Page 35 of To Charm a Highlander

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Callum nervously awaited Donella to appear at the door of the kirk situated in the corner of the outer bailey.Had the lass changed her mind?Did she decide she could ne’er perform the duties of a wife, after all?

“Ye can stop worrying, Callum,” Conall said.“My sister dinna change her mind.Even the years she was lost to us, she ne’er changed her mind about anything.That habit of hers drove Haydon crazy many a time.”

Conall was acting as his witness and Callum was grateful since it provided proof that the two brothers trusted him with their beloved sister.His soon-to-be brother-by-marriage provided proof for anyone in the clan who questioned he, an outsider, had the right to marry the laird’s sister.

Ainslee walked up to the kirk and smiled at Callum.“Be at ease, Donella is on her way with Haydon.”

He pretended that he wasna worried, but dinna fool Conall who laughed.‘Twould no’ be the best thing to do on yer wedding day to punch the bride’s brother in the nose.

Within minutes, Callum lost his breath when Haydon appeared from across the courtyard to the kirk.The lass on his arm was not only beautiful, but her smile lit up her face which told him she had no’ decided marriage was no’ for her.

Haydon handed her over to Callum and kissed his sister on the cheek.

Donella gripped his arm as they turned to the priest.He could feel her shaking and leaned down close to her ear.“’Twill be fine,mo ghraidh.Just take a deep breath and ye will feel better.”

She offered him a shaky smile.“If I take another deep breath I will swoon.”

He so wished he could take her into his arms and comfort her.‘Twas a big step for any woman to pledge the rest of her life to a mon, but given Donella’s past, ‘twas a huge step for her.He understood her anxiety and wanted to spend the rest of his life taking care of her and making sure nothing bad ever happened to her again.

So busy ruminating, before he kenned it, the priest requested they put the palms of their hands together before he wrapped them in a piece of Sutherland tartan.

Since Haydon had accepted him as one of their clan, he wore the traditional Sutherland formal clothing for the wedding.He did feel strange not wearing the formal Gunn tartan, but Laird Gunn had banished him, and shortly after he’d arrived at Dornoch Castle, he’d knelt before Haydon and pledged his loyalty, so he was a Gunn clan member no more.

A touch of sadness swept over him.He was marrying the woman of his choice with none of his family members, or even clan members, present to witness the event.‘Twas then that it hit him that he had truly been banned from his clan.

Before he kenned it, their hands were unwrapped and they were officially married.He leaned forward and kissed Donella briefly on the lips.They turned to face the crowd that had gathered and smiled at each other as they cheered.

“’Tis time to celebrate,” Malcolm shouted and waved his arm in the air.He was greeted with resounding cheers.

The wedding guests made their way to the great hall.

* * *

Donella wasverra happy with how Ainslee, Maura and Christine, Malcolm’s wife, had decorated the great hall.It seemed like flowers were everywhere, on the tables, among the rushes which set off a pleasant smell as one walked on them, and outlining the huge fireplace which was possible since it was summer.

“The ladies did a fine job,” Callum said as he led her to the dais where the rest of her family sat.Serving lasses came from the kitchen, carrying platters of meat, vegetables and warm bread.

He placed his hand over hers.“Are ye feeling better, lass?”

“Aye.I think most brides have a moment of panic.”

“’Tis true.I’ve seen many marriages at the Gunn keep.Even one lass fainted before the priest was able to wrap their hands together.”

“Men doona seem to understand that women give up so much when they marry.They are no longer free to make their own decisions or go where they want to without permission.”

“Ach, lass.No’ much has changed for ye, only now instead of yer brother making the decisions that affect ye and granting ye permission to go places, ‘tis me now.”

She couldn’t help but wonder how things might have turned out if Haydon had refused to let her wander about so much.‘Twas surely the reason why she had fallen into evil hands and suffered what she couldn’t remember.

At the time, Haydon had just taken over the lairdship, and being quite young, was handling so much already.One thing for certe, she wouldna e’er allow a lass of hers to leave the castle walls.But then, with as protective as Callum was, it was not likely to become a problem.She would be fortunate if she was allowed anywhere without a guard.

“I doona what has ye frowning, wife, but ne’er worry again about being hurt or harmed in any way.I shall protect ye with my life.”

She watched her new husband as he spoke and couldn’t help but stare at that verra handsome face.His full lips, deep green eyes, and the ever-present strands of hair that fell out of the leather string that held his hair back, had her heart taking a few extra beats.

Then her mind wandered to what would happen when the celebration ended.She kenned what was expected of her, but she also kenned that her husband would ne’er force her.