“Be proud of your virtue,” Declan whispered to her. “None here see anything other than proof we are wed.”
While she doubted him, he turned to face the crowd. “Roughly a moon ago, Cortland brought home his lost daughter to our lands. To see the man I value most among men happy and content should have been gift enough. That he brought home the woman who would be my other half, the woman the fates decreed would be mine, was a gift beyond compare.”
For a brief flash, he turned to her, and the warm gaze she had woken to shone down upon her. Too quickly, he turned back to face the crowd.
“My ancestors lived with the women who filled their hearts with joy, a fate I now happily share, though I hold the unique honor of having my marriage deemed legal and true by a man of the crown. Nay since the time of Robert the Bruce has a Draig Laird’s marriage been held in such high regard.” Declan paused to allow cheers from his men.
“The tales state the first Draig, the verra one who conquered these lands, had his men swear allegiance to his bride, to let all men know she was his and his alone and to be protected from all harm. This day I ask the same of you.”
“Warriors of the Draig clan, I call upon you to show the crown what it means to be the Lady of the Draig. Let us show Sir Angus we will protect and care for Emma as our own, as she has cared for you and yours in time of sickness. I ask for the vow you made to me to be given to her. Vow to my wife with your swords and your life to protect her and keep her from harm at all times. Vow to care for her children as your own. Now men, who will be the first among you to swear allegiance to my wife?”
Emma stilled as cheers rang through the hall, at least from the Draig warriors. Glenn and his men sat in dumbfounded silence. It had even wiped the smirks off Enid and Ciara’s faces. She glanced at Cortland who seemed surprised but nodded at Declan’s pronouncement. Turning to Declan, she asked, “Is this really necessary?”
His hands cupped her face, and he kissed her softly. “Aye, wife. My uncle will ken you are protected at all times. A vow given is a vow to be honored. It may keep you safe, and ‘tis all that matters.”
Emma blinked rapidly as David knelt on one knee before her. David was one of Declan’s chosen. His deep voice echoed through the quiet hall. “My sword and my life are yours, Lady Emma. I will stand for you and yours.” It was the simple eloquence of the vow that spoke to her.
She held out her hand and pulled David to his feet. His wink betrayed the humor at her needing protection. During the attack on the village, she had fought at David’s side briefly. Without thought, she pulled David in for a quick hug. She whispered into his ear, “As I would stand for you.”
Surprised eyes held hers when she released him, but instead of laughing, David solemnly bowed his head to accept her promise. Many more men knelt before her, and to each, she whispered her promise with the same dedication. All accepted her pledge as she accepted theirs.
When William stood before her, Declan challenged him. “You have yet to swear to me as your role is still to be decided. Will you swear to my wife?”
William knelt with grace, and solemn eyes turned to her. “I will swear to the laird when I take the place of Cortland many years from now. Until that time, the Lady Emma has my sword and my life. I will stand for her.” He smiled at Mary. “And Mary.”
He rose and held out his arms for the embrace she had given every other man. When she whispered her pledge in his ear, he chuckled softly. “I should have known ‘tis was why each man smiled so after holding you. Aye, Emma. I take your offer and value your skill.”
Declan cleared his throat. “Let go of my wife, William.”
William released her and bowed to Declan. When Cortland stood in front of her, Emma froze. “No, Da.”
“As your father, you ken I will do all in my power to protect you. Ken now, daughter, I am also first to the Draig Laird. As his man, ‘tis my honor to swear to his wife.” With that said, Cortland knelt before her.
Emma immediately fell to her knees with him. As he repeated the vow given dozens of times, she wrapped her arms around his neck and repeated her pledge. Cortland chuckled in her hair. “You do me proud, Emma.” Placing a kiss to her hair, they rose from the ground in unison.
Cheers again filled the hall as Declan pulled Emma into his arms and kissed her soundly on the mouth before the gathering. Still holding her, he asked for silence. “I have one more surprise for you.” With a wink, he released her and untied the strip of leather that bound his dagger to his hip.
“Again, my ancestor who claimed these lands started a tradition that needs to be honored.” Declan turned to face her. He held out the dagger, free from its sheath. “The dagger which bears the symbol of my clan, the dragon with a head on each end, a beast without end, has always adorned the hip of the woman claimed and cherished by the Draig. I gift it to you, wife, to wear and wield until someday our son asks for it to give to his chosen.”
At the mention of a son, the warriors rose to their feet and cheered and yelled. Declan knelt before her despite the chaos in the hall. “Our contract is but a piece of parchment, and our bedding a moment in time never to be forgotten. The dagger is solid and as everlasting as I hope us to be.”
Solemn green eyes held hers as he held out the dagger for her to take in her trembling hands. With the short pommel in her grip, her eyes misted at the gift given with such an open heart, and by the laird, no less. The pattern of the beast could be felt in her palm as she gripped it tightly. Declan nodded and proceeded to tie the leather strap around her hips. Once it was secure, she placed the dagger in its sheath and gaped at Declan, only able to whisper, “Thank you.”
He rose to stand before her, and her eyes blinked to hide the moisture that gathered. For a man who claimed to have little experience with sweet words, he is doing an excellent job. Despite her valiant effort, a single tear slid down her cheek.
Declan swiped it gently with the pad of his thumb and frowned. “I had hoped to please you.”
Catching the uncertainty in his voice, she shook her head. “You overwhelmed me,” Emma admitted. Warm gentle hands grasped her face as he leaned in to kiss her trembling lips.
“Wear my dagger always, wife. ‘Tis what has the greatest meaning.” Declan’s words were a whisper against her lips.
She nodded within his hands, and her hand fell to the dagger at her hip. Emma’s eyes closed when she realized she believed every word he uttered.
Chapter 17
“Why in the world are you going hunting with him?” Emma asked Cortland, as they stood in the bailey with a dozen plus men preparing to ride out.
“Someone needs to be there to watch your husband’s back. He is a fool for agreeing to hunt with his uncle. Too many things could go wrong with few witnesses.” Cortland’s quiet voice aired her concerns.
Frowning at the comment, her fingers grazed the quiver of arrows strapped to Cortland’s horse. It didn’t take any imagination to picture what could go wrong, deadly wrong. “I believe I said the same thing to Declan this morning.”
He had tried to make her understand that he was going hunting to keep an eye on the enemy. It would be too easy for Glenn to meet with someone outside the gates. The fear of men waiting for orders to bring an attack, or even messengers sent with nefarious purpose, were the reasons he would hunt, which was why Emma had argued that Declan left himself wide open and unguarded. She frowned as she realized the argument hadn’t actually finished with a calm resolution. Once again, it had ended with the two of them breathless and tangled in the sheets. She began to see a pattern in her mind. Talking to Declan was futile if they were somewhere private.
Cortland pulled Emma in for a hug and whispered in her ear. “We think the same, you and I. Watch all and trust none while I am gone. Later we will meet and compare what we have seen.”
Nodding against h
is chest, she whispered, “Be careful.” Pulling back to see him, she asked, “How many are riding with you?” There was an obvious strength in numbers.
With a quick wink, Cortland responded, “Enough to keep the numbers balanced, one of ours for every one of theirs. Though I leave William to stand by your side. Dinna leave the grounds, daughter.”
Placing her hands on her hips in mock defiance, Emma laughed. “No can do, Da. I promised Mary a trip to the village after her chores are done. It has been way too long since I have seen Aalish.” Emma sighed as she lost her faux stamina. “I need to get out of here for a while too. The tension here is driving me crazy. The keep is packed with people, between Glenn’s men and the household staff he brought with him, I can’t find a moment’s peace.” The five days since the wedding had held an endless stream of obligation and strained company.
“I would forbid it, but doubt you would heed me.” Seeing her grin, he said, “Just as I thought. William stays by your side at all times. You and Aalish may nay send him away. Ken he holds my trust completely, other than your true birth. Speak to him as you would to me.”
“I know.” Emma paused to study the commotion caused by too many unfamiliar faces. “How long do you think they will stay?” It was the same question she had asked Declan, and she wasn’t surprised to receive the same answer, even if it made her stomach clench in dread.
“Glenn brought enough of his household to run the keep and enough warriors to nearly balance our numbers, even if some of the men are but hired swords. They will stay until the game is ended.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.” Hearing loud voices approaching, Emma and Cortland ended their conversation. She pretended to help Cortland secure his bag of food to the horse as Glenn approached her side.
“Such a doting daughter you are blessed with Cortland. Though one might think she should be tending her husband’s needs.” Glenn had a knack for finding fault with every step Emma made.
The hardest part of appearing weak and obedient when all she wanted to do was tell the man off was keeping her mouth shut. Keeping her eyes downcast, her defiance and fury hidden as best she could, she meekly met his challenge. “My da carries enough for both of them, Uncle.” Her gaze stayed down to hide her smirk as Glenn growled, neither one of them liked to think of the other as family.
“Then forgive me, Niece. ‘Tis fine you ken your duties,” the man mumbled.
“My wife sees to all of my needs,” Declan said as he joined them.
Straightening her posture at his arrival, she added, “My father carries your midday meal.” Her nails dug into her palm as she feigned subservience. Then her eyes narrowed when she saw the rest of the hunting party arrive. No one told me Enid and Ciara are part of the excursion.
“A word with you, wife,” Declan said, following her gaze.
The tug of his hand on hers led her into the stables, and they kept walking until they were against the far wall. Emma let out a heavy sigh as Declan pulled her against him.
“It appears I arrived in time to keep you calm.” Declan chuckled against her hair.
Snuggling against his chest, she buried her face into his neck. “Every day it gets harder and harder to keep my mouth shut around your uncle. It’s almost like he’s trying to get me to say or do something.”
“He is, but you ken this.” Lifting her chin to meet his gaze, he said, “To prevent you from loosening your tongue, mayhap we can find other means to keep this bonny mouth occupied.” Declan’s hands lifted her face to his as his lips lowered to hers, and she stilled at the first soft contact that made her forget everything but him. Savoring the contact and the harmonious way they met, she surrendered to his kiss and the immediate hunger it brought to life. Her body melted against his, and too quickly he broke the kiss and brought a whimper of disappointment to her lips.
“You are a greedy woman,” Declan teased against her lips with panting breath. He pulled her hips tight to his body to let her feel exactly how she had impacted him. “One might think you enjoy your husband.”
Emma’s hands skimmed the hard planes of his chest. “Stay home today, and we can find out what your wife enjoys together.”
“Now you speak as if there were two of you,” Declan teased but only placed a hard peck to her smiling lips. “Soon there will come a day when all threat is gone. I would have you remember your offer then.”
Emma pouted. “Maybe I won’t want to then.” Unable to hide her smirk that came with the comment, her face quickly fell to a frown. He was going hunting despite her rational concerns.
Declan pressed her flush to the stable wall with his body. “Dinna speak such harsh words to me, wife. Nay when your eyes show your want of me.” He bent slightly to kiss the pulse beating in her neck before taking her mouth in a heated kiss, only releasing her when her breathing grew strained. “Now we both feel the loss of what could be.”
Glancing away from his burning gaze, she stared at a pile of straw. Emma mumbled, “Not all of us are riding out surrounded by women . . .”
“None of whom I want,” Declan interrupted.
“But ones you have known too well.” Pushing Declan a few inches from her body, she needed space from his heat. “Ones who have no issue reminding me of how well they know you every chance they get.” Furious with herself for saying that out loud, she mumbled a curse under her breath.
Declan’s arms wrapped around her and pulled her taut body against his chest. “Why have you nay told me about that?”
Her head fell forward against his chest. “I don’t know. I’ve been trying really hard to ignore them.” Ignoring was becoming an art form, and she’d never had artistic talent. Enid and Ciara seemed to be around every turn, mocking her body, lewdly commenting on what her husband preferred and insisting the marriage only served the purpose of meeting the edict.
“Ignore them. They are trying to make you reveal something.” Nuzzling the soft skin of her neck, Declan said, “My nights are spent in our marriage bed, and they are happily spent nights.” He placed a soft kiss to the underside of her ear, and a shiver wracked her. “As are my mornings. You and I are off to a fine start, and I would see that continue. Remember I vowed to be a fine husband in all ways. Besides, I ride out with Cortland, and I fear his wrath almost as much as I fear yours.”
Despite the concerns, Emma smiled at him because she believed every word he said—they were off to a very good start. Being with Declan had become the adventure of a lifetime. He was thoughtful and affectionate, and he made her feel alive in ways she never thought possible. They did more than mess the sheets at night. They talked until they fell asleep with their bodies laced together.
“You should go,” Emma said reluctantly when she heard Cortland call for him. “How long will you risk getting an arrow in your back, I mean, hunt today?”
Declan chuckled. “I will do all I am able to return to share a late meal with you in our chamber. Would that please you?”
“It would please me,” Emma admitted. Anything is better than sitting in the hall with those two women drooling over my husband. “Be careful today.”
“In all ways,” Declan said quietly. He placed another kiss on her lips as his hand touched the belt that held the dagger to her hip. “I have a sweet wife who waits for my return.”
~ ~ ~
“Your da wanted us to stay within the walls, Emma,” William said as they walked the path to the village.
“You should have mentioned that before we left.” Emma sighed happily with Aalish’s cottage looming before them. Already her mood was lighter with the walk and the sun-filled morning. Mary had run ahead and disappeared within the cottage. “Admit it, William. You wanted out of there as much as I did.”
William ran his hand over his cropped light hair, a gesture she had seen Cortland make more times than she could cou
nt.
“Aye, Emma. A bit of peace would be a welcome thing.” He stopped walking to stare at her. “How do you fare?”
“I fare well, despite my home being overrun with Glenn and his household. Everywhere I turn, I bump into someone I don’t know. It’s odd and unsettling.” Emma closed her mouth as she eyed two of Glenn’s men a bit too close. “We can talk more inside.” Her gaze flitted to the men, and William’s subtle glance acknowledged when he caught sight of them.
“‘Tis a bonny new gown you wear, my lady.” William commented with a smirk as they resumed walking.
“Knock off the ‘my lady’ crap. We both know I’m overdressed to help in the village.” Emma frowned at her lack of gratitude for the gown. Declan insisted she be dressed the part as long as their home was overrun. Part of her understood the armor concept, but the rest of her wanted her leather pants and doeskin boots. And I want a sword in my hand for so many reasons. Let’s see how mouthy Ciara and Enid are with my blade against their necks.
Reaching the open door of the cottage, William said, “You could always wear nothing. You look verra fine that way, too.” With a laugh, he ducked inside and left her fuming outside.
Storming inside the cool dwelling, Emma yelled, “How dare you bring that up? You said you would never mention that ever happened.”
Standing on the other side of the table in Aalish’s home, William taunted her. “Such a gift should be remembered and discussed, my lady.”
“Don’t ever talk about that again,” Emma threatened.
Aalish stared between the pair of them. “Did you come to visit after so many days to only quarrel in my home?”
“I’m sorry,” Emma said, wrapping her arms around her friend and squeezing tight. “I missed you so much . . . but William is being an ass.”
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