Page 25 of Bride takes a Scot (Highland Vows & Vengeance #1)

T he day of Rhona’s wedding and the harvest festival arrived. There was much to celebrate, and Declan stood awaiting his sister’s entrance into the chapel. Many crowded within the small place of worship and likewise many more crowded outside the door. A rush of clamor came when Rhona made the procession toward Willeli. His sister looked beautiful but not as bonny as Isabella. Declan was happy that Rhona had found someone to hopefully spend a lifetime with.

Their marriage was sealed with the friar’s declaration. Before all left the chapel, he called their attention. “Clan MacKendrick, I bid ye to wait. This day I will marry my bonny wife before ye all as witness of my devotion to her. Ye did not get to witness our marriage and it would please me, Isabella, if ye would again promise to be mine.”

Isabella rose from the bench and approached him. Her wide smile told him she was joyful at his surprise. “I would marry you every day if need be, Declan.”

“This day would do well enough,” he said and took her hands.

The friar began the vows of the Sacrament of Matrimony for a second time that day, and a hush fell over the onlookers. Before the friar announced they had retaken their vows in sickness, health, and especially until parted by death—something that Declan had determined wouldn’t happen for a very long time—he asked if they would like to profess any vow of their own.

Declan turned and glanced at the many soldiers watching them. He hoped to set an example of chivalry for them and turned back to face his wife. “Isabella, from the moment I met ye, I was enamored. I am still enamored and always will be. Ye are kind, outspoken, loyal, courageous, clever and beautiful. Isabella MacKendrick, I love ye.”

Isabella smiled and her eyes shimmered with what he hoped were tears of joy. “Declan, I always thought love was for fools, but I have come to understand that love encompasses more than courtly love. It is the giving of oneself to another and on this day as before, I give myself to you completely. I love you.”

He couldn’t hold back his jubilation at hearing her declaration of love. He leaned forward and kissed her. Declan had intended to kiss her passionately before their clan, but his sweet wife took it to a level that nearly buckled his knees.

Friar Faelan chuckled. “Ahem, ah… Where were we? Ah yes, I proclaim ye husband and wife. Go on to serve each other and God.”

Cheers arose. Declan took Isabella’s hand and led her from the chapel. Outside, the marriage and harvest fanfare began, as musicians played, fires were lit, and tables were ladened with more foodstuff that would feed an army, as all around he saw the happy faces of his clansmen and women.

He sat with Isabella at a table that had been erected outside their home especially for them. Declan watched as his sister and her new husband danced while Isabella sipped on wine. She appeared as jubilant as his clan. His gaze shifted as he spotted the Campbells arriving.

Robbie strolled toward him along with his wife who held their wee bairn in her arms. His comrade smiled at Isabella. “Milady Isabella, allow me to introduce ye to my wife. This is Mary. And the wee one is our son, Michael.”

“Lady MacKendrick,” Mary said and smiled. “I am thankful for your gracious care of Robbie when he was injured. I wish to repay ye for your kindness.”

“There is no need to thank me or for repayment. You are family and family always help each other. I am gladdened to see you have mended, Laird Campbell,” Isabella said.

Robbie bowed to her. “Declan, I say this now. Our clans are allied for the rest of time. Aye, your wife not only mended my injuries, but she saved me from being killed whilst I recovered. My debt to her is insurmountable.”

“I accept your alliance,” Declan said with pride. “Join the festivities. There is plenty to drink and eat. Invite your clansmen to partake.” The Campbells moved to the next table and intermingled with the rest of the MacKendrick clan. Declan sipped his ale and watched the festivity around him. Perhaps, he thought, there would be more weddings, and intermarriage between the two clans, making their allegiance stronger than ever.

Then he spotted a face he hadn’t expected to see. He touched Isabella’s arm to get her attention. “Look! There is Trevor. Lillith said she would have him well enough to attend the festival, and so she has.”

Isabella waved to the healer and smiled. “Lillith confessed that he might have taken longer to recuperate than he should have. I think he might be smitten with her. Do you see what I see?”

Declan gazed at his soldier and bellowed a laugh. “What I see is a man who definitely took a wee bit longer to recuperate than he should have. I’ve never seen him smile at a woman like that.”

Isabella giggled. “Trevor is a good man, and I am pleased for him. Now we need to find a suitable woman for Slone.”

Declan scoffed. “No woman in her right mind would put up with his surliness.”

“I accept that challenge, Husband, and will find the prettiest lass for him.”

“I doubt that because there is none prettier than ye.” Declan bellowed with more laughter but quieted when the musicians ceased, and their leader called for silence.

“What are they doing?” Isabella asked.

“I asked Bang to play a special song for us. Those three men… They are all named Bang because their mother did not know what to call them. She and her husband had no coin for playthings for their lads when they were wee and so she let them play with cauldrons and heavy metal spoons. Watch…”

The three brothers strolled to the center of the gathered clan with their drums hanging on their hips. Children of the clan followed in their wake. Noah joined the lads and lassies. Declan and Isabella stood to better see them. The Bang Brothers, as they were called, started playing. Their beats began softly and wee by wee raised to a rousing sound. Isabella’s eyes widened and her lips parted in awe as she watched the innervated affect the beat of the drums had on the people that danced around the brothers. The children, along with Noah, skipped and shouted in glee to the banging. His eyes beheld Noah, who appeared happier than he’d ever seen him. His lad skipped around the Bang Brothers, his face filled with delight.

“I have never heard such music,” she yelled loudly enough for him to hear.

Declan grinned for he’d suspected his wife would appreciate the raucous music. She was too excited herself, outspoken, and she took his breath away. Now Isabella spun, jumped, and tried to get him to join her in a maddening dance. But then the intense tempo of the beating of the drums ceased abruptly. Everyone quieted for a moment. The wind whipped at the pennons and Declan waited for the clamor of the crowd. It came in moments as all shouted, roared, and cheered.

“That was incredible,” Isabella said. “Do they play like that often?”

“Rarely these days. The Bang Brothers have aged but they have been teaching their sons to play with such vigor. They only played this day as a favor to me.”

“I enjoyed it. Thank you for asking them to play. Oh, look, there is Noah. I am pleased to see him playing with the other lads.”

Declan shifted his gaze to his son and smiled. “Aye, but he is of age and should begin his warrior training.”

Isabella set her hand on his upper arm. “Not yet, Husband. He has missed much of his childhood and needs more time to run and play. Can you not await another year before he begins his training?”

“I do not see the harm in awaiting another year. We’ll wait.”

She looked at him lovingly. “You are being so agreeable.” Isabella gave him a soft peck of a kiss on his cheek. “I am going to talk to Rhona and will return shortly, husband, don’t move,” she said and walked off toward his sister.

Declan retook his seat and refilled his cup with ale. He hadn’t been so relaxed but now that he put behind him the turmoil of Murray’s plan to desecrate his clan, he had accepted that the dark days were behind him.

Anse sat next to him and grunted. “I vow those Bang Brothers put on a show, do they not?”

“Ye seem displeased, cousin. What has ye scowling like the devil?” Declan poured a cup of ale for Anse and handed it to him. “Drink and enjoy the fanfare.”

Anse chuckled. “I always enjoy it when those men play. ’Tis like my heart is clashing against my chest and that it will erupt.”

“Then what has ye so grim?”

“I do not know how to tell ye this…”

Declan frowned at his cousin and shoved his shoulder. “What is it? Speak.”

“Your wife…she did the unthinkable. I vow I do not wish to get her in trouble but… She gave me your father’s sword and told me to keep it. I don’t think she realized it was your da’s sword but thought it was yours. Milady said that ye gave her permission to give away your things. I tried to give it back to her and bade her to return it to the keep, but she wouldst not listen. I returned it to the wall in your hall, just so ye know.”

Declan rose. “Why would she try to give away my sword, or rather my da’s sword?”

“She said she was starting a war.”

“Damnation, the confounded woman.” Declan didn’t bid farewell to Anse but sprinted off to find his wife. He marched through the crowds of his clansmen and spotted her standing with Rhona, by a barrel.

When he reached her, he grinned and grabbed her and lifted her over his shoulder. She gasped and squealed at him to put her down. His clansmen chortled. Near the keep, he set her on her feet, and she ran with him in his sprint inside their home. He chuckled because his wife had the same idea as he had.

She tried to speak to him, but he shushed her. Isabella wanted a war and he’d do his best to give her what she wanted. When he got to their bedchamber, he forced open the door, gently swung her inside, and slammed the door behind him. He paced before her and couldn’t find the words to stress how surprised he was that she intended to give away his sword. She stood with her arms folded and peered at him.

Declan grabbed her and ran his fingers through her hair until the strands surrounded his hand. Lord, her hair was soft. He tipped her head back and stared down at her lovely face. Declan set his mouth on hers and gripped her mouth to get her to accept his kiss. His tongue lashed with hers in an urgent, provoked manner. She took hold of his arms and pushed him back, but Declan wasn’t deterred.

With his mouth on hers, his free hand roamed her garments until he was able to remove them. She stood naked. His mouth turned over hers repeatedly, determined to keep her busy while he discarded his tunic and tartans. When his skin crushed hers, she moaned. He wouldn’t let her speak and kept up the sensual assault. Declan eased her to the bed and gently pushed her back until she fell onto it. He took her legs, each now held in his hands, and set his mouth at her apex. With deliberate strokes of his tongue and mouth, he had her thrashing atop the bedcover within seconds.

“Declan, please…”

He peered at her as her plea stopped him for a moment. Declan wasn’t about to give in so easily. “Quiet,” he clipped, feigning outrage. He kept up the torment with his mouth teasing and taunting her and wasn’t sure how he maintained his ability not to succumb to the rush of blood pulsing to his manhood.

Isabella came undone, crying out as ecstasy had control of her. Declan knelt back and pulled her to her knees. “Do ye want to take me in your mouth?”

Her eyes widened but she did as he asked. She was inept at first, but then her mouth moved over his shaft and Declan tilted his head back and groaned. The warmth of her tongue and mouth heightened the sensation of his need. He allowed her a moment of such play until she licked him. That small gesture caused his legs to shake ferociously. Declan pulled back from her, shifted her back, and fell atop her. He joined them and with all the madness that possessed him now, he jammed his shaft into her. There was no turning back, no gentle touches, no sweet kisses, just maddening torment for them both.

What pleasure it was too, and he followed her commands when she said, “That’s it, harder. Hurry, keep going, don’t stop. I want all of you.”

His control faltered and with the first twinges of his culmination, he shouted at the intense paralyzing force that overtook him.

They came together in bliss that shattered them in a climax unlike any that he’d ever experienced. Declan gently pulled out of her and lay beside her. He rasped for breath which caused his chest to move rapidly. His heart thrummed so hard, he thought that it rivaled the beat of the Bang Brother’s drumming.

“Declan…”

He kept his eyes closed and tried to even his breath before he spoke to her. What was she thinking to give his sword away? That was the first question he intended to ask, but then he couldn’t help but take her with unabashed enthusiasm. Hadn’t he sworn never to take her roughly again? His promise to her meant nothing, not when she instigated his brashness. He pressed his hands over his face and calmed enough to have a civil conversation with his meddlesome wife.

“Why did ye give my sword to Anse?” his voice was hard, harder than he’d wanted it to be.

She leaned over him and caressed his chest. He suspected she’d intended to soothe him, but it was only making him want to take her again.

“I wanted to make war with you.”

He shook his head. “War?”

“You said that husbands make love, not war, with their wives. I wanted you to make war with me. So, I intended to instigate you so that you would…”

“Make war with ye.”

“Yes, and I must confess that I enjoy when you are rough. Well, sometimes, but I also like it when you are gentle. There are times though that I want you to make war with me.”

Declan laughed so hard that his eyes watered. He pulled her against him and kissed her with a long passionate meshing of their lips. “Ye are the most—”

“Spirited?”

“Aye, spirited woman. In the future, Wife, ye are not to touch any swords. The sword ye gave Anse, by the way, was my da’s. It holds a special place on the wall and is never touched. Besides, they are sharp weapons, and I don’t want you injured. If ye want to make war with me, just tell me, and I’ll oblige.” He flashed a smile at her.

“Very well, Husband, I shall do that. I didn’t know it was your da’s sword and meant no disrespect.”

“Nay, if my da were alive, he would’ve laughed to know ye used it to get your way.” Declan pressed his hands over the softness of her hair that fell by her shoulder.

“We should probably rejoin the festival,” she said sheepishly.

“Nay, let us lay here for a few moments. I liked hearing ye profess that ye loved me.” He hoped she’d say it again.

“I do love you, Declan. How silly was I to think love was foolish? I am grateful to the king for offering me to you and I am happy that you chose me.” Isabella rubbed her leg against his.

Declan knew before they left the fief he would take her again, but they would make love, not war. “Ye know very well that ye chose me and I am gladdened that ye did.” He pressed a hand on her face and tilted it so he could see her bonny blue eyes. “Ye never told me what was in the missive.”

“What missive?”

“The one I gave you before I left to await in the woods… Before…”

“Oh, that missive. It was from my mother. She wrote that my brother died.”

Declan leaned up. “Brother? Ye never mentioned you had a brother.”

“He volunteered to go on the crusade with the English. Unfortunately, he was killed. I didn’t think he’d return and awaited such news. Also, my father was exiled for raiding. He and my mother escaped to England. I suppose some lord gained the king’s accord and forced him to bring charges against my father for stealing his horses.”

Declan chuckled. “I do like your father. We shall find out where they are and perhaps we can visit them.”

“You would go to England for me?”

He shifted his face within an inch of hers. “I would go through the fires of Purgatory for ye, Wife, even to England which is far worse.”

“I don’t wish to go to England. I warned my father what would happen if he continued to steal from our neighbors. He wouldn’t listen. My place is here with you, with the MacKendricks. That’s where I wish to be and belong.”

“Ah…so that is why ye learned healing methods. Ye had to patch up your father and his men when he returned from thieving?”

Isabella nodded. “Yes, and believe me, my father could be quite emotional when he was injured. When the king bade our attendance, I thought he would weep for a sennight.”

That was interesting, Declan thought, for his wife adapted to the situations around her and had many interests. He realized it would take a lifetime to figure her out. Thank God he had the rest of their lives to do so. “Have ye seen the trunk? I meant to present it to ye this morn when we awakened, but ye were gone when I awoke.” Declan motioned to the ornate, large trunk that sat next to his.

She pressed her hand over his chest. “I did see it. The trunk is for me? It is beautiful, quite ornate.”

“Ye should have a place for your belongings. Ye can keep your things in there until the carpenter makes the wardrobes I commissioned.”

Isabella smiled. “That was kind of you.”

He stretched and had no intention of leaving their bedchamber until the fires were lit at the festival. That’s when the real revelry began.

“I wonder how the other couples are getting on, those that the king bade to marry. Do you think the other brides and grooms are as happy as we are? I hope so because meeting you has changed my life considerably.”

“My life was misery before I met ye. Alexander was right. The king said that I wouldn’t be disappointed with the ladies he chose as the brides. He also told me that I would have a hard decision to make about which bride to choose. He was wrong about that. That decision was easy because ye were the only bride I wanted.” Declan placed a light kiss on her lips. He slunk his hand over her thigh to her bare backside and shifted her against him. “Before we go, Wife…”

She didn’t let him continue. Isabella pressed him onto his back and straddled his hips. “Before we leave, we will make slow, sweet love, just how you like it, Husband.”

The End