Page 24 of The Lass and the Laird

Pat, the housemistress, bustled in with a bouquet of wildflowers. "Get a hurry on, lassies, the men await. Mister Ian is outside waiting to walk you to your new husband." She looked over Meredith with an appreciating eye. "Ye look quite bonny, milady. I dear say Laird Gordon will be quite pleased."

Meredith wondered at that. Laird Gordon had not touched her, nor barely spared her a glance, in days. Ian, on the other hand, had spoken to her for hours, questioning her about Aiden's activities while he was at sea. Her information was poor at best, as her brother had never spoken to her about it. Other than funny anecdotes about occurrences with the men onboard, he kept any darker events to himself.

With one last glance in the looking glass, she turned to the door. "I am ready.” Lily took her hand and walked with her to the hallway where Ian waited.

Dressed in his kilt in the Gordon colors, the handsome man cut a fine figure. He nodded at her, lips curving in appreciation. "You look ravishing, indeed." He took her hand and placed it on his forearm and they marched down the stairs to the crowded great room. She scanned the space, looking past all the curious faces for her brother.

"He is not here," Ian said reading her thoughts. "We sent word to him."

"Thank you." She genuinely liked Ian and wondered why he'd not married. Other than what now seemed as a passing fancy with Elsbeth McNeil, he didn't show any type of interest in other pursuits past sword play and guard work.

The room silenced at her entry. She looked to the front of the great room ignoring the rapt attention she garnered. Beside the priest in front of the high board, stood Declan. His darkened eyes met hers and held them. It gave her the strength to keep walking even though her legs trembled and threatened to give out.

Astoundingly handsome, Declan was dressed like Ian with the Gordon tartan of blue and green with thin yellow stripes woven through. At his left shoulder, the Gordon crest was pinned. Her eyes focused on the word engraved in it Bydand, steadfast, abiding.

He held out his hand and took her to stand before him.

The vows spoken both in English and Gaelic were familiar, as she'd only spoken them months earlier. But this time they felt real, each word imprinting past speech into her very being. Declan spoke his vows in the deep, husky voice and she met his eyes to see he struggled with keeping his composure. The man meant every word. Like most Scotsmen, a vow was the most sacred of speeches.

The priest pronounced them husband and wife and they kissed. Not quite a chaste kiss, but not the hungry, demanding type she associated with Declan.

Meredith allowed him to turn her to face the cheering crowd. Her eyes lighted on movement in the doorway. Aiden stood, clapping, his dirty, sweaty face bright with happiness.

The merriment of the celebration, along with Aiden's appearance, made it a great day.

She was introduced to Declan's older brother, Carrick, who was just as handsome, in spite of an angry scar down the side of his face. His wife, Analise, immediately made her feel welcome to the family with a tight hug. "I look forward to getting to know you." The woman kissed her on the cheek and Meredith knew they would become fast friends.

She danced with her brother, who explained he'd taken care of any threat to her well-being and refused to say more on the subject.

Declan also danced with her, his face softer now, but he'd yet to speak anything more intimate than to tell her he was glad for the ceremony to be over. The evening loomed and she wondered at the consummation. Being that Declan was laird, the clansmen would want to be present for it, which mortified her. She'd never thought to have to deal with the rite.

At the high board, Declan filled her glass with wine. "Drink up. It will make it easier when we perform later. I can see you're worrying your lip and keep looking to the stairs. It can't be helped. The clan has a right to know we are married fully."

She nodded and guzzled down the contents. "It's a ridiculous custom."

"But it is." His simple reply made her realize Declan would be a strict husband. A man who adhered to customs and what was right in his people's eyes.

Before long, the chants proclaimed the time had come. Declan was taken by the men and she hurried upstairs with the women. She gave her new husband one last glare as he laughed loudly at the crude words the men sang.

Settled in the bed wearing a thin shift, with only Pat in the corner, they waited for the men to arrive. Her new sister-in-law had patted her hand in leaving, stating it would soon be over and they could move on towards happiness.

How she wished it.

At the men's voices nearing, Meredith stared at the wall unable to look to the door until Declan, stripped of clothing, was shoved through the doorway, his tartan thrown in after him. Ian and Dugan, his guardsman, entered next, both of them looking from Declan to her.

Aiden stood at the door, his eyes locking with hers once, then he turned his back. Two elderly men entered along with the priest, who stood next to the hearth, and seemed to find a lot of interest in the fire.

Declan came to her, his face bright from drink. "Come, lass, let's join."

With those simple words and his steady hands on her waist, she immediately relaxed. He climbed over her and parted her legs. He took his cock in hand and edged it to the entrance of her sex. Without preamble he thrust into her bringing Meredith to gasp in surprise. Her eyes on his, not daring to look at anyone in the room, she took courage in his steady gaze.

Declan moved once more pulling out and back in. In the wonder of finally being with him once again, she barely noticed the people quietly filing out of the chamber.

The shift she wore was quickly discarded and he pulled her up by the hips to allow for deeper penetration. His mouth took hers with a desperate hunger. She returned the kiss and of their own accord, her legs wrapped around him holding her lover close.

It was not a gentle love making. Her new husband took her harshly but, at the same time, she knew he held back. Urged by his moans of enjoyment, she became hungrier for more of what he could give.

She clawed down his back and dug her nails into his buttocks. He, in turn, bit into her shoulder, sending trails of heat down the length of her body. At once, they switched positions, Declan on his back now and she over him. Meredith pushed up to look down at her new husband. His sensuous lips curved, as darkened eyes locked with hers.