Page 74 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“That is nae why I am fidgeting.” Murdoch was simply ill at ease with the ostentatiousness around him. For such short notice, his father had managed to prepare a lot for this wedding.

The church on the castle lands was dressed in winter flowers, with great drapes of silk that hung from the stone arches between the pews. Colored white, the whole effect was one of snow, as if the beautiful depths of winter had been draped through this church. On the altar stood candles decked in holly and mistletoe. Even the bejeweled and holy cross was wrapped in a single sprig of mistletoe.

“She’s late,” Murdoch muttered, knowing that by now Eloise should have been there.

“She’ll be here,” Clyde assured him.

Murdoch glanced over his shoulder, looking around the church in apprehension. All of the pews were full of people, so much so that he could barely see the rich mahogany wood of the pews at all. In the front pew saw Fergus, beaming widely and talking to anyone who would listen about how he would have two sons married within a week. Anyone who dared mention the Douglas’ or their attack on the clan castle was given a hefty glare.

“That isnae tae be mentioned on such a happy occasion,” Fergus said sharply to the last man who had dared to bring it up.

On the other side of the pews were three familiar faces.

Ian sat with Callie and Aila, all deep in conversation. They were clearly concerned about the time delay too, for they all kept glancing toward the church door that remained firmly closed.

“There is nothing tae worry about,” Clyde hissed in Murdoch’s ear and took his shoulder. “Calm yerself. She’ll be here.”

“Aye, aye, I ken,” Murdoch murmured, thinking back to that morning. After he’d left the flower in Eloise’s room, struggling to write the note where he’d left his initials, he’d bumped into Beatrice in the hallway. She had been most determined to capture his attention again and he had as good as run from her down the corridor, determined to escape.

He was quite relieved to see that she hadn’t bothered to turn up to the ceremony. He didn’t need her here whilst he was pledging himself to Eloise.

The door to the church suddenly opened. At the sound, the vicar appeared, nodding to the pipers who played music to greet the bridge to the church. Murdoch set his eyes on the door, waiting for Eloise to appear.

She walked in on Avery’s arm, wearing a beautiful green and white gown, with a heavily inlaid veil over her face. The veil was so thick, he could not see her face, but he smiled at her approach, seeing her hold lightly on to Avery’s arm beside her.

She’s here.

A feeling of excitement shot through him.

He couldn’t believe that a couple of weeks ago, he and Eloise had met again by that loch, in an arrangement, to appear as if they were in love. If he had known then what was to befall, he wondered how he would have reacted.

She has changed everything.

His smile stayed in place as she approached, unable to take his eyes off her as he tried to see through the veil. As Avery approached, he shook Murdoch’s hand.

“I hope ye dae right by her, me friend.”

“I will. I promise ye that, Avery,” Murdoch said in a deep tone, so only the two of them could hear.

“I ken ye will.” Avery smiled suddenly. He still walked at a strange angle, clearly struggling with the wound on his stomach, but when he had heard the wedding was to be brought forward, he’d insisted on walking Eloise down the aisle himself. Not even Callie and her concern for his health could talk him out of it.

“One thing,” Avery lowered his voice further. “Eloise is insisting on keeping the veil on throughout the ceremony. She says it is a tradition of our mother’s family. Ye accept?”

“Of course.” Murdoch nodded, a little irked, though he would hardly admit to it now. He wanted to see Eloise’s face, to share in this moment with her and look her in the eye, but if it was something that meant so much to her, a tradition from her mother, then he had to give her that.

He took her hand from Avery and led her toward the altar. There was something strange about that touch. Eloise was wearing lace gloves, so he could not feel her skin easily, but her hand somehow seemed thicker in his grasp. Perhaps it was the gloves. She also clung to his hand rather tightly.

She is nervous. That must be it.

He smiled reassuringly at her, trying to silently tell her that all would be well. They were in this together from now on.

As the pipers came to a close, Murdoch took Eloise’s hand and threaded it through his arm, turning to face the vicar.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman.” As the vicar began the wedding ceremony, Murdoch tried to concentrate as best as he could, but Eloise was distracting him.

She trembled at his side. He raised a hand and placed it over her fingers on his arm, trying to comfort her as much as he could that all was well, that there was nothing to fear now. She was perfectly safe with him.

What is going on?