spouse and I pledge to ye the faith of my body, that I will be faithful to ye and loyal with my body and my goods and that I will keep ye in sickness and in health and in whatever condition it will please the Lord to place ye, and that I shall not exchange ye for better or worse until the end.” He recited the vows easily with a clear and concise voice that left no room for criticism that he was not in agreement to marry her.
For it, she was glad. Somehow, the clarity of his commitment gave her strength to say her own vows.
When they were finally pronounced husband and wife, the priest asked that they seal their union with a kiss. Once again, it was as if the air left the room as everyone waited to see what would happen.
Merida turned to Tristan and lifted her face. When his lips covered hers, she closed her eyes, allowing everyone and everything to disappear for that instant. If nothing else, she wanted to memorize the moment she became a wife and sworn to a man for the rest of her life.
Surprisingly, the kiss lingered. When he cupped her jaw and deepened the kiss, there was murmuring. When he lifted up, she opened her eyes and he winked at her. She couldn’t help but smile. The man was much too self-assured in her opinion.
*
Much too soon after the celebrat
ion began, Merida’s mother and Lady Mackenzie came to whisk her away. Merida did her best to protest, claiming not to have eaten yet. But unfortunately, everyone had witnessed her devouring a plate of food.
Every step she took up the stairs seemed to cause more and more attention. Merida made the mistake of looking back, only to meet a sea of eyes watching her. Would this night ever end? Hopefully, she could close her eyes and block what happened until the next morning.
“What a beautiful chemise,” Lady Mackenzie said, holding up the article of clothing that had been unpacked from her trunks.
Merida looked to her mother. “Why is that here?”
“I packed a few extra things, just in case.” Her mother gave her a sheepish smile. “One never knows.”
She wanted to glare at her mother, but decided it was best not to in front of Lady Mackenzie and several other curious women who’d come into the room under the guise of helping.
“I do not require more than Mother, Elsa and Paige’s help to undress and put on the chemise,” Merida informed the group. “Honestly, this is all a bit daunting and embarrassing.” She looked to Lady Mackenzie. “I do not plan to be taken in front of witnesses. Ye should inform everyone.”
Lady Mackenzie ignored her and motioned a young woman over. “Help take down her hair and ye,” she pointed at another, “turn down the bedding.”
Her dress was removed and she stood bare in front of everyone. Modesty was not a priority it seemed. And Merida considered, being that they thought she was about to be taken in front of everyone that could squeeze in behind the flimsy screen, she shouldn’t be so concerned.
The chemise was lifted over her head, the fabric falling down her chilled body, doing little to warm her since the fabric was much too thin to be practical. Two women unbraided her hair and brushed it down. Then she was helped into the bed.
It turned out Merida did need the help because as soon as she was sitting on the pillows, noise in the corridor announced the arrival of the bridegroom and others.
A Hardened Warrior Page 9