21
“Ithink I might die of fright when I see Murdoch,” Keira said, shivering with nervousness.
“Rubbish!” Adaira said dismissively, smiling as she pushed daisies into her friend’s thick auburn tresses. “You will run to his side and tell him how much you love him.”
“Aye, an’ I will no’ be surprised if ye disappear intae the woods very shortly after that!” Moira laughed and winked as she pulled a few creases out of Keira’s simple day dress.
It was made of linen, and its color, a deep grey-blue, was exactly the same as her eyes. Previously she had worn it in the evenings when she had the chance to curl up in the corner with a book, or sewing or knitting, a craft she was teaching herself. Her father rarely sat with her after dinner, so it was a happy place with good memories that she associated with the dress, one of the reasons she had chosen it.
She had sold most of her evening dresses and given the money to the community, and the few that were left had been remodeled into simpler dresses for the odd special occasion.
The dress had a plain round neck, long sleeves, and a fitted waist, then fell in straight folds to Keira’s ankles. There was no lace or any silken trims, she wore no jewelry, and her only ornaments were the fresh flowers in her hair.
“I am so scared,” Keira whispered to her friend.
“About tonight?” Adaira asked.
Keira nodded. “This is something I never really thought about before. I thought I was going to be married off to an ugly, old, rich man.”
“As I was,” Adaira said drily. “Listen to me, Keira. You are with a man who loves you and will be gentle with you. I wish I had been so fortunate.” For a moment she looked desolate, then she perked up and smiled. “But that was a long time ago. This is a happy day.” She stood back and looked at the bride. “You look lovely, Keira. But why did you choose this dress? It is very plain.”
“Because Murdoch likes it,” Keira replied simply. “And that is all that matters.”
* * *
“Were you trembling on your wedding day?” Murdoch asked Dougie as he tightened the belt on his kilt. “Because I am sure going into battle is not as frightening as this!”
“I didnae have time tae be scared,” Dougie replied, shrugging. “It was over before we thought about it. Mind, we will have tae go tae Edinburgh tae make it a’ legal.”
“That is the least of my worries!” Murdoch grumbled. “I feel as if a flock of bees have made a hive in my stomach.”
Dougie patted his back. “Would a wee dram o’ the good stuff help?”
“Aye, it would,” Murdoch answered thankfully.
Dougie poured him a generous measure, then raised his glass. “Sláinte Mhath! To happiness!” he cried.
“Sláinte Mhath!” Murdoch answered. “To happiness and a peaceful life.” He drank down all the spirit in one draft, then squared his shoulders and thrust out his chest. “Time to go, my friend.”
* * *
The glade where the marriage was taking place was the same one where Keira had practiced her archery and threatened Murdoch’s life. He smiled as he walked into it, surprised to see that the old target was still there.
Everyone in the community was there, from the oldest to the youngest, even babies who were suckling at their mothers’ breasts.
A bower of tree branches under which the marriage ceremony would take place had been erected. Keira and Murdoch had called in the help of the oldest citizen in the village, Alastair Wallace, who was respected for his wisdom, to perform the ceremony. He was not an ordained minister or a priest, and although he conducted betrothals and marriages, which were permitted under the law, he never baptized babies unless there was an emergency.
Now, however, there was nothing but a peaceful air of contentment and anticipation in the clearing. There was no wedding music. The sounds of babies gurgling, children laughing, and the song of birdsong in the trees were the only hymns they needed.
Keira, hand in hand with Moira on one side and Adaira on the other, came to join Murdoch, and as they relinquished her to her bridegroom, her heart was overflowing with love.
Murdoch’s bright hair was shining in the sun, and his apple-green eyes were glowing as he looked down at his love. At that moment, everything was right with his world. He was holding the woman of his dreams, he had his own house to live in, and in time he would have children and a little empire of his own that he would call his family. But that was all in the future. Now, there was only Keira and him…
“Keira an’ Murdoch,” Alaistair began, smiling at each of them. “Are ye here of yer own free will?”
“I am,” Keira replied.
“Yes,” answered Murdoch.