good money down that you, my sweet Kenzie, are lying your delectable undergarments off. Should I pull ye behind those trees just beside the church and kiss ye senseless, this denied attraction ye boast about would crumble like chalk.”
Never before had Kenzie been in a situation where she wanted a man to do exactly as he was threatening, while also praying he would not. Should Ben kiss her, even chastely, it would be hard to halt what she desperately desired. But she wasn’t staying in this time and this man beside her only had months to live. If she couldn’t stop his death, there was no future here. None.
“I don’t give you leave to kiss me and as a gentleman I know you’ll honor my wishes.”
“I’m no gentleman.” His whispered words against her ear sent butterflies to take flight in her stomach. Damn it. Damn everything. Why did this man have to be so intoxicating? Why couldn’t he have stayed the barbarian who only saw her as a piece of meat who could give him pleasure? If only he’d go back to that obnoxious being, her denial of him would be a lot easier. Not this man, a man who appreciated a joke or lighthearted tease. One of the most attractive features any man could have was a sense of humor, and to find the big, bad Black Ben had one wasn’t something Kenzie had expected.
“Yes, you are,” she said, calling his bluff and pulling him toward the church. “Or you would’ve done it already.”
“Now ye really are poking a lion, lass.”
They came up to the small, rectangular church that sported dirt floors and coarse, wooden pews. The alter was stone; no ornate marble or granite sat at the head of the church, just candles to light the space.
Kenzie found Gwen and sat beside her, noting that Ben sat on the pew behind them. A kitchen maid sat beside Ben with more excitement than Kenzie wanted to see. The girl’s chatter as they waited for the bride and groom bordered on pathetic, and Kenzie focused on the priest instead of musing over why a woman talking to Ben aggravated her so much.
Oh, who am I kidding? It is bloody obvious why I don’t want anyone talking to Ben. I want him all for myself.
“Remember, my dear, your life is your own.”
“What do you mean by that?” Gwen threw her a knowing look and Kenzie narrowed her eyes, not liking her ancestor’s insight. It was bad enough that Kenzie even liked a man born hundreds of years before her, without it being obvious to others.
“Like I said, if ye like him, ye shouldn’t let time or place play a role in that. What’s life if it’s not to be enjoyed?”
“And you think I would enjoy him?”
Gwen laughed. “Yes, very much so.”
Thankfully, the bride and groom arrived and saved Kenzie from any further uncomfortable conversation with Gwen. The woman’s words had scorched her cheeks. Disregarding how red her face must be, she turned with the congregation to watch the couple walk toward the priest. The bride wore a blue gown that would’ve been unremarkable had it not been cut to flatter the woman’s figure, which made it very pretty. Her groom wore the Macleod tartan and clean shirt, making him look very respectable and handsome. They were a striking pair and, based on the sweet looks they were giving each other, very much in love.
The service wasn’t as long as some of the weddings Kenzie had been to before. The priest said some words in Gaelic that she couldn’t understand, followed by a piece of tartan being wrapped about the couple’s hands, tying them together in union, and they kissed to seal their fate.
A little while later, in the great hall, Kenzie listened to a band of musicians playing a harp and fiddle. The music was lively, practically begging celebrants to get up and dance. The happy couple, too, took part in the festivities, and Kenzie noted that most of the people present were house servants and yard staff.
All seemed to be enjoy drinking, dancing with each other, and laughing at inane jokes and stories. Laughter, above all else, rang through the hall and it was lovely.
“Are ye enjoying yourself, lass? Ye seem quite taken with our celebration of the holy sanctimony that ye call marriage.”
“It’s a great party and the couple look so in love. I should imagine there are a lot of marriages that aren’t as lucky.”
“Ye’re right about that.”