The Highlander's Lady Knight (Midsummer Knights #2) - Madeline Martin Page 0,39
impossible.
The first two had been found in the taverns, slobbering over serving wenches and so ripe with drink, their words were incoherent. Even if they could recall the wedding vows, it was doubtful they would be understood. One of them had at least pointed in the direction of a man who might help.
They found him rushing through the village. He took one look at their clasped hands and gave an exasperated sigh. “Another union in a hurry?” He looked upward as though seeking God’s agreement at the incredulity. “These tournaments are preposterous with so many rushed weddings.”
“Will ye be free to wed us?” Cormac asked.
“Not tonight,” the priest replied in a brusque tone.
“Is there another priest then?” Isolde asked in a rush of desperation.
He shook his head. “There are only three of us, and someone’s already enlisted my services. I take it that the other two were already sotted?”
Isolde nodded and tried to suppress her disappointment, for it weighed as heavy upon her as a millstone.
His severe expression softened, and she could see that he was actually quite young. “I’ve no plans on the morrow,” he replied. “I can marry you then. After the feast.”
Isolde’s heart slid into her stomach. There were too many things that could go horribly wrong in the morning. When the fight against Brodie’s impossible champion ensued. There may not be a tomorrow.
“We’ll see ye after the feast on the morrow,” Cormac said confidently.
The priest nodded and dashed off, muttering to himself. Matilda kept her distance in order to allow Isolde the opportunity to speak candidly with Cormac.
Isolde clasped his hand more tightly. “That is too late.”
He shook his head. “Nay, my love. We will wed tomorrow. I will defeat—”
She pressed her mouth to his to still his words. Her heart could not bear to have that conversation again. How could she allow him to fight Edmund? Especially after she’d seen that great hulking beast of a man.
Undefeated.
How could either of them possibly win?
She didn’t want to think about any of it. “Bed me tonight,” she said between kisses.
He pulled back and regarded her with uncertainty.
She ran her hand over his cheek, and the short stubble rasped over her fingertips. “No one need to know the priest cannot do it tonight. We’ll be wed tomorrow but can tell everyone we are man and wife already, especially once I’ve been bedded.”
He was beginning to shake his head, but she caught his face between her hands to stop the action. “My honor is already in question. If I’m to be judged for something I did not do, I might as well enjoy it.” Despite her bold words, a hot blush stole over her chest and face. “With the man I will soon wed.”
He frowned, apparently not liking the idea.
“Please,” she whispered. “Is that not what you say when I’ve told you ‘nay?’”
“I’m no’ saying ‘nay .’”
Isolde bit her lip to still the widening of her smile. “Then I will take that as an ‘aye.’”
How could Cormac possibly refuse Isolde’s request when she gazed at him thus? Her eyes were bright with hope; her mouth still red from their kisses; her cheeks flushed with excitement and desire. He would take her here and now if he could.
After all, they would be wed on the morrow.
He cradled her face. “Aye,” he replied gruffly as he lowered his lips to hers once more.
He could spend a lifetime kissing her in the middle of the village, his body hot with the flames of lust. Thunder rumbled overhead, and rain began to spatter out of the clouds in a mist that warned of an oncoming storm.
She leaned her head back and smiled coyly at him. “Come to my rooms at the castle.”
He hesitated. He would be having her before they were wed. His father would roll in his grave at the idea of Cormac even considering taking a lady’s innocence without first being her husband.
She laughed at Cormac’s delayed reply. “We cannot very well go to your tent.”
“Isolde, mayhap we ought to—”
The mirth dimmed from her eyes, and she shook her head. “Please don’t change your mind.”
He went quiet, unable to speak what they both were thinking. As confident as he was in his own ability to fight, it did not eliminate the possibility that he might soon die. If he got her with child…
She put her hand in his once more, wrapping her tapered fingers around his wide palm. “Come.” She tugged at him in an effort to lead him toward the