A Sprig of White Heather by Avril Borthiry & Dragonblade Publishing

Author:Avril Borthiry & Dragonblade Publishing [Borthiry, Avril]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2019-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Christmas Day,

Year of the Lord 1240

The white horse was not Calum’s only gift to Ailsa. Unbeknownst to her, he’d also arranged for a special bouquet of white heather to be made for their wedding day. The twig-like stalks had been tied together and wrapped with white silk, the ends of which fell in two long ribbons. She had accepted it with undisguised delight and insisted on adding the faded sprig of heather that he’d picked for her five years before.

“For good fortune,” she’d said.

That she’d kept the sprig, and treasured it, touched Calum’s heart. To his further delight, he discovered that Ailsa had arranged to have her wedding gown embroidered with sprigs of white heather. The bouquet, as a result, matched perfectly. A simple, golden circlet adorned her head; a perfect contrast to the glorious tumble of russet-gold hair that fell to her hips. The grayish blue of her gown reminded Calum of the sea in summer. He especially liked the way it skimmed her pretty curves.

Bride and groom had been blessed at the chapel’s altar beforehand, but, due to the number of guests, the actual wedding ceremony had taken place in the dining hall. They had married at noon, making their vows by the light of a hundred candles, since it had been too cold to open the shutters.

“Will thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, as long as ye both shall live?”

The priest’s words echoed in Calum’s head, as did Calum’s subsequent response that had been given without hesitation.

“I will.”

Ailsa had spoken her vows quietly, the adoration in her eyes shining as brightly as it always had. Now, she sat to Calum’s right, the plain gold band on her left hand proclaiming her new status as his wife, the food on her plate untouched.

Calum leaned in and placed his hand atop hers. “Are you all right, wee lass?”

Her smile lit up. “Aye, of course.”

“You’ve no’ touched your food.”

“’Tis all the excitement.” She wrinkled her nose. “I dinnae feel much like eating.”

“We’ll stay a wee while longer.” He leaned in even closer, placing his lips to her ear. “Then we’ll leave them to it. I cannae wait to get you alone.”

“I cannae wait either, Calum,” she said, with genuine ardor. “I’ve barely had you to myself since I got here.”

Calum, foolishly, had expected her to blush, or perhaps respond with something maidenly and coy. But, of course, he should have realized. Ailsa had known him for most of her life and adored him always. She’d been his second shadow for the five years he’d fostered with her family. She’d never made any bones about how she felt. Not ever.

So, why, after all this time, would she be coy?

Smiling, Calum sat back. Admittedly, he’d had a few concerns about claiming Ailsa’s virtue, wondering if she had any fears or misapprehension. But not anymore.

They had all disappeared like smoke on the wind.

*

The hum of celebration had grown louder as the ale and wine continued to flow.

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