God's Highlander by Thompson E. V

Author:Thompson, E. V.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2012-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-six

DONNIE ROSS AND Seonaid were married in the little Eskaig church four weeks after Eneas Ross turned his back on his youngest son.

Donnie Ross arrived at the church looking self-consciously resplendent in a new kilt and plaid, preceded by a piper and flanked by two of his brothers, Dugald and Stewart.

The church was well filled by villagers. Many of the older women had attended every wedding conducted in the Eskaig church during their long lifetime. They would not miss this, the most talked-about ceremony for very many years.

When the three young Ross boys entered the church, Donnie looked eagerly among the congregation, hoping other members of his family might have had a last-minute change of heart. None was there, and the watching villagers did not miss the fleeting expression of unhappiness that touched his honest young face.

Donnie and his brothers were not kept waiting long. There was a stir in the church as Seonaid arrived. She was accompanied by Mairi, who had set aside her misgivings about the marriage for the sake of her younger brother.

As the two Highland girls walked down the aisle towards the waiting bridegroom there were nudges, smirks and many knowing looks among the congregation. Seonaid’s dress, newly made for the wedding, could not hide the swelling of her body about the waist.

If Seonaid was aware of the unkind interest being taken in her figure, she did not allow it to spoil the occasion. She kept her gaze firmly fixed on the spot where Donnie waited at the front of the church. His nerves and curiosity overtook him, and he turned once to check on her progress. When he saw his bride, Donnie gave her a smile that Wyatt later swore would have lit up the darkest kirk.

Seonaid reached Donnie’s side, and the bride and groom walked forward together. When they stood before Wyatt the ceremony began.

A great stillness fell upon the congregation when Wyatt called for any man to come forward if he could show just cause why the young couple might not be joined together in matrimony.

It was rumoured that John Garrett had returned late the previous evening, travelling from Glasgow, as he had once before, on board a Scandinavian ship bound for the Caledonian Canal.

Wyatt’s call to the congregation passed without a response, and a sigh went through the crowded church that might, spitefully, have been interpreted as disappointment. The moment soon passed.

Donnie’s responses were made in a strong clear voice. After a surprisingly faltering start, Seonaid’s responses gained in strength until they matched those of her bridegroom.

When Wyatt pronounced the young couple ‘man and wife’ in the sight of God and the Eskaig community, there was not a man or woman present who did not respond with a fervent ‘Amen’ on their behalf.

Outside the church a reception party was waiting. Salutes were fired over the young couple from guns that had survived the ban placed upon them after Culloden. When Donnie and Seonaid emerged from the clouds of black powder-smoke rolling across the church path they were met by a fiddler.

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