“Are ye nervous?” Eliza gave her a cheeky eyebrow waggle.
Elle covered her mouth so that a giggle wouldn’t escape. “No, that’s the funny thing about marrying the same man twice.”
Eliza laughed too as she gave Elle’s hand a hard squeeze. “I’m glad ye decided to have a real wedding with all of us here, even if ye’re already married.”
“Me too,” Elle answered as she brushed her hand down her still-flat stomach. When she’d told Blair she was expecting, he’d insisted they have another wedding. She’d tried to tell him they were busy enough. The pier was complete, but another was being built and the house as well. But he had insisted that they do this again. Secretly, it had filled her with a joy she couldn’t describe to know that this was important to him.
As she approached, Blair’s sister, Delia, joined her and Eliza. In front of her the Sinclair brothers stretched out in a line, only broken by her brother, Ailean. Stone would officiate and he stood on Blair’s other side watching their approach. Most of the village was also in attendance. As she passed by them, they hooted and cheered their appreciation.
The Sinclairs were fast becoming their saviors. Will had bought McKenzie’s holdings and his increase in wages lifted the town up almost instantly. Between that, and all the jobs Blair had created, prosperity was reigning in what had been despair.
Joy bubbled inside her, adding a lightness to her step as she met Blair. He reached out his hands and grasped hers, pulling her in for a kiss.
“Ye’re not supposed to kiss the bride until after the ceremony,” Will hooted, causing the crowd to laugh.
Blair only grinned. “I couldn’t help myself. Ye look beautiful, my love.”
She blushed. Eliza had brought a pale blue dress for her that seemed to bring out the color in her eyes and make her blonde hair shine in the sun. She’d never felt prettier. “So do ye,” she answered. His brothers laughed again, but she didn’t care. She’d never seen a man look more dashing. “I don’t know by what fortune I managed to find ye, Blair Sinclair, but my heart is yours forever. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make ye happy.”
He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Instead of answering, he pulled a ribbon from the pocket of his coat and began to tie their left hands together.
When the ribbon had joined them, he finally spoke. “Elspith Sinclair, if it takes every breath in my body, I will keep ye safe, I will provide fer ye, and I will give ye my love. Yer the most important thing to me. Not only have ye taught me how to love, ye’ve given me life again.”
She held back tears, her lashes wet, as Stone put his hand over theirs and began to ceremony.
When it was done, Blair kissed her again. This kiss was somehow different from every other one they had shared. It was
full of love but it held a new promise. One of a life where they gave freely to each other. Elle finally understood what it was she brought to this relationship and why this life was so much better than being alone. As they broke their kiss, she looked up into his eyes. “If it takes every breath in my body, I’ll do the same fer ye.”
As they turned back to the crowd, a loud cheer rose up from the crowd.
They took their time, greeting each guest, and meandering their way back to the new house. Because it wasn’t complete, tables had been set up in the barn, lit by candles. Trays of food lined tables pushed to the side.
Blair held her hand throughout.
“I’m so glad we did this.” She looked up at her husband.
Blair winked down at her. “So am I.” Then he looked around. “Should we find Will and punch him in the gut for making us marry in a hurry the first time?”
“I was going to kiss him,” she said, laughing when Blair scowled deeply. “But I haven’t seen him for some time.”
Blair’s scowl deepened. “Where did that rogue slip off to?”
“Rogue?” Elle raised her eyebrows. Will had never been anything other than a gentleman in her company.
“The worst of the lot if ye ask me,” Blair rumbled, waving to Stone.
Elle bit her lip. Will had definitely gone off somewhere. Was he with someone? This should be interesting…
Kilted Sin
Brethren of Stone Book 3
By Tammy Andresen
* * *
William Sinclair rode toward the loch, the fall wind biting at his skin. Not that the cold mattered. He had every intention of dunking himself in the near freezing water. He liked the feeling of that bite on his skin.