Page 78 of Dancing On Air

A WEEK LATER, BLAKE CASTLE, DEVON

Today, the wedding was scheduled to take place at Blake Castle in Devon, where Connor had been made squire to Lord Corbett Blake. His training to become a knight would continue as soon as Connor and Eleanor married, making their permanent home here, for now.

Eleanor stood nervously in the solar, waiting for her father to arrive to escort her to the great hall, where the wedding would commence. Lark, Rose, and Raven were with her.

“I’m nervous,” admitted Eleanor as Lark finished plaiting her hair. Florie, Lark’s daughter, handed Lark wildflowers that Lark wove into the plaiting.

“Why are ye nervous?” asked Lark. “I thought ye wanted to marry Connor.”

“Aye,” agreed Rose. “There is nothing to be afraid of. After all, your marriage is accepted by all. Mine was a different story altogether.”

“I know that, but still, I’ve waited for this for so long,” said Eleanor. “Remember, I was betrothed as a child, so I had more time to think about getting married than the rest of you.”

“And that is why you should be more at ease with marriage than the rest of us, too.” Raven walked over, covering Eleanor’s head with a thin veil, pinning it in place.

“I’m nervous too,” said Florie.

“You?” asked Eleanor with a giggle. “Whatever for?”

“Because, I have to throw down the rose petals. What if I do it wrong?” Florie got up and picked up her basket, taking a handful of petals and tossing them high in the air.

“No’ so many at once or ye’ll run out before ye get to the priest,” said Lark, hurrying over to help her young daughter pick up the petals and place them back into the basket.

There came a quick knock at the door. Since Lark was there, she opened it.

“Robin!” she exclaimed, giving the man a hug.

Eleanor looked over to see their cousin Robin, surprised he had showed up for the wedding.

“Robin. What are you doing here?” asked Eleanor. “I figured you’d be busy with that new castle of yours.”

“Never too busy to attend the wedding of one of my cousins,” said Robin. “I’m here to take you to your father who is waiting outside the great hall. Everyone is here, including the priest.”

“Why didn’t my father come to get me himself?” asked Eleanor.

“He said he wanted to stay there to talk with the other nobles,” said Robin. “Honestly, I think it is because he is wearing a hat with an obnoxiously tall plume on it, and he’s afraid the damned thing might fall off if he moves too fast.”

Eleanor giggled. “Oh, that is part of his outfit, being Lord Warden,” explained Eleanor.

“Did my father return from Scotland for the weddin’?” asked Lark.

“Nay, he’s not down there,” said Robin with a shrug.

“Oh, Lark, I’m so sorry,” said Eleanor. “In all the excitement, I forgot to tell you that a missive arrived from Scotland this morning.”

“Was it from my father?” asked Lark.

“Yes. He said he’s sorry but they had already planned a huge celebration for your sister Heather’s sixteenth birthday, so they won’t be able to make it. They wished you had given them more notice. Your great-grandfather closed down the entire Horn and Hoof Tavern for the night, just to use it for the celebration. Uncle Storm said he needed to be there to guard the family from any danger.”

“The only danger is of my Da drinkin’ too much Mountain Magic,” said Lark, speaking of the potent whisky her great grandfather brewed. “I want to be here for yer weddin’ but I also miss my family. I wish I could join them.”

“Me too,” said Florie. “I miss Scotland, Mother.”

“Well, convince that scribe of a husband of yours you want to go back for the celebration, and I’ll get you there by tomorrow so you can join your family,” offered Robin.

“Really?” asked Lark. “I would like that. That way, I can be here for Eleanor’s weddin’ and also be with Heather to celebrate her birthday.”

“Lark, you know if you leave, we’ll miss you,” said Eleanor.