Page 103 of Desiring the Highland Laird
Evie nearly swooned to hear Callum repeat the vows. Then it was her turn.
“Evangeline, repeat after me.”
She repeated the same words, pledging her love and loyalty in times of joy and sorrow.
“By the power of the ancient traditions we honor, I pronounce ye handfasted, united in love and loyalty. May yer bond be strong, yer hearts steadfast, and yer love eternal. Ye may seal yer vows with a kiss.”
Evie leaned into him, their joined hands between them, as she tipped her head back to look up at him. He smiled at her, sending her heart soaring, and then sealed their vows with the sweetest kiss she had ever had. For the first time in her life, she felt as though she belonged somewhere and to someone and that made her happy.
When they broke, she still leaned into him, looking up at him and feeling the warmth of his body next to hers.
The bishop said, “As yer hands are bound together, so shall yer lives be bound as one. May ye enjoy a lifetime of love, peace, and happiness. Let us rejoice in their union.”
Roslyn sniffed with joy as she stood and hurried over to them. She flung her arms around both of them.
“Yer mam and da would be so proud, Callum.” Then she stepped back, her eyes holding unshed tears as she beamed at them both. “Welcome to the family, lass.”
Angus Sinclair approached with a faint smile hidden behind his thick beard. “If I dinnae ken better, lass, I’d say ye were part of my family, too.”
Evie wasn’t sure what to say to that.
“My lady wife thinks ye are a distant relative,” Angus went on to explain.
The air whooshed out of her as she gazed at the man whose eyes were the same color as her sister Brianna’s. Perhaps he wasn’t wrong to think that. After all, she was likely staring at one of her ancestors. She couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled up her throat.
“Indeed, we may be,” she said at last.
Angus chuckled, too, then cut a glance at Callum. “May I kiss the bride?”
Callum glanced at her question in his blue eyes. She nodded to signal it was all right with her.
“Aye,” her new husband said.
Angus gave her cheek a light kiss.
“An occasion like this needs a celebration,” Roslyn said. “Let us feast!”
*
They feasted thatnight. Angus Sinclair and his men were in attendance as well as most of the castle inhabitants. It was a joyful time. Roslyn’s cheeks were rosy with pure happiness as she bustled about the great hall.
Yet Evie was painfully aware of the knot in the pit of her stomach, a knot of dread for the coming days and the coming fight.
She was also a ball of nerves after their handfasting. It was unexplainable, though, since she and Callum had been together numerous times. What was wrong with her? There was nothing to be nervous about. She had no regrets about marrying him. In fact, elation skipped through her knowing she was his wife and would be here with him. She was at peace with her decision to stay in the past. At peace with the knowledge that her sisters would eventually join her.
It was a long, emotional day. She was exhausted. Perhaps Callum sensed that when he turned to her, grasped her hand and lifted it to kiss her fingertips. A faint smile was on his lips.
“Mayhap it’s time to retire for the night,” he said, his voice low.
Relief pounded through her as she expelled a sigh. “I’d like that.”
“Go. I’ll follow shortly.”
Evie hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. “All right.”
He released her. When she rose, all eyes in the room turned to watch her go. She was acutely aware of the stares as she madeher way through the great hall, leaving behind the noise. Safely alone and in their bedchamber, she leaned against the door and blew out a breath.
Someone had visited the room earlier and started a fire, warming the bedchamber. She was grateful for that. The bed had fresh linens and was turned down as if anticipating their wedding night. Her heart thundered upon seeing that, though she wasn’t even sure why apprehension flickered through her.
