Page 20 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY

A s they stepped into the great hall, all eyes were upon them.

Evelyn knew most of the people. She had spent years running through the castle playing games while they had watched her grow. They had seen her blossom, from the shy, terrified, tiny lass whose dreadful experiences had stolen her voice, to a young girl who finally learned how to laugh again. And then, into a beautiful young woman, turning heads wherever she went.

And yet, in that moment, her heart thumped against her ribcage, her stomach twisted and turned, and she could hardly catch her breath. Having the attention of so many people upon her was overwhelming. So much so, she felt herself trembling slightly.

“Ye’re all right,” Edward murmured, his smile pinned to his face as he nodded at those they passed.

His words were spoken with sincerity, and yet, they did not comfort her at all. The smiling faces, small gasps at her appearance, and approving murmurs did not help either. Evelyn just wanted this parade to be over, and yet, the elevated table, where James, Freya and Morgana were already sitting waiting for them, seemed to be miles away.

“Just a little further,” Edward encouraged, clearly feeling her body shaking against his.

All eyes continued to be fixed on them until eventually, they reached the top table where Morgana, Freya and James greeted them with broad smiles.

Edward pulled her seat from the table, and finally, Evelyn sat down, finding some solace in the fact that she was now partly hidden behind the thick oak of the structure before her. Now that she was sitting with the others, she didn’t feel as self-conscious. A second later, Edward was seated beside her.

“Well done, little bird,” Edward murmured, throwing her a soft smile.

Michael then stood and caught the attention of all those gathered.

“Welcome one and all tae this wonderful celebratory feast. While Laird and Lady Campbell have already been married a month, it is only now that we have the privileged tae congratulate them on their union.”

Michael moved around the room as he continued, engaging the audience entirely, for he had always been a great speaker.

“Today is nae only a day o’ celebration, but a day o’ reflection. A day we can all ponder our fortune o’ having this wonderful couple leading our clan. A day we can show gratitude for all the ways the gods have blessed us. And now, I will hand over tae yer laird, the man I ken will lead this clan with strength, integrity, and loyalty. Laird Campbell.”

The room broke out into applause, with cheers lifting through the rafters as Edward stood. He waited for a moment until the guests settled before beginning his own speech.

“Thank ye, Michael. And thank ye all fer coming tae celebrate this day with us,” he said, gesturing to all those present. “I ken it hasnae been easy fer some o’ ye. I am here under unusual circumstances, and the loss o’ Alistair Campbell is still painful fer many. I understand that. Alistair was a good man, and took great care o’ this clan. I intend tae dae the same. I pledge that tae ye all now. Clan Campbell is now me clan, ye are me people, and I am here nae tae laird over ye, but tae serve ye in every way a laird ought.”

Edward glanced down at Evelyn. “Ye have a had a lifetime tae get tae ken Lady Evelyn. Many o’ ye have watched her grow up in this very castle. I now ask that ye continue tae support her as we head intae a new future together. Thank ye, may the gods bless us all. And now, we will eat,” Edward declared.

Again, the room exploded with applause and cheering that went on for a long time. Evelyn felt her skin pebble, feeling the love of all those present reaching her across the room.

James leaned forward with a smile. “Well done, braither. Father would be proud.”

“Thank ye, James,” Edward replied. A second later, he turned to Evelyn. Taking her hand in his, he kissed it.

“That was a fine speech,” Evelyn said, eliciting a warm smile from the man who sat beside her. “I am truly happy fer ye.”

“Whereas, I am happy fer us, Evelyn. This day is our celebration, nae mine alone.”

The musicians had started up again, and the volume of the voices in the room slowly rose as the guests conversed with one another. Evelyn looked on, watching the maids and servants working hard, ensuring wine, bread, and soup was given to every guest.

They, too, were served, and soon enough, the five of them at the top table were also deep in conversation. As Edward had stipulated, discussion of the attack was avoided, and instead, the five talked about anything but.

As the evening progressed, the musicians upped their ante. With the elevated beat of the music, the atmosphere changed. Guests left their tables and littered the dancefloor, laughing and clearly enjoying themselves.

“Come, Freya,” James said, taking his wife’s hand. The lass had already been swaying back and forth to the beat of the bodhran. “I ken yer eager tae get down there.”

Beaming a smile of delight, Freya let James lead her from the table, and a moment later, the two were swept along with the other guests.

Edward turned to Evelyn. “We really ought tae join them. It is our wedding feast, after all.”

She turned to her right and gestured to Morgana. “We cannae leave Morgana here all by hersel’. It isnae right.”

Morgana quickly shook her head. “Dinnae be silly, Evelyn. I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine. Ye go off and enjoy yerselves.” She grinned and leaned forward. “Ye never ken. Perhaps me sitting here all alone might prompt a gentleman tae ask me tae dance.”

Edward stood beside her chair, offering his hand. With a final glance over her shoulder at Morgana, who threw her a wide smile, Evelyn followed Edward who led her onto the dancefloor.

She allowed Edward to take her in his arms and whisk her around. She enjoyed the moment. She was surrounded by people she knew and loved. Boisterous laughter danced in the air, competing with the bodhran and fiddle, while the floor vibrated beneath their feet with the movement of a hundred people or more.

“I dae recall ye owe me an answer,” Edward said out of the blue.

Evelyn frowned and gazed at him quizzically. “I’m afraid I havenae the first notion o’ what ye are talking about.”

He smiled playfully. “In the drawing room earlier.”

His clarification immediately brought the earlier conversation to mind, but she pretended it hadn’t. “I cannae say I remember it.”

His grinned widened, for he knew well she was lying. “Then let me remind ye. Ye told me that I had tried on many occasions, tae build a bridge between us. And that it was ye who had thwarted me at every chance ye got.”

“Och, aye,” Evelyn said passively. “That does sound familiar.”

“Dae ye remember what I asked after that?”

Of course she did. But the conversation was making her blush. In the drawing room, she had nearly been compelled to say those things. Something in the moment had struck her, and the words had come gushing out. She had meant every word, of course, but that moment had passed. Besides, this was hardly the time or the place to continue such a discussion.

“I dinnae,” she lied.

Again, his mouth twitched while his eyes danced with disbelief. “Then I’ll remind ye o’ that too. I asked ye how ye felt about us now, Evelyn.”

Evelyn glance around her, checking to see if anyone near them could hear their discussion. “I hardly think this an appropriate topic under these circumstances. Anyone might be listening.”

“Nay one is paying us the least amount o’ attention, little bird. It is just ye and I, dancing among a throng o’ people who are either too drunk, or too busy enjoying themselves to care a whit about our conversation. And I will remind ye that it is our wedding feast, thus speaking about our feelings fer each other should come as nay surprise tae anyone, if they did overhear us. So, tell me. How dae ye feel about us now?”

Evelyn smiled but avoided the answer. It just didn’t seem right. Avoiding his eye, as though that might make him relent, she caught the attention of those dancing beside them and smiled as they whisked passed.

“Ye are going tae refrain from answering, I see,” Edward said. Something in his tone caught her attention though, and swiftly, Evelyn felt a warning in her gut.

“Then I will ask ye something else. Tell me.” He brought his lips to her ear. “What did ye enjoy the most when I made love tae ye?”

Evelyn gasped, her jaw falling open as she pulled away from him. Heat rushed to her face, and hardly able to find the words with which to protest, her mouth moved but no sound came out.

Edward tossed his head back and laughed with delight at her. Facing her once more, he lifted his eyebrows playfully. “Perhaps it was me tongue on yer nipple. Or maybe me fingers stroking that beautifully soft skin o’ yer thigh.”

Evelyn could feel heat rise in her body as his words transported her back to that wonderful place he had taken her. She felt the desire growing in her, so much so, she nearly panted. But she could not let him see.

“I suppose ye are enjoying this,” she replied, trying to sound annoyed, but failing miserably.

Edward gazed at her; his eyes full of desire now as he looked at her with wanting. “I am enjoying this very much,” he growled. “Though I would enjoy it even more if we disappeared upstairs, leaving all our guests tae celebrate without us.”

“Ye are getting too cocky fer yer own good, me laird,” she said, her tone laden with sarcasm. “Perhaps what happened between us was a mistake.” She didn’t believe her own words for a minute. Still, she wanted him to know that she would not be intimidated or mocked, and thus, she continued. “It might even be better if such a thing wasnae tae happen again.”

“Is that right?” he came back, clearly not at all affected by her words. “We should test yer theory tonight, if ye want. We’ll see how long ye can hold yer position on it.”

Evelyn was about to reply, when Edward suddenly stopped in the middle of the dancefloor. “Come with me.”

Not giving her a chance to protest, Edward weaved though the crowd at such speed, Evelyn nearly had to run to keep up with him. He continued on out of the great hall, and did not slow down even when they got to the corridor beyond.

“Where are we going?” Evelyn cried a little breathlessly, trying to keep up with his long stride.

“Ye’ll see,” he called back over his shoulder.

Rounding another corner, they continued hurriedly down the corridor, until eventually, Edward came to a halt outside his study door. Producing a set of keys, he unlocked the room, and, taking Evelyn’s hand, hurriedly dragged her inside. He then took the keys and locked the door behind him.

Breathlessly, Evelyn looked at him when he turned to face her. His eyes now burning with desire as he stalked towards her. Slowly, she backed away, an ache already rising in the deepest parts of her, for she knew why they were there.

“What is that ye want?” she breathed.

“Dinnae play coy with me, Evelyn. Ye ken exactly what I want.”