Page 29 of Mistletoe and Kisses
Some of the younger members of the gathering went to raise their cups to drink, but a growl from Master Crowdie had those same cups quickly lowered.
Ewan shook his head, a smile still on his lips. “Now some of you may have noticed that our First Foot tonight was indeed a woman. But she is of dark hair and also a member of the Radley family, so I think the sprits of Hogmanay will forgive my trespass,” he said.
Hugh caught a sideways glance at his new bride. Mary’s eyes shone bright with happiness. The touch of her fingers met his, and he leaned in and brushed a soft kiss on her cheek. A soft “ah” rippled through the gathering.
“I see I am going to have to make this a short speech,” Ewan added, looking directly at his brother.
Hugh grinned back at him. He was a newlywed, and that entitled him to a healthy degree of leeway.
“As I was saying, my family and I welcome you all to our home tonight. And to Mary, a special welcome on the occasion of not only your first Hogmanay, but your first as my brother Hugh’s wife. Thank you for your First Foot gifts; we shall put them to good use. To the rest of the Strathmore family, I am both honored and humbled to serve as your laird. I raise my glass to you and yours. May the new year be a good one and your health stay hearty.Slainte!”
“Slainte!”
The sound of cups and glasses being clinked together echoed through the great hall, followed by loud cheers of “Happy New Year!”
With the formalities over, Hugh pulled Mary into his arms and gave her the kiss he had been aching to give to her all evening. Her soft lips met his as she melted into his embrace. Holding her in his arms was as natural as breathing
“Happy New Year, Husband,” she said.
“Happy New Year, my wife, my love,” said Hugh.
Waking up beside her that morning had been a gift beyond words. He’d been humbled when she had welcomed him into her arms, and they’d made love. With the new year would come a new life for the both of them. Knowing that every day he would be blessed with her love had him lost for words.
“Come,” she said.
He let her lead him over to where the mistletoe still hung.
“I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Hugh did the only thing a newlywed man could do. He pulled his wife into his arms and, ignoring the cheers of the crowd, kissed her senseless.
With his loving wife to support him, Hugh Radley did make a success of his career in the Church of England, rising to one of its highest positions of rank, eventually becoming the Bishop of London.
And every year he, along with Mary and their children, would arrive at Strathmore Castle a few days before Christmas, bringing with them a red box.
Inside that box would be a perfect branch of mistletoe, ready to weave its magic.
