Page 29 of The Chief's Wild Promise
Reaching out, Mackinnon broke off a piece. It dripped with a heavy honey syrup and smelled delicious. All the same, at present, Makenna had no appetite for it.
She sat rigidly as her husband lifted the cake to her lips.
A challenge sparked in those silver-grey eyes then. Everyone was watching, and he dared her to refuse him. What would he do if she did? Kiss her again?
Pulse quickening, she parted her lips and took the morsel of cake he offered.
The flavor of butter and honey exploded in her mouth as she chewed and swallowed. And then, trying to pretend all gazes weren’t on them now, she picked up the other half of the cake and fed it to her husband.
After the feasting, they pushed the tables back, and a lively cèilidh began. And of course, the newlywed couple were dragged into the center of it.
By this stage, both Makenna and Mackinnon had drunk their fair share of rich grape wine. It had soothed the knots in her belly a little, although the awkwardness and tension between them remained.
Her husband danced well enough, yet he hadn’t smiled during the feast, and as he swung Makenna around him on the floor, his lean jaw was set in grim determination.
Like her, he was suffering through this. Not for the first time, an odd feeling of camaraderie rose up within her. Everyone else was making merry, yet they were apart from it all.
Makenna’s sisters were having a wonderful time. There was nothing they liked better than a cèilidh. Liza squealed as Alec swung her in one direction and then the other. Kylie and Rae danced a few feet from Makenna and Mackinnon. They were both grinning, their cheeks flushed.
Meanwhile, Ailean, Lyle, and Craeg capered around the dance floor like imps.Her parents had even joined the dancers, and her father moved with surprising grace.
Makenna’s throat tightened as she watched the dancing. She felt bad about her outburst before the ceremony. Her mother and sister had all looked so hurt, and the worry in Kylie’s and Liza’s eyes had cut her to the quick. They’d likely corner her at some point and try to get to the bottom of things.
But there wasn’t any point in discussing it. The deed was done. She was Bran Mackinnon’s wife now. An ache rose under her breastbone. Her breathing grew shallow and fast, and then dizziness assailed her.
“Let us rest for a bit.” She jolted as Mackinnon’s voice intruded. Cutting him a glance, she found him watching her, his gaze slightly narrowed. It surprised her that he’d marked her change in mood.
She nodded, grabbing the opportunity with both hands. “Please.”
They slipped from the dance floor, returning to the empty clan-chief’s table, which had been pushed back near the hearth.
Sinking down upon the bench seat, Makenna grabbed a ewer and filled her goblet. “Wine?” she asked Mackinnon, remembering her manners.
“Aye,” he replied, still slightly breathless from the dancing.
She filled his goblet too, and they sat together, unspeaking, as the music halted for a moment and the revelers applauded the piper. The lull didn’t last long though before the piper began a lively jig. Whooping filled the hall, and the dancers were off again.
“They don’t need us, do they?” Mackinnon muttered finally. “I’m sure we could walk out of here and no one would notice.”
“Don’t be fooled,” she replied, wishing her voice didn’t sound so strained. “We’ll be dragged back out onto the floor soon enough.”
He made a strangled noise at this, and she cut him a sidelong glance. Her husband wore a hunted look. His gaze met hers then. “Better?” he asked.
Makenna stiffened. His unexpected concern flustered her. “Not really,” she admitted huskily.
“Are ye upset about leaving yer family?”
An awkward pause followed before she nodded. Of course, she’d miss them. However, that wasn’t why she was wrestling with panic.
Eventually, Mackinnon cleared his throat. “Yer family is a close-knit one … I envy ye that.”
Once again, his reaction surprised her, and she glanced at him again. “Really?” Her mouth curved into a wry smile then. “We’re loud, bossy, and always sticking our noses in each other’s business.”
He snorted. “Aye … but there’s a warmth between ye.” A strange emotion rippled over his face then. “I have no idea what that’s like.”
Makenna’s face burned as she marched out of the hall.
Of course, no one was letting them leave quietly. The men shouted out coarse, lewd comments, and the women giggled.Most of the crowd was well into their cups by now. Indeed, the MacGregor was swaying in his chair. Carmen had to ensure he remained upright as he lurched to his feet and bid the couple a slurred farewell.