“Yer nae sorry,” she grumbled as the carriage rattled down the cobblestone streets.
“Aye, I am,” he said as hope filled him. “Truly. But I was a lad in love wit’ ye. Just as I am now.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed as she turned her eyes back to the open window. “Ye daenae ken the first thin’ about love.”
The carriage bolted, causing Elena’s body to thrust forward. She sprang out of her seat as if a snake bit her and landed in his lap.
“If ye wanted me, ye need only ask. Although, I daenae think now is the time for such things. We’ve arrived.”
A low growl escaped Elena as she pushed herself off him. Dusting her hands on her dress, she looked at the door as it opened.
“After ye,” Gabriel said, holding a hand to help her out. Pushing his hand aside, Elena struggled to get out of the carriage. She landed hard on the street and righted herself quickly before darting to the banquet at her family’s house.
Gabriel shook his head as he watched her walk to the door. “Stubborn as always.”
“There’s the happy couple!” Cheers from Elena’s family filled Gabriel’s ears as he moved quickly to Elena’s side.
“Perhaps we can bury the hatchet now that we are married?” he whispered in her ear. Elena flinched as his breath tickled her bare neck. He pulled in a deep breath inhaling her floral scent. To him, she had never smelled or looked so ravishing.
Gently guiding her arm around his, he locked them together and kept her by his side. Flower petals littered the ground as the bells rang. Gabriel escorted Elena to the dais where two chairs were placed behind a short table.
Pulling her chair out with his right hand, he put her in the seat before taking his. Music filled the hall as the guests danced about them in celebration. In the corner of his eye, he noticed the pout on Elena’s lip. The way the corners turned down made his heart break.
Although he wanted nothing more than to explain to her why it was he who married her, he held his tongue. After all, if she wanted nothing to do with him, he wasn’t going to change her mind. At least, not then.
I’ll find a way to melt the ice around yer heart.
Gabriel smiled as Iona moved through the crowd with a pitcher in hand. He watched the liquid flow into the silver goblets before them.
“May the road rise to meet ye,” Iona said with a wink. Elena flashed a smile that did not touch her eyes. Exhaling sharply, Gabriel lifted his cup and turned to Elena. Reluctantly, she grabbed her cup, lifted it, and before a single word escaped his lips, Elena emptied her cup.
“Dance wit’ me,” Gabriel said, setting the cup down.
“There are plenty of others who are vyin’ for yer attention, go amuse them,” Elena snapped.
“Aye, but I dinnae marry them. I married ye.”
“Dancin’ is for rejoicin’ and I havenae the strength to do so,” she said without looking at him.
“What is this?” Darragh asked as his voice caught Gabriel off guard. Gabriel wasn’t expecting to see his uncle-in-law directly behind them and wasn’t sure when the old man even entered the hall.
“Yer husband asked for a dance,” Darragh said as he lowered his head between Elena and Gabriel. “Ye do as yer told, when yer told. Is that clear?”
“I’m nay longer yer problem, uncle,” Elena growled through tight lips.
“Yer my problem till the union is made whole,” Darragh said. A prick of anger stabbed Gabriel. Although there was no doubt Elena wasn’t fond of him, Gabriel wasn’t about to let Darragh speak such things to Elena.
“Suppose a drink then?” Gabriel asked as he quickly pushed his chair away from the table forcing Darragh to step back.
“Actually, I think I will take that dance,” Elena answered although her voice was distant. Gabriel smiled briefly as Elena pushed her way past Darragh.
Gabriel’s heart pounded in his chest as Elena’s hand slipped into his. The spark he felt when she touched him outside the Kirk shot through him once again. For a moment he wondered if Elena felt it too. By her reaction, it seemed as if she had, if only for a moment.
“Has yer uncle always been that way?” Gabriel asked as he spun her around before pulling her close. Elena’s eyes shifted to her uncle and nodded.
“I see,” he said as the tune shifted and transitioned to a different song.
“Do ye think I’m like that?” he asked. His chest tightened as he waited for her response.