Page 128 of Sighs of the Highland Wind
“Because you wrote to me,” he answered. “I thought you might have wanted me to be at your wedding and give you away.”
Norah looked at him for a moment in disbelief then threw back her head and laughed heartily. “And what made you think that, Father dear?” she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Because you tried giving me away before, remember? I seem to recall that didn’t work out too well. You were trying to wed me to a man who was old enough to be my father and almost oldenough to be my grandfather. I was surprised, though, that you did not pursue me further. Did you not want it to be known that your little girl disobeyed you? Perhaps I was not valuable enough any more. Or did you just not care?”
Despite herself, Norah had always been rather hurt by her father’s indifference to her, except when it suited him to appear to be a loving father. The image he projected to the outside world had always been more important to her than she was. She had always known that she was less of a daughter and more of a means to an end, and that end was to make himself the most important person in his social circle. This would, of course, make him richer, and so ultimately she was not really being married, but sold.
“I pursued you that first night because your bridegroom was determined to catch you.” Liam sighed and frowned. “I knew it was useless to chase you because you had been riding all your life. However, after that day, he wanted nothing more to do with me. I have not seen him from that day to this, and he has smeared my reputation to such an extent that many of my former colleagues will not work with me any more.” He paused, then looked up, straight into her eyes. “I did look for you, but you seemed to have disappeared into thin air, and in the end I gave up.”
“I was two days' ride away from our village,” Norah stated firmly. “Clearly you were not looking very hard. Father, please do not insult my intelligence any more. All my life I have had to beg for what I wanted unless it suited you to give it to me. I even had to let you dictate the times I could play with my friends. No more. This is my life now, and I am marrying the man I love whether you like it or not.”
Liam Brown sighed and nodded with acceptance. “Please forgive me, Norah,” he asked quietly, looking and feeling ashamed. “I have been a bad father to you.”
“Yes, you have,” Norah agreed, then she paused. “But I will forgive you, even though it will take time.”
“And you will let me come to the wedding?” he asked hopefully.
“Of course.” She stood up. “Excuse me, Father, but I have things to do. I have arranged with the landlady that you will pay for our room, so thank you. Goodnight.”
She walked back to Tearlach, who put his arm around her waist and led her out. Liam sat for a while, looking completely stunned.
22
Norah was not dressed in the finery of a rich bride, but in an outfit that resembled the Sunday best of one of the village women. She wore a traditional kirtle, with a laced bodice and a full skirt over a white blouse and an arisaid, a traditional shawl, over her shoulders, which was belted at the waist. The arisaid had been gifted to her by a group of the village ladies of Rosblane, who had spun, woven and dyed it for her, and Caitrin had brought it with her.
When Norah saw the clothes she gasped, incredulous at the generosity of these loving people who were willing to share what little they had with her.
“Caitrin,” she said to her friend as she gazed at her new finery, “look at what these lovely ladies have done for me. I can’t believe their goodness!” Her smile was bright enough to light up the room. “Everyone here has looked after me, fed me, hidden me, even risked their lives for me. What have I done to deserve all this?”
“You have been the light o’ my life,” Caitrin said warmly. “When my Peter was killed by the English five years back, I thoughtI had nothin’ to live for. Then you an’ Tearlach came into my life an’ gave me new hope. I feel much younger an’ very, very happy again because o’ you.” Suddenly she became brisk and businesslike. “Now - time tae get dressed!”
Tearlach was spending his last few nights of freedom in the guards’ quarters in the castle, where he was enjoying the rough and ready companionship of his fellow warriors until the day he took his vows.
On the morning of the wedding, he was being ceremonially bathed in the moat by the men of his company, and it was rather a rambunctious affair, as would be expected when dozens of healthy young men came together. The water was freezing, and the men were mercilessly ducking him under the water again and again, roaring with laughter as they did so.
At last they let him escape, and he was allowed to dress himself for the wedding in peace. His heart was pounding like a drum as he made his way downstairs into the chapel, then stood facing the priest while they waited for the bride.
When they heard a hubbub at the back of the church, he turned to see Norah advancing towards him with a beaming smile on the arm of her father. She was dressed like a peasant but looked like a princess, and he felt himself burning inside with pride as he watched her. He reached out his hand and took hers, and her silver grey eyes smiled into his. Liam placed her hand in Tearlach’s and looked at him as if to say something, but the steely glance he received made him scurry away quickly.
“Ready?” Norah whispered, looking up at him with shining eyes.
“Yes,” he replied fervently. “I have never been more ready for anything in my life.”
They turned to face the priest.
It was done, and Tearlach and Norah walked out of the chapel as man and wife, then he kissed her passionately at the church door, so that every one of the servants and tenants could see them. There was a huge cheer and a few suggestive comments, but when Tearlach picked Norah up and carried her into the Great Hall, there was an even louder chorus.
They sat close together, their thighs touching, and Norah could not remember a time when she had felt so content. She had thought that she might be nervous at the thought of being with her husband for the first time, but as she looked into his apple-green eyes, she could see that there was no need to be. There was nothing but love shining out of them.
They dutifully ate their share of the feast, even though both of them were desperate to leave, because they did not want to deprive the common people the chance to enjoy their few hours inside the castle. This might be the only time many of them would have the chance.
When Tearlach had asked the Laird for a day off for the wedding, Laird McMillan had shocked him by offering them the hospitality of the castle.
“But M’Laird, I am only a guard,” he pointed out.
“I do my best for those who risk their lives for me,” the Laird answered. And so it was done.
Presently Laird McMillan leaned down between them and said, “time to make your escape?” His face was full of mischief.
“Yes, please, M’Laird,” Norah said gratefully. “I am a little tired.”
