AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They ascended into the kirk, taking care to not let her slip. They entered the kirk, he, his elders, Olivia, and her father and approached the priest. Father Abram moved toward the altar and gestured for them to follow and there, he knelt, kissed his stole, said a prayer, and wrapped the vestment around his neck.
Standing, he cleared his throat and looked at Conner and Olivia. He reached over and took their hands to join them.
“Welcome ye and all. Laird Ó Riagáin and Lady Olivia, ye will recite yer vows. It is the recitation of yer vows and me blessing that makes ye wed in the eyes of the church. Are ye both ready?”
Looking at one another again, they stated their agreement in unison. Conner felt like the ceremony went by in a blur. However, as he stood and held her hand, looking into her dimmed green eyes, he felt ashamed. This should be a day for her to remember, but now… if she looked back on it, was trepidation all she would feel?
“Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
Conner held her hands tight and pushed his apology into his eyes. “I will.
When the priest asked Olivia, she was more invested in searching Conner’s eyes than replying to the question. When she did reply, it was after a knowing look had settled into her gaze. “I will.”
The vows, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, were said with a foreign lump in his throat and when Olivia said them, she looked just as affected.
With his ring on her hand, they knelt and he barely heard the prayer though the thick cottony feel in his ears. It was when the priest said. “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” did Conner take a breath.
He kissed her lightly on her lips and then uttered, “Wife,”
Olivia looked up, “Husband,”
Niel clapped Conner on his shoulder. “A feast is waiting for us, aye, let’s celebrate.”
* * *
They entered the Great Hall, which had been beautifully decorated, with tables laden with food but Olivia could not find one urge to eat anything. A few people were already eating and drinking, the musicians played a merry tune as Conner climbed the dais stairs and helped Olivia to her seat before he took his.
She winced at the feeling of the dagger in her shoe and Conner—ever astute—looked at her while pouring out her wine. “What is the matter?”
Olivia went warm. “I have a dagger in my shoe.”
His lips twitched. “Is that so?”
“Just one this time,” she said, taking the goblet and squirming at the idea of Conner searching under her kirtle for her knife.
“I’d say I was surprised but I am nae,” he said. “I do think that is a first for me clan though, possibly Scotland, for a lady to take a dagger into a church on the wedding day.”
Olivia looked at the feast, roasted fowl, stewed hare, black cake, and wine, but she had no appetite. Every time she dared to peek at Conner, he was looking back with a remorseful expression, and that only made her nonexistent appetite that more absent.
Settling the goblet down, she leaned into his ear. “I think I will retire. I am… a bit fatigued.” It was only half true; the full truth was more than she could say.
He turned to her, brows crinkling. “Are ye sure?”
“Very,” she said quietly. “I’ll have me maid send up me meal later on. Please, stay and relish the evening. Daenae worry about me.”
As she stood to leave, a drunk nearly sent a serving woman flying when he bumped into her. Looking at Olivia, he sneered, “Running away so early? I suppose it is what ye slatterns dae! He shouldnae have married ye and everyone ken so!”
Before she could react, Conner was on his feet. “Get him,” he instructed his guards. When the man was before him, arrested by the guards, Conner spoke loudly that his words echoed in the hall. “Lady Olivia is me wife, and it will be so until God parts us in war or death. I willnae tolerate anyone abusing her name or slighting her otherwise. If any of ye, like this man here, thinks so, I dinnae care if ye are from the council or a milkmaid, ye can exit me home, now.”
His words rang with an ominous thread and while they watched, a handful of people left the room, two of the council members as well with sneers on their faces.
“Ó Riagáin—” she dropped her voice to a hush.
“It’s all right, lass,” he said, as his head followed them out. “Let them go. I’ll deal with them on the morrow.”
He took her hand and they left the room, with her head held high and his dark look daring anyone else to speak. When they arrived his room, which was already cleaned and swept with new bedclothes, he left her at the door. “Shall I send yer maid up?”
“Soon,” Olivia replied, then shyly met his eyes. “Thank ye.”
