by Willa Blair
Enough! You’re about to marry the woman you love. Stop dwelling on images of blood and pain and focus on Abby. Suddenly impatient, Ian sat up, gathered his things, and made his way back to the cottage to get dressed.
CHAPTER 28
“You look so bonny, Abby. You’re going to take Ian’s breath away.” Alannah gave Abby her hooded cloak to wear, as the rain had started up once more. She put on her arisaid, a plaid garment worn similar to a cloak, belted at the waist and fastened at the breast with a brooch. The leftover fabric behind the head could be pulled up as a hood, which would protect her from the rain.
“It just figures that after the beautiful sunshine we’ve had for days now, the day I get married, it is pouring rain.”
“Och, don’t fash yourself, Abby. ’Tis a good, clean rain, and I’ve no doubt it will bring you good fortune.”
They left Conall inside, knowing he would not react well to a large group of strangers, and headed for the yard. The horses were standing under the shelter of the barn, still saddled from earlier. They used the rails of the fence to mount up and made for the village at a canter. It wouldn’t do for them to be late.
****
Ian paced back and forth in the meeting room. They had hoped to do the brief ceremony outside, but unless the rain stopped in the next few minutes, that would be impossible.
“Where are they, dammit?”
Ewan clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t fash, man. They’ll be here.” Finally, hoofbeats sounded outside. Ian stopped mid-pace and rushed over to the door, yanking it open and stalking out into the rain. Ewan grinned and followed him outside.
Two village lads ran up to hold the horses’ reins. Ian went to Bonny’s side and lifted Abby down, while Alannah swung nimbly down before Ewan could offer aid. The horses were led away, and they went into the meeting room, where most of the village gathered.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the door. Angus was there, supported by his son Douglas on one side, and another of his men on the other side. He was still pale, and looked like he was in pain, but there was an expression of fierce determination on his face.
Ian glanced at Abby and then quickly moved to help them ease Angus onto a bench.
“Angus, what the hell are you doing out of bed?”
The older man grinned, and once more, Ian was struck by how much he looked like Duncan. “Did you really think I’d miss this, laddie? I don’t think I’ll be up for any dancing this night, but there was no way I was going to lie abed while my best friend’s son gets married right under my nose.”
Ian was touched by Angus’s devotion. “Thank you, Angus.” He squeezed Angus’s hand, and then turned to go back to Abby.
“Wait a moment, lad. I have something for you.” He rummaged in his sporran, and withdrew a small cloth bag, which he handed to Ian.
Ian untied the string and peered inside. He looked at Angus in surprise, tipping the open bag over his cupped palm. Out spilled two rings, one larger than the other. They were silver, with Celtic knot work around the sides and underside of the band. In the center of each ring was a tiny figure of a running horse.
“Where did you get these?” Ian whispered, though he had a feeling he knew the answer.
“They were Duncan and Catriona’s. He commissioned them as soon as he knew he wanted to marry her. He knew how much Catriona loved horses, and he of course knew about her pendant, and he wanted the rings to be special. After her death, when I went to pay my respects, Duncan was sittin’ by her side. He said not a word, but took off his ring and placed it in her hand. He stood up and left the room, and that was the last I saw of him. Ever. Before they buried her, I took the rings, thinkin’ that one day he would want them back.”
His eyes filled with tears. “I’ve carried them with me for these many years. I do not know how many times, in the quiet of the night, I would take them out and look at them, remembering my best friend, wondering if I’d ever see him again. Knowin’ that I would not. I want you to have them, Ian. For you and your lass.”
Ian stared at the rings, too overcome with emotion to speak right away. After a few moments, he cleared his throat. “I don’t know what to say, Angus. This means so much to me, to my family. I’m honored to have them, and to have you at my wedding.”
“Look, the rain’s stopped!” Alannah’s excited voice stirred them all to action. Benches were quickly brought outside, and Douglas and Ian escorted Angus out of the meeting room, helping him to sit on a bench at the front.
Alannah helped Abby remove her cloak, laying it on the end of one of the benches. She handed Abby a small bouquet of flowers and stepped back, allowing Ian his first real look at his soon-to-be-bride.
All he could do was stare. She was wearing a lovely dress, the color of which enhanced the blue of her eyes. Her hair hung down her back in a tawny curtain, and the sides were pulled back and woven with white and purple heather flowers. Her eyes were luminous, and he knew she no longer had any doubts about this wedding. She was magnificent, and she was his.
****
Abby’s heart pounded with joy at the intensity of Ian’s gaze. She felt like the most beautiful woman in the world as he stared at her. He looked quite stunning himself. He was in the snowy shirt and plaid he had arrived in, but the garments had been laundered. The plaid was green and blue, and looked spectacular with his coloring.
His long wavy hair was pulled back at the sides, the rest rippling over his shoulders and down his back like black satin. He’d shaved for the occasion, revealing features so beautiful they could have been carved from marble. Abby had to force herself not to attack that lusciously full lower lip, which was no longer hidden under his beard.
Ewan came to stand in front of Abby and Ian. Angus joined him, leaning heavily on his son, and Andrew stood on Ewan’s other side. Abby was relieved that there’d been no mention of him walking her down the aisle—did they even do that in 1610? She wasn’t quite ready to forgive him for being a bastard to everyone.
Ewan cleared his throat. “We are here to celebrate the weddin’ of Ian Mackenzie to Abigail Fraser. This wedding comes on the heels of the truce ending the thirty-year feud between our two families. Ian, will you begin?”
Ian turned to look at Abby. His smile was gone, his face serious as he spoke, first in Gaelic and then in English.
“Tha mise Iain Seumais Mackenzie a-nis ‘gad ghabhail-sa Abigail Rose Fraser gu bhith ‘nam chéile phòsda. Ann am fianais Dhé 's na tha seo de fhianaisean tha mise a' gealltainn a bhith 'nam fhear pòsda dìleas gràdhach agus tairis dhuitsa, cho fad's a bhios an dìthis againn beò. I, Ian James Mackenzie, now take you, Abigail Rose Fraser, to be my wife. In the presence of God and before these witnesses I promise to be a loving, faithful, and loyal husband to you, for as long as we both shall live.”
He smiled at her, and her breath caught at the love shining from those emerald eyes. He led her slowly through the Gaelic part of her vows, speaking clearly so she could repeat after him. She exhaled a sigh of relief upon finishing the Gaelic part before continuing in English on her own, the words nearly identical to his.
When Abby finished speaking, Ian reached into his sporran and withdrew a small bag. He reached into the bag and to Abby’s surprise pulled out two rings. He took the flowers from her and handed them to Alannah. He enfolded one ring in her right hand, and took her left hand, sliding the other ring onto her third finger. It was a little too big, so he tried her middle finger, where it fit. He then extended his hand to her. Still shocked by the rings, which seemed to have come out of nowhere, Abby slipped the ring onto his third finger, where it fit perfectly.
As Abby looked at their entwined hands with their matching rings, she suddenly felt a sense of peace, of rightness. She was connected to the land and to these people by blood. Her mother’s pendant had led her back to Ian, to a bond that couldn’t be fully restored until they succumbed to the swirling mist of time.
Together, they’d brought to an end a bitter feud, uni
ting the Mackenzies and the Frasers of Loch Ness as Duncan and Catriona had perhaps never been meant to do. If she hadn’t gotten lost in time, and Ian hadn’t gone after her, then Duncan’s disappearance would have remained a mystery forever. His family would have never had closure, and Andrew Fraser would have died a lonely, broken man. And she and Ian would have lived out their lives, each of them with only half a soul. Fate had brought Abby and Ian back together in this time and place for a reason.
These profound thoughts and realizations occurred in a matter of seconds, though it seemed like much longer. She looked up into Ian’s brilliant green eyes, and a feeling of warmth infused her blood. Not the warmth of desire, though that was never out of reach, but warmth from the love that emanated from the two of them.
****
Ian’s heart soared when he saw the radiant smile lighting Abby’s face. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at him, and there was a look of utter peace about her. He smiled back, his hand closing around hers. He did not know how long they stared at each other, the rest of the world melting away until there was only the two of them.
“Kiss her, laddie! Or someone else will!” Angus’s outburst made them both jump and had everyone bursting into laughter.
Ian obliged his newfound cousin, wrapping his arms around Abby and pulling her to him. He leaned down, ever so slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. An eternity seemed to pass by before he finally pressed his lips to hers.
Abby’s hands came up around Ian’s neck as she kissed him back, opening her mouth under his. The crowd erupted into raucous applause. Finally, they drew apart. Abby happened to glance up, her face glowing as she smiled. Ian followed her gaze and saw a rainbow peeking through the clouds, its colors more brilliant than any rainbow she’d ever seen. It seemed to be a powerful omen.
“See, lass, even the heavens are offering their blessings to us today.”
Angus laid his hand over theirs. “A h-uile là sona dhuibh 's gun là idir dona dhuib. May all your days be happy ones.” They thanked him, both of them with tears in their eyes.
It was time for the feast. Everyone filled their plates and then found a place to sit, either inside or outside. There was roasted venison and lamb, along with roasted vegetables, meat pies, and of course, ale, whisky, and wine. Ian, Abby, Alannah, Ewan, Angus, and Douglas all sat together, while Andrew sat with some of the other Fraser elders. Ian explained where the rings had come from, and Abby threw her arms around Angus, careful of his wound, and thanked him for his gift.
After the meal, some of the tables were moved away, and the musicians started to play. There was a piper and three drummers, each with a different sized drum. They struck up a lively tune and everyone started dancing. Abby was whirled around from one man to another until Ian finally stepped in and claimed his bride.
****
The dancing, eating, and drinking went on throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening. Angus stayed for one celebratory toast and a bit of food before Douglas and another of his men brought him back to Ewan’s cottage to rest. But everyone was encouraged by the color that had returned to his cheeks and the small amount of energy he’d demonstrated.
Ian jeered at Ewan and Douglas, who were engaged in some sort of rowdy drinking game. It was good to see Douglas enjoying a light moment after worrying about his father for days. From the looks of it, both he and Ewan were holding their own. The nice thing about the seventeenth century was that no one was going to be getting behind the wheel of a car while piss-drunk. She was glad to see that Ian wasn’t partaking. She wanted him to have his wits about him tonight.
Smiling in anticipation, Abby went to the big table that had all the food laid out upon it and fetched dessert for them, some sort of cake drenched with honey. It looked delicious.
Suddenly, she was pulled back against a large, warm body. The plate of food wobbled in her hands, but she held onto it. She turned her face into a heated kiss, leaning back into the hard body that fit so perfectly with her own. He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, and she arched toward him, aching for more.
“Ian, is that you?” Abby grinned as Ian’s laughter vibrated against her neck.
“Do you usually kiss men without knowin’ who they are? I see I’ll have to keep a tight rein on my wife.”
Wife. The word sent a rush of happiness through her. It sounded so right. He escorted her back to the table. “What’s in your hand? It looks really good.”
****
Ian watched Abby eat the sticky dessert. The sight of her licking the honey from her lips, her eyes closed in pleasure, nearly destroyed him. He finished his own cake, forcing himself to look away from her. The pounding of the drums only further inflamed his desire; their primal rhythm throbbing throughout his body.
He felt her body shift beside him, and without any warning, she ran her tongue over his bottom lip.
He hadn’t thought he could be any more aroused.
He was wrong.
He gasped at the force of his body’s response and stared at her in shock.
“You had honey. On your lip.” Her voice was a husky whisper, her eyes wide as though she was surprised by her action. So was he.
He dragged her to him and plunged his fingers into her hair, holding her to him as his mouth plundered hers. She tasted like honey. As their mouths mated, he pulled her onto his lap, pushing up the hem of her dress so that her thighs could straddle him. Her arms came up around his neck as she sucked his lower lip. His hips thrust against her, his body instinctively seeking hers.
A raucous cheer in his ear startled him, and he lifted his head. A bunch of the young men from the village stood around them, whistling and catcalling.
Holy shit, he’d been so caught up in her that he’d forgotten where they were! If not for the interruption, he would have taken her right in front of everyone! What was the policy on public lewdness in the early seventeenth century?
His face flaming, he lifted her off of him and set her on her feet. He adjusted his sporran, hoping it would shield his throbbing body from sight and stood. He reached for Abby’s hand and pulled her to her feet. Her eyes were dilated, her long hair was disheveled, and her lips were swollen from their kisses. I’d better get her the hell out of here.
“Glad you approve, lads,” he muttered. “Now, if you’ll all excuse us, my wife and I have things to discuss.”
With Abby’s hand clutched in his, he strode purposefully toward where Alannah was watching the antics of the men.
“Alannah, we’re going to make our escape now. We’ll escort you home first.”
“Nay, you go on. I’ll be fine.”
“I can escort her home.” Ewan had left the drinking game to join them. He was surprisingly upright and clear-eyed. Apparently, he’d won the game.
Alannah opened her mouth to protest, but he had a determined look in his eyes, and she nodded. “Thank you, Ewan.” They bid Ian and Abby goodnight, Ewan clapping Ian on the back and grinning, and then they headed to the barn.
****
Alannah and Ewan rode side by side through the quiet village. Everyone was either still at the feast or already sleeping off the food and drink. The silence between them was awkward, and Alannah struggled to find something, anything, to say.
“’Twas a lovely wedding, was it not?”
Ewan looked at her in surprise, apparently not expecting her to speak to him. “Aye, that it was. I think they’ll be happy together. He loves her very much.”
“Aye, and she loves him as well.”
“Alannah,” Ewan said hesitantly, “I’m sorry.”
She looked at him in surprise. “What?”
He leaned over in his saddle and pulled back on Epona’s reins, bringing the horse to a stop. He turned his horse around so he was facing her. “I’m sorry for the hurt I’ve caused you. I was young and foolish, and I…”
“Ewan, that was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter anymore.” Liar.
“Aye, it does matter, Alannah.”
>
“Ewan, I want to go home now. You insisted on going with me, so let’s go.” She clucked to her horse, but Ewan held firm on the reins. Epona shifted nervously, but obeyed him.
“Alannah, when I saw you lyin’ there on the ground the other night, I was…I thought you were...” He swallowed hard, and urged his horse forward so that their faces were inches apart. “I was afraid I’d lost the chance to apologize to you, to make things right between us.”
He was too close, staring at her, and she couldn’t think straight. Alannah forced herself to look away from him. “It’s been years, Ewan. It’s too late for that now.”
“Alannah…”
“No, Ewan. I’m going home now.” She dug her heels into Epona’s side, and the horse lurched forward, forcing Ewan to drop the reins and wheel his horse around to ride beside her.
They rode on, only the sounds of the night insects and the plodding of the horses’ hoofs breaking the silence. When they reached her cottage, Ewan dismounted and held Epona steady while she climbed down.
“I’ll see to your horse. You look tired.”
“Nay, I can do it. But thank you.”
“Alannah, let me tend to her. It will take but a moment.”
She didn’t have the strength to argue with him. “Fine. Thank you.” She turned and started up the path to the cottage.
“Alannah, I…”
She sighed and turned around. “What is it, Ewan?” Once she’d agreed to let him tend to Epona, a wave of exhaustion swept over her, and she wanted nothing more than to go to sleep.
“I…” He shook his head. “Oidhche mhath, Alannah.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and led Epona towards the barn.
Alannah watched him walk away for a moment, and went inside her cottage, closing the door behind her.
CHAPTER 29
Ian and Abby made their escape. As soon as they were out of sight of the revelry, he pulled Abby into his arms for a searing kiss, backing her up against the nearest tree. Abby kissed him back just as fervently, pressing her body against him as her hands delved into his hair.
