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Janice smiled at him and said firmly, “No, Alasdair. Bernard is the only man I will ever want. I am absolutely sure of that.”
He nodded and kissed her hand, then they made the short trip down the aisle, where he put Janice’s small hand into Bernard’s big one.
“Look after her,” he said gruffly, before turning away.
Bernard smiled at the protective lion Alasdair had become in the short time since his father had died. It warmed his heart.
“You look perfect,” Bernard whispered as he looked at Janice’s simple wine-colored velvet dress. It was not a new one; it had been worn many times before, but it was still her favorite, and it always made her feel like a queen.
He himself had brought no formal clothes, but then he had not expected to be marrying Janice. He had only brought one change of clothing with him, and the best he could do was have them laundered and pressed by one of the laundry maids. He could not even borrow clothes from one of the guards because he was so big that no one else’s would fit him.
The service was very short, no more than a quick exchange of loving vows and a blessing. The minister almost glared at Bernard as he said the words “love, honor, and cherish,” as though he would happily punch him if he did not keep his oaths. Janice almost laughed out loud, but she was not laughing when Bernard placed the ring on her finger and smiled at her tenderly.
It fitted perfectly, and as she gazed at it, hardly able to believe she was married, she realized that it was her mother’s wedding ring, which her father had shown her when she was twelve years old.
“I now pronounce that you are husband and wife together,” Reverend Morrison said with a solemn edge of finality.
When Bernard kissed Janice to seal their vows, he wanted to devour her in a frenzy of passion. He wanted to carry her away right there and then and make love to her until they both fell into a satisfied slumber. But he restrained himself, and instead, they shared a sweet, chaste kiss.
However, as he drew away from her, Janice saw in his eyes the promise of a much greater passion to come later, and she could hardly wait.
* * *
The breakfast was very simple and deliberately so since they were officially still in mourning and only close family and a few friends had been invited. The only person missing was her father, but although she felt his absence keenly, Janice knew that he would be happy for her.
Andrew had come back from his wanderings with news of his own betrothal, surprised to see that his brother had changed so much in his absence. However, they were as close as ever, and Andrew had become a little more sober and serious.
“I am happy for you, Janice,” he said sincerely as he kissed her on the cheek. “And I wish you both every happiness.”
“Thank you, Brother.” Janice hugged him, smiling. “When is your own wedding?”
“Next summer,” he answered happily.
Janice smiled at him and held up her glass of wine. “Slàinte Mhath!” she said happily. She looked at Alasdair. “Your turn next!”
Bernard’s mother, Moira Taggart, whom Janice was meeting for the first time, came up to hug her. The two women had looked at each other and taken an instant liking to each other. Moira was a tall, striking woman in her middle years who was almost as well built as her son. Janice had been struck by just how alike she and Bernard were, although he lacked her stunning blue eyes, the brightest Janice had ever seen.
Now she hugged her new daughter-in-law tightly and patted her on the back. “Ye make a lovely bride, hen,” she remarked, looking Janice up and down, smiling. “Welcome tae the Taggart family.”
“I am so glad to be one of you,” Janice answered with a glorious smile.
“An’ remember, if he gives ye any bother,” Moira said, poking her finger in Bernard’s chest as she looked at her daughter-in-law, “come tae me. I dinnae care how big he is—I am still his mother!”
Mother and son looked at each other lovingly.
“I thought this day would never come, Mammy,” he said softly. “My two best girls together. I have never been so happy.”
Then his two best girls kissed him, and the sun came out from behind a cloud as if to bless them.
21
“At last!”
Bernard sighed with relief as he set his bride down on the floor of their bedroom. He had carried her upstairs from the dining room, whispering in her ear all the way about what he was going to do to her once the bedroom door had closed behind them.
As soon as her feet touched the floor, Janice pressed herself against him and cuddled into the warmth of his chest.
“You will have to show me how to please you,” she whispered. “I have never had the courage to ask anyone about it.”
