Page 33 of Tempting the Highland Devil
Yvaine walked into the courtyard with her mother on her left and tried to smile when she saw Duncan. He took her right hand and patted it. “Ye shall be happy, me dearest sister,” Duncan said to her. “I will kill Arran if he makes ye unhappy in anyway. Ye should always remember that.”
Yvaine’s next laugh was genuine. Her eyes skittered away from Duncan to the end of the courtyard where Arran stood. He did not tear his eyes away from her even as she sucked in an audible breath and began walking towards him.
Arran looked more handsome than Yvaine had ever seen him. He wore his clan colors of saffron, gold, and a clean white. His dark hair stayed sleeked back away from his face, so she saw the angular rough edges of his features.
His chin assumed the thick jut it always had, and his sharp green eyes pierced hers till her head swooned.
“I was afraid ye would nay show up,” Yvaine whispered when she got to him.
She had feared he would hate her too much to even meet her gaze. Arran extended a hand to her and linked their fingers. “I will always show up,” he said to her in a solemn tone. Yvaine held those words to heart before she proceeded to face the priest.
The ceremony was brief, just as Arran wanted. She said her vows to him with tears in her eyes. Arran’s expression, however, did not reflect the same emotions she held dear to her.
His tone was devoid of any feelings as he repeated the vows the priest read out to them. “I promise to love thee wholly and completely for the rest of our lives. In plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond. I shall respect thee and thy beliefs, provide for thee and protect thee as I protect myself. Till death parts us.”
The priest tied his tartan over their hands, and Yvaine faced Arran again with her heart in her throat. He leaned close, and she closed her eyes, anticipating the heat of his sweet kiss.
His lips clung to hers only briefly then he pulled back from her like he was burned.
The crowd watching cheered, but cold seeped through Yvaine as Arran released her hand and turned away from her. Right then, she knew she had made a mistake.
Arran would not treat her with warmth or passion as a husband would his wife. Yvaine realized as her heart sank to the depths of her stomach that nothing had changed, now they were married.
He would keep her at a distance and make sure he never let himself show any emotions with her. Still stunned by his abrupt withdrawal, she forced on a smile and hugged everyone coming her way.
Laird Loughty congratulated her with a smile when he reached where she stood. “I am glad that ye two finally are together. It would have been foolish of Laird MacGregor to let another man win yer hand. He would have regretted it.”
Yvaine did not think so, but she smiled at Laird Loughty anyway with tears in her eyes. “I am sad to leave. I will miss our friendship, Laird Loughty. Thank ye for everythin’.”
“I wish ye all the best,” he said after he hugged her.
“What will ye do now?” she asked as he grinned at her. “Yer maither will be so angry that we dinnae end up married.”
“She will live. I depart for the Americas soon for me minin’ business. Hopefully, I shall find the love of me life and marry when I return.” Yvaine lightened up when he laughed with her, and she allowed his brilliant outlook on the future cheer her up.
Her goodbyes were brief, and she hugged her brother one last time, holding on tight because she would miss him. Yvaine also greeted Amelia’s father, Arthur, then went into the nursery to kiss the children goodbye.
By the time they finally set out for their journey to MacGregor, Yvaine was exhausted and wound up like a bow on a string. She did not know what her life henceforth held, but in all, she hoped that Arran would find a way to let her in.
* * *
Yvaine dozed off while on her horse and nearly toppled off it. Her horse spooked from her sudden jerk, and she groaned. Her eyes hurt, and her neck felt strained because she had been riding for hours.
“Can we take a break at least?” she asked Arran who trotted quietly by her side the entire time.
He had carried nothing from the castle, and Yvaine’s mother had promised to send Yvaine’s favorite items later on.
Arran slowed and brought his horse to a halt. “We have a few miles to the inn where we shall spend the night. MacGregor is still hours away.”
Yvaine yawned and blinked to keep her eyes open. “I ken ye must hate me right now, Arran, but I really cannae continue any longer. I am tired, and …” She tightened her grip on her horse. “I need to rest.”
He clenched his chin before he dismounted from his horse and led it to a clearing. Yvaine did the same and staggered on her feet till she got to him.
“I am sorry,” she apologized again.
“Dinnae apologize to me,” he silenced her. “Ye have naythin’ to be sorry for. I am the one who has caused ye stress and dragged ye all the way out here.”
“We are married. It is expected that I travel home with ye to yer clan,” she said and battled with another yawn.
