“Mistress Eva, do you freely give yourself to this man—?”
“Freely?” she asked with an almost-croak to her voice.
The priest bobbed his head. “Freely. Will you take to be your husband, the handsome Laird Buchanan, and pledge to him before all gathered here, to be his love and his defender in unrest? Will you standby him in all things fair and foul? Will you cherish him, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him, so as long as you both shall live?”
Eva swallowed hard and stared at her feet when she answered, “I freely do, Father.”
The priest smiled and then motioned to Laird Buchanan. “Laird Buchanan, will you take to be your wife, the beautiful Mistress Eva, and pledge to her before all gathered here, to be her love and her defender in unrest? Will you stand by her in all things fair and foul? Will you cherish her, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her, for as long as you both shall live?”
Breckin stepped forward and nodded. “I will, Father.”
Eva raised her face at the sound of his deep voice. He didn’t falter in his answer but sounded resigned to his fate. Should that give her hope that they would do well together?Sweet Mary, she hoped so.
The priest made the Sign of the Cross. “May life’s challenges be met together with courage and optimism, and may your days be filled with laughter, trust, friendship, and love. You once walked alone, but now you walk with each other, hand in hand. You now have someone to share life with, to offer refuge and sheltering love at the end of each day. With God’s blessing, I pronounce you married, husband and wife from this day forward. You may now seal your vows with a kiss if you so wish.”
Father Benedict’s words did little to make her feel so not alone. Buchanan drew near and lightly brushed his lips over hers. Eva was surprised by the pleasantness of his kiss. At least he was noble and hadn’t tried to maul her. She was grateful for that. As everyone disassembled, he clutched her hand and drew her away from the dais.
“Milady, we should talk…”
“I must see to my father. Can we speak later?” She curtseyed to him and tried to get away. She needed time to accept what had just happened—that she married him—a man likened to a warrior. Eva turned away but he snatched her arm and forced her back.
“Nay, we need to speak now. I mean to leave this night for my home. There is no time to dawdle. If ye will get your things and meet me by the entrance of the castle, we can be on our way.” His voice took on a stern tone and she closed her eyes briefly to settle herself.
“Laird Buchanan—”
“Ye are my wife now and may call me Breckin. I do not mean to rush ye, Milady, but there are pressing matters to which I need to return.”
“You wish not to join in the celebration?” Eva was astounded that he reasoned with her and even more so when he shook his head. She thought he’d just command and she would have no say in any matter. “I thank you for explaining, Breckin, and I detest asking you for a boon since we are newly married.”
“A boon?” He scowled hard and gazed over the top of her head.
“A boon, ah, your favor. My father ails and should not travel in the night. The air is not good for his breathing or ailment. I was hoping that we could escort him home on the morrow so he wouldn’t be alone. My brother was supposed to be here but he hasn’t arrived. Can we take my father home and settle him and then leave for your home?” Eva had voiced her wish with politeness.
He seemed to be considering her request and finally returned his eyes to hers. “We will take your da home on the morrow, at first light, and then leave for my land. This night, though, Milady, ye will be spending it with me.”
Eva’s breath hitched but she tried to appear unaffected by his request. “I…should stay with my da. He will need someone to look after him.”
He shook his head. “Nay, my wife stays with me. Have a maidservant stay with your da. If she needs ye, she will fetch ye. Otherwise, ye will be in my chamber where ye belong.”
“Will you not see reason…?” Eva lowered her head in defeat.
“I am reasonable, lass, but ye ask too much. The king demandedthat we honor this marriage with reverence and give ourselves to it in every sense. I gave in to your request to take your da home and ye should be content with that. I will not allow ye more than that.” He walked off and left her.
Eva stood there for a moment and tried to regain her composure. He wanted to spend the night with her.Sweet Mary.And he called that being reasonable? She would have laughed if it wasn’t so absurd. With haste, she crossed the great hall and found her father enjoying a conversation with another older man.
“Da, I must join my husband but want to get you settled for the night.”
Her father grunted. “Go on, sprig, I know the way to our chamber. Collect your belongings and join your husband. Shall I see you on the morrow?”
She nodded and a tremble seemed to reverberate through her. There was no getting out of the marriage, the wifely duty, or her cowardice. “Since Richard has not yet arrived, I asked Laird Buchanan to escort you home on the morrow, Da. So we shall see each other then. I will make sure you are settled at home before I leave for…for the Highlands.” Eva could barely bring herself to say the words. She’d leave her beloved father and home forever. At least she had a few more days before she was on her own.
As she left the great hall, she searched for Laird Buchanan. He was nowhere to be found. So she retreated to her chamber and collected her garments and possessions. She shoved them in her satchel with vigor and once she was ready, she stood near the door, hesitant to leave. With determination, she shook herself and pulled the door open. When she marched down the hallway to find out where her husband was staying, she found the chamberlain speaking with a maid.
“Milady Buchanan,” the chamberlain called.
She flinched at being called Buchanan but she supposed she probably should get used to it. “Sir, do you know where I might find LairdBuchanan?”
He bowed and rose with a splendid smile. “You mean your husband? Aye, he asked me to escort you to your chamber. Follow me.” As usual, Edmund didn’t wait for her to acknowledge him but turned on his heel and headed down the hallway.
