Page 27 of Bride of the Wicked Laird (Sparks and Tartans: The MacKinnon Clan’s Romance #11)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

A s Davina rose from the table in the feasting hall all eyes were upon her. Unused as she was to being the center of attention, it was not as unpleasant as she’d feared. Even so, her hands trembled as she walked across the hall holding the clàrsach and perched on the high stool where all could see her and hear the music. She draped the folds of her long green kirtle around her, resting her feet on the stool’s crossbar, propping the instrument on her knees.

Looking up, she caught Everard’s proud smile and gulped in a deep breath, exhaling slowly, so that her ragged breathing achieved something akin to calm.

Yet from the moment she plucked the first string, her hands steadied. The old instrument spoke to her lovingly and the melodies flowed, almost as if she had only to lay her hands on the it for the mellifluous sounds to come forth. Her fingers found the familiar notes and her heart swelled with the music.

She played until her small repertoire came to an end and she rose from the stool to the sound of clapping. Everard held his goblet of wine on high and proposed a toast.

“ Slàinte mhath , friends, I drink tae the good health of ye and I thank ye fer attending our meeting today. I drink also tae the fair lady Davina, who has entertained us all with such sweet melodies.”

The assembled Clan Council members and their ladies raised their drinks echoing Everard’s words.

He stepped across the room to meet her halfway, lifting the instrument, and taking her arm. He dipped his head and spoke in a soft voice. “That was beautiful, me sweet. As are ye.” Her heart stuttered at his words and her throat tightened, making speech difficult. His eyes were shining as he led her to her seat beside his.

As the night drew to a close, several members of the Council came by to thank her for the music. One grey-hair was particularly gracious.

“I am pleased tae make yer acquaintance, melady. I cannae recall when I’ve been entertained with such skill and charm.” He glanced meaningfully at Everard.

“Apologies, Uncle. I should have already introduced ye. This is me maither’s braither, Davina. Me Uncle George. He stays in the north of the Island.”

The man bowed from the waist and nodded to Everard. “Mayhap I need reverse me decision,” he said, enigmatically. “I daresay I am nay the only one of the Council who may have had a change of heart this evening.”

George wished them both a good night and moved among the other members of the Council, nodding and shaking hands, before he left the hall with his good wife.

When she looked at Everard, somewhat puzzled by George’s words, Everard simply smiled and placed a finger to his lips.

“Thank ye fer yer charm and fer yer music, me sweet Lady Davina. Will ye walk wi’ me a while when they’ve all taken their leave? There are matters I wish tae discuss.”

She nodded, glancing at him in an attempt to discern what was on his mind. But he was already speaking with another of the Council who was making his farewells before being ferried across to lodgings in the village for the night.

Once the last of them had taken their leave, Everard extended a hand to assist her from her seat as Aileen and Maxwell went over to them.

Aileen leaned in and delivered a sisterly kiss to Davina’s cheeks. “Ye did us proud wi’ yer beautiful playing, Davina. Bravo!”

Maxwell nodded, adding his thanks. “Well done, lass.”

“So,” Aileen said, her gaze on Everard. “After ye’ve spoken wi’ Davina, will ye meet wi’ us in the solar?”

Davina looked from Aileen to Everard, who looked decidedly ill at ease as he gave a slight acknowledgment to Aileen. Whatever he wished to discuss, it seemed both Aileen and Maxwell already knew what it was. Although Aileen was smiling, Maxwell was holding himself stiffly, arms folded across his chest and she was seized with a sense that there was something serious in store for her.

She could only pray they’d not decided to return her to the Priory.

As they left the hall, Everard took her hand and hooked it over his arm. “This way,” he gestured toward the stairs leading up the tower to the battlements, adding to her discomfiture. Surely the tower at night was a forbidding destination.

Everard hurried up the stairs, leaving her in his wake and she had to scurry to keep up. He waited at the top on the narrow stone footing surrounding the tower, his eyes fixed on something distant.

Was there a threat from the sea?

He paced along the path and stopped at a platform half way around, where she could see the candle-lit houses of the village on one side and the velvety darkness of the bay on the other.

He remained pensive, saying nothing, and she waited, her shoulders tightening almost to the point of being painful.

She could stand his silence no longer. Wrapping her cloak tightly against the cold wind she finally spoke up.

“’Tis cold here, me laird and I fear I am in danger of freezing.” Her eyes roamed his grimly set jaw.

“Forgive me lass. Me thoughts were nae on the weather, but on something else. Something close tae me heart.” He paused, his eyes searching into the darkened night. “We have kent each other a while now, and I’ve grown accustomed tae yer company. I should miss it greatly were ye tae be gone from here.”

Oh dear Lord, he’s about tae tell me he’s planning tae send me away.

“And I, too, have grown accustomed tae me small life at Kiessimul Castle.” She hardly dared to tell him that it was being near to him , that was closest to her heart. Oh yes, she loved Feather, and her daily duties in the garden and the infirmary, but it was his company that made her heart and soul sing with joy.

To her astonishment he took her hand, and went down on his bended knee before her.

Looking up, still holding her hand, he ground out the words, “I wish tae wed, Mistress Davina.” He managed a weak smile, keeping her hand in his.

If not for Everard’s firm grip on her hand, she might have sunk to her knees and joined him on the ice-cold stone. She gave a short, humorless laugh, causing him to look at her in alarm.

“Have ye naught tae say?” He sounded almost petulant, obviously taken aback by her failure to respond.

“I beg yer pardon, Laird Everard, I misheard ye. The wind up here howls something fierce.”

“Then ye’ll tell me ye agree?”

It was beginning to dawn on her that mayhap she was not mistaken. Did Everard say he wished tae wed her?

“Did I hear right? Ye wish tae wed, Laird Everard?”

He levered himself up to stand before her.

“Aye. That I dae.”

“Ah.” Her heart sank. He is telling me he intends tae marry. Tears burned fiercely behind her eyes and a giant boulder formed in her throat. I should have listened tae Mildred’s warning.

It was necessary to turn away before she revealed her true feelings. Is he seeking me good wishes ? Her heart was busy shattering into a million tiny pieces. Mayhap this was what had been discussed at the Council meeting today.

She attempted to gather her wits, straightening her spine and drawing herself to her fullest height.

“Laird Everard.” It took a great effort to keep her voice steady. “I am grateful ye have seen fit tae tell me of yer intentions. Of course, I offer me heartfelt…” She could go no further. Turning away she flung a hand across her mouth. God’s blood, he was reaching for her hand, making it so much more difficult to keep the tears at bay. A sob built in her chest and made a sudden escape.

He looked at her with concern. “Me dearest Davina. I had hoped… that is… I believed ye returned me fond feelings.”

Her lower lip trembled, and the words tumbled out of their own accord. “I dae return yer fond feelings, tenfold. But what I feel is nae mere fondness. I… I have fallen in love with ye.” Now she was sobbing openly, her restraint blown away by the wind. “I ken ye must wed tae make a fine allegiance fer the Clan and ye could never wed the likes of me.” Tears dripped from her chin and she made no effort to wipe them away. “But I cannae be glad fer ye.”

“Ah, lass.” He reached his arms around her, folding her into his embrace, where she sobbed against his chest. Cupping her chin, he turned her face up so that she was forced to meet his gaze. “Ye’ve misunderstood. I dinnae wish tae marry another.”

The sobs had turned into hiccups. “What fool I have made of meself!?” Her voice was muffled against his chest. Her head was spinning.

He chuckled softly, holding her tight against him. “I’ve nae plans tae wed some suitable laird’s daughter I dinnae love. ’Tis ye I wish tae wed, Davina. Only ye. Ye are the darling of me heart. I’ve loved ye ever since I fished ye out of the sea like a poor, drowned rat.”

Her heart stuttered. She looked up at him, her gaze capturing his face in the moonlight. His jaw was set, and his eyes looked into hers with a steady gaze.

“Me? ‘Tis me, ye wish tae wed?”

“Aye.” He smiled, causing a crinkling about his eyes. “If ye agree, we will be joined in the handfasting ceremony this very night. I’ll nay wait fer the Council’s approval, fer I wish tae make ye mine at once, so that I may keep ye safe from the MacKinnon.”

Her heart was beating faster than she’d have though possible and a delicious warmth was spreading through every part of her. A laugh bubbled up, replacing the sobs, the tears, the snuffles and the hiccups. Sorrow bloomed into an overwhelming joy.

“Yes! Yes, Everard. I dae!”

Allowing herself a few moments to savor the realization of what she’d agreed to. She would be his and he would be hers. The words lingered on her tongue before she whispered, “Aye, I’ll join wi’ ye. We will handfast together.”

Without waiting another second, he scooped her into his arms, a wide smile splitting his face. “Aileen and Maxwell are waiting fer us in the solar. Both of them hoping ye’d agree. They will be the witnesses we need tae make our troth legal in the eyes of the law and all of Scotland.” He bent his head and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “When the Council are ready tae give their blessing, we’ll have a grand marriage ceremony in the chapel wi’ a priest and all the clan ta hear our vows.”

They stood side-by-side at the fireside, Aileen and Maxwell before them as the solemn witnesses required by law.

“The handfast binds ye in a union that is only made legal if yer love is true.” Maxwell turned to his brother. “Laird Everard of the MacNeils, d’ye love the Lady Davina MacKinnon?”

Everard nodded, turning to Davina. “I dae most truly love me Lady Davina MacKinnon.”

It was impossible for Davina to curb her smile. Her body was ringing with happiness as Maxwell turned to her, “Dae ye, Davina MacKinnon, love this man, Everard, Laird of the MacNeils?

She turned her beaming, sunshine-smile to Everard. “I dae.”

Aileen stepped forward with two long strips of fabric. One of the these was wool, woven in the plaid green, yellow, and red of the MacNeil clan, the other was a plain swatch of forest-green linen matching Davina’s gown. “We searched, but nowhere was there the plaid of the MacKinnons,” she whispered. “But the green will bring ye good health, prosperity, luck, beauty, peace, home, and children.”

Davina ran the cloth over her hand. “’Tis everything I could wish fer.”

Maxwell took charge. “Join yer hands please.”

They grasped hands and Aileen wound the linen strip about their joined wrists. She handed the MacNeil plaid to Maxwell, who loosely bound their wrists with it, but did not tie the two lengths together.

“Ye must make yer vows tae each other now, before the tying of the knot.”

Everard spoke first, his blue eyes gazing into Davina’s eyes.

“I place me hands in yers. These hands will always be yers, tae hold ye in times of joy and comfort ye in sorrow.” He offered a tiny smile as he spoke. “These hands will always strive tae protect ye and our children and keep ye safe from harm. These hands of mine will love ye wi’ passion and cherish ye through the years. These hands will always be reaching fer yers.”

Then, her heart brimming with love, Davina spoke. “These hands of mine will always be there tae soothe away yer cares, yer pain and hurts and give ye strength when ye need it. These hands will hold yer children wi’ tenderness. These hands of mine will love ye wi’ passion and cherish ye through the years. These hands will always be reaching fer yers.”

Aileen dabbed a tear from her eyes as Maxwell stepped forward and tied the two strips of fabric in a sturdy knot.

“This knot signifies that yer lives and spirits are forever united by yer love and the vows ye have made.” Maxwell spoke with deep sincerity. “Me congratulations t’ye both.”

Everard dipped his head. “I thank ye fer yer help braither, and ye, Aileen.” He looked up, his eyes sparkling. “This means everything tae me. Today at the Council meeting I despaired, now me happiness is without limit.”

He lifted their two bound hands, loosening them from the bond, and slipped his hand through the tie. Davina followed suit. Everard took the knotted length in his hands and held it high.

“We shall always keep this close, the knot that binds us forever.”

As their lips joined in a kiss that slowly turned from chaste to desire, he whispered into her mouth. “Ye’re mine and I am yers.”

Maxwell intervened. “Before ye allow yer passion tae take ye in its grip, I’ve asked Mistress Mildred tae provide us some refreshments so we may wish the couple good health and happiness.”

With a laugh, Everard tucked his arm around Davina, just as Mildred entered with two of the scullery maids, followed by Ailis.

They placed four bronze goblets on the table along with jugs of mead, candied walnuts and almond cakes.

All four curtsied.

Ailis stepped forward, scooped up Feather who was curled asleep on one of the chairs by the fire. “I’ll look after this wee one fer tonight. I think the laird and his lady may enjoy being alone.” Grinning broadly, she gently placed Feather in her basket.

Everard laughed. “Taenight we shall only have eyes fer each other.”

Davina felt her cheeks flush with heat. “Ye’re very kind, Ailis. Thank ye. And good night tae ye, little one, be good fer Ailis.”

Mildred nodded, giving Davina a knowing smile, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I’ve seen tae the preparation of yer bedchamber, me laird.”

With that, the four of them departed. Maxwell filled the four goblets with mead and handed them around.

He held his high. “ Slàinte mhath . Tae Everard and Davina. May ye have a long life together as husband and wife, may it always be overflowing with happiness and contentment.”