Page 42 of A Match Made in Heather

She smiled at the touch of brogue she heard in his voice. He was still all highlander, despite his English title. And he was still hers, now and forever. “Because you deserve better.”

Smiling, he lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, “I have an idea . . .”

* * *

Garrick’s heart pounded joyfully as Arabel walked toward him through the heather. The hem of her pale green gown swirled through the blossoms. Voices of the gathered guests rose together in a hymn, the lilting sound carrying across the field. Her eyes found his, and a faint smile curled at her lips as she shyly lowered her gaze. Answering with his own smile, he touched the sprig pinned to his lapel.

“They never would have allowed this in England, you know,” Reeves said quietly, standing up with him as his best man.

His smile blossomed into a grin. “Then thank God I’m a highlander.”

She arrived at his side, and the minister joined their hands. They didn’t need a church. All they needed was God’s presence, each other, and the highlands stretching around them.

“We give thanks to God for the gift of marriage,” the minister announced. “And we ask for God’s grace that their marriage be enriched . . .”

Garrick couldn’t concentrate on the ceremony. He was lost beneath the glowing happiness on Arabel’s face and the warmth of her fingers resting in his. He nearly laughed at himself when the minister had to prompt him to speak his vows.

“In the presence of God and before these witnesses I, Garrick, give myself to you, Arabel, to be your husband, and take you now to be my wife.” He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss to her palm that sent a flurry of whispers through the guests and a beautiful blush into her cheeks. “I promise to love you, to be faithful and loyal to you, for as long as we live.”

She repeated the vows so softly that barely any sound came from her lips, but his heart heard every word, each one branding itself there forever.

The minister took the rings from Reeves and announced their significance, but neither of them needed that reminder. Not after ten years of searching to find each other again.

“Garrick,” she whispered, “I give you this ring as a symbol of all that we have promised, and all that we share.”

He repeated her words as he slipped his mother’s ring onto her hand, his eyes never leaving hers.

The minister announced, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

As a cheer went up from the guests, Garrick helped Arabel kneel in the heather for the blessing on their marriage.

Arabel wove her fingers through his, holding his hand tightly in both of hers. She kept her face lowered, hiding the tears he knew glistened in her eyes.

“You,my love,” he whispered hoarsely as he lowered his mouth to her ear. “Everything I am is because of you.”

When she raised her head to look at him, her lips parting with love, he kissed her, not caring how scandalous it was. Not caring that the minister froze with surprise in the middle of the blessing and a new round of whispers went up from the guests. He’d waited ten years to kiss his wife.

He wouldn’t wait a moment longer.