Page 66 of The Laird's Masked Desire
He was unannounced, which meant that Drummond had not been idle.
Kerr inclined his head to the minister. “Please,” he said quietly. “Dinnae let us interrupt. We are here only tae observe, by order of the Crown.”
Observe.
The minister hesitated only a fraction of a second before nodding. “Then ye are welcome tae witness,” he announced and resumed without further pause.
Domhnall was keenly aware now of every movement, every breath, every pair of eyes fixed upon them. This was no longer merely a marriage witnessed by kin and allies. This was a marriage beingmeasured.
He tightened his grip on Margaret’s hand.
Let them watch.
The vows continued. When the minister finally declared them husband and wife, the pronouncement rang through the church with unmistakable finality.
“I pronounce ye man and wife,” the minister said. “What God has joined, let nae man put asunder.”
Amen echoed softly. Domhnall turned to Margaret with a smile.
Whatever this intrusion meant, Domhnall knew that they were too late.
The bond was made. The vows were spoken.
And no power present in that church would undo them without a fight.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The vows had scarcely settled into her bones when the air in the church changed again. Margaret felt it like a pressure at her back as the minister stepped aside and the murmured blessings began to ripple through the pews.
Then Kerr cleared his throat.
“Me laird,” he proclaimed, stepping forward with measured courtesy, “by custom, and in the interest of avoiding future dispute, the Crown requests the consummation sheet be presented.”
The words fell into the church like a stone dropped into still water. For a single moment, Margaret did not quite understand them. Then she did, and heat rushed to her face.
A consummation sheet.Proof reduced to linen. Her body turned into evidence.
Around them, the reaction was immediate. There was a collective intake of breath, then the rustle of discomfort. Allied lairds stiffened. Cameron’s jaw set hard enough that Margaret could see it from the corner of her eye.
Yet Domhnall did not hesitate. “Nay.”
Kerr blinked. “Me laird, this is a customary request in cases where?—”
“Nay,” Domhnall repeated more loudly now, and turned fully to face him. His hand did not leave Margaret’s. “There will be nae such proof offered.”
A sharp murmur ran through the hall.
“This marriage was witnessed,” Domhnall went on. His voice carried easily through the stone nave. “It was crown-blessed and lawful. Yer presence here was uninvited but tolerated. That request is nae.”
Kerr’s expression tightened. “The Crown must ensure?—”
“The Crown has ensured enough,” Domhnall cut in. “Mewifeis nae a ledger entry nor is she a body tae be inspected fer yer comfort.”
Margaret’s breath caught.
Me wife.
He did not raise his voice. He did not posture. He simply stood there, immovable as the hills beyond the walls, refusing with a certainty that brooked no argument.
