The Eagle by Hildie McQueen

Chapter Nineteen

Two days later, there was a feast to celebrate the laird’s firstborn and the arrival of Isobel and Beatrice’s mother, Lady Macdonald.

Ella Ross Macdonald, who’d married the new laird Evander Macdonald, came as well.

Cait immediately loved Ella, who claimed that Cait was the most beautiful woman she’d ever met. It was sweet of the other women to agree with her and for their husbands to reassure them that they were the most beautiful in their eyes.

“I for one am glad to be preparing for this son’s wedding,” Lady Mariel announced, and everyone laughed.

“It took a great deal of effort on my part last night to convinced her to marry me,” Stuart said, and Cait gasped at what he alluded to. Then she blushed when Stuart kissed her in front of them.

“I want to hear that story,” Ella said giving her a saucy wink.

“No!” Cait replied. Then realizing she’d taken the bait; she covered her face with both hands as everyone began laughing again.

“When will the wedding be, dear?” her mother asked and Cait shrugged. “I am leaving the decision to ye and Lady Mariel. Stuart wishes to remain for a few weeks longer. He is spending time with the laird.”

“Yer brother and I will be leaving with ye when ye are ready,” her mother stated. Then looked over her shoulder. “Oh, there he goes again.”

A man walked to stand across the room. With silver at his temples, he was a bit older than her mother. His gaze darted to where they sat.

Cait’s eyes rounded, and she looked to her mother. “Who is he?”

“A bother,” her mother replied, then snuck a look at the man.

Leaning closer to Stuart, Cait asked him in a whisper who the man was.

Stuart looked over to the man who was now speaking to another. “Lyall Ross. He is my late father’s cousin. He moved to the village after his wife died and works here with the livestock. He is good with animals.”

His gaze met hers and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Why do ye ask?”

“I believe he is interested in my mother.”

Stuart smiled. “That is good.”

“I am not sure. Mother seems put off.”

“Then why does she keep stealing glances in his direction?” Stuart asked with a grin.

“Come with me,” Stuart said taking her hand. When the others looked to them, he gave them a lazy smile.

“I am going to speak to Cait about setting a wedding date.”

His mother waved a hand in the air. “It will be in a sennight.”

“In a sennight,” Cait repeated.

“Nonetheless, come with me.”

They walked out through the front door and past the gates to the side of the house. From there he guided her to a slight hill and then lowered her to the ground. “Sit with me.”

Cait sat next to him looking out to the sea. It was cool outside, but not so cold that it was uncomfortable.

“Do ye wish for me to ask Uncle Lyall to come with us?” Stuart asked. “If he is hoping to court yer mother, it would be useful if they were near one another.”

It was the sweetest offer and Cait cupped his jaw with her hand. “Ye are so kind to offer. I am not sure. She protests, but ye are right, she does seem very interested. Perhaps it would be a good idea. However, we must not let her know it was just now planned.”

“Very well,” Stuart replied. He looked into the distance. “I need to return to my lands.”

Cait stiffened. “Before the wedding?”

When his eyes widened, Cait wanted to slap him. “Nay, it can wait, I’m worried about Artair.”

“If ye cannot wait until we are married, then if ye go, I will go with ye.”

Thinking on how very much he loved her. “I’ll send Gideon,” Stuart said and pulled her against his chest. “Can I come to yer chamber tonight?”

“No.”

He blew out a breath. “Ye are going to make me wait to be married?”

“Aye, I am. We should have not done it. We are not married yet.” Despite her stern reply, she hid how much she wished he would insist and perhaps even come to her chamber without permission. But she knew he wouldn’t, and she couldn’t bring herself to say yes.

“Then I will have to kiss ye until ye melt into my arms.”

“That happens every time,” Cait said lifting her face so that he would kiss her.

The days passedquickly. Soon the keep was overflowing with people who’d come to attend the wedding of the laird’s brother.

With each passing day, Cait had become more nervous. It was late morning the day before the wedding and she sat in the small room next to the kitchen with her mother and Greer going over the meal that would be served.

“It is a wonderful menu,” her mother exclaimed with excitement. “Two boars, pheasants, and fish, then the sweet cakes and stews. I can hardly wait.”

Cait smiled despite the persistent tightness in her stomach. “I am so nervous; my stomach has been in knots. I’ve not been able to eat the last two days without feeling sick.”

Tapping her hand, Greer smile. “Do not be nervous, all will be fine. Ye will be a beautiful bride to a very handsome man. I know ye look forward to time alone with him, but remember, once the wedding is over, ye will have a lot of work to do. Be sure ye learn as much as ye can before leaving.”

“I have,” Cait replied. “Lady Mariel has ensured I am well versed in running a household.”

“I am so very happy for ye,” Cora said walking in. “I cannot wait to help ye run the new house.”

Cait smiled when a plate of food was slid in front of her by Cora.

“If ye eat here in peace, without all the discussion of weddings and the presence of the man ye are to marry, then the food will settle much better.”

She ate everything on the plate and then drank cider while her mother, Cora, and Greer also ate. It was refreshing to have a chat with the women she most trusted and loved. She would miss Greer greatly and made the woman promise to come visit. Both Greer and her daughter, Finella, became excited at the prospect.

When she walked out, her mother followed. “Cait, I must tell ye something.”

At her mother’s serious expression, Cait hesitated. “Is something wrong Mother?”

“The man, Lyall informed me that yer husband-to-be offered to move him to yer new home. Did ye know anything about it?”

It was hard not to laugh at her mother’s pointed look. “I did not ask Stuart to invite him if that is what ye are asking.” It was not a lie, so she didn’t feel bad about the statement.

“Very odd,” her mother said. “He is quite happy about it. Did ye know he is a Ross?”

“Mother, I had not noticed the man until the other day when ye pointed him out to me.” Again, she was not lying “Does it bother ye that he is to go live where we are?”

“I suppose not. It has nothing to do with me, so,” her mother said with a shrug. “I just think it odd that he is to come. He’d not mentioned it before.”

“So ye have conversations with him then?” Cait asked innocently. She’d seen her mother speaking to Lyall several times. Each time, she’d acted put out, but her cheeks had pinkened.

“Not so much a conversation.” Her mother pushed at Cait’s arm. “Go see about yer intended and stop asking so many questions.”

When Cait went to her bedchamber all of her items had been removed. She hurried back out and to the sitting room, but it was empty.

Deciding to question Stuart she knocked on his door, but no one answered. She pushed the door open and peered in. A few familiar things had been placed in the bedchamber, so she went inside and began sorting through them.

“Oh, there ye are,” Cora exclaimed with a smile. “Lady Mariel asked that I move yer personal effects in here.”

“What about tonight?” Cait asked. “I will have to sleep elsewhere, and I require some of these items.”

“Oh, goodness,” Cora said rushing to her side. “In my excitement, I totally forgot about tonight.” She giggled and went to a wardrobe and extracted a night rail.

“Where is my wedding dress?” Cait asked as they walked back out and toward her own room.

“Lady Mariel said ye will dress in the sitting room. She has it now and will bring all of yer items to the sitting room after last meal.”

Cait shook her head. “I am not used to any of this. I wonder what other things are planned that I do not know about yet.”

“Cait,” Lady Mariel said coming from the direction of the sitting room. “Isobel wants to see ye. Also, ye will not go down for last meal nor will ye see Stuart at all until the wedding. Ye will take yer meals in the sitting room.”

She eyed the items both she and Cora carried. “Come along, bring it all with ye.”

They followed Lady Mariel to a small room adjoining hers. “Now this is perfect. Stuart will not find ye here.”

Once she put all her items down, Cait then went back out to see Isobel. She was anxious to see the wee bairn.

The laird’s bedchamber was warm. There was a cheery fire in the hearth and the curtains were drawn to hold the warmth in.

Isobel sat up in the bed and was drinking from a cup when Cait walked in. Her face brightened at seeing her.

“I am so happy about yer wedding. I wish I could be there.”

Lady Macdonald, who sat in a chair in the corner with the sleeping child in her arms, gave Isobel a pointed look. “The bairn was quite big and ye have to heal properly before traipsing about.”

“It is just downstairs and Darach offered to carry me,” Isobel protested and then looked at Cait with a warm smile. “I have a gift for ye.”

Cait smiled and walked nearer. “Ye are much too kind.”

“It is something I think ye will like to have.” Isobel motioned to a bundle on a table beside the bed.

Feeling giddy, Cait lifted it and looked at it for a long time. “This is my first gift.”

“Ye will get more tomorrow. But I am happy to give ye yer first wedding gift.” Isobel grinned.

“What I mean is that this is my first gift ever. I have never received a gift before.”

“Not even from yer father or mother?” Lady Macdonald exclaimed. “How sad.”

Isobel gave her mother a patient look. “Not everyone has the means for frivolity. All money has to be saved for necessities.”

“Oh dear, that was thoughtless of me,” Lady Macdonald exclaimed, but then brightened. “Open it.”

Rolled neatly inside the parchment was a beautiful shawl. The weave of the fabric was fine, and it was embroidered with two large peacocks.

“I embroidered one and Beatrice the other,” Isobel explained. “I hope ye like it.”

Cait hugged the item close to her chest and sniffed. “I cannot express how much I adore it.”

At her happiness Isobel blinked, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. “Oh, Cait. I will miss ye.”

“Do not make her cry,” Lady Macdonald said nearing the bed.

Cait wasn’t sure who she meant, but she nodded. “I will not make her cry.”

“Not ye,” the woman said. “I am speaking to Isobel. Do not make Cait cry, we cannot have a bride with red, swollen eyes tomorrow.”

The next day,Stuart paced the length of the great room; he was growing tired of waiting for one thing or another. After first meal, he and Ewan had gone out to practice sword fighting to pass the time until the wedding, which was to take place in the late afternoon.

His squire, Anton, had run out and stopped him, stating his mother did not want him to be bruised or injured prior to the wedding. She’d then promptly had him bathe and dress, banishing him to the parlor to wait for whatever it was that he was to do next.

He spent the time thinking of that night and how he looked forward to having Cait beneath him again.

This time he wished to see all of her. When they’d made love the first time, she’d been reluctant to remove all her clothing. He was going to make sure that night both of them were free of every single piece of clothing. He would delight in her body, tasting every inch.

“Ye are aroused. It may not be a good idea to walk into the chapel like that,” Caelan said, stating the obvious.

Stuart rubbed his hand down the front of his person, willing the member to soften. “How much longer and why am I to remain in here?”

“Yer mother does not wish for ye to see Cait until she walks into the chapel.”

He looked out the window. “It should not be much longer.”

“We are to walk to the chapel now.” His brother motioned to the door. “Everyone is there.”

“Caelan,” Stuart began, “Do ye plan to marry?”

Caelan’s gaze swept past him to the view outside “I do not know. I doubt it.”

“Why?”

“Because I do not believe in love.”

“Ye do not love me then?” Stuart asked smiling. “I am devastated.”

Caelan looked up at the ceiling. “It is different with family. I care for ye and would die for ye. But to say that one feels so deeply for one woman. I find it impossible.”

“Let us go,” Stuart said and walked in front of his brother. He smiled hoping to be present when Caelan ate his words.

Once they arrived at the chapel, the room was crowded, every pew overflowing with family, friends, and villagers.

He’d asked Darach to stand with him, but his other brothers had decided among themselves that they’d also stand at the front. The only one not at the front of the chapel was Duncan, who could not abide small, cramped spaces. He stood at the back by the door, but Stuart knew that he was as happy for him as the other four were.

At the sight of his four brothers in their Ross tartans and crests, he had to blink back proud tears as he walked up and stood to wait.

There was a hush in the chapel, every head turning.

A resplendent Cait appeared at the doorway, it was as if all the air left his lungs. Stuart could not look away from the beauty that seemed to glide down the center of the church on her brother’s arm. A proud Torac escorted his sister, his gaze straight ahead.

When they stopped at the front of the chapel, the warrior met his gaze. “Protect her always.”

Throughout the entire service, Stuart could not pull his gaze from Cait. She was stunning. Her face was serene, but excitement shined from her eyes.

He could barely speak the vows, his voice shaking with emotion. When Cait spoke hers, she smiled up at him as tears slipped down her cheeks.

When the cleric pronounced them husband and wife, his heart could barely contain the emotions. They walked out of the chapel, his hand on the small of her back protectively. This was the woman he would live out his days with and would never allow harm to come to.

A rush of pride came over him when he looked over and met Duncan’s gaze. There was a sense of understanding, acknowledgement of how one becomes a better man with the right woman beside ye.

The guests followed them to the great hall that had been decorated with wildflowers and branches. It looked festive and he looked to Cait who took in the space.

“Is it not beautiful?” she asked in an awed tone. “This is much too special.”

He pulled her against his side. “Ye deserve this and more.”

The rest of the day was filled with revelry and celebration and it was a time that he vowed to keep in his memory forever.

When the musicians played a lively tune, Stuart partnered with his mother. They laughed the entire time while dancing, and when he stole a glance to Cait, she was smiling widely and clapping along.

A hush came over the crowd as Darach carried Isobel into the great room. Everyone cheered when she made a show of waving to them as they passed and settled at the high board.

Greer and her helpers outdid themselves with a wonderful feast. There was plenty of food for everyone to have their fill and wine was poured freely to those in attendance. By the time they finished eating and the music continued, Stuart noticed that Cait was tiring.

“Ye should see about the final celebration,” his mother said as they walked back to the high board. “It is time for us to take Cait away.”

Both of their mothers along with another pair of women ushered his blushing bride from the room.

“A toast,” Darach announced.

As each of his brothers spoke and Stuart had to keep swallowing to keep from showing emotion. This was the end of a portion of his life.

Now it was time for him to forge ahead to what came next.