Page 9 of To Wed a Witch (Reluctant Brides #3)

Bhaltair's eyes met Sìne's over their daughter's head, and for a heartbeat, she saw something there that made her pulse quicken. His steady gaze was filled with warmth as if he was genuinely happy to wed her.

"Ye may kiss yer bride," Father Lennox announced with a broad smile.

Bhaltair did not hesitate. He leaned across and gently touched his lips to hers.

It was meant to be a show for the crowd, Sìne knew that.

But the kiss felt real in a way that made her heart race.

Bhaltair closed his eyes and savored the sweetness for a moment.

When they separated, he whispered against her lips, "Ye look bonnie, my dearest wife. "

Sìne rasped in reply, "And ye look braw, my dearest husband."

Aidyn, tired of being ignored, squealed then and patted both their faces with her small hands. They both grinned at one another before the congregation erupted in cheers and applause.

"Laird and Lady Ferguson!" Father Lennox announced. Then he untied their wrists and handed the cords to Sìne.

As they walked back down the aisle together, Bhaltair's arm around her waist and Aidyn content in his other arm, Sìne caught fragments of conversation from the crowd:

"Waited all those years for her."

"True love conquers all."

But not everyone shared in the celebration.

As the wedding party passed his hiding spot, Bryce Sutherland slipped quietly from the chapel, his face dark with rage.

The MacKay land and fortune that should have been his was now secured for another generation.

But perhaps, he thought grimly as he made his way to his waiting horse, there were other ways to claim what was rightfully his.

After all, accidents happened even to newlyweds.

***

O UTSIDE IN THE COURTYARD , the celebration was already beginning. Tables groaned under the weight of food and drink, and the MacKay pipers struck up a lively tune. But Bhaltair drew Sìne aside, still carrying Aidyn, to a quieter corner near the stable walls.

"Well?" he asked, his voice low. "How do ye feel, Lady Ferguson?"

"Like this is not real," she admitted. "The way they looked at me in there... as if I were someone worthy of admiration instead of fear."

"Ye are worthy," he said firmly. "Ye always were."

She looked up at him and asked, "Why did ye say we are long lost loves?"

Bhaltair was quiet for a long moment, absently stroking Aidyn's back. "Because no child should grow up believing they’re unwanted," he replied. "And no woman should be made to feel ashamed for loving unwisely."

The simple words hit Sìne like a fist to the chest. In that moment, she realized that whatever had begun as a marriage of convenience was already becoming something else entirely. Something dangerous and wonderful and utterly unexpected.

"Bhaltair," she whispered, but before she could find the words to express her gratitude, Dugald appeared at his laird's elbow.

"Laird, mistress," he grinned, sketching a bow. "The feast awaits. And might I say, 'twas a beautiful ceremony. Brought tears to my eyes, it did, seeing ye finally claim yer family."

Even Dugald was fully committed to the story they'd created. Sìne had to admire the thoroughness of it all.

"Aye," Bhaltair replied, his arm tightening around Sìne's waist. "We've waited long enough."

***

T HE FEAST LASTED WELL into the night, filled with toasts to the happy couple. Through it all, Bhaltair played his part perfectly as the devoted groom. He held Aidyn during the meal, fed her bits of soft bread soaked in broth, and bounced her on his knee when she grew restless.

To anyone watching, they looked like a family that had always belonged together.

And perhaps, Sìne thought, that wasn't entirely a lie after all.

When the evening finally wound down, Paisley appeared to take Aidyn for the night so Bhaltair and Sìne could be alone together.

Paisley and Aidyn were in the room across the hall so Sìne was still close by if Aidyn needed her.

Sìne was surprised to discover that was what Bhaltair had arranged.

It seemed he did not want Aidyn too far from them either.

Sìne suddenly became nervous as she and Bhaltair walked hand in hand to their chamber.

Once inside, Bhaltair said quietly, "Sìne, I want ye to be at ease tonight. There’s no need to consummate the marriage now that everyone believes Aidyn is mine. Besides, as we leave first thing in the morn, I think 'tis best we get as much rest for the journey ahead."

Sìne felt oddly disappointed and relieved at the same time. Of course she hadn't thought of that. There really was no need for intimacy at all between them now that they were wed. It was just a marriage of convenience after all. She nodded, not trusting her voice. "Aye, that is wise."

They stood in awkward silence for a moment, staring at the large bed in the chamber.

Their wedding bed. Further away there was a partition and pitchers of water warming by the lighted hearth.

Sìne was trying to figure out a way to discreetly wash and change into a clean shift.

Fortunately, Bhaltair cleared his throat and said, "Ye use the water and get ready for bed.

I'll check on my men, then take my turn. "

"Aye, thank ye. I will."

Sìne was startled when Bhaltair then bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. It was almost reverent. She closed her eyes and tried to memorize the moment. It was a chaste kiss but over too soon.

"Get ready for bed, wife. I'll join ye shortly," he murmured against her skin.

"Thank ye, husband," she whispered back.

Bhaltair nodded, then left the chamber. After the door closed, Sìne leaned against the oak panels and pressed her hand to her racing heart.

There was so much to process, but for now she was a married woman with an unknown future ahead of her.

As far as marrying strangers was concerned, at least their marriage seemed to be off to a good start.

Sìne took a deep breath, then hurried to wash and change before Bhaltair returned.

***

B HALTAIR WANTED TO kick himself for kissing Sìne.

What was he thinking? It was difficult enough spending an entire day beside her, touching her skin, feeling her body close that he was losing all semblance of control.

Now that he had kissed her, he wanted more.

So. Much. More. But he was determined not to be a brute.

They needed time to adjust to their marriage, and it was best to keep a civil distance until they were on more solid footing.

That was what he had resolved that morning.

However, the moment he'd seen her walk toward him wearing that damned dress and looking so bonnie, he thought his heart would explode through his chest. But Bhaltair knew he needed to keep his wits about him.

They had a journey ahead first thing in the morning, which would no doubt be slowed down with a babe in tow.

He could not entertain lustful thoughts of his wife, or they would not leave their bedchamber for a week if he had his way, and that was time he could ill afford.

He and his men needed to return to Ferguson land without delay.

With so many thoughts swirling around his head, Bhaltair strode with purpose to the loch. When he arrived, he stripped down to nothing and plunged into the frigid icy water. He needed a cold wash to snap him out of his malaise before he returned to their chambers to sleep.

By the time Bhaltair returned to his chambers with his hair still slightly damp, Sìne was already asleep in bed and no doubt exhausted after the events of the past few days.

He felt calmer now. He walked to the fire and threw some extra logs in the hearth, stoked the fire, then finding his bag, he dried with a cloth and changed into a tunic.

Then he stared at the bed and his sleeping new bride upon it.

He marveled at the thought that he was now wed to the reputed Mad MacKay Witch, and he felt like the luckiest man in the world.

Not only had he fulfilled his duty to his clan, in the process he had gained a bonnie wife with a pleasant manner.

Without a second thought, Bhaltair got into the bed and pulled her closer so she was pressed against his chest with his arm wrapped around her.

Bhaltair then took a deep breath, inhaled the scent of heather in her hair, and closed his eyes.

***