Page 56 of Highlander's Wild Lass
“Listen to me,” Anthony said through his teeth. He was seething. “We announce that we’re to wed, but that’s it. No sneaky handfastin’ ceremony or I’ll have both yer throats slit.”
“I wouldnae dream of disobeyin’ my chief,” Ian said.
Charlie had let go of Anthony to jump off the platform, coming back with a horn player.
“Somethin’ high-pitched to get everyone’s attention,” Charlie ordered, situating the player in the corner.
The young man nodded and brought the horn to his pursed lips.
“Wait,” Anthony said, face red from struggling to free himself and from sheer anger. Both of his uncles and the horn player looked at him. “I need ye to swear to me this is only an announcement and nothin’ else. Swear on yer children.”
Celestia would’ve been impressed if she wasn’t mortified that she was about to be presented to the entire clan.
“Aye, I swear on my children. Good Christ, Anthony. We’re nae goin’ to sacrifice ye—we arenaethatdeep in our cups—we only want to announce that ye have finally decided to wed,” Ian told him. “Yer parents would be proud of the lass ye’ve chosen.”
She was pleased with the compliment, but this seemed to be going nowhere. The uncles were too drunk, Anthony was too angry, and Eleanor was too silent.
“I’ll be an old maid by the time ye finally announce it,” Celestia blurted, stepping up to Anthony and wrenching Ian’s hand away from him. “Sir,” she said, tipping her head to the horn player. “Play on.”
The horn was once again brought to his lips. Celestia’s ears nearly burst from the high-pitched noise that blared from the horn.
Anthony leaned in toward her and took hold of her hand. “I’m sorry about this, Celestia,” he said, voice soft but laced with frustration. “I ken as soon as they laid eyes on us somethin’ like this would happen.”
“It’s fine, Anthony. I’m sure my brothers and sister will be thrilled with the fanfare,” she told him, squeezing his hand. “My faither is home, anyway.”
As the horn wailed out its final tune, the crowd and the music fell silent. All eyes were trained on the platform that was illuminated by four torches at each of its corners.
Celestia’s hands and legs were shaking. The damned torches were causing sweat to break out on her forehead. She exhaled deeply as Anthony’s uncles stepped to the front of the platform.
“Yer attention please!” Charlie said unnecessarily, raising his arms into the air. Celestia couldn’t see his face, but it sounded like he was smiling.
Ian stepped up next to him, clapping his arm on his brother’s wide back. “We hope ye have all been havin’ a grand time.”
The clan erupted into loud cheers, and many of them thrust their drinks into the air. Celestia looked around the crowd, trying to find her family in the dim light. But the shadows the bonfires were throwing made everyone look too similar.
Ian waved his hands for everyone to quiet down once more. “We have an announcement to make, and it’s been a long time comin’.”
“Truly,” Charlie spoke, more to the crowd than to Ian. “We never thought this day would come.”
Some of the crowd laughed, not knowing what they were even laughing about. Others stayed silent, looking expectantly up at the men.
Anthony grumbled beside her, staring daggers into the back of their heads. “I am goin’ to murder them.”
Celestia sighed. “I’ll help ye do it.”
He squeezed her hand and a corner of his mouth turned up.
“It is our great pleasure to announce our nephew, our chief, Anthony Moore has finally decided to marry!” Charlie shouted toward the crowd.
“Please welcome the betrothed couple: Chief Moore and Miss Celestia McLean.”
Ian and Charlie parted to the side to allow Celestia and Anthony to step forward. Anthony rolled his shoulders and straightened his back, standing tall before taking a step.
Celestia stepped with him, and in two strides they were at the front of the platform overcome with raucous cheers and yells from the clansmen and women. The cheers lasted for minutes. The men were holding women and children on their backs and shoulders.
Everyone looked elated, she just wished she could catch a glimpse of her siblings. And that’s when she saw them, on the edge of the crowd, jumping up and down on one of the wooden tables.
Chester had his fingers in his mouth, whistling. Auralia was jumping so much that the flower wreath on her head was bobbing up and down, and Hugo’s hands were cupped around his mouth, screaming himself hoarse.
