Page 25 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
“Why, ye’re more than beautiful, milady wife. Ye shine like the sun. Ye will eclipse all the other lasses in the hall this evening, fer none will be as bonnie as ye.”
She smiled at him as he held her hand, rivulets of pleasure rushing through her at his touch, her breath hitching in her throat.
Lionel looked from Edmund to Annora and back again to Edmund.
“Methinks this would be a good time fer me tae depart and leave ye two.”
Annora scarcely heard him leave the study, her senses were so completely taken over by Edmund. She was close enough to absorb his faint leathery, whisky, soapy scent, and feel his breath on her hand
As he straightened, she looked up into his eyes. They had darkened to the color of the sea on a stormy day, flecked with gold like streaks of lightning.
“I ken so little of ye Edmund, what if I’m asked about ye?” She slanted him a small smile. “How did we meet, fer instance?”
“Ah, lass.” He took a moment to mull this over. “It was ever so romantic. I was visiting the castle of…” He looked at her for inspiration.
“Why ye sailed yer birlinn all the way west tae Dunrobin Castle, where I was visiting wi’ me Sutherland cousins. We met there at a great celebration – acèilidhin honor of the laird’s birthday.”
“Mm. That sounds very grand.” He nodded, as if recalling the occasion. “And I danced ye off yer feet, sharing many reels, and jigs together. And when ye were out of breath I walked wi’ ye in the garden and stole a kiss.”
She sucked in a breath. “A kiss?”
He nodded. “And very sweet it was.”
She gave him a mock slap on his shoulder. “Ye were very bold, yet I didnae gainsay yer boldness.”
“And we’d nae long met when I was so smitten by yer beauty and charm, I asked yer faither fer yer hand.”
She laughed at that. “And was he hard tae convince ye were the husband fer me?”
“Och aye. He was against me at first. But then he saw the lovelight in yer eyes and he kent he must agree.”
“So, we married at Dunrobin Castle only a short while ago. I have yet tae glimpse yer home at Dùn Ara and meet wi’ yer Laird Torr.”
“’Tis a good story. It should keep at bay the nosy ones who want tae ken everything about us.”
She sighed. “If only it were true. Such a beautiful faery tale ye spin wi’ yer fine words.”
He gave a short laugh, but she caught the look in his eyes as he gazed at her and the breath caught in her throat.
He proffered his arm and she took it without a second thought.
“I’m looking forward tae introducing ye tae the Elders. I daresay ye’ll have them enchanted in nay time.”
When they reached the hall, they were greeted by the soft, lilting, music of the clarsach, the Scottish harp. Annora’s heart lifted. It was music she loved. A lass was playing gently while the conversation buzzed around her.
As Edmund and Annora walked to their seats, all the talking hushed and the eyes of all those in the hall turned toward them. Her smile never wavered as she looked around the sea of faces, all of them studying her and Edmund as if they were a pair of strange, exotic, animals that had never been viewed before.
She tightened her grip on his arm, and then there was Tormod stepping out to greet them, a genial smile lighting his face as he escorted them to the high table and showed them to their seats.
Once again, Annora was on Edmund’s right, Tormod to his left. By the old Chief’s side sat a sweet-faced, gray-haired woman who was introduced as his wife, Margaret.
Before they sat, Tormod introduced the Elders to Annora and their wives to both.
Annora curtsied to each in turn, hoping she would remember all their names. Tormod and Margaret, Gaufried and his goodwife Jennie; Lamend and Celia, and Gilleasbuig, alone at the end of the table.
Each of them beamed a welcome although they failed to hide their curious glances.
Annora was surprised to see Tyra clad in a pale-blue velvet gown quite similar to the one she had loaned her, seated beside a glowering Harris MacDonald, nearest to Gilleasbuig. She could only hope Harris would not have his nose put out of joint by the distance he had been placed from Tormod and Edmund.
