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Halfway down the aisle, as he resisted the urge to run to her, he noticed her gaze flit away from him for a moment. Puzzled, he followed her line of sight to where a lone figure stood at the far end of a pew. The man was not familiar to Felix, yet the figure’s presence appeared to widen Edwina’s smile. Her hand moved slightly in a wave, and, with a return smile, the man gave a small wave back.
Is that family I daenae ken about? Another cousin, perhaps?Felix shook away the distraction as Edwina’s gaze returned to him. There would be time enough to greet the guests later.
After what felt like an eternity, she reached him, the piper ceased, and the congregation sat. Kenney, with a face as sour as old milk, handed his cousin to Felix as if he really was getting rid of unwanted goods, before stalking off to take his seat. Although Felix could not quite be certain, he thought he smelled the ripe, foul odor of the stable water lingering in the air that Kenney left in his wake.
“Ye decided nae to jilt me, then?” Edwina whispered, squeezing Felix’s hands.
He grinned. “I wouldnae have dared. Ye’d have chased me through Scotland with a priest followin’ behind.”
“Ah, ye already ken me so well.” She chuckled, pulling an apologetic face as the real priest cleared his throat in a disapproving manner.
As the ceremony began, Felix’s attention never left his bride, his gaze fixed upon her. As such, much of what happened went by in a blur, though he got the occasional nudge from John or Edwina when it was his turn to do something.
They began with the vows, promising to honor and obey, before moving into the hand fasting. It was the one part that Felix had particularly been looking forward to, as it was the first time that he would get to use his Clan colors for something other than fighting or business.
“This is a symbol of unity between yer families and yer ancestry,” the priest said, as he draped the colors of Beckingdale around Edwina’s wrist and over her hand before doing the same with the Moore colors.
Glancing down, Felix’s heart leaped in surprise, realizing that the length of plaid was not just made up of the Moore colors. Indeed, it was two halves stitched together in the center, though easy to miss as both were hues of blue and green. The Moore colors, however, had threads of red running through, while the other did not.
The Quinn colors—Felix’s eyes met Edwina’s, and he found her smiling softly.
A gift,she mouthed.
Thank ye,he mouthed back, his heart swelling and breaking all at once.
“With this, ye are bound in the eyes of God and country,” the priest announced, tying the two strips of material together in the center, binding their hands. “Now, do ye have the quaich?”
John hurried forward with the wooden drinking vessel, with two silver handles on either side that were shaped like a bird’s wings. Awkwardly, he placed the vessel into Edwina’s hands first. It was the final part of the wedding, and a moment of trust. The two handles served the purpose of proving that neither party was armed, for it had to be held with both hands.
Edwina took it and sipped, before passing it to Felix. “I left plenty for ye,” she whispered with a wink.
“Are ye tryin’ to make me drunk?” He smiled and downed what was left, as was tradition.
“A little, perhaps.”
With that, the priest finally cracked a smile. “I now pronounce ye man and wife. Laird Moore, ye should kiss yer bride and seal this union.”
With pleasure,Felix smiled as he closed the gap between him and Edwina and brought his hands to her face. Slowly, he brought his lips to hers, his smile widening as he felt her lips respond. It was not the fierce kiss of last night, but it was just as sweet, for this kiss meant that she was his and he was hers, from that moment on.
Behind them, the congregation rose to their feet, applauding loudly. Meredith and Melissa were the rowdiest, cheering and shouting as if they were at an inn instead of at a Kirk, but their voices made Felix’s happiness soar. Their plan, however sneaky, had worked, and it was turning out to be the best thing that they had ever done for him.
“Shall we?” Felix offered his arm to his bride.
She grinned. “Aye, we shall, for there’s feastin’ and merrymakin’ to be done, and Iwillhave that dance that nay one would grant me at yer Masquerade.”
“Dearest Edwina, ye never have to worry about havin’ nay partner for dancin’, ever again,” he told her. “Even if it’s just the two of us alone without music, I’ll always dance with ye.”
Her eyes shone. “But… I thought ye said ye couldnae dance?”
“And I thought ye said that everyone could dance, but nae everyone can dance well?”
Laughter pealed from her lips. “Ye remembered!”
“Aye, and I also remember that ye said ye’d have to judge me dancin’ at our weddin’, so I hope I daenae disappoint.”
She leaned into his side. “My sweet Felix, ye could never disappoint me.”
As they stepped out into the bright morning as man and wife, Felix doubted he had ever felt happiness like it. Even the sunlight came out from behind a wispy cloud at that very moment, as if it was shining just for them. There was no fear, no apprehension, and none of the crippling dread that had plagued him for years. Just… joy.
