My Brave Highlander(132)

Wearing her wedding attire, Isobel could not wait for the cue to descend the stairs. The boisterous laughter and revelry told her the clans were enjoying starting the celebration early.

Hearing footsteps, she glanced out the door to see her brother, wearing a nice belted plaid of dark blue, white and green, making his way down the corridor. Jessie and Beitris adjusted her veil and her plaid sash, then Jessie handed Isobel a small bouquet of dried heather and greenery.

"Are you ready for your wedding, sister?" Cyrus asked.

"Aye, more than ready." She'd been tempted all morning to make a mad dash down the stairs to find Dirk. She hadn't been allowed to see him all day.

Cyrus grinned and offered his elbow. "I wish Mother and Father could be here today," he said as they moved along the corridor. "They would be so happy for you, because you've found what they had."

"Aye. Cease or you'll make me cry." Tears already burned her eyes and Dirk hated to see her crying.

Cyrus chuckled. "Very well. Today is for happiness only."

"Indeed."

Once they'd descended the turnpike stair, single-file, she took his elbow again and they proceeded into the great hall. Aiden played a lovely ballad on his flute while they walked down an aisle in the middle of the dozens in attendance from all three clans.

Where he waited before the massive fireplace with the reverend, Dirk smiled, looking so handsome in his blue and black belted plaid, a fancy black doublet and all the finishing touches. Seeing how happy he looked, she wanted to run to him and fling herself into his arms. Instead, she marched sedately beside her brother, her smile so broad her cheeks ached. Tears of joy threatened but she kept them under control.

Rebbie, standing beside Dirk, briefly elbowed him in the ribs, but she was glad to see that Dirk wouldn't take his eyes off her. Instead, he smiled wider.

Once Cyrus handed her off to Dirk, he grasped her hand and kissed it.

Dirk distracted her so much, 'twas difficult to pay attention to the reverend's words. She only knew she wanted to be his wife and cherish him always. Once they finished their vows and Reverend MacMahon announced they were man and wife, Dirk drew her to him and kissed her in a lingering and delicious way that enslaved her senses. Could she drag him to his bed now?

She wrapped her arms around his neck and, between kisses, whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too, lass," he murmured against her ear, lifted her and swung her around, making her even dizzier. She laughed.

A boisterous cheer went up, along with several bawdy whistles from the crowd. Aiden played a lively, joyful tune on his violin. Everyone congratulated them, shaking hands and embracing them.

A short time later, Jessie pointed them toward the decorated high table. The rest of the tables in the hall were assembled and moved into place so the feast could begin.

Reverend MacMahon said grace and then the first course of food was served. Aiden began playing The Laird o' Logie. She grasped Dirk's hand, tears coming to her eyes.

He leaned to whisper in her ear. "Shh, lass. Don't cry."

"You are my dream come true," she whispered back.

He kissed her, but that only made her cry harder because she was so happy.