The Highlander's Lady Knight (Midsummer Knights #2) - Madeline Martin Page 0,49

in the moonlight, wearing a lovely blue kirtle with small beads that winked like stars in the semi-darkness. Matilda was at her side, ready to bear witness to their union, the same as Alan, who followed behind Cormac. Graham had wanted to come but had to see about his own lady

Pip raced toward her with his usual eagerness, excitedly greeting her before Cormac even had a chance. Isolde stood as he approached and smiled at him so broadly and beautifully that his heart squeezed.

She wore a crown of white flowers on her head, her long auburn hair left unbound to blow gently around her in the light breeze. She reached for him as he approached, and he caught her slender hand in his, lifting it to his lips. No longer caring if he looked like a courtier or not. He simply wanted nothing more than her happiness.

Mayhap it would be best to tell her about the melee after they wed. Aye, that’s what he would do. Wait until they were alone and could speak privately.

“Will ye marry me now, my bonny Isolde?” he asked.

“Aye.” She pushed their clasped hands to her chest. “With all the joy in my heart.”

Together, their small party entered the village to where the priest awaited them in the small stone church. They made their vows there, amid several rows of empty pews and whitewash chipping from every corner of the stone walls. Only several candles had been lit, giving off more greasy smoke than light. It was not the typical wedding of an earl’s daughter, let alone that of a chieftain.

But the woman he married was what made it all perfect.

In the end, the priest pronounced them man and wife in God’s eyes and those of man. They kissed chastely, and with that, their souls were bound for all eternity.

They intended to stay the night in the castle, without fear of reproach, in light of their marriage. Their party returned to the Rose Citadel together, with Isolde and Cormac in front and Pip bouncing excitedly back and forth between Isolde and Alan.

Cormac kept Isolde tucked close to him on his good side. This was yet another opportunity that would be perfect for him to confess that he had to fight in the melee the following day. He was in the midst of composing what he meant to say when Isolde spoke.

“Tell me about Sutherland.” She smiled up at him. “I want to learn more about my new home.”

It pleased him that she was so eager to learn of the land where she would be living alongside him, ruling his people. He meant only to tell her of the castle, and several of the servants who would be there for whatever task she needed. But the sparkle in her eyes was so bright and her expression so eager that he found himself going into great detail on the beauty of the land: the emerald-green hills dotted with patches of purple heather and a rich blue sky sprawling endlessly overhead with clouds spread about like tufts of cotton.

“I’m eager to go,” she said.

“As am I. Speaking of it has made me realize how much I miss home.” He led her up the stairs of the Rose Citadel to the guest suites where her rooms were located. Their journey had been quicker than he had anticipated. Once more, he had squandered his opportunity to tell her about the melee.

The main room to her apartment had two carefully packed trunks set to the side. Isolde indicated the trunks. “I’m quite obviously ready for an early morning departure.”

Cormac winced as she pulled him toward the private bedchamber they would share once more. She immediately let go of his hand. “What is it?”

He led her into the chamber, closing the door and latching it behind him. “I canna leave on the morrow.”

She blinked. “Why not?”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Graham must participate in the melee tomorrow, and I promised I would fight at his side. As we’ve always done.”

She shook her head. “You can’t. You’re injured.”

“I’ve had worse.” He winked at her.

“Not before a fight, surely.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I feared I would lose you forever today. I cannot stand the thought that you would put your life at risk once more. Especially when your body has not fully recovered.”

“It willna be as dangerous.” He took her hand in his and turned her forearm over to reveal the dark bruise on her fair skin. He