“I’ve eaten,” he commented in a wry voice, “but now we must find sustenance for ye.‘Twill be a long night between us, and I would have ye fed.”
Ailith was panting as she shifted to stand on her shaky feet.
A long night?What else did he have planned?She was barely able to stand after this.
He kissed her again and helped her brush her skirts down.Ailith reached up and smoothed his unruly hair.
Everyone might guess what they were doing, but she wasn’t about to have himlooklike it.
Most of the church guests had found their seats around the hall when Ailith and William entered.If she had thought the previous night’s feast was busy, this was a gathering to rival even the king’s.The hall decor from the night before had been added to – more table runners, more candles, and now flowers and ivy boughs draped on the tables, on the hearth, from the sconces.Caitir had a powerful hand on her castle, and Ailith was fortunate to be a recipient of her skill and ability.
The head table, where she and William would be featured again, was decorated with thistle, roses, and heather, and the heady scents made her already light head spin.
But not enough that she missed hearing words dropped like coins on glass –Morays, overstepping, the king–even her wedding reception was not safe from such tense discussions.And if she heard those rumblings, then William heard them.
No’ today.No’ on our wedding day.
From the slight tightening in William’s jaw, he agreed with her sentiments and lightly brushed off a few of the grumbling men who tried to pull him near.
William’s bright smile, however, never faltered as they reached their seats.
Before she sat, Cormag reached between her and William and clasped his hand over their bound ones.
“This union represents the unity of the clans, of the Highlands, of all of Alba!”he shouted and gained the attention of the crowd.Then he raised his chalice.“Let us raise our cups and celebrate this union, one of clans, of houses, and of two people!”Cormag waggled his eyebrows as he made his toast, and a roar of laughter accompanied his call ofSlainte!
“Slainte!”the men and women shouted back.
Ailith sighed to herself.Of course, this marriage was one of politics as much as it was for love.Ailith glanced at William, who shrugged one shoulder nearly imperceptibly.Just as he had brushed off the other men, he let Cormag’s political talk roll off him without comment.
From the burning light in his eyes, William’s focus was on Ailith and Ailith alone.That look sent a thrill through her chest.
With that, the pipers started up again, and the guests fell quiet as eating and drinking ensued.
Soon the tempo increased – the pipes had been joined by a drummer and a flute – and William stood.Their hands were still bound, so she had no choice but to follow him off the dais and to the door where a small space remained for dancing.The musicians were on the landing right outside the door, and everyone turned in their seats to watch them.
Ailith wracked her mind.What were some common medieval dances?This was not like knowing the layout of a castle or how medieval kitchens worked – she gave tours on those.Never on a single tour did she or her father cover dancing!
Raising their bound hands, William led her around in a circle, a basic move.He didn’t seem to expect anything else, but she was surprised and got caught in her draping green skirt when he spun her to change directions.
The music called to her, and her mind drifted away.She imagined that her father was there, and that she would dance a father-daughter dance with her to their favorite song, the Hawai’ian version ofSomewhere Over the Rainbow.In her mind’s eye, she could see her father’s strong face, wide smile, and pride shining from him like a beacon.Then he would hug her and give her hand to her husband …
Oh, that ye were here, Da.
Clapping drew her from her reverie.William had stopped, and she was in the moment, in the early Middle Ages, with her actual husband.She blinked hard to ensure she didn’t start crying in front of everyone.
They started to make their way past the tables when William’s friend rose.Eoghan Grant, it was, and he wrapped William in a huge embrace, then politely bowed to Ailith and kissed her on both cheeks.
Keeping his hand on William’s shoulder, he raised his cup high above his head.
“I would offer congratulations as well.What God hath joined, let no man put asunder.To the man who has been like a brother, I wish ye all the best of wedded bliss.”Then he grinned wider.“And from the looks of it, he is already enjoying that!”
“Huzzah!”the clansmen and women cheered as they drank and laughed at his ribald jest.Ailith blushed to her roots at his bawdy comments.
William drank with him, then handed the cup to Ailith.Over the rim, she noticed Betris, sitting and not drinking, not cheering.In fact, she looked angry as she eyed Ailith.Irritated at her brother’s poor licentious joke?Or angry at Ailith for some reason?
Ailith drank and turned to William.It was her wedding day.She didn’t have time for such unpleasantries.Let the woman wallow in whatever misery she imagined.Ailith wasn't going to let it bother her special day.
When they reached the head table, Ailith noticed that, unlike Betris, at least Mairi was smiling, but it didn't seem genuine.She had bags under her eyes, and her smile was tight.She looked weary, and Ailith realized that, mayhap, Mairi’s hawkish gaze was a motherly instinct to protect her wee bairn, and she was so tired from doing so.
