Page 73 of Bride takes a Scot
“You are the lowest of miscreants, Dermot. Ye tried to besmirch my good name and have no remorse. I am appalled that ye call yourself a Scot.” Declan pulled his sword free. He gripped it tightly knowing exactly where he intended to put it. Though he didn’t need the approval of his clansmen, he sought their eyes. There, in the loyal faces of the people of his clan, was all the approval he needed. He swung his sword with all the might he possessed, and practically severed Murray in two.
The soldiers shouted, ‘Virtue alone ennobles.’
He peered at the ground, darkened from the blood of his foe. Declan had never suspected Murray was behind the foul deeds. How had he been so duped by him? He had been far too trustingand took this as a lesson. The MacKendricks would no longer leave their gates open to supposed allies.
“Laird,” Anse called.
He turned and frowned at his cousin. “Aye.”
“It is over.”
“Why do I not feel vindicated then?” Declan’s breath rasped from the exertion of his strike and the strain of the day. His heart raced, and his chest rose and fell heavily.
“No one knows what madness induced him to take ye on. He caused his death, not ye. Ye had to seek vengeance for all the pain that he caused you and Robbie. Be appeased by that.”
“Mayhap in time I will be solaced with his death.”
Anse took his sword from his hand and jammed it into the center of Murray’s chest, or what was left of it. Then he purposely shifted his gaze to all the soldiers who stood by. “No one touches this sword. It shall stay there until we are ready to remove it. Let it remain there as a reminder that no one crosses our laird or any MacKendrick.”
The soldiers again shouted, ‘Virtue alone ennobles.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
The day ofRhona’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?”