Page 89 of A Touch So Wicked

Gordon hesitated a long suspenseful moment before he presented his sword and pistol to Sir Richard, who stood nearby, poised to act should Gordon turn belligerent.

“You may continue, Father,” Damian said. It was over, and well worth the risk, he thought, to hear Elissa voice her preference for him.

Father Hugh began the ceremony. Damian spoke his vows, watching Gordon from the corner of his eye as Elissa repeated her vows in a low but steady voice. Minutes later they were pronounced husband and wife; Elissa was his. He turned her toward him and lifted her chin. Her eyes had a dazed, misty look as he dipped his head to seal their vows with a kiss. Deliberately he turned Elissa’s back to Gordon so he could keep the man in his sights, but the moment his lips touched Elissa’s, he closed his eyes to better savor the kiss.

Lost to sensation, Damian was dimly aware that Gordon was speaking, but he blocked out the words. When he opened his eyes he saw only Elissa, her warm body pressed against him. Then, from the corner of his eyes he saw sunlight reflect off something shiny in Gordon’s hand. All his senses, every instinct came alive.

Gordon held a knife in his hand—aimed at Elissa’s unprotected back!

“If I canna have her, neither can ye,” Gordon screamed.

Reacting spontaneously, Damian whirled, taking Elissa with him as he presented his own back for Gordon’s blade. He felt the bite of pain and steeled himself against it as he shoved Elissa into Sir Richard’s arms. A protective circle immediately formed around them. Waves of shimmering red formed before Damian’s eyes as he spun around to confront Gordon.

All Damian saw of Gordon was his back. He was lost amongst the throng of stunned wedding guests pressing forward to get a better view. The confusion and shock that followed the assault had worked to the Gordon chieftain’s advantage. He had created a chaotic situation and vanished out the door before Damian’s men-at-arms even knew what had happened.

Chapter Sixteen

Damian took a staggering step forward, remembered he carried no weapon, and asked a man-at-arms to fetch them.

Elissa grasped his arm. “Nay, you canna go! You’re wounded. Let Nan see to your injury.”

“I can’t let the bastard get away,” Damian said. “I’ll chase him to the ends of the earth if I have to.”

“Donna be so stubborn, Damian. Let Sir Richard handle it. You’re bleeding.”

Damian twisted free. “Gordon tried to kill you.”

“Is Damian going to be all right?”

Damian glanced down at Lora. She was gazing up at him through luminous eyes, her fear palpable.

“Aye, I’ll be fine, little one. You shouldn’t be here, though.” He summoned Marianne, who was standing nearby, wringing her hands. “Take the child to the solar, my lady, she is frightened.”

“Aye, Lord Damian,” Marianne agreed. “She’s too young to understand what just happened.” She grasped Lora’s hand and led her away.

Someone handed Damian his sword and he struggled to buckle it in place. “Damn,” he said when his fingers suddenly lost their will to obey.

Elissa grasped him about the waist and he sagged against her. At Nan’s command, Lachlan hurried over to help.

“Sit him down and remove his doublet and shirt,” Nan ordered as she rushed off to fetch her chest of herbs and salves.

Damian resisted. “’Tis but a scratch. I’ve suffered worse.”

Elissa paid him little heed as she peeled off his coat and shirt. “Donna be so stubborn, Damian. Sir Richard is perfectly capable of handling the situation. He’s searching for Tavis even as we speak, but I doubt he’ll be found. The mountains are full of hiding places. Not even Cumberland and his army have succeeded in running him to ground. They finally gave up and pretended he dinna exist.”

“Oh, he exists, all right.”

Elissa carefully inspected Damian’s wound, which was still bleeding profusely. Gordon’s dagger had delivered a narrow slash on the upper part of his back, below his right shoulder, but it didn’t appear life threatening. She wadded up Damian’s shirt and pressed it against his injured flesh.

Suddenly Elissa became aware that the hall was still filled with wedding guests; they milled about, speaking in hushed voices. She had no idea what to say to them, until Damian solved the problem for her.

“Our guests should be celebrating our wedding, not standing around with long faces.”

“They donna know what to do, Damian.”

Damian cleared his throat and asked for everyone’s attention. A profound silence settled over the hall.

“You’ve come for a celebration, and you shall have one. Tables of food have been set up in the courtyard and musicians are tuning their instruments. My bride and I invite you to eat, drink, dance, and make merry.”