To Wed A Highlander (6 page)

Makenna reached out her hand, and Colin clasped it in his. He turned and together they approached the altar and stepped up to make their vows. Colin heard his voice ring out solidly, without doubt and then it was Makenna’s turn. Her tone was softer, serene, and filled with sincerity.

Colin felt her slim, soft fingers unconsciously squeeze his, as if his nearness gave her a confidence that would otherwise not exist. Again he felt the surge of hope that with Makenna he would know a
real
marriage. Not an imprisonment as he earlier feared, but a second chance to find what he never did with Deirdre. It would not be what his parents had shared. He did not love Makenna, nor she him. But they had something. Passion, and now the beginnings of trust.

It was enough.

As soon as the ceremony ended, Colin was surrounded by interested parties who knew what such a marriage might mean. Feeling Colin’s hand slip away from hers, Makenna turned around and became engulfed as the crowd shuffled her outside for the breaking of bread.

Crumbs fell about her and the women immediately stooped to pick them up. She had stepped free of the semicrazed mob and felt the warm familiar fingers of her father close over her hand. He tugged gently, and she followed.

Alexander looked down at his youngest daughter with tears in his eyes. He had hoped that he had done the right thing by forcing this marriage. Colin and Makenna were so different, but so alike. Though neither had realized it, after Deirdre’s death, they had both retreated into themselves. It was only when they were verbally sparring with each other that they came alive. His clan needed this marriage, but he truly believed Colin and Makenna needed each other as well.

His fears had disappeared the moment Makenna trusted Colin to help her in the chapel. Their vows were not made under protest, but were heartfelt. At that moment, Alexander felt true hope for his daughter and his clan. He could let go now. He just needed to say good-bye.

Makenna smiled at him, and Alexander hooked her arm in his, leading her away from the chaos. “I’m glad you are no longer still angry with me,
Áille.”

“How could I stay angry with you, Father? You are the only man I will ever love.”

He smiled at her innocence. “Ah, Makenna, you have so many changes ahead of you, but do not let your adventurous spirit be one of them.”

“Don’t worry, Father. I doubt I will be transformed into a dutiful, dull domesticate just by merely uttering the words.”

“No, I doubt that anything in this world is powerful to fully tame your wild nature.” Alexander maneuvered Makenna out of view to a private spot just inside the base of the rear tower. “But what I want you to understand is that marriage will change you, but it will be for the better. If you let him, Colin will not take away, but
add
to your life. Learn to lean upon him for the hard times. If you do, you will never be alone again.”

Makenna shook her head. “Father, you just don’t understand how it is between Colin and me. You have no idea what he has said and done over the past few years. He thinks I am wild—”

“You are wild,” Alexander responded, interrupting.

“—and impetuous. He thinks I care for no one but myself.”

“Then you must show him differently. I have seen more than you realize,
Aille,
and you and I both know that he has only seen one side to you. I know it has been hard these past two years, especially after losing Deirdre. I went through the same after your mother passed. You were young, but I know the feeling of abandonment and how it changes a person. It makes one very defiant, not wanting to rely on anyone or anything.”

“He has definitely seen my defiance,” Makenna replied, looking down as she twisted the ties to her bliaut.

Alexander put a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze. “Does he know of your loyalty? Does he understand your perseverance to perfect what you are determined to learn? Has he seen that you have a heart more full of compassion than anyone—aye, anyone—I have ever known?”

“I’m telling you he has known me for almost two years and doesn’t care about those things. Only you can see the good side of me.”

Alexander dropped his hand. “I was there in the chapel when fear overcame you. It was Colin, not I, that gave you the peace to continue.”

Makenna stared at the ground, remembering. “He made me a promise.”

“A promise?”

“To never make me do anything I didn’t want to.”

“Do you think he meant it?”

Makenna nodded, the movement barely detectable. “He meant it. Colin is arrogant and self-assured and loves to intimidate everyone near him. Probably why I enjoy showing him that he cannot with me. But he never does or says anything he doesn’t mean.”

“Do you trust him?”

Makenna rolled the question over in her mind, knowing the answer. Outside of her father, she trusted Colin more than any other man. With him, she might be aggravated, but she always knew where she stood. Yet she found it impossible to say as much aloud.

Makenna looked directly into her father’s green eyes and nodded. “I do.”

Alexander knew how difficult that had been to admit, but he knew Makenna was telling the truth. “Trust me,
Áille,
everything will be fine. Remember I love you, and I would never have asked you to commit yourself to Colin if I did not truly believe your life would be the better for it. He can make you happy…if you let him. And though you cannot imagine it to be true now, you have it within you to make Colin happy as well. Now, let us say good-bye before we go to the hall and the crowd takes you away from me.”

Makenna hugged her father tightly and felt him return the firm embrace. She wondered if there was anyone who could ever make her feel as safe and as loved as he did.

Alexander held on to his youngest and most beloved daughter, knowing that this would be the last time. He could finally let go. She was safe. She was Colin’s now, and he would protect her. In doing so, the young Highlander would discover that he had received the greatest treasure a father could give, someone to love and be loved by.

“When?” Colin asked, only paying half attention to the discussion. Laird Crawford had joined him a few minutes ago, and based on the direction of their conversation, the Lowland laird intended to ally himself with Colin.

“Perhaps a week or two, maybe longer,” a friendly, but solid voice replied. “My boys have talent but they need a firm hand, one away from the accolades of their mother. God bless her soul, she is the one person I cannot say no to. Any other man and I’d have been able to stop the nonsense hindering those two. I’ve seen your men, and how you train them. If you aren’t too busy being a new groom, it would be a great relief and honor if you would agree to train my sons and a few of their friends.”

Colin nodded in agreement. His real focus was across the room. Makenna. Just a few hours ago, they had said their vows, and instead of being distraught and angry, she appeared content and untroubled, even happily married.

He mulled over the idea. Was Makenna happily married? Did she consider him to be a good man?

Yesterday when he had unilaterally made the decision they should marry, he had not cared about her feelings for him. It mattered not if she considered him decent, trustworthy, or even honorable. He knew he was and that was all that mattered—then. Now, seeing Makenna relaxed, and happy, talking with Crawford’s wife, he wanted her to be just as comfortable when she was with him.

Jaimie Crawford watched the large Highlander stare questioningly at his new wife. When he had met Colin two days ago, he witnessed the loyalty Colin generated from his men and the reasons why. Calm, steady, and self-assured, this commander would not only teach his sons how to wield a claymore with accuracy, but he would give them the wisdom needed to lead the Crawford army when Jaimie passed. Colin was a rare leader of men, possessing talent to guide and teach as well as command. But, watching him tonight, Jaimie wondered if Colin knew what it meant to be a good husband.

Laird Crawford was not tall, but wide and strong from hours in the training fields and the occasional good-natured fight. And since Colin was even bigger, it never occurred to him not to ram his elbow into the Highland giant to get his attention.

Shocked by the unexpected attack, Colin moved swiftly only to be stopped by the biggest grin he had ever seen.

“Now, hold on there, Highlander,” Crawford cautioned with a chuckle. “You cannot be telling me I hurt you, for that would be an untruth. And how else is a man to get your attention when you’re forever looking at your bride over there? I’ve been wondering why you aren’t with her, and I’ve come to the conclusion that you are just like me on my wedding night. Now, I knew Trista was for me the first time I saw her. She had all that brown hair and the merriest hazel eyes a man could ever want. So I asked her to marry me. I needed someone to take care of my keep, provide heirs, and keep my bed warm at night. But, in truth, I also wanted a friend. Probably won’t shock you, but I love a good laugh, and my lively woman can keep a man laughing. It’s nice to know that in my old age, there’ll be someone at my side I’ll enjoy being with. Now, I tell you this, because you look just as I did before my wedding night.”

Colin waited patiently for Crawford to end his intentional pause and finally gave in. “And that was?”

Crawford smiled and slapped Colin on the back. “Now, in trade for your willingness to train my sons, I’m going to give you something more valuable than gold. Your bride, she reminds me of my Trista, bubbling with delight, enchanting all that see her. But she wasn’t always thus.”

“No?” Colin inquired, only slightly curious as to where the burly laird was going, for it was obvious he had a destination with this story.

“No, I’m ashamed to say. It wasn’t until a few months into our marriage that it occurred to me I had only been focusing on what I wanted, needed, and liked in a wife. I never once had considered her desires in a husband.”

Crawford downed a big swig of ale, and Colin sank into a nearby chair, stretching his feet in front of him. Colin assumed the man was done. “I thank you, but I am not sure how that piece of information is so golden or how it applies to me.”

“Because…” Jaime waited until Colin cranked his head to look the Highlander straight in the eye. He was about to call Colin a fool and decided otherwise. A friendly punch to the ribs he could get away with, but assaulting the Highlander’s pride? He would be leaving on his arse regardless of his title.

Crawford took another swig of ale. “It turns out that my Trista wanted the same thing I did. A friend to laugh and grow old with, to raise a family, and live a good life.” Jaimie took a deep breath and exhaled for effect. “I’m just wondering why you married Makenna. We all know Alexander’s reasons for wanting the union, but beyond that, what hopes do you have? What do you want? I’m guessing that whatever it is, Makenna desires the same. Give her that, and you’ll be a happy man every night—even on the nights you fight. And though it may not seem like much now, if you heed my words, you will come to see their extraordinary worth. Now, I think it’s time that I dance with my wife,” Jaimie finished, rubbing his hands together in anticipation as he jigged over to a laughing and eager Trista.

Colin watched as the hefty laird swung his wife around and thought on his counsel. No one had ever really talked to him that way before. Especially someone who knew very little about him. People usually came to Colin for advice, and never did anyone have the nerve to give him unsolicited suggestions about anything. Most assumed that because Colin was previously married, he knew all about the subject. How did Crawford discern the truth? And did the older laird know what he was talking about?

For years, Colin wondered why his parents’ marriage had worked so well. Was this the secret? If so, then what
did
he want in a marriage? With Deirdre, he had wanted someone to love who loved him. But he soon learned that it was not quite enough. They had love, but never once did they approach the closeness his mother and father had shared.

What, then, was the part of marriage that made the soul happy? What did he truly want?

And the answer struck him so deep down that Colin almost fell out of his chair. He wanted someone to trust and believe in him completely and without reservation. But, more than that, he wanted to be first in someone’s heart, body, and soul.

Could Makenna truly want the same? Did Makenna need someone who trusted and believed in her? Someone who placed her first above all others?

Colin knew a trust was growing between him and his new bride, and though he had never said so, he did believe in her. If Makenna decided to make something happen—or not happen—she persisted until she found a way.

But how could he make her first when he had already given Deirdre his heart?

Pretending to concentrate on the dancing and the music, Makenna peripherally watched as Colin approached her. She had been intensely aware of him all evening. If it had not been for Lady Crawford to anchor her thoughts and divert her attentions, she would be shaking so bad all would know of her fear and anxiety of what was to come.

Colin stopped in front of her and stuck out his hand. “Shall we join Laird Crawford and his wife and show them how the estampie is truly to be performed?”

Makenna sat shocked for a moment and then gave him a large smile that would have warmed anyone who was the recipient of it. Colin was glad to have been both its cause and its receiver. “Do you know
how
to do the estampie?” she asked, taking his hand. “I don’t think I have ever seen you dance.”

It was true. He had never danced with Deirdre. She had been too weary to perform the lively dances he preferred. “There is a lot about me you don’t know, Makenna,” he said, swinging her onto the floor. They quickly joined the crowd stomping their feet to the wailing music created by an assortment of skilled musicians.

Soon Makenna lost herself in the rhythm of the dance. The music shifted and the room seemed to get louder as more and more men joined in and swords appeared on the floor. Makenna jumped into the crowd beside a grinning Trista and clapped loudly as she watched Colin’s skill unfold. Very few practiced the form of dance Colin, Crawford, and a handful of other men were exhibiting. The dance was both celebratory and highly athletic as they jumped over swords and spiked shields with great accuracy and speed. Each time the tune repeated, the musicians would increase the tempo.