Taken by Graeme (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders Book 1) Page 20
“I’m asking ye to marry me,” he told her. “I want ye to be my wife and spend the rest of our days together.”
“Graeme, are ye sure about this? I dinnae want ye making any rash decisions just because I almost died.”
“It’s nae about that,” Graeme assured her. “I was already planning on asking ye before this whole thing took place. The one regret I’d have is nae asking ye sooner. Ye’re the only one fer me, now and forever.”
“Ye mean that?”
He leaned in to kiss her on the lips and said, “I swear on my uncle’s grave.”
A solitary tear dripped down her cheek as she pulled back to look into the gray eyes she’d come to adore. “Oh, Graeme, of course, I will. Nothing would make me happier than to have ye as my husband.”
Graeme chuckled. “Oof, that will take some getting used to. It will be difficult to think of myself as anyone’s husband, but since I am devoted to ye completely it seems appropriate.”
He gazed at her with tears glistening in his eyes and said, “I’ll ask permission from the laird right away.”
Elspeth smiled brilliantly. “Good. I cannae wait to start my life with ye.”
***
Three days later, Elspeth stood in the chapel of Kisimul wearing a sky-blue gown Bess gifted her for the occasion. Her golden hair was tied back with a ribbon underneath a silk veil as she walked toward the altar. The pews were filled to bursting, with so many in attendance the crowd had overflowed into the courtyard and beyond. She fought back tears of joy as Graeme stood across from her at the altar and offered her his hand.
It was the happiest day of her life and everyone from their crew was present. Seamus, Alistair, Valan, even Bartholomew and Ian—all of them had come to celebrate their union. A hush fell across the service as the ceremony began and Bess wiped her tears away with a handkerchief.
Elspeth’s heart skipped a beat as she turned to Graeme and lost herself in his cool, gray stare. The rest of the world seemed to fall away and it was just the two of them. Graeme took her by the hands as the priest brought out a ribbon and approached them. Her tiny fingers fit snugly into his as the clergyman wrapped their hands together and continued with the service in Latin. The fabric bound them together symbolically, in the eyes of God, and to all the people present. They were of one heart.
“Elspeth, do ye take this man to be yer lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health fer as long as ye both shall live?”
“I do,” Elspeth responded.
“And do ye, Graeme, take this woman to be yer lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health fer as long as ye both shall live?”
He smiled at her and said, “I do.”
“Then I now pronounce ye man and wife,” the priest announced. “Ye may kiss the bride.”
Graeme lifted the veil over her head and kissed her. A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd and she smiled against his lips. They faced the crowd together and lifted their hands up high into the air in celebration.
Everyone clapped as they made their way down the aisle and white flower petals flittered down from the rafters. It was a whirlwind of celebration as they headed toward the door. Bess and Alistair both embraced them with a hug. Eventually, she and Graeme made it out into the courtyard and it was full of even more surprises. Kisimul had been decorated with flowers and boughs of foliage along the stairwell. Everywhere she looked, she saw smiling faces and people happy to share in their joyous ceremony. People filled the courtyard and all the way up the parapet, waving to them and calling out their names.
“Congratulations, Graeme and Elspeth! We wish ye well!”
“Aye, congratulations!”
Elspeth couldn’t stop smiling as Graeme led her down the crowd toward the ship on the edge of the water. A rowboat just big enough for the two of them was filled with flowers and white silk, decorated for their honeymoon. She glanced over at him curiously and he shrugged. “Dinnae look at me. I had nothing to do with it.”
“I did,” Claire announced. They both turned and found the Lady of Kisimul smiling from the castle entrance. “It’s my wedding present,” she informed them. “I wish ye both eternal happiness.”
Elspeth eyes misted over as she nodded. “That’s most generous, lady,”
Graeme caught her attention and gestured to the ship. “Well, my love. Shall we?”
She took his hand and Graeme helped her into the ship by picking up all her skirts. Claire and Laird Thomas waved to them as she settled into the bench. Graeme sat down at the pair of oars and pushed them off the rocky outcropping. The boat drifted out into the water. Elspeth gazed out into the harbor. It was overflowing with similar ships and people who’d been unable to fit inside the castle walls.
“I cannae believe this is happening,” she told him with a smile.
Graeme grinned at her, pulling the oars back toward his chest. “Believe it, love. Our adventure has not yet started.”
One year later…
EPILOGUE
Oban, the Coast of Lorne
Elspeth sighed as she stepped out onto the wooden dock of Oban, placing her hand on a rounded belly. The village seemed so small after everything that had happened, and it brought a flood of strong emotions. A happy sob started to rise up in her chest and Graeme came up beside her to take Elspeth by the hand.
“Are ye ready fer this?”
She nodded with a teary smile. “I promised Hamish that I’d come back fer him.”
He smiled back at her and nodded.
Together, they walked down the pier and made their way out into the market. With every step, her stomach would flip and cause a thrill of excitement to rush through her. People would stop and stare at them as she walked passed. Her calfskin pants and linen shirt were not what the people here were accustomed to. She was nae the lass that they remembered.
Elspeth was a pirate, wedded to a MacNeil and pregnant with his child. Her life had never been happier.
Being married to Graeme was everything she never knew was exactly what she wanted. As they continued through the port, Graeme put his arm around her to help Elspeth up the hill.
“Are ye well, love?”
She nodded. “Aye, just a little lightheaded.”
“Take it easy,” he encouraged. “We’re nae in any rush.”
She smiled in response and gazed up at the dirt path that led to her father’s cottage. The rocky hill was difficult for her to navigate, but Graeme helped her ascend until they were standing in front of her old cottage. When they were in sight of the garden, Angus and her brothers came rushing outside to greet them. Hamish was wearing the silver necklace and when he caught sight of her rounded belly his face erupted into a smile.
“I kent ye’d keep yer promise.”
About Jennifer Siddoway
Jennifer is an author from Tallahassee, Florida and a member of the Florida Writers Association.
After receiving a degree in theatre from BYU and working as a scenic artist for twelve years, she changed careers to do what she really loves—writing. Jennifer believes that part of her job as an artist and story teller is to create a narrative that explores a fresh perspective and leaves the audience thinking.
When she’s not busy writing or burying her nose in a book, Jennifer enjoys doing medieval reenactment with her husband and two children.
You can find out more about Jennifer Siddoway and her books at: http://www.jensiddoway.com
Other titles by Jennifer Siddoway
The Earthwalker Trilogy
Dealing with the Devil (Book 1)
The Devil’s Due (Book 2)
Down in Flames (Book 3)
The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders
Taken by Graeme (Book 1)
Rescued by Valan (Book 2) – Coming Soon!
The Highlander’s Secret
Reviews are always appreciated!
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