The Highlander's Forbidden Bride(99)

“You must wear your mother’s dress,” Addie said, already pulling the green gown off Carissa.

“You don’t mind?” Carissa asked.

Tears clouded Addie’s eyes. “I would want the same from my daughter. We will give your mother what she wished.”

Carissa hugged the woman again. “Thank you.”

“Let’s get you done,” Addie said. “Kate, you help her dress.”

Kate gave Addie a thankful nod for allowing her the privilege and joy of helping her niece on this very special day, while Addie continued to wipe tears from her eyes.

Knock followed knock until Honora, Zia, Alyce, and Kate’s daughters filled the room. They laughed and teased, and when they were done dressing Carissa, there was not a dry eye among them, except for Carissa.

The gown her mother had stitched for her own wedding appeared made for Carissa as well, for it fit her to perfection. The thought made her realize that she was truly her mother’s daughter. The white wool fell over her body, accenting every curve and mound down to her hips. And then it fell in a swirl of wool to her feet. The square neckline was embroidered with the same gold thread as the sleeves, Kate explaining that her sister had traded a traveling merchant several of her fine wool pieces for the gold thread. She had wanted something extra special for her dress, and she had gotten it, for it was the talk of the village for months following the wedding.

Carissa wore it proudly, as she did the lovely crown of winter greenery Honora had fashioned for her head.

She couldn’t have been more joyful and, when the time came for her to descend the steps and join in marriage with Ronan, she did so with a wide smile and a happy heart.

The ceremony was performed by a family friend, Bishop Edmond Aleatus. People had come from far and wide, just as Ronan had said they would, to join in the celebration.

Bethane had arrived a week before the wedding so that she could spend time with Zia and her great-granddaughter, Blythe. Septimus and Dykar and several more of her men were also in attendance.

It was wonderful having so many true friends there to share in their joy.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” Ronan asked when they had a moment alone.

“Five or six times,” she said with a smile. “But that’s all right, for I do not grow tired of hearing it.”

“Good,” he said, “for I do not grow tired of telling you.” And he lowered his lips to steal a kiss.

“Aunt Carissa, Aunt Carissa,” Aggie shouted, running up to the couple and grabbing Carissa’s hand. “You must come and see the trick Father is about to do. You must.”

Carissa shrugged as if to say there’s nothing I can do to prevent this and sent Ronan a smile as Aggie carted her away.

“I am glad to see that you finally opened your heart,” Bethane said, joining him.

Ronan gave the woman a kiss on the cheek. “I didn’t open it, Carissa did.”

Bethane laughed. “You opened it, and she stole it.”

“That I agree with,” Ronan said.

The celebration went long into the night, though the happy couple slipped away well before it ended. They went to the small cottage where they could be alone and where they planned to start their married life together, though plans for building a larger cottage were set for the spring.

Ronan kissed Carissa, his arms wrapped around her waist. “You feel well.”

“I keep telling you that I am fine. There is no need to worry,” Carissa said. “Besides, I have Zia when the time comes for the babe to be born, late summer or early fall from what she tells me.”

Ronan rested his hand to her stomach. “I wonder what it will be.”

“Bethane says a girl,” Carissa said. “And from what I hear, she is never wrong.”

“A daughter?”

“It disappoints you?”

“No,” he was quick to say. “It’s just that I’ll forever worry about her.”

“Have no fear, I will teach her to protect herself.” Carissa laughed. “Though she will have enough male cousins to do that, as Bethane predicts another boy for Honora and Cavan.”

“My brother must be bursting with joy. Three sons he’ll have.”

“I’ll give you as many sons as you want,” Carissa said, slipping her arms around his neck.

“Sons or daughters it matters not, for I will love them all as I love you.”

They kissed, and he eased away from her.

“I have a wedding gift for you,” he said, going to retrieve a basket partially covered with a cloth near the hearth.

“A gift for me?” Carissa said joyfully.

“A very special gift for you and you alone,” Ronan said, and holding the basket in front of her, he slipped off the cloth.