Binding Vows(64)
Tara watched the leaf fly to the right of the table and back again. “The blue and white pull.”
“Exactly.”
“I have a difficult time seeing the colors,” Lora admitted. “Then again, ’tis not my strongest gift.”
“You try.” The leaf settled on the table.
Mother and daughter worked with Tara for over an hour. The leaf did move, several times, but not in the direction Tara wanted. Lora said, “Don’t be discouraged. You will find your true gift one day, the gift that will set you apart from all others.
Myra suggested they practice for a set time daily, and Tara enthusiastically agreed.
****
When the lesson was finished, and the giggling over, what one of the knights decided to wear started to dominate the conversation, Lora took her leave. “They were too tight,” Tara went on. “It’s like he was asking every maid and lady to look at his package.”
“And not very impressive from what I could tell,”
Myra said, rolling her eyes.
Tara squealed. “Oh, you saucy wench. I can tell we’ll have lots to talk about once you pick a 189
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husband.”
Wistful, Myra glanced up at the sky, “Maybe someone will come to the wedding and catch my eye.” “It’s coming so fast, at times I want to pinch myself. I want to remember every detail.”
“The celebration will last for a week,” Myra explained. “So I doubt you will remember everything. It can be quite exhausting.”
“Why so long?”
“Traveling takes time. Knights from surrounding villages will bring their Lords and Ladies. Weddings are where many find future husbands and wives.”
“Are there any knights invited who you have considered?”
“I wish! The Lancaster’s will bring their son, Matthew and daughter, Regina. Regina has her eyes on Finlay, but in truth, I don’t think he cares much for her. Matthew is too short, too shy, and unless he is talking about birds, he has nothing to say. The man can’t stand up for himself if you ask me. He’s the butt of every jest amongst his peers. I’d feel sorry for him, if they weren’t so true.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you really think?”
“He is all that and more. You’ll see. There are others, but none whom I fancy. Da promised he would give me a choice. I pray he keeps his word.
Being un-married at twenty and one raises questions among the men.”
“And if none are worth choosing?”
Myra watched the clouds part. “Someone will come. I’ll know when he does.”
****
Brother Malloy made his life’s work joining together sinners in matrimony. His arrival to the MacCoinnich Keep and the surrounding village was much anticipated and welcomed. His arrival also 190
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brought changes in sleeping arraignments, at least for Duncan and Tara.
He made it very clear the good book did not give excuse for lustful behavior in any form. A marital bed was only to be used for the sake of creating life.
Therefore, the unmarried couple were to abstain from inappropriate behavior until after the nuptials.
Then the life they would create would be right with God. Duncan pissed and moaned to the point Brother Malloy threatened to leave without performing any service.
“Think of all the trouble Lora has gone through.
Guests have already started to arrive,” Tara pleaded with him.
“But we are already married.” Duncan argued in hushed tones away from the meddling clergy and his parents who were trying to convince the priest to stay. “Handfasting is not the same, and you know it.
He even said there have been brides and grooms who have called off the actual marriage after being handfasted.”
“Most of those are due to a woman being barren.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t make it right.”
He knew the injustice of this fact. “I agree.” He glared at the priest and looked back down at his bride.
They read each other’s internal thoughts with ease.
Her brow had turned in. “Would you think differently about me if I were unable to have children?”
He was being foolish. His selfishness was concerning his wife. “Nay, my love.” He cupped her face in his hands, brushed his lips over hers. “We are joined as few are, even without his vows.”
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“Good,” she said a bit louder. “Than a few days in separate beds won’t be such big a deal.”
“This is what you want?” He searched her eyes.
“I want to be your wife. And if Brother Malloy leaves, it could take months before another will come in his place.”
He hated her logic. “My bed will be lonely without you,” he whispered against her parted lips.