“You mean like being adopted into the clan?” She sat back on her heels and looked up at him. “My people have a ceremony like that. It’s called ‘relative by choice.’ It’s a very serious promise. Is that what you mean?”
“Something like that, aye.” He watched as she brought a thumbnail to her mouth while thinking it over. God’s blood, he longed to take her into his arms and hold her. This path had to be trod carefully. He did not want to frighten her into rebellion.
“It would be an honor to become a MacKintosh, but it wouldn’t really change anything. I’d still earn my own way.”
“I have your consent?”
“Yes, Malcolm.” She nodded, her eyes large and grave.
The solemn look on her face tugged at his heart. “Get dressed, lass. I dinna want any of my men to see you thus.” He took several steps away and turned toward the forest, acutely aware of her presence. The sounds of garments being removed and replaced caused his body to tighten and his blood to heat.
“Malcolm?”
“Aye, lass.”
“Just because I become a MacKintosh, doesn’t mean that you’re—”
“Dinna say it,” he growled.
“Don’t say what?”
“Dinna say that I am no’ a bossamee.” The sound of her laughter healed the welt her words had left on his hide. He grinned into the forest. All would be well.
“It’s three words, Malcolm. Boss. Of. Me. Boss refers to someone who has authority over a person.”
“Authority, you say? And as you see it, I dinna have authority over you?”
“Nope. I am my own boss.”
He grinned. “Hmmm. Once you become a MacKintosh, you will be under my authority. All the clan is, lass.”
“That’s different. I’m talking personal authority, and you’re talking clan authority.”
“Aye?” Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, he saw she’d dressed once again in a proper gown. Giving a sharp whistle, he waited for his men to answer his summons. Robley and Liam were the first to appear. True’s surprised expression amused him. Galen came forward next, along with his brother, Gareth. Angus took up the rear. Malcolm spoke to them in rapid Gaelic. Liam nodded and came forward. With his knife, he cut a strip from the end of Malcolm’s feileadh breacan. The rest of his men formed a loose circle in the clearing.
“Alethia, come to me.” Once she stood next to him, he reached for her right hand, taking hold of it around the wrist with his right hand. Liam wrapped the strip of plaid around their joined wrists several times, binding the ends together in a knot. “What is your whole name, mo cridhe?”
“Alethia Grace Goodsky.”
“True Grace.” He smiled into her eyes as his men murmured appreciation. “I will speak first. Then I will tell you what to say in response. ’Twill be spoken in Gàidhlig.” She nodded, her eyes wide with trust. He spoke his vows quickly.
“I’ll say the words for your response, and you repeat them.” True nodded, and he began. He knew she strained to understand what she was saying. Her brow furrowed in concentration, her head tilted slightly as if doing so would help her hear the words more clearly.
“Mo colann means my body. What am I to do with my body, Malcolm?”
“We’ll think of something, lass.” His men chortled. Alethia’s expression went from curious to suspicious in a trice. “Ah, you’re pledging your fealty, Alethia. Many of our words have different meanings depending on how they’re used.”
She studied him for a moment, nodded and told him to proceed. ’Twas the truth, and he was certain she’d read it from him. Once she completed her vows, he leaned down and kissed her lightly.
“Galen, see that my wife’s things are packed and taken to the island.”
“What? Wait. Wife?” Alethia’s eyes went around the circle of men, twice, before she could look at Malcolm. “What just happened here?”
“We handfasted.”
“What does that mean?”
He leaned down close to her ear, and his warm breath sent a tingle down to her toes. “It means we’ve said our wedding vows before God and witnesses.” He repeated the vows—in English this time: “I, Malcolm William, son of William of clan MacKintosh, pledge my troth to thee, Alethia Grace Goodsky. With my hands, I shall provide for thee. With my body, I pledge to protect thee. With my heart, I shall cherish thee, and only thee, all the days of my life. As God is my witness, and before my clan, from this day forward, we are husband and wife.”
He grinned. “You are my wife. I am your husband.”