Chapter Twenty-One
Because of heavy rain and sleet, the clan was forced to wait longer than expected for Colin's inauguration as chief. Kristina was glad, for it gave her extra time to recover. She had been getting out of bed and walking for three days, and her pain was diminishing. She so looked forward to attending the first official ceremony of her future husband.
Wearing her heavy woolen cloak, she was waiting on a settle near the hearth when she heard someone enter the room. She recognized Colin's footsteps immediately and smiled.
"How are you feeling,mo chridhe?" He sat down beside her and took the hand of her uninjured arm and kissed it. His warm, tantalizing lips on her skin gave her a delightful shiver.
"Much better, now that you're here. The pain is far less than just a few days ago."
"I'm glad. You look exceptionally beautiful." He pressed a sweet kiss to her cheek.
Her face heated at his compliment. "I thank you, but 'tis Anna, Maili and the maids who should receive any praise for working a miracle."
"Nonsense." Colin leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You are equally lovely with your hair down and not a stitch on."
Good heavens! Her face felt scorched, then. It had been a long while since she had been intimate with Colin. On their upcoming wedding night, she feared she would feel awkward and out of her element. She hoped she could please him.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Aye."
"Some of the clansmen have prepared a cushioned and decorated wagon so you can have a comfortable ride out to the sacred tree where the inauguration will take place."
"How kind of them! Why would they do that?"
"Well, I'm certain you ken how clan gossip can be. Although I've made no announcement, because I was waiting until you recovered enough to join us at supper, word has spread that you will be my bride."
"Saints! What is their reaction?"
"Do you not notice how often they stop by to check on your recovery?"
"Nay." As far as she could remember, only her family, friends and the people she knew had visited her.
"They do. They peer in at the door when 'tis open or, in other parts of the castle, they ask Deidra or Tavia how you are faring. They love you. Even the stodgy elders ask me about your recovery."
Joy further lifted her spirits. "I'm thankful they accepted me as a bride for you."
"They admire your strength and tenacity. And the whole of the clan kens you have stolen my heart," he murmured in an intimate tone that curled her toes.
Kristina had never felt so elated. "You well know you have stolen my heart, too."
He gave her a dreamy, hot, but too brief kiss on the lips, then drew back. "Saints!" he hissed. "I could kiss you for hours."
She forced herself to draw in a breath. "I wish you would. I've missed your kisses."
"Don't tempt me. We must hasten out to the bailey or they will come looking for us. Hold on around my neck with your good arm." Careful of her broken arm in the sling, he lifted her and kissed her cheek, then carefully carried her down the narrow turnpike stairs. She relished his warm breaths against her hair and the side of her face.
Once they emerged into the cold, open air of the bailey, a cheer went up from dozens of people.
Colin laughed. "They're excited about our upcoming union," he murmured in her ear.
Tears burned her eyes. Knowing that his people—whom she didn't truly know—were rallying around her touched her heart. She wished she could embrace each of them.
"Here we are, love." Colin placed her on a fluffy feather bed that had been squished into a wagon and covered in blankets. "Anna and Maili will ride with you."
The wagon shifted as the two were helped aboard by their respective husbands.
"How do you feel?" Anna asked her. "Is the movement or the cold air making your pain worse?"
