Page 98 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

That made everyone in the room laugh.

“Raven, your obnoxious ways actually did you a favor this time,” said Rook. “Who would have thought it?”

“When I marry Jonathon, I’m going to act more like a lady. I’m going to be a good wife,” Raven promised. “Jonathon, say something. Do you still want to marry me? You have my parents’ blessing now.”

“Mayhap he doesn’t want a wife who might try to kill him in his sleep, either,” said her brother, receiving another punch to the arm from Raven.

“Raven,” said Jonathon, walking over and reaching out to hold her hand. He got down on one knee. “I would love more than anything to be your husband. That is my dream now and nothing else matters. But do you really want me? I’m just a common man.”

“Jonathon, get up,” she said, seeming embarrassed. When he stood, she threw her arms around his shoulders and kissed him hard on the mouth.

“Mmph,” he said, feeling more pain in his arm, but her kisses outweighed it, so it didn’t matter.

“Of course, I’ll marry you, Jonathon, and you are far from common, believe me. Father, how soon can we have the wedding?” asked Raven. “Can we have it right away?”

“Let’s wait until everyone from the tournament leaves first,” said Corbett with a chuckle.

“Yes, Raven,” agreed Devon. “You are our only daughter and we want this wedding to be special. It will take a little while to plan.”

“I don’t want to wait,” said Raven.

“Raven, I agree,” said Jonathon. “If we wait for a month, it will give my arm time to heal.”

“It’ll also give more time for construction to get underway on Jonathon’s new shop,” added Avery.

“Then it’s decided,” said Corbett. “Let me go pay Whitehead some money and tell him he is off the hook.”

“Father!” said Raven with a scowl.

“I mean, I’ll tell him that he’d be better off with another bride,” said Corbett.

“Thank you, Mother and Father,” said Raven, holding Jonathon’s hand.

“Lord Corbett,” said Jonathon stopping him before he left.

“Aye?” Corbett turned around.

“I realize I’ve done some things that are less than honorable and I am sorry. I will willingly accept any punishment that you see fit.”

“Nay. You will not be punished,” said Corbett.

“That’s right,” said Rook. “Marrying my sister is the worst punishment a man could ever have.” He ducked out the door after his parents, most likely so Raven wouldn’t punch him again.

Chapter 24

ONE MONTH LATER

“I pronounce you man and wife,” said the priest, blessing Raven and Jonathon, while the crowd in the courtyard of Blake Castle watched.

Avery was Jonathon’s best man, while Lark was Raven’s bridesmaid.

It was late spring and the weather was getting warmer. An arch woven with wildflowers curved above Raven and Jonathon’s heads. Big vases of flowers were placed throughout the courtyard. Trestle tables were set up outside, filled with food for the feast that would follow.

“Is this the part where I get to kiss the bride?” asked Jonathon, wrapping his arms around Raven, kissing her passionately in front of everyone.

“Hurry up. I want to eat,” called out his younger brother, Heathcliff, making everyone laugh. He held two of the four pups that Copper had given birth to, while Gerold held the other two. Copper was with them, watching over her pups. Raven had told the boys they could each choose one puppy to keep as their own. That was a week ago, and they still hadn’t been able to decide. Heathcliff and Gerold were good friends now. Gerold spent most of his time at Jonathon’s father’s shop as an apprentice. But now that Jonathon’s new shop was almost finished, the boy would help out at the castle on occasion, too. He considered Jonathon his new father, and both Raven and Jonathon liked that.

“Who wants Mountain Magic?” called out Lark’s father, Storm MacKeefe, who came from the Highlands for the wedding. All of Raven’s relatives were at the wedding, including her younger brothers, Tolin and Daegel.