A sudden wave of panic took hold. What if Nikolai had taken her out of the parish? “You did marry in Comrie?”
She nodded. “Yes. I remember the journey. It was dark. I recall feeling empty inside even though I knew I had to marry him.”
Lachlan cupped her cheek. “The only logical conclusion is that Nikolai compelled you, and everyone else involved. To have a record of the event would make it legally binding and, after all I have heard, I doubt he would want to leave a trail of evidence or be lumbered with a burden.”
A faint smile touched the corners of her mouth, and she thrust her hands to her hips. “So, Lachlan Carrick, you think me a burden.”
Lachlan raised a brow. “You know that is not what I meant.” He observed her golden tresses that were in desperate need of a brush. Her face looked pale, a little gaunt. There were odd smudges of dirt, on her cheek, her neck and dress. Still, she radiated beauty, and an inner passion he knew would warm him for the rest of his days. “I would give up everything I have to be with you. Not out of obligation, but out of love. I love you, Isla. I always have.”
She stared at him for a moment. The smile that suddenly brightened her face almost blinded him. “I love you so much my heart aches when I am without you.”
He held out his arms, and she settled against his chest. “Worry no more, my love. We’ll never be without each other again.”
Epilogue
Carrick Hall
“Thank you for staying until after the wedding.” Isla held Ivana’s hands and squeezed them gently to show her appreciation. She glanced at Lachlan, her husband of all but an hour. “None of this would have been possible had you not braved the long and arduous journey to bring me the cure.”
“I would not have missed it for the world.” Ivana retrieved one hand to pat the corner of her eye with a gloved finger. “I am just so grateful to my husband, for believing in me and trusting my judgement without reservation. Most men would have thought me insane to want to travel all this way based on nothing more than a dream.” She sighed. “But then Leo is not most men.”
After spending time with them, it was obvious Leo adored his wife. “He loves you,” Isla said. “He knows what a special lady you are. Indeed, I have often caught him looking at you with an expression of awe and wonder.”
Isla expected the comment to raise an affectionate smile or giggle, but a solemn expression darkened her friend’s countenance.
“I lost him once.” Ivana’s melancholic tone revealed a depth of pain Isla knew only too well. “Like you, I lived without the man I loved for three years until the Lord saw fit to bring him back to me.” She shook her head as though dismissing all sorrowful thoughts, and said a little more joyfully, “Speaking of husbands, Lachlan looks rather dashing in his Highland attire.”
Isla stole another glance at the man she’d spent her whole life loving. Beneath his tartan, she imagined the air breezing freely over his muscular thighs. She swallowed. If only they could leave their guests and sneak away without anyone noticing. The idea of joining with her husband was the only prominent thought in her mind.
“He does look rather splendid,” she said brushing the skirt of her lilac silk gown as means of distraction. “I know I should not say such things, but it is a struggle not to ravish him where he stands.”
Ivana laughed. “I understand that feeling, too. We are alike in so many ways.”
“I know I am a far more sentimental today,” Isla said. Indeed, an overwhelming feeling of love and happiness filled her chest. “But I feel as though you are the sister I never had.”
Ivana drew her into an embrace. “I feel the same way.” They stepped apart. “I am most reluctant to leave tomorrow, and shall miss you terribly.”
Isla forced a smile as she did not want to feel sad, not on her wedding day. “I’m confident we shall see each other again.” A loud chuckle captured her attention, and she turned to witness Douglas using his fingers to measure the girth of Leo’s arm muscles. “I know Douglas will miss his drinking partner. He has enjoyed your husband’s company.”
“I do think Leo is a bad influence. Malmuirie has worked tirelessly to cater to our needs, and he insisted Douglas should convey his gratitude, with some rather comical results. Most flowers irritate her nose and cause an uncontrollable bout of sneezing. Indeed, the piercing sound forced us all to put our fingers in our ears.”
“Well, be grateful Leo didn’t persuade him to serenade her,” Isla said. “Douglas’ singing sounds like a wildcat walking over hot coals.”
They both chuckled.
Isla glanced around the drawing room. Everyone appeared so happy and carefree. It was impossible to believe how much her life had changed in just a few short weeks. As she scanned the throng of merry faces, she realised Lachlan was watching her. Without him saying a word, she knew his thoughts mirrored her own. While the day brought joy and happiness, the night would undoubtedly bring passion and pleasure.
The afternoon’s festivities ended with a lively promenade through the village.
“Have yer heard this one?” Douglas insisted on singing a bawdy ballad whilst playing his fiddle. Despite the screeched notes, which he said was a consequence of downing more than a dram of whisky, they all accompanied him in the chorus. Swept along with the excitement of the celebrations, Isla invited the spectators to join the line as they made their way to Castle Craig. Her motives were purely selfish. Indeed, the large party kept their guests entertained and gave her and Lachlan an opportunity to sneak away.
“Have I told you how beautiful you looked carrying your posy of heather?”
Isla gripped his hand as they walked across the meadow behind the castle. “Yes, about twenty times or more.” She glanced up at his profile. “You still haven’t told me what we’re doing out here.”
“It’s a surprise. We have a job to do before we can consider partaking in one of a more intimate nature.”
She came to an abrupt halt, forcing him to stop. “Please tell me you did not mean to make our joining sound like a chore.”