IntoEternity (31 page)

“Nay, nay.” He shook his head. “Let me have my say.” He
turned back to Gusty.

“I love you, daughter, as well as any father can love his
own flesh and blood. That is why I sent you and your brother into hiding. It
was the best I could do to keep you safe. For years I wondered how you endured.
If you were well. If you lived. When I found you had returned I rejoiced.

“But then I discovered what Hagen had done and I grew
furious. No man could have you so easily. As your father I alone have the say
as to who you shall marry. But that decision was taken from me without my
knowledge. When I found out you were only handfasted to the Sutherland I
undertook to correct the situation. I moved before I considered how my actions
would affect you. I realize you are a grown woman capable of knowing your own
heart.” He swallowed as if the words came hard.

“Augusta, my own daughter. I ask for your forgiveness. I
pray you can find it in your heart to love this old man as much as he loves you
no matter what he has done.”

Gusty threw herself into to her father’s embrace and wept
against his broad chest. His arms tightened around her and she felt the light
touch of his lips on her forehead.

“Father,” Gusty sobbed. “Of course I love you.” She kissed
his weathered cheek and then reached up to wipe the tear that spilled from the
corner of his eye.

“Please, Father, you did what you had to do when you sent us
away. I am not criticizing either you or Mother. I had a happy life and as it
turned out”—she drew back and looked up at him—“I could not have asked for a
better man than Alexander Sutherland to love.” Gusty reached up and caressed
his whiskered cheek.

“Father, I don’t blame you for what you did. But please
believe that Alexander and I will have a long and happy life together.”

She glanced at her mother and found Isabelle weeping
silently, her hands covering her mouth. She needed as much comfort as Malcolm.

“Mother needs you, Father.”

With a quick hug, she left him in the company of her mother.
The two of them were so engrossed with each other they did not object to her
desertion.

Gusty had one more thing to do before she wed. She needed to
find her grandparents. She caught sight of Maeve and Hagen when she crossed the
back of the great hall. She had hoped they would not leave before the wedding
but it was impossible to tell what they might do or where they might go next. Gusty
would love to have all her family around her when she married Alexander. Hagen
had been the only witness to their handfasting. Now not only would her parents be
in attendance but the king and his loyal subjects would be present as well. She
needed all the support she could get if she wanted to get through her big
evening. She made her way across the great hall to where Maeve and Hagen stood,
warming themselves before the hearth.

“Ah, dear child, how lovely you look. The gown is exquisite.
Your mother’s work?” Maeve wrapped her arms around Gusty and squeezed. “Love
your young Highland laird well. Just remember, sweet lass, no matter what
obstacles Fate chooses to toss in your way, love and time will find a way
around them.”

Before Gusty could ask Maeve to explain her cryptic words
Hagen surged forward, gathered Gusty close and kissed her brow.

“I love you, wee lassie. May Fortune smile on you and your
young man and may you both live a long and happy life.”

He set her away from him and she noticed the tears that
dimmed his old eyes. She rushed back into his arms and kissed his cheek.

“You will always be my grandparents. Never forget it. You
and Maeve are always welcome in our home and in our lives. Do not be strangers.
I mean it.”

* * * * *

An hour later, Alexander and Gusty stood in the small room at
the rear of the chapel with Father Dominic, Malcolm Sinclair and Davin the Norseman.
The soon-to-be-married couple was there to sign the marriage contracts drawn up
in the last week, which King Edgar had signed and stamped with his approval. Her
father and Alexander’s friend would stand as witnesses.

It had never occurred to Gusty that she was born into
wealth. She had not thought much about money until she stood beside Alexander,
listening to her father read the long list of all the properties and riches she
would bring into the marriage. Then Davin read the list of Alexander’s
possessions and monies and to Gusty’s surprise, she discovered she was marrying
a rich man, a titled man, a mighty Highland chieftain.

The reality of her present situation was only beginning to
flood in on her. Her parents, who just over a year ago had not even existed for
her, loved her dearly. This tall, powerful man standing at her side, whom she
loved with all her heart and who desired her above all others, would soon
become her true husband. They were surrounded by their friends and neighbors,
who came to show their approval and to wish them the very best. There was only
one thing Gusty wanted and she would be completely satisfied. But she knew she
was wishing for the impossible so she pushed the thought away and concentrated
on the events happening around her.

The ceremony proceeded almost immediately, with Malcolm
Sinclair giving her away after he had walked her up the short aisle of the
chapel. He tenderly kissed her cheek before placing her trembling hand into the
palm of the groom. Alexander smiled down at her and squeezed her fingers gently
to reassure her. She grinned up at him and then together they turned and faced
the priest.

The ceremony proceeded without a hitch and Father Dominic
read from his missal and then blessed their union.

“I remember the last time we pledged our vows to each other.
You were magnificent in all your natural glory…with only your lovely long hair
to shield you from my view.” Alexander spoke in a low voice only she could hear.

“You cannot say such things here. We are in church, for God’s
sake!” she whispered back in shock.

He squeezed her hand and nodded to the priest, who was
frowning at them as he waited to continue the ceremony.

“Please go on, Father,” she said and then she glared at
Alexander. How dare he bring up the embarrassing incident on the seashore now!

“I will never forget it, my sweet selkie. Fate brought you
to me the first time and Fate returned you to me again, after all these years.
I love you more than life and I will never let you out of my sight again.”

“Do you wish to perform the ceremony, Laird Sutherland?”
Father Dominic whispered. “I am willing to step down from this platform to make
room for you.”

“Nay, Father. Continue please.”

With no more interruptions, it took little time until they
had repeated their vows. Father Dominic closed his prayer book and lifted his
head to pronounce them man and wife but a great commotion broke out at the back
of the chapel.

Outraged whispers erupted from the crowd as the handsome
stranger made his way slowly down the aisle, his menacing, dark features set in
a deep scowl, his eyes locked on the front of the chapel. The ring of his boots
echoed on the stone floor in the hallowed sanctuary as he moved forward, his
hand on the hilt of his sword, in an obvious threat to anyone who dared to try to
stop him.

Alexander recognized the man as the mysterious warrior who
had ridden out on the bloody battlefield to join Edgar and his forces and help
to insure victory against the Northern invaders.

“What do you here, friend? Whom do you seek?” Alexander
asked, his annoyance at the interruption of his wedding ceremony evident in his
tone but he held on to his temper for Gusty’s sake.

“I cannot in good faith let this wedding proceed.” The
stranger’s deep voice rang through the crowded chapel.

Alexander bristled at the statement and reached for his
short sword, sliding it from its sheath as he took a menacing step forward.
Davin, who’d stood at Alexander’s side throughout the ceremony, followed suit,
but before Alexander could advance any farther Gusty grabbed his arm. He
glanced down to find her grinning widely at the newcomer, her eyes sparkling
with happiness. He frowned and tried to move her behind him but she refused to
budge. What was wrong with his little bride, could she not understand the seriousness
of the situation? He shook his head in warning to her and then turned his
attention back to the warrior.

“I think it best you leave, friend.” He fought to hold back
his temper as a concession to his bride and the chapel full of guests but his
control was slipping. He would only give this stranger one warning and then
there would be swordplay.

“I cannot do that, not yet. There is something I must see to
here.”

“And what might that be?”

“I must congratulate my sister on her nuptials and her new
husband on his good fortune in finding a great woman to marry.”

At his words Gusty squealed in obvious delight. She lifted
the hem of her gown to race up the aisle to meet him.

In a great hug he lifted her off the floor and swung her
around and around as he kissed her forehead, her cheeks and then bent his head
to whisper something in her ear that brought tears to her eyes.

She smiled brilliantly at him and said, “You’re in big
trouble, Michael.”

Michael nodded. Alexander was taken aback as he watched the interaction
between his wife and the fearless young warrior. He had fought beside this man,
never knowing they were related or that he was the son of a great chieftain?

“Proceed, Father.” Michael escorted Gusty up the aisle to
return her to Alexander. He kissed her cheek, turned her around and gave her a
little push into Alexander’s arms. He then took a seat next to his parents, neither
of whom looked at all shocked at seeing their long-lost son.

“You may kiss your bride, Laird Sutherland,” the priest
hurriedly declared, looking relieved that what could have been a potential
clash of swords and bloodletting in this sanctified house of God had turned out
to be nothing more than a family reunion.

Alexander did not need to be told twice. He took Gusty into
his arms and gave her a sweet kiss that went on and on, and nothing short of
the uproarious cheers from the onlookers made him draw back. He smiled
wolfishly at the blush that covered Gusty’s cheeks then raised her hand to his
lips and kissed the palm before he led her down the aisle to the door of the
chapel. They made their way across the courtyard to the great hall, where a
grand feast awaited them. Crowds of onlookers cheered them as they walked by.

Gusty was happier than she had ever been in her entire life.
Her family was all here and the most extraordinary man loved her.

“You must be pleased with your victory, Lady Sutherland.
Capturing yourself a rich husband willing to put you before his clan. Does he
know what you are? Does he cleave to witches and the black arts they practice
now? I think not. I think a word in his ear and he will pitch you out on your
pretty little arse.”

Gusty stepped back, shocked at the venomous words that
poured from the mouth of the sour-faced man. The alcohol on his breath was foul
and only the half dozen rough hands descending on his person saved him from a
blade in the back as Alexander stood behind Bart, listening to every filthy
thing he said.

“I would be very careful about the next words that come out
of your mouth,
Uncle
. They very well might be the last you ever utter.”

Gusty watched as several Sutherland warriors escorted Bart
from the hall. She turned and took the arm Alexander offered.

“Come, my lovely bride. Let my men dispose of that refuse.
The wedding feast is ready. I came to claim my right as your trencher mate. No
other shall have the privilege.”

Gusty moved across the room, pleased at the sight of the
decorated tables. Dozens of tall wax tapers set among garlands of greenery lit
the white linen-covered table while colorful banners hung gaily from the edge.

“Oh, this is lovely!”
she exclaimed as Alexander helped her to her seat.

They waited only for the
king’s royal nod before servants rushed forward to offer the choicest pieces of
meat and side dishes to the wedding party at the head table. Their goblets were
filled with only the best wine.

As they enjoyed their
meal the great hall was awash with the festive sounds of their wedding
celebration and the delicious smells of good food. A parade of servants carried
in huge platters of roasted boar and venison, stuffed quail in feathers, glazed
duck and herring. They moved about the long trestle tables, offering side
dishes of roasted potatoes, boiled turnips and carrots, along with stewed
rabbit and mutton. Fresh fruits and wild berry tarts followed the main courses.
Pitchers of ale and mead sat at intervals down the center of each table that
lined the hall to accommodate the overflow. People crowded the wooden planked
tables of the great hall, filling their trenchers as their cups were
replenished by young pages given that specific duty.

The festivities ran throughout the afternoon and well into
evening. The moon rode high in the sky by the time the celebration finally wound
down and those guest who had not already retired to their rooms drank
themselves into oblivion.

Knowing what was coming, even though they had already been
handfasted and shared a bed, Gusty followed Alexander to their bedchamber. With
the door firmly barricaded against anyone who might want to interrupt them,
Gusty was ready to have Alexander all to herself for the rest of the night.
There was no reason to hurry now that they were safely ensconced in their
chamber. They’d just experienced a day they would remember the rest of their
lives. And now the night ahead promised to be filled with sexual pleasures.

* * * * *

Duncan raced down the dimly lit corridor with a duty to
fulfill. He had overheard something important and he knew he had to relay the
information to his cousin without delay. Duncan felt sure he’d gain the respect
he so wanted when Alexander heard what Duncan had to tell him. As he stopped
outside his cousin’s chambers and raised his fist to knock on the door he
paused at a sound behind him. Spinning around, he found Davin moving toward him
and before Duncan could accomplish his goal the giant Norseman grabbed him and
slung him high up over his shoulder.