Page 55 of Bride of the Merciless Laird
Tyra sipped her wine, quietly relieved that the evening was proceeding well. As there was nothing but good will from the assembled guests, surely Edmund would be pleased to observe her acceptance by the elders of the Council and their wives.
She could hardly restrain a giggle as her eyes flashed from Ewan, who was observing Edmund’s every move, to Edmund, who was keeping a steady back-and-forth gaze on her interaction with Ewan, while Annora’s gaze roved between each of them and across the assembly, undoubtedly assessing, appraising, judging, slowly making up her mind about Tyra and her situation.
There was no doubt a close watch was being kept on her and Ewan’s smallest action.
She was grateful when Duncan and Isla joined them, distracting the intensity of interest from herself and Ewan, with Isla’s friendly chatter to Annora and Duncan’s genuine interest in Clan MacNeacail and the Isle of Skye.
As the evening wore on, the mood mellowed, becoming more cheerful, as the fiddlers, the drummers and the pipers playedtheir favored tunes, acquaintances were renewed, and gossip and jest made for a sense of good-natured liveliness. It was all a far cry from the worrisome tension that had filled the castle walls following the attack on them by MacDonald’s men.
It was possible to simply enjoy the ambience and forget, for one night, the reason for the urgency of their hurried marriage ceremony.
But her ease was short-lived.
Annora leaned forward, a frown creasing her forehead.
The moment Tyra had been dreading had finally arrived.
“Me sweet sister, I am pleased tae see ye looking so well. We were fash’d, fearing fer ye in a strange place, and having endured such a terrifying ordeal. But, please enlighten me. How is it that ye are here now and wed tae the laird?” Her calm voice was edged with real concern. “It is nae long since ye left us and sailed from Scorrybreac. Yet here ye are, wed tae the Mackenzie laird.”
“Aye. It could seem a little… sudden…” Tyra looked to Ewan.
He gave a benign smile and Tyra envied his nonchalance.
“Why yes, I came upon the Lady Tyra at a most opportune moment indeed.”
Tyra nodded. “As ye ken, it was the laird who saved me from MacDonald’s men.”
Ewan continued, explaining his rescue of Tyra and their time spent at the inn. “Our time together at the inn enabled us tae make a strong and trusting connection. Lady Tyra was able to confide in me her fears and her unwillingness tae be cloistered with the nuns at Pluscarden. Once I understood her story, Mackenzie hospitality would never allow me tae ignore a lady in need of assistance.”
Now it was Tyra’s turn. “Laird Ewan generously invited me tae Eilean Donan.” She laughed nervously. It all sounded so glib and unlikely now she was relating it to Annora. “When I mentioned Edmund was seeking a match fer me…” She paused, glancing at Ewan for him to finish the tale.
“…I was so taken wi’ the lady, I could dae naught but propose to wed her meself.”
Under the table Tyra was nervously clasping and unclasping her hands. Ewan glanced over at her. Seeming to recognize her discomfort he leaned in, smiling, edging a little closer, brushing a wayward strand of hair from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear. He reached for her hands, enveloping them both in his.
The unexpected gesture caused her to stiffen in surprise.
Annora looked at her askance. “Are ye well Sister?”
Tyra scrambled to reassure her. “Aye. I’m well, mayhap a little tired.”
But Annora was not appeased. “And the haste?” she insisted. “Both Edmund and meself were expecting the wedding would take placeafterour visit and the betrothal was agreed tae andafterthe banns were proclaimed.”
Ewan nodded gravely. “I regret tae tell ye that there is still a great threat tae yer sister’s life. MacDonald’s men ambushed us only days ago.”
Annora sat back in her seat. “That is fearful news, Laird Ewan.”
“It was then I made up me mind that the best protection I could afford Lady Tyra was tae wed her without delay. It was most fortunate that me Council were in agreement. While the wedding was arranged in haste – as ye say – it was what we both desired. The only thing that changed was that it was sooner rather than later.” He flavored his remarks to Annora with a winning smile.
At that moment Tyra rose to her feet. “I beg yer pardon, me dears, but me husband and I have yet tae share a wedding dance.” As she reached for Ewan’s hand, he stood and turned to Annora and Edmund.
“Ye must excuse, me. Me bride wishes me presence in a dance.”
As they moved through the crowd to the space where the dancing took place, Tyra allowed Ewan to pull her close. Despite feeling exposed and uncomfortable with such an intimate gesture for all to see, his show of solidarity warmed her heart.
He bent his head and whispered in her ear. “Is all well with ye? I ken the eyes of all are on us now, but it is our chance tae show them ye are here because it is where we both wish tae be. As long as we are together in this, all will be well.”
Meeting his gaze as they took hands for the dancing, she nodded. “I understand, Ewan, yet I find it difficult when there is such a gap between us and nay bridge tae join us.”
