Bound by Wish and Mistletoe (Highland Legends, Book 1.5) (14 page)

CHAPTER TWELVE

After a lazy afternoon talking and laughing with Brigid and Isobel, and the last hour of their fussing over her hair and gown, Susanna
sent her new friends down ahead of her and now descended the steps alone. The brief respite granted her valuable minutes alone to think about her situation. Although she’d spent the prior night in Robert’s arms as he made her his, and spent the rest of the morning soaking in the warmth and protection of her warrior wrapped around her, it still hadn’t settled completely into her mind that she’d given herself to a man.

I’ve been handfasted.

Mama had prepared her for the inevitable day that her father would sentence her to the fate of marriage. Nothing had readied her for what had happened though. She’d willingly chosen to be with a man, to belong to Robert.

Unaware in the heat of passion that the act itself would legally bind them, she’d given in to what her body
...and her heart...had wanted. Only after her head had cleared, and he’d left her to her solitude, had his words sunk in. They’d become man and wife by the laws of the land.

Did she regret it? She had no idea.

As she tried to analyze whether she could stay here, rising terror threatened her ability to breathe. Mama had instilled within her a deep-seated need to seek her freedom at the first opportunity—to take control of her own fate, rather than relinquish it to the will of a man. Even this bright-spirited castle was no different than the last. Both had confining walls with men inside. And Robert’s assurances of her safety did nothing to quell her fears of the evil still chasing her on the outside.

As she tried to imagine a new life within Clan Brodie, worry about an uncertain future overrode her concerns about the past. With each step down into the great hall, she felt a growing weight on her chest. Panic fluttered into her stomach about everything she didn’t know. What would he expect of her? Where would they live? How often would he be away to lead his clansmen
...and what would she do here while he was gone?

Were they
her
clansmen now too?

Midway down the steps, Susanna spotted Robert. His gaze locked onto her, and a grin spread wide across his face. She smiled in return as warmth bloomed in her chest, lifting the constriction she’d felt only a moment ago. Her head spun at how Robert’s charm calmed her so completely.

With swift grace, he crossed the room and met her before her foot left the bottom step. The toes of her satin slippers never hit the main floor, because he swept her into his arms, and she squealed as he crushed the air from her lungs with his embrace.

“Robert!” She gasped for breath. “Put me down,” she said with a soft laugh.

Light as air, she drifted down in his arms. His fingers laced into hers as he pulled her arms wide. “Susanna, you’re a vision.”

She blushed, glancing down at the ivory satin dress trimmed with tiny beads that glittered. It resembled the gown her mama last wore, as if it were a gift sent from Heaven for her.

“Thank you, Robert.”

He tucked her against his side and led her into the room. “Come, we’ve a clan for you to meet.”

Everyone’s eyes were upon them, and there were nearly a hundred people in the large room, maybe more. She shrunk into his embrace, unaccustomed to the spotlight; she’d spent her life disappearing into the shadows.

“Doona be afraid, they’re as anxious as you,” Robert whispered.

She laughed. “I doona think that true at all. Why are we needin’ to do this? ’Tis not true we’re handfasted?”

“Aye, ’tis true, but Iain insists upon our clan witnessin’ our union blessed before God,” he replied.

“Oh.” Another flicker of apprehension tripped down her spine. She slipped her hand into his larger one to ward the uneasiness away.

Robert’s men, all dressed in their finest linen shirts and tartans, stared at them with interest, but she also saw a gleam of pride in their eyes. Toward Robert, she assumed. Many of the women, however, glared at her with undisguised hostility.

“Robert, do the women dislike me?”

He gripped her tighter into his side, and she glanced up to catch his chin drop, a single black brow arching. “Aye, and let them. They coveted me like a prize, but not one of them cared about the man beneath. All they can see is my physical vitality and my rank as commander.”

The idea anyone wouldn’t appreciate such an incredible man for who he truly was angered her, and she glared right back at them. Three of the worst offenders discontinued their staring, and instead began whispering among themselves. Her stomach clenched at the blatant animosity, and she gripped Robert’s hand tighter. He rubbed a thumb over the back of her hand, and the simple gesture soothed away her agitation.

Robert guided her through the crowd until they stood before a man with short light-brown hair. He wore a white linen robe with a crimson over-tunic and a narrow, leather belt loose at his waist.

“Father John, this is Susanna.”

“Most delighted to meet you, my dear,” he said, bowing his head. “Let us proceed, shall we?”

Susanna looked around, surprised the event would begin the moment they arrived, but everyone in the room continued to look their way, conversations quieting.

Robert took both her hands in his, his dark eyes sparkling with joy. Susanna smiled up at him. He smiled broadly and gave her hands a gentle squeeze, and she exhaled, calming.

“We have come together tonight to celebrate a most happy occasion. Our beloved Robert has found himself a woman he approves of,” the priest said.

The entire room roared with laughter. Robert growled low. “Doona taunt me, Father. Get on with it.”

“Right, right,” the priest replied, drawing his brows together, appearing more serious. He leaned in toward them. “What clan do you come from, my child?”

She stiffened. No part of her wanted to claim her heritage—she’d rejected them. Her blood ties had grown icy cold.

Robert gave a quick squeeze to her hands, and replied for her. “She’s come to us sent from God, Father. Surely that is good enough.”

The priest’s eyes widened and he smiled. He cleared his throat as the crowd’s laughter from his first words died down.

“God has sent us the bonnie Susanna to be wed to Robert of the clan Brodie. It is in love that two strengthen, united as one. We are here to witness their profession before the clan and in the eyes of God.

“Do you, Susanna, take Robert to be your husband, honoring and loving him for all the days of your life?”

Susanna smiled, gazing up into her warrior’s eyes. “I do.”

“Robert, do you take Susanna to be your wife, cherishing and protecting her?”

“Aye. And honorin’...and lovin’...”

Robert’s eyes smoldered at his profession, and Susanna felt a flush heat her skin from the neck up. She took a deep breath, remembering exactly how he loved
...

“Then by the power of God I pronounce the two of you
officially
husband and wife.”

Robert’s hands flew to her back, and he lifted her up in his arms, his lips crushing against her mouth. She flung her arms around his neck and surrendered to the passionate kiss, a tiny moan escaping her throat. He broke their kiss before they got carried away, but groaned as if he couldn’t bear their separation. She laughed, feeling a bit more at ease with the entire situation.

As if on cue, servants burst out of the kitchen, one after another, lining up platters of food onto the tables before circling back and bringing more.

Iain and Isobel approached, bringing silver goblets of ale, one in each of their hands.

“Congratulations, Robert.” Iain handed Robert a drink and then gave her a broad grin. “Welcome to our family, Susanna.”

Isobel handed her the fourth goblet. They raised them high, and Susanna did the same, holding the narrow base between her fingers.

“May your life be blessed with abundant love and your house with many bairns,” Iain said, pulling Isobel into his side.

Susanna lifted her glass, and then put her lips to the rim, sipping on the mellow honeyed ale. Her mind spun with all the events, and most recently, Iain’s words. Love. Babies. Two days ago she hadn’t given a single thought to her life having either.

The notion that the veering of her horse in one particular direction over any other had led her to this point amazed her. Perhaps God
had
delivered her here, and her holding the reins had all been for show.

“Robert,” she whispered, “where exactly is
our
house?”

“I
...we have a cottage within the curtain wall. ’Tis the one closest to the stables and smithy, but also nearest to the stream and garden. While not as luxurious as your bedchamber here, ’tis verra comfortable.”

She briefly thought of the cramped quarters she’d grown up in. Whatever Robert felt comfortable in, she had no doubt she would too. “’Twill be perfect, Robert.”

He smiled and nuzzled his lips into her temple. “
You’re
perfect, Susanna.”

Chills raced down her side from his touch, yet warmth from deep within her chest spread everywhere from his words. She leaned into him as the dizzying combination made her footing feel unstable.

In front of them, Iain took Isobel’s hand, looping it into his arm as he guided her toward the head of the table. Robert placed a firm hand in the small of her back, urging her forward to follow them. But the bevy of jealous women stood directly in their way.

Susanna squared her shoulders and notched her head higher. She felt Robert’s hand rub up and down once on her back, the support bolstering her coura
ge.

The aggressive women parted for them without a word, but another woman, not from the threesome, approached her right before they sat down. She had pale
blond hair and kind blue eyes.

“Forgive me for staring before,” she said. “I was only surprised that Robert had chosen a woman
...an English woman...to be his wife. I’m Donalda.” She nodded in respect.

“’Tis verra nice to meet you, Donalda. You’re mistaken, though. Mama may have been English, but since my entire life has happened in
Scotland, I suppose I’m no more English than any of you.”

The woman stepped closer to her, whispering in her ear, “Those three are burrs in everyone’s side. They’ve focused on Robert so long, ’tis caused them to lose sight of the other worthy men in our clan. Given time, they’ll find other pastimes to occupy their attention. They do have a mighty sting when angered though. You’d do well to give them room.”

“Thank you for the warnin’, Donalda. I hope they each find what they’re lookin’ for.”

“Aye. We all do. I’m not sure the clan can survive another year of their schemes and gossip.” Donalda snorted. She turned to leave, but gently grasped Susanna’s forearm. “Doona worry overly much. Iain won’t stand for people bein’ intolerant. We’re a clan, bound to protect and love one another, and he reminds us when warranted.” She bowed her head then rushed off to take a seat at the far table.

Robert leaned down. “She’s right, love. Iain will put a quick end to unhealthy behavior in the clan. That’s if I doona have the chance to first.”

Regardless of Donalda and Robert’s assurances, the men had greater battles to fight than hers. But she didn’t understand their aggression toward her, when Robert clearly had rejected the lot. She wondered if it was something more. Perhaps she spoke more like her mother than she’d thought. “Do I seem that English?”

Robert helped guide her down onto the bench. “Nay, only a wee bit. You’ve a small English accent to some of your words, but much less so than Lady Isobel. We’ve all grown used to her...
slang
.” Robert winked across the table at Isobel.

“Ha!” Isobel replied, laughing. “I’ll have you speaking my
slang
in no time.”

Robert sighed. “Somethin’ we’ve all been secretly afraid of.”

They all laughed, a light-hearted atmosphere permeating the room, and she started to breathe easier. Iain began helping Isobel and himself to the food, and everyone did the same. Even Susanna had grown bolder overnight, lifting her plate without delay for servings of whatever Robert dished out for them.