“Ach, I dinnae care what he thinks. I’m askin’ ye.” Edan bowed extravagantly and held out his hand. “Will ye do me the honor of dancin’ with me, me darling wife?”
Olivia could not believe the change in him. It was so extreme that it hardly made sense. But she was not going to turn down his offer.
“If ye dinnae mind, Zander, I think I’d like to dance with me husband.”
Zander gave her a half bow. “Aye, of course, Olivia. Call me if ye need any help,” he added quietly, casting a doubtful look over his shoulder before he left the dance floor.
Olivia turned to Edan, who immediately took her hands in his, raised them to his lips, and kissed them. It seemed he could not stop looking at her with loving admiration. In fact, he was acting just the way she had wished he would.
The reel came to an end, and the strains of a county dance sounded. Many of the dancers made for the refreshments tables. Olivia saw Eileen among them, looking happy but clearly in need of a rest. Once again, the sisters waved at each other.
Eileen glanced at Edan, then threw Olivia a cheeky wink as if to say,“So, he finally asked ye to dance!”
The dance was a well-known one, the steps familiar to everyone present. Couples would dance it together.
“Do ye realize that this is the first time we’ve ever danced together, Edan?” Olivia asked.
“Aye, I suppose it is. Well, we’d better give it all we’ve got then and enjoy it to the fullest. I must say, I look forward to it,” Edan replied, gazing at her lovingly. “Did I tell ye how lovely ye look in that dress?”
“Thank ye, I’m glad ye like it.”
“Oh, I like it, wee wifey. I like it very much.”
The music picked up then, and he wrapped one arm around her waist, clasped her hand, and they both set off, skipping through the steps in time to the beat of the drums.
Edan proved to be an excellent dancer as he twirled her about the dance floor, spinning her beneath his arm expertly, linking their arms as they spun in circles, turning back and forth as thedance demanded. And all the while, his eyes never left hers as he smiled down at her.
She could not remember ever seeing him so relaxed and full of joy. A wonderful sense of happiness possessed her. She found herself laughing with sheer exuberance, for being in his arms and dancing with him for the first time was like a dream come true, and she wished it would never end.
It seemed as though the guests appreciated it too because many of them stood and watched, clapping in time to encourage them, laughing, and cheering on their Laird and his lady, who appeared so much in love.
However, like all good things, the dance eventually ended. As the last chord sounded, they came to a gradual stop.
Edan put his arm around her shoulder.
“Shall we stay for another?” she asked, eager for more.
“I-I’d like to, aye, but I feel a bit dizzy,” he said, suddenly swaying against her.
She propped him up.
“Are ye all right? Are ye ill?” she asked anxiously, holding him around the waist while he swayed unsteadily.
“I’m awful dizzy—I need to sit down. I dinnae feel right.”
“All right, let’s go and sit down.”
She led him to the Laird’s table, where he fell heavily into a chair, his head drooping. Zander appeared and looked at him worriedly, lifting his chin. His eyes were half closed, and he looked on the verge of unconsciousness. No one else took much notice except Greta and Eileen. Many of the guests were in a similar state by then after drinking too much.
“What’s wrong with him, Zander? Is he ill?” Olivia asked, alarmed. She was certain something was not right.
“I’ve never seen him like this before,” Greta said, her wrinkled face full of concern as she peered at her grandson.
“Aye, me neither,” Zander agreed. “I think we should take him to yer chambers, Olivia. If ’tis the drink, he can sleep it off.”
“Aye, all right,” Olivia replied, deeply worried for Edan’s health. “Can ye get some men to help ye carry him? I’ll come with ye and watch over him while he sleeps.”
The party went on, while Olivia spent many quiet, long hours in Edan’s chambers, lying next to him on the bed, cradling him protectively as he slept, mercifully undisturbed by any nightmares. She spent the time contemplating the rugged, masculine beauty of his face, her fingers tracing the shape of it and the fine fretwork of scars on his skin that marked him as thebrave warrior he was. From time to time, she leaned her head against his or pressed soft kisses to his lips.
