Page 41 of The Highlander's Virgin Nun
“Of course, lass. It would be an honor.”
Rosaline felt her body relax a little, knowing that someone she had invited would be at the wedding, even though she had known Mrs. Milloy for only a few days.
The dressmaker had listened to her words so carefully and respected all of her decisions, making her preferences into something beautiful. Rosaline felt that, while she struggled to trust many people, this was a woman she could trust. Alexandra, too, was a lovely girl who had done so much for her, but she was Caelan’s sister and would inevitably stand by her brother. Mrs. Milloy was there for her.
She glanced at herself once more in the mirror, taking in her beautiful dress and seeing everything that she had overcome to be here. From a tattered black tunic that had shrouded her body and been a barrier between her skin and the harm she had faced, to a beautiful flowing white dress, delicate and fluttering with the wind.
She had truly escaped, and she hoped that the risk she was taking—marrying a man she had known for merely a week—would truly be the key to her freedom. It was all she could do.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Thesgian-dubh—a traditional black knife—fastened to his shin was cool against his skin. Caelan pulled his white woolen socks over it and checked that both seams were aligned below his knees. He stood tall, twisting his kilt until it sat perfectly in place, the middle of his sporran lining up perfectly with the buttons on his waistcoat. He brushed his long, dark hair back from his face and checked himself once more in the mirror.
This may be a wedding of convenience, but he still intended to look smart for the occasion—to represent his clan well.
“All ready, Me Laird?” Jayden poked his head around the door to Caelan’s bedroom. “Alexandra says that the lasses are almost good to go.”
Caelan took a deep breath and turned to his man-at-arms. “Aye, let’s go.”
As they walked out of the bedroom, down the hallway, the stairs, and finally out of the castle to the chapel, Jayden checked in with him one more time.
“Ye’re still sure about this? Only two guests are attendin’—me and Alexandra. Ye willnae be lettin’ folk down if ye change yer mind.”
“Nay, Jayden, I’m sure. Come on, I havenae got long left to get this done.”
“I ken, Me Laird, but we still dinnae ken her all that well. I think the whole story is strange.”
Caelan shook him off. “I promised meself that I wouldnae get to ken her that well so that we wouldnae develop any feelings for one another. However, despite me promise, I have gotten to ken her. We have told each other about our pasts, and I see her nature. She is a good lass. I will keep our marriage contractual, but she has fine intentions. She isnae a spy or a witch. She is genuine.”
“All right, I’ll trust yer judgment,” Jayden conceded.
But Caelan knew that Jayden had to retain a certain amount of suspicion about everyone. It was his job to be on the lookout for the unexpected and to respond before it became dangerous. He may have been wrong in this instance, but Caelan didn’t want him to discard his suspicions altogether. Someone in his clan was leaking his travel plans, and they still had to find out who it was.
But today was not the day, and Rosaline was not the traitor. He had been working hard to keep any feelings for the girl at bay. But the more he learned about her, the more he grew to like her. Not to mention how beautiful she was—her looks were almost impossible to resist. Theyhadbeen impossible to resist that night in the cave.
As they reached the chapel, Caelan saw the flowers adorning the door. Alexandra had asked to collect blossoms from the garden and to decorate the chapel, and he had readily agreed.
“It willnae be a huge celebration, Alexandra—just a quiet weddin’,” he had said, but she had already been skipping out to the garden, elated by the opportunity.
She had done a beautiful job, however, and upon entering the chapel, he saw more flowers down the aisle and around the pews. Reds, yellows, and whites adorned the wood, mimicking the colors of the stained glass.
“Ready, Me Laird? It is about time I saw ye in here with a bride,” the priest greeted him. “And yet it also doesnae feel like so long ago that I baptized ye right here by this pew.”
“The time has come, Faither. I have to continue the bloodline.”
“Absolutely,” the priest concurred, bowing his head and readying the sacraments.
“If ye wouldnae mind, Faither,” Caelan thought to add at the last moment. “If we could go light on the religious aspects of the ceremony. Me bride doesnae have the best experience with the holy life.”
The priest nodded and gave him a look that said,Understood. He put away the silver chalices and the holy water and left out only the tartan cloth.
Caelan was still gathering his thoughts and slowing his breathing when the piper began to play outside the chapel, signaling the arrival of the bridal party. He straightened his waistcoat one final time.
His sister walked in first, wearing a pale blue dress adorned for the special day with a ribbon around the waist, and carrying a small bouquet of yellow flowers. She gave him an excited smile and whispered from the end of the aisle, “Ye look very smart, Braither.”
Caelan thanked her and turned back to face the priest, waiting for his bride to make her entrance. He heard her light footsteps slowly coming down the aisle, and once she was only a few steps behind him, he turned around.
Her beauty took his breath away.
