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.She wondered how Ruark had managed to come up with both a veil and a ring in so short a period.Then again, she should not have wondered, for Ruark Kerr showed much ingenuity in all that he did.What was a wedding to him when compared to battles he had fought?Now facing him, she quietly repeated something in Gaelic, something about the spirit and union of souls bound until death.She felt her senses reeling, heightened by his closeness, the heat of his body, and the clean masculine scent of him.He‘d combed his hair into a queue at his nape that swept off the collar of a fine lawn shirt with a lacy jabot.The small earring in his ear so opposing to the scant civilized mien of his attire.And in that moment, she had eyes only for him.Aye, I could easily love him, she thought, more afraid of what her own vulnerability would do to her.She held still as the linen cloth was removed from around their wrists and he was told he could now kiss the bride.As he lowered his head to kiss her, without realizing, she moved instinctively toward him.The touch of his breath, which carried the sweetest taste of wine, was still warm on her lips as he slowly pulled away.The ceremony was over and she was now his wife.Moonlight threw shadows on the floor around where Ruark stood against the wall.God only knew his impatience, as the faint sounds of feasting came from the empty corridor behind him.―Dammit, McBain.Where are you?‖ he mumbled.The last place he wanted to be at this moment was standing outside looking out upon a mist-shrouded courtyard.Ruark had not expected this night to be filled with joviality, but ale and the promise of Jamie‘s release tomorrow did much to lift spirits.It didn‘t seem to matter to anyone that Hereford had an army camped across the river.Ruark liked that about the Kerrs.None of them lacked for courage.Their skills, honed by generations of border raiding, made them all at ease with the long odds.Surprisingly, most of these same staunchly fierce clansmen had accepted the Sassenach Rose as his bride.But as Ruark considered that fact, he suspected their acquiescence to his circumstance had as much to do with the flow of abundant drink as it did with Rose‘s willingness to skewer Hereford like a kabob that afternoon.After witnessing that event, many of his men would have lain down their lives for her.Rose had not spoken to him all evening except to say her vows and an occasional polite thank you as he handed her wine.He had managed to slip her from the noisy hall, and now she was on her way to the chambers they‘d be sharing this night.The crunch of pea gravel alerted him to someone‘s approach, and he straightened.He recognized McBain‘s elfish form as he rounded the corner.Three taller men walked behind him.Ruark could not make out who they were.When they passed through the torchlight and into the corridor, Ruark stepped out of the shadows.―Lord Almighty!‖ McBain blasphemed, a hand pressed to his chest.―I‘ve a mind to die of heart failure.‘Twould serve ye bloody right for all the trouble you‘ve put me through this night.‖As the most circumspect of his men, McBain had been the logical choice for arranging the witnesses needed for tonight.Ruark assessed the three men standing uncomfortably behind McBain, two distinguishable by their priestly robes.They belonged to the kirk in the village.The third man was the mayor‘s brother-in-law, a solicitor and known English sympathizer.Many of the borderland families championed the king, so finding such an individual had not been difficult.―Hereford rode out of the abbey this afternoon and is encamped across the river as he said he would be,‖ McBain said.―Jamie is there.‖―You have seen him then?‖ Ruark asked the three men.The shorter robed priest answered for the three.―Aye, my lord.The boy be in.temperate spirits and is ready for ye to fetch him home.‖―What of the two men who were taken with him?‖―Rufas and Gavin Kerr will be turned over along with the boy in the morn.‖A cold unsettling gust fluttered the torchlight, and Ruark glanced up at the clouds rolling across the moonlight.The night had turned waspish.―You have been apprised of the entire situation then?‖ he asked, pushing right to the point.McBain sniffed, insulted that Ruark had to ask.―They have.And trust me, they would rather be anyplace else, which is why I picked them.‖ He rocked back on his heels and laid his palm across the hilt of a wicked-looking short sword at his waist.―They will confirm that consummation took place and will make an oath of it afterward.The marriage has already been properly recorded.‖The shorter robed man cleared his throat.―We are preparing papers now as per Friar Tucker‘s instructions.Mr.Colum will have the necessary documents drawn up by morn, my lord.‖There would be no doubt as to the legality of this marriage, Ruark thought.Tonight was a necessary path to that end.With McBain‘s curt order that the three were never to gossip about anything witnessed tonight on threat of slow torture and death by dismemberment, they shuffled away, properly horrified by McBain‘s threat.Ruark was momentarily amused by McBain‘s protectiveness.―Are you going soft on me, McBain?‖― ‘Tis not for ye I‘m thinking,‖ he said with a disapproving sniff, ―but for that girl.She has been through enough.‖―Any word yet from Duncan?‖ he asked.The word had gone out as Duncan rode west and north to bring more men into Jedburgh.Ruark had been expecting the arrival of more clansmen by that evening.Duncan had not come.McBain seemed to think over his next words carefully.He scraped his palm over his bewhiskered jaw.―No one has dared say anything.‖ he said after a moment.―And no one would be sayin‘ anything to me.But there are some who believe Duncan wouldna‘ mind if somethin‘ were to happen to you and Jamie tomorrow.‖Ruark might believe Duncan held a certain animosity toward him, but not toward Jamie.―Then I will have to make sure nothing does.‖―Will ye really be givin‘ him the Black Dragon? You‘ll no‘ be returning to sea?‖―Is Tucker off?‖ Ruark asked, avoiding discussion of his future plans.―Aye.But he oughtn‘t to have left without telling the lass good-bye.‖Tucker would not take an escort, though Ruark would have spared him one.Ruark had agreed it best he leave as well but for different reasons than he told McBain.―If tomorrow does not go well, I cannot guarantee anyone‘s safety.Least of all Tucker‘s.‖McBain sniffed.―Aye, and who does Tucker think he is to think only of himself at a time like this?‖―He is someone who has loved and cared for Rose for most of her life.He did not make the decision easily, McBain.‖Dear Rose,By the time you read this letter, I will already be on my way back to Hope Abbey.Lord Roxburghe and I both agreed that it was best to leave tonight.You and I were not able to speak much today, and I did not want to depart with discord still between us.Before leaving for Jedburgh, I went through your room at Hope Abbey.I knew that, after tomorrow, you would never be returning, and I wanted you to have that which you had always held close to you
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