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“What are ye thinking, Edna? Ye are so quiet?” Jana’s voice reached her ears; she was sitting cross legged on the leafy floor as Laura rested her head on her lap. Edna, on the other hand, was sitting across from them, her back resting on a tree; Ronin’s head on her lap. She was absently running her fingers through his hair as he closed his eyes.
“I was just thinking how beautiful it is out here, away from everyone else, only with the people that I love and that love me,” Edna answered, honestly.
“Sometimes escaping from the real world is what we all need,” Jana replied with a sigh and closed her eyes. Edna bent down slightly and placed a kiss on Ronin’s forehead. He looked at her with a smile, sighed and closed his eyes again.
“Did ye not sleep last night?” Edna asked.
“I slept a little. I was nervous,” Ronin replied; his eyes still closed.
“Ye should sleep for a while if ye are tired. At least until Lachlan and Kathy return,” Edna offered and continued to stroke his hair so he would feel more relaxed.
“And miss out on the time I get to have with you? Never,” Ronin replied and she blushed.
She continued to stroke his head when her hands reached his forehead and she brushed aside his hair to reveal his full face. His beautiful blonde hair was always falling across it. Just then, her eyes fell on a small scar that was just at the edge of his forehead, almost completely hidden by his scalp.
“When did ye get that?” she asked; tracing her fingers on top of it softly. Ronin took his own hand up there and traced it too as a slow smile spread on his lips. Edna could see through his eyes that he was remembering something.
“Oh, that was a long time ago.”
“That I can guess, but how did it happen?” Edna questioned.
"Well, when I first moved to France, I was very young and unaccustomed to the way of life there.Everything was so different, and I felt like I was always at a disadvantage. But there was one thing I could do better than the other boys at school: ride a horse. On top of a horse, I was a natural, and one day, my friends asked me to show them a few tricks.One of those tricks was riding a horse while standing on top of it," Ronin paused, and Edna burst out laughing.
She could almost see him in her mind’s eye, a young boy of no more than ten. She could picture him boasting in front of all his fellows about how he could ride a horse while standing.
“Go on,” she said; finally controlling her laughter.
"So, when we had a spare moment, we snuck off to the stables and stole a horse while the stable boy was fast asleep.It was midday, and the streets were bustling with carriages and onlookers. When I brought the horse to a gallop, I was thinking about the empty forests of home," Ronin said, standing up and sitting cross-legged in front of her. "I was riding a horse down a busy street, surrounded by a swarm of twelve boys cheering me on. It was hilarious and provided great entertainment for everyone, of that I am sure."
“I can only imagine what it must have looked like. It must have been hilarious,” Edna laughed.
"I was overjoyed and began riding faster, but I had forgotten where we were. Two carriages arrived right in front of me. I was confident I'd be able to squeeze between them, but the poor horse wasn't. He came to a sudden halt, and I flew over his head, landing face first on the pavement. I faintedand awoke two days later."
Edna laughed with him and noticed how his face had brightened as he told her about his childhood in France. She could tell he was having a good time and enjoying his education, but she was sure he was homesick. Being away from home had been good for him because at least he was able to be a child and get away from the pain over here.
“Tell me about yer schooling. What did ye study there?” Edna asked; adjusting her legs as he laid back down in her lap.
“I studied a lot of things, honestly. The earlier years of my education were mostly based on decorum and how to behave like a perfect gentlemen. They taught us how to eat, walk, talk, ride, and simply act like the nobility we were,” Ronin explained.
“And the years after?”
"I studied science, history, philosophy, languages, poetry, literature, and various other subjects.I enjoyed learning so much that when school ended, I went to university as well. I know I should have returned home sooner, but France became my home away from home. Literature piqued my interest, and I studied history and poetry. Those were without a doubt some of the best years of my life."
Edna was relieved that hehad lived so many happy moments. What had happened ten years before, both of them losing their fathers, had had an impact on their lives. Though his absence from home had softened those memories and made room for better ones. This was why he was unlike any other man she had ever met. Ronin knew how to love and care for others. He wasn't as distant as many of the Highland men she knew. He made no attempt to appear tough. He was there for her and was able to express his emotions and desires. Her heart was warmed by this.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked and Edna turned crimson when she found out she had been caught staring.
“Because ye are my husband, and I have every right tae stare at ye,” she answered confidently and laughed. Before Ronin could reply, Laura chimed in to the conversation, and Edna realized that she had completely forgotten that other people were also present.
“Ye two are unnecessarily adorable, and it is making me realize that I dinnae have a man in my life to love me so.”
“Ye will find someone very soon. I will pray every day,” Edna laughed and threw a handful of leaves towards her friend which flew away in midair.
Before anyone could finish speaking, they heard footsteps approaching, and Ronin immediately stood up. Her prayers were answered when Lachlan and Kathy appeared shortly after, and shebreathed a sigh of relief. Their hands were stuffed with food, and hewas holding a couple of bottles of liquor. She had no idea where they had found everything, but she was grateful that everyone around her was doing allthey could to make her wedding day as special as possible.
“We are back!” Kathy exclaimed as she placed everything on the ground.
Lachlan followed after her, and they all helped themselves. The conversation flowed easily, everyone talking about their lives and how beautiful the day was. Edna still couldn’t believe that her secret wedding had taken place and she could be so happy. She felt as if a public wedding wouldn’t have made her as happy as she was now.
