by Joanna Neil
Within minutes the procession of cheerful revellers took off around the walls of the castle, accompanied by the haunting sound of bagpipes, and Izzy looked up to see that the men stood at the top of the square tower, piping the torch bearers on their way.
The torches were set finally in a brazier on the flat roof of the tower, and fireworks were let off to shoot high into the sky. ‘I think we should go inside,’ Ross said after a while. ‘It will soon be midnight, and we need to toast the New Year.’
The heavy chimes of the clock sounded the midnight hour in the Great Hall and everyone joined in, counting down until the last chime rang out, and then a great cheer went up. Ross drew Izzy into his arms, kissing her with a thoroughness that took her breath away. All around her people were clinking glasses, toasting the New Year with champagne, but the champagne was on Izzy’s lips, placed there by the man of her dreams.
Ross kept his arm around her as he led her towards the great fireplace. ‘I want to make a speech,’ he said, addressing the gathering once more. ‘And you needn’t groan, because it’s a short one. There are only three points I want to make.’
Still sipping their champagne, everyone looked towards him. Izzy’s parents were just a short distance away, toasting one another, and Alice and Greg and the children were close by, with Alice’s sister next to her. Lorna stood with them, and behind her all the rest of the villagers, Izzy’s friends and work colleagues, stood around.
‘First, I thought this might be the right time to let you know that if there is anyone among you who wants to buy out their tenancy, and become owner of their land and property, I will be glad to have my lawyers draw up the appropriate papers. I’m sure we can agree fair terms.’
A hum of conversation started up.
‘Just let me know over the next week or so if you’re interested,’ Ross said. ‘And that brings me to my second statement. I know that some of our young people have been leaving the Highlands to go and live and work in the main towns and cities. I have plans for this estate, and plans to develop a winery—and I know you’ll all be happy to go along with that, because you’ve been partaking of the wines all evening and coming back for more…’
There was laughter from the assembly.
‘And I also want to go ahead with a timber plantation. For both of these projects I will need workers to keep them going. I’m looking for an estate manager, as well.’ He paused for a moment, looking around. ‘That’s not all. I know you heard about the film crew that came here a while back. That was just the beginning, and I know that they are looking for extras to take part in the next production that will be done here. I’m sure we have some budding actors among our crowd.’
There was more laughter, and still they looked at him expectantly. ‘You said there was a third thing,’ Izzy’s father said.
Ross looked at Izzy, and there was a question in his eyes. ‘It concerns you and me,’ he said softly, so that the others could not hear. ‘Shall I be able to place that diamond ring on your finger, do you think?”
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling at him. ‘You will.’
He faced the crowd once more. ‘I’m hoping that we will see all of you at another gathering very shortly—in the church. That’s if Izzy gives me the answer I want.’
He turned to look at her, reaching for her hand. ‘Will you marry me, Izzy? Will you be my wife?’
Happiness glowed in her smile. ‘I will, Ross.’
He kissed here there and then, sealing the bargain, and then turned to face the crowd once more. ‘You’re all welcome at the ceremony, and at the reception afterwards. We’ll look forward to seeing you there.’
A cheer went up, loud enough to reach the rafters, but Izzy was barely aware of it because Ross was kissing her again, and that was all that mattered to her right then.
Some time later, when he finally released her, she gazed around to find that people were smiling and drinking and chatting to one another.
‘We’ll have to design a new coat of arms,’ Ross said, glancing behind him at the shield above the fireplace. ‘Buchanan and McKinnon.’
‘Don’t you mean McKinnon and Buchanan?’ Izzy’s father said pointedly.
Ross raised a dark brow. ‘Are you trying to start an argument with me, Stuart?’ he said.
‘Argument? What makes you think that?’ Her father’s voice was sharp edged.
‘Shall we say a touch of belligerence in your tone?’
‘Oh, I see. So you’re saying that I’m aggressive, are you? Me? I don’t have an aggressive bone in my body.’ Stuart McKinnon turned to scowl at the crowd. ‘And I’ll fight any man here who says different.’ A wide grin spread over his face.
Laughter rang out. ‘Way to go, Stuart.’ Greg was chuckling.
‘Aye.’ Izzy’s father raised a glass to her and Ross. Her mother joined him, lifting her own champagne flute. ‘You have our blessing, both of you,’ he said. ‘May all your troubles be little ones.’
Ross squeezed Izzy, holding her close as she looked up at him. ‘I think I’m the happiest girl in the world,’ she told him.
There was a loud rapping on the outer door, and she frowned. ‘Who could that be?’
‘That will be someone I’m expecting,’ Ross said. ‘I believe it’s our first-footer, come to see in the New Year with us.’
They went together to open the door, and there stood Jason Trent, the actor, tall and dark-haired, bearing gifts.
‘I’ve brought coal,’ Jason said, ‘so that your hearth will always be warm, bread so that you will not go hungry, and a silver coin so that you may be prosperous into the New Year.’
‘Come in,’ Ross said. ‘In return we’ll give you whisky and good cheer, and food to fill you up.’
‘Exactly what I wanted,’ Jason said. ‘And Lorna, of course. I take it she’s here?’
‘She is. She’s waiting for you in the Great Hall. You know the way, don’t you?’
Jason nodded, and grinned. He knew better than to expect Ross and Izzy to follow him. They were far too busy kissing.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4858-2
POSH DOC, SOCIETY WEDDING
First North American Publication 2010
Copyright © 2009 by Joanna Neil
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