curt nod, indicating that Rothesay was right about one thing. The family—the head of it, at least—would insist that he and Catriona consummate their marriage before departing.
Mackintosh came forward then to say lightly, “It takes little time, lad. The first coupling is a shock to any young bride, but if ye’ve a good appetite for her, it need take just a minute or two. James can wait that long. I’m thinking, too, that ye’ll have more energy for it if ye eat first, and will thereby enjoy yourself the more.”
Rothesay’s grin widened, making Fin wish fervently that one could horsewhip the young Governor of the Realm without hanging for it.
James, still behind him, said quietly, “A private word with you, Fin?”
Nodding, Fin moved away with him, and James added softly, “My lass says she wants time alone with me. She says such time has been sadly lacking in our marriage. It may seem a small thing—”
“Nay,” Fin told him. “Catriona and I have things to discuss, too. But we can all travel to Moigh together and still give ourselves distance enough to talk with our wives. Then, too, you will be alone with Morag from Moigh to Castle Daviot.”
James agreed, and they saw Morag approaching, so Fin moved to join Shaw and Catriona by the fire. Donald and Alex entered together shortly afterward, followed by their retainers and Donald’s mendicant friar.
Catriona turned to Fin when he neared the hearth, and as her gaze met his, a slight smile touched her lips, lingered there, and grew warmer.
Feeling himself stir in response, Fin smiled, too.
Chapter 15
Catriona’s first thought as she watched Donald and Alex enter with their attendants was that the friar looked too shabby to be performing a wedding.
She wore a gown of soft tawny velvet, and Fin looked particularly fine in a green velvet doublet and darker green hose that she had not seen him wear before. All the talk of their consummation and the thought of coupling with him had stirred her curiosity again. When he looked at her, she felt suddenly shy.
She had no time to think after that, because the friar said to Fin, “We’ll begin at once if ye please, sir. The ceremony be short, and the Mackintosh said that nae one wants to sit through a nuptial mass. We’ll eat when we’re done here, he said.”
Rothesay, having moved near enough to overhear him, chuckled and said in his usual, carrying voice, “Everyone, gather round. Our priest would begin, and I smell roasting beef, so do not dawdle.”
Catriona saw Fin’s lips press together, but Rothesay’s behavior no longer disturbed her. Her gaze rested on Fin, and her thoughts lingered there, as well.
His lips relaxed, and a twinkle lit his eyes.
Without thinking, she reached out a hand to him.
“Nay, not yet, m’lady,” the friar said. “Ye’ll be letting me say the words over ye first. Now, Sir Finlagh, d’ye take this woman to be your wife…?”
Catriona listened and enjoyed the sound of Fin’s voice as he plighted his troth to her in all manner of ways, “for this time forward, till death us depart.”
The friar said then, “Ha’ ye a ring for your lady, sir?”
Catriona, watching Fin, saw consternation in his expression. But before he could speak, aid came to him unexpectedly.
“Aye, he does,” the Mackintosh said, stepping forward. “I have the ring right here, lad.” As he handed something to Fin, Mackintosh looked at Catriona and said, “ ’Twas me mother’s ring, lassie. I promised her that I would keep it for my favorite granddaughter, and so I have if ye’ll accept it from us now.”
Her eyes awash with sudden tears, Catriona caught hold of his arm and stood on tiptoe to kiss his wrinkled cheek. “I do accept it, sir, and proudly. I thank you, too, for I will think of you both, as well as of my husband, whenever I look at it.”
Slipping it onto her finger, and at the friar’s prompting, Fin said, “With this ring I thee wed, and with its gold and silver I thee endow. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly cattle I thee honor.”
Obediently repeating vows similar to his first ones, Catriona also promised to be “meek and obedient in bed and at board,” as she plighted her troth to Fin.
And that was apparently that, because the friar turned to face the audience and said, “My lords, my ladies, and all here watching, I pray you, take heed now of this married couple, Sir