Page 82 of When a Highlander Vows
Caitlin took his arm as everyone stood and clapped for them. The church was filled to the brim, and there were more outside, waiting to celebrate as the Laird and his new Lady stepped out into the sunshine.
Once they did, seeing the crowd surrounding them, he pulled Caitlin close and whispered, “How long dae we have to be with everyone?”
She chuckled as he lifted her onto his horse, waiting just outside for them. “Nae yet. We have to celebrate a little while.”
The revelers followed behind them on horses and in wagons, and Lucas knew his castle would be filled for days with people who were eager to celebrate his nuptials and congratulate him on his new wedded bliss.
If only I could get to me bloody wedded bliss.
The castle had been transformed. Nan had worked hard to make sure the main hall was decorated with the most beautiful flowers. When they entered, his nose was hit with an array of wonderful fragrances, that made it seem like they were in the castle gardens. He noticed that there were roses everywhere his eyes looked, and he pulled Caitlin close, smelling the very same scent in her hair.
McDougall colors graced the walls, matching the sash crossing Caitlin’s gown. “‘Tis beautiful,” Caitlin said, on a breath, looking around.
She’d donned her spectacles then, to be able to take it all in. “What a wonder she has wrought.”
“I had help,” Nan said, coming up to greet them, Paige and Sarah at her sides.
“It is perfect, Nan,” Lucas said, throwing her a smile, despite his eagerness to be alone with his wife.
“Enjoy yerself this eve,” she said, winking at them both, and Lucas caught a blush in his wife’s cheeks.
His wife. Never in all his life did he think he’d say those words. Did he ever think that he would take a woman to be with him, share his life, share his name, and live with him in a home so full of angry, dark memories.
But whenever Caitlin was there, she filled it with sunshine and joy. As he thought, she took his hand and led him to the head table. People were filing in, taking their seats as food began to be served. Cups of ale were passed down as well as bottles of wine. Plates were filled high, and laughter and merriment filled the hall.
Even though he wanted to whisk Caitlin upstairs, he sat for a minute with his hand in hers looking out over the happy hall. He had always avoided such gatherings as much as he could for they only seemed to reflect a happiness he could never find. But now that he did, they were not so bad anymore. In fact, he might even enjoy himself that evening. Heknewhe would enjoy himself.
Slowly, he stood, taking his cup of ale with him. Raising an hand, he quieted the crowd, and everyone turned his way to listen.
“Clan McDougall and those who have come from Clan MacGregor, it is an honor to stand before ye all today.” He looked down at Caitlin with a smile. “I am glad that I have been so fortunate as to marry such a woman as this. Caitlin MacLennan is now Lady McDougall, and she will be a force at me side. For too long this clan leader has been shrouded in darkness. And with me faither and grandfaither, they ruled by force and violence. I hope that after the recent battle, we willnae see violence again. That we willnae use it to gain our own selfish ends.” He felt Caitlin’s hand reach for his again, and he squeezed it. “Raise yer glasses to the new Lady McDougall.”
A cry rose up from the crowd as everyone lifted their tankards and cups, cheering for Caitlin, drinking to her good health.
“Enjoy yer evenin’!” he cried out, and he motioned to the musicians to begin.
As he sat down again, Caitlin leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Ye were perfect,” she said.
He put his cheek against hers, whispering in her ear, “Nay, ye are perfect. Now,” he added, taking her hand and drawing it to his lips, “I think we need to leave.”
Caitlin couldn’t hide her smile when her husband pulled away to look at her, his eyes full of both affection and a now familiar heat. He’d been looking at her this way ever since they’d met buteven more lately since Lottie had been attempting to keep them apart.
“Ye must let him heal, Lass,” Lottie had kept saying. “But also, make him suffer a little bit for it,” she’d added with a wink. “He has been a bit of a rogue in the past years, always findin’ it easy with the lassies, but now, he wants it more than ever because he loves ye. It will be all the better when the wedding day comes.”
She’d agreed, even though her desire had begun to grow a bit unruly in the past week, but she would do anything to allow Lucas to heal properly. Every day, she thanked God that he’d been returned to her. That he hadn’t died, pale on the bed, leaving her once again in a world of loneliness.
“All right,” she said, standing. “We can leave now.”
“Thank God,” he said, his eyes wide and eager.
Since they’d shared their love, he’d turned into a man even the servants did not recognize. Smiling, laughing, making jokes, always being cheerful and amiable. The dark shadows were gone from his expression, and Caitlin was glad that they both could start on a new life. Hand in hand, they left the main hall out a side door as the dancing began, and once the doors were closed and the sounds dimmed, Lucas pulled her into an alcove, pressing her up against the back wall.
His mouth locked with hers in a searing kiss, and she responded immediately, pressing her body against his as their mouths opened to one another.
“God, I have never wanted someone so much,” he whispered in her ear as he feathered kisses down her neck. “I will never be satisfied, Sunshine,” he said, making her heart swell with happiness.
“Then what are we daein’ down here?” she said with a chuckle. “Take me upstairs.”
“I thought ye would never ask,” he said, grabbing her hand and hurrying up the stairs with her laughing after him.
