The Imposter (15 page)

The priest was a
small man, round about the middle, clothed in a black robe.  There was a small
leather bound bible in his hands.  He was middle aged, but his small stature
made him look like a child next to Devon and Collin despite the fact that he
was almost completely bald.  His eyes darted between Devon and me nervously,
giving me the impression that he was aware that the bride and groom were
reluctant participants in this ceremony.  He smiled warmly and opened the small
Bible.

Despite my best
intentions to remain stoic, my knees felt weak and I thought I might pass out. 
My mind tried to stray from my present circumstances, reaching towards the
solace of the blackness.  I willed myself to breathe and continued to focus on
the rhythmic movements of my chest as the breath moved in and out of my body.  Devon
sensed my unease and I felt his grip on my hand strengthen, and I was supported
by his other large hand against the small of my back. The words of the priest
became a haze, as my mind ran for refuge from this nightmare. 

“Do ye have a
ring, lad?” the priest questioned.

“Och, aye, let me
find it,” Devon said, as color flushed his face.  He dug frantically in his
sporran, pulling out bits of string and coins until he came across what he was
looking for.  “Here is it!” he exclaimed, smiling sheepishly at me. “Sorry, I
thought I’d lost it for a second.”

He reached for my
left hand nervously, stroking his thumb across the back of my hand in assurance
as he slid the silver band onto my ring finger.   Devon’s eyes met mine as he
held the ring in place at the base of my finger.  I began to panic as he slid
the ring into place, feeling a cool sweat break out across my body.

“Yer fingers are
smaller than I’d thought, lass.  We can trade it for one that fits,” he said as
he closed my hand into a fist so that the ring wouldn’t fall off.  He wrapped
my fist in his own hand and raised it gently to his lips, planting a light kiss
on top of the ring. I felt the warmth of his lips in contrast to the coolness
of the ring, both felt new against my skin. He whispered something very quietly
in Gaelic as he drew his lips away from my hand.  I had no idea what he had
whispered and made a mental note to ask him later.  Nonetheless, I was touched by
the sincerity of his gesture and I was able to regain my façade of control.

“Ye may kiss the
bride,” the Priest said, closing the bible and starting at us expectantly.

Now it was Devon
who fought to remain in control.  He wasn’t sure if I would pass out or run for
the door.  Still holding my hand in his own, he moved towards me slightly,
unsure of how to proceed.  I met him halfway, looked into his eyes and reached
my right hand up behind his neck.  I summoned all of my courage and pulled his
head towards me, capturing his lips into a kiss.  He let out a small sound of surprise,
I had caught him off guard.  His hand squeezed mine as he returned the kiss
passionately, not dissuaded by the clearing of his brother’s throat in clear
disapproval.  There was an ever so slight growl of satisfaction deep in Devon’s
throat as he broke the kiss and looked into my eyes.

“My wife,” he
whispered, the corner of his mouth turning up into a slight smile.  He kissed
me again chastely on the lips and then I felt the pressure of his hand increase
on the small of my back.  “Let’s go,” he whispered, supporting me as we walked
silently from the chapel, leaving his brother and the priest without a word.

We were still
holding hands as we exited the chapel and walked into the late afternoon
sunlight.  I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the bright light, realizing how
dark it had been in the small chapel.  The late autumn air was cool against my
skin.  It was a welcome change to the stuffy interior of the chapel. The cool
air hit my skin in a rush, refreshing my senses.

Devon let go of my
hand and began untying Stanley’s reins, which had been secured to the low
hanging branch of a nearby tree.  He deftly swung himself up into the saddle and
reached his hand down towards me in invitation.  I took his hand and before I
knew it, he had me gathered up and settled across his lap.  I slid one arm
behind his back and slid my other arm around his waist.   

“Doona be worrit,
lass.  I won’t let ye fall off,” Devon said, sensing my unease.  “Yer as tense
as a board.”

I tried to relax,
finding it difficult to release the tension from my muscles and settle against Devon’s
firm thighs and chest.  I was married to the man, but still found the necessity
of our immediate bodily contact a bit unnerving.                 

Devon clicked his
tongue and Stanley spurred into motion.  The great horse was ready for some
exercise after being tethered to a tree all afternoon.  I felt Devon pull back
on the reins, slowing the stallion to a comfortable walk, which was much better
for my frazzled nerves.  The last thing that I needed today was to be thrown
from a horse.

“I’m not sure what
tae say now, Kate,” Devon started.  “I’d wondered what today would feel like,
how we would both react and what I would say tae ye after.  Funny thing is that
I canna think of anything tae say,” he chuckled.  “It’s a rare day when I’m
dumbstruck, but I must admit I’m at a loss.”

“You don’t have to
say anything.  I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around it too,” I
replied.

“When I was
getting ready this morning, I wondered if I would feel differently, ye ken,
feel differently after we were wed.”

“So, do you?”

“This morning, I didna
think that I would.  But now, I must admit that surprisingly, I do feel
differently.  I can’t really describe it, but I feel like ...” he trailed off
in thought, trying to put his feelings into words for my sake.  “Remember when
I was trying tae explain how it is that I feel about Leti, how I ken that it’s
my job tae protect her?”

“Yeah, I
remember,” I said, remembering our conversation on the picnic blanket.

“It’s sort of like
that but more intense.  I’ve never had someone that’s been completely mine,
ken?  Besides the odd horse or dog, mind ye.”

“So you’re
comparing having a wife to owning a horse or a dog?” I said, confused.

“Och, no, lass! 
That’s no what I meant!” he said, embarrassed.  “It’s more that I have this
overwhelming desire tae keep ye safe.  Tae wrap ye up in my arms and hide ye
away from anything that might bring ye harm,” he explained, holding me close
against his chest.

“That’s sweet,” I
said, resting my cheek against his shoulder.

He wants to
protect me.

 “You have no idea
how much that means to me.  It’s been a long time since I’ve felt safe,” I
confessed, feeling the sense of security that Devon provided wrapping around me
like a warm blanket.

“I’ll protect ye
with my life, Kate,” he vowed, kissing the top of my head.

I closed my eyes
in response to the thrill of his touch and his words.

Finally, I’m
safe.

I nestled up
against his chest, enjoying the warmth that emanated from his body, and
continued trying to express my emotions.  “I feel differently too, Devon.  I
thought about how being married might feel this morning too.  Growing up, I had
always wondered what it would feel like, to be someone’s wife.” The words felt
strange immediately as they left my mouth. “I just feel better knowing that I’m
not alone now.  There’s the two of us, together,” I said, feeling vulnerable,
admitting my true emotions to this man that I hardly knew.

“I like that. 
You’re right.  There’s the two of us now.  Ye ken that this is my home, my
Clan, but I know what it feels like to be alone,” Devon confessed.  “I don’t
have much tae offer ye, but if there’s one thing that I can give ye, it’s
protection.  Protection is what I do.  It is what I have been trained tae do my
whole life. Believe me, that if there is anything that I have ever fought for,
anything that I have ever protected in my life, it will be you, Kate.  Nae,
protection is something that ye shall never be worrit about again.”

I believed his
vow, and allowed my body to melt against his, enjoying the support of his arm
around my back, no longer afraid of falling off his gigantic horse.  His body
surrounded me like a warm blanket and I relished the alluring scent that always
accompanied Devon.          Exhaustion hit my like a ton of bricks and my eyes
refused to stay open.  The stress and emotion of the day had finally caught up
with me, my body screamed for sleep.  I gave up fighting and allowed my eyes to
close, enjoying the rhythmic movement of the horse and the safety that I felt
encircled in my husband’s arms.

                                                            ***

“Wake up,
sleepyhead,” Devon whispered, his breath warm against my ear, his lips so close
as to almost touch my skin.  My eyes fluttered and focused on the now familiar
walls of the keep looming overhead in the fading evening light. 

“I don’t want to
wake up,” I said, snuggling against his warm chest, ready to return to the warm
oblivion of sleep.

His chest shook
slightly as he silently laughed at my protest.  “Ye’ll no escape my sister sae
easily.  If Leti hasna told ye already, she lives for weddings.  I told her
this morning that we didna want a party, but of course she won out.  My Mam
taught me that ye canna win a fight with a woman.”

I smiled against
his chest, enjoying the thick Scottish brogue in his voice.  I loved it when he
said words like “verra” and “canna,” the rolling “r’s” particularly got to me.

“A party?” I
questioned, hoping that he wouldn’t be too put off by the fact that my question
had come out as a groan.  I was exhausted, and the idea of a party was more
than I could fathom.

Devon dismounted
the horse, still holding me in his arms, and set my feet firmly on the ground. 
A young boy came and took Stanley’s reins, leading him away to the stables. 

“Are ye ready,
Mrs. McClain?” Devon asked encouragingly, taking my hand.

“No,” I said
honestly, brushing my hair back out of my face, still having trouble freeing
myself from the grips of slumber.  What I really wanted to do was be alone. 
The thought of a party was horrid.

“We canna
disappoint Leti.  She’ll kill me if we dinna show up, and then ye’d be a widow
and a whole mess would ensue for sure.  Better go in,” Devon prodded, pulling
me along behind him as he flashed a teasing, rakish grin.  He was so handsome.

He’s mine! 
This beautiful man is mine.

“Can’t we just go
to bed?” I asked, immediately embarrassed by my request.

Devon stopped in
his tracks.  “I didna ken that ye were sae anxious tae get in bed with me, but
if that’s what ye want tae do, well then, I’ll no deny my bride,” he smiled
down at me in jest. 

I was glad that it
was getting dark outside, because I knew that my face must have turned a rather
unattractive shade of red.  “On second thought, let’s go to the party.  I’d
rather keep you waiting.”

“Are ye sure?” he
asked, patting me on the bum in invitation.

“Yep.  Absolutely
sure.  Let’s go,” I said, removing his hand from my bottom and pulling my over
eager groom behind me towards the great hall.

Devon captured my
hand and pulled me into his embrace, surprising me.    He nuzzled my neck and
caused me to giggle as his stubble brushed my sensitive skin.  I loved playful Devon
and my giggles spurred him on further.  Completely lost in his embrace, I ran
my fingers over his back and through his hair, oblivious to who might be
watching us.  He playfully bit my earlobe, an act which sent fire coursing
through my veins.

“I havena told ye
just how happy ye made me today,” he whispered huskily into my ear.

Oh how his words
could make me melt.

“You’ve made me
happy today too,” I said suppressing giggles as he toyed with my earlobe,
alternating his tongue with small nibbles.

            I felt like the
luckiest girl on Earth.  How could it be that this wonderful, beautiful man had
been given to me?  I certainly did not deserve him.

I relished the attention
from my playful husband and before long, his kisses and nuzzling had stirred
something deep within me.

How does he do
this to me?

“I’m sae happy
that yer mine now,” he said pulling away as his expression became serious and
his eyes smoldered.

I smiled in
response, unable to find words to respond because his touch had driven me
beyond rational thought.

He stroked my jaw
line with the back of his hand and tenderly lowered his lips to mine.

“We’d better head
inside,” he whispered against my lips.  “They’ll be waiting for us.”

We entered the
great hall hand in hand to the booming shouts of our well wishers.  Devon was
clapped on the back and congratulated by an endless stream of kilt clad
kinsmen, and I was whisked away by the women folk as soon as we entered the
hall.

 I could hear the
bawdy shouts of the men from across the hall as they gave Devon bits of advice
and encouragement for his wedding night.  They were not trying to be quiet, and
in fact, I was sure that they wanted me to hear their remarks as they advised Devon
and imparted wisdom for his wedding night.

The women operated
in the same manner, except that they were more hushed in the way that they
offered their advice.  Within a matter of mere minutes, I had been instructed
on what exactly my responsibilities would be in regards to pleasing my husband
and all that I could expect from my impending wedding night. 

“Just get it over
with, be still and let him do what he will tae ye,” Milly advised, in a hushed
voice.  “It’ll be over before ye know it, Kate.  It’s none sae bad if ye lie
still,” she added, rubbing my back in condolence. 

My eyes met Devon’s
across the room and he smiled, then shrugged showing that he was helpless to
rescue me from the women.  Oh how I wanted to be alone with him, to touch him
again.  I drew my eyes reluctantly away from my new husband and back to the
conversation.