Page 64 of Return to Wildsyde

“As ye father is nae here today, we hoped ye might allow us the honour of walking ye down the aisle.” Gordy lowered his voice, adding softly: “Jack was a wee bit nervous to do it all by himself. I hope ye dinnae mind?”

Luella blinked, tears pricking at her eyes. This astonishing family had opened their hearts to her, even after everything her family had done to them. She and Jack had a home, a proper home in a castle of all places, with people who liked and cared for them. It was more than she had ever dreamed of.

“How lucky I am to be escorted by two such handsome men. I should like that more than anything,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Gordy and Jack beamed at her, the earl looking so pleased she knew he really did think it an honour. They escorted her to the waiting carriage, with Luella so happy and excited she felt she must be floating rather than walking.

It didn’t take much of a crowd to fill the kirk at Canisbay, so well-wishers surrounded Luella as she walked down the aisle towards Lyall on his father’s arm.

Lady Helena, Mr Knight and Felix had all come to celebrate with them, much to Luella’s surprise and pleasure, and both of Lyall’s brothers were here too. They’d arrived the day before with Lady Morven, or Ruth, as Luella must now address her. Hamilton had embraced her fondly and introduced Muir to her, saying solemnly that she could not expect the entire family to be as handsome and witty as he was. Muir elbowed Hamilton and told her with equal gravity that she’d chosen to marry the wrong brother, but he hoped they’d be very happy all the same. Luella suspected there was to be a lot of laughter and teasing in her future and looked forward to it immensely.

Mrs Baillie attended alongside the fellow with whom she’d been walking out with for many years, according to Ruth. Willy Murray was a stocky man, entirely bald but with a fine, bristling moustache, and he looked at Mrs Baillie as though a goddess walked beside him. The lady beamed at Luella as she watched her proceed down the aisle, arm-in-arm with her brother and Lord Morven, but Luella hardly noticed her or any of the congregation. They might have been entirely alone, for all she could see was Lyall.

How splendid he looked, tall and handsome and magnificent in full Highland kit, complete with a sword, and a jewelled dagger—which she had learned was called a sgian-dubh—tucked into his sock. A swathe of tartan crossed his broad chest, pinned on his shoulder with a large brooch, and the silver mounted sporran completed his impressive ensemble. In Luella’s admittedly biased opinion, he looked far more beautiful than she did. As she drew closer, she saw his whisky-coloured eyes were soft with tenderness, his smile wide and full of joy as he took her hand.

“Ye have made me very happy,” he whispered to her, clasping her hand tightly in his. “Let’s get on with the rest of our lives, aye?”

“Yes, please,” she said fervently, and turned to face the minister, eager to make their vows.

Chapter 21

Pip,

I’m in a bit of a fix. How would you feel about having guests stay at Goshen Court? In one of the cottages, of course, not under your roof. I may need to bring a young lady to stay for a while. Now don’t get on your high horse, it isn’t like that. She’s in trouble – not that kind of trouble – but she has nowhere to go. I suggested Gillmont obviously, but I see now it won’t do for she is gently bred and terribly shy. I need her to be safe, Pip. Please, brother, I would not ask if I had any other option.

―Excerpt of a letter from The Lord Thomas ‘Thorn’ Barrington to his elder brother, The Right Hon’ble Philip Barrington, Earl of Ashburton (sons of The Most Hon’ble Lucian and Matilda Barrington, The Marquess and Marchioness of Montagu).

20th August 1845, Wildsyde Castle, The Highlands of Scotland.

Lyall watched, happiness and pride a warm glow in his chest, as his father danced with Luella. Wildsyde was ablaze, the glorious summer’s evening having faded to night some time ago. The sound of music and laughter echoed around the great hall and far across the landscape beyond. Though he had always done his best to give parties when called upon, Lyall knew he had not seen an event so merrily and exuberantly celebrated since his parents lived here. It was wonderful to see his family and friends and tenants all coming together to feast and rejoice. Though he was aching to take Luella off to their room, she was having such a wonderful time he was loath to put an end to it. He had never seen her laugh and smile so much, and it pleased him more than he could express to see her happy here, in their home, surrounded by the people he loved.

“She’s perfectly lovely.”

Lyall looked down as Helena took his arm and smiled up at him.

“Aye,” he agreed. “She is that. I am a lucky fellow, am I nae?”

“You are, and you deserve to be,” Helena said, pulling his head down and kissing his cheek. “Be happy, love. The past is dead and gone, and you have a wonderful future ahead of you.”

She hugged him then and hurried off to embrace her husband, who smiled fondly at her, suspecting no doubt, as Lyall did, that she’d had quite a lot of champagne.

The dance finally ended, and his father returned Luella to him, pink-cheeked and breathless. Lord, but she was lovely. His heart ached as he looked down at her, it was so full. The gorgeous grey silk gown brought out the storm clouds in her eyes but, despite the dramatic colouring, those eyes were peaceful and filled with joy now as she gazed up at him.

“I believe this beautiful creature belongs to ye,” his father said, a knowing glint in his eyes.

“Aye,” Lyall said firmly. “She does.”

“Then I’d carry her off while ye have the chance.” His father winked at him and kissed Luella soundly on the cheek before calling to his wife. “Ruth! It is time ye danced with yer husband. Gabe, put her down or I shall make ye!”

Lyall laughed as his father strode off, intercepting Gabriel on the way to the dance floor with his mother. He looked back at his bride to find her still staring at him.

“Ye are happy, lass?”

She nodded and threw her arms about his waist, hugging him tightly. “So, so happy,” she murmured.

Lyall held her tightly, giving a bark of laughter as something caught his eye.

Luella glanced up, and he gestured to the dance floor, to where Mrs Baillie was dancing with Jack and giving the boy loud instructions while Jack tried his best not to tread on her toes.