He glanced at the dark green tunic and braies Will had loaned him and thought that while he looked more than fine in them, it would be a relief to be back in a plaid again. This in turn made him think of his men and wonder why they had not yet returned. He had expected them to arrive in time for the wedding. That was the only reason he had agreed to wait two weeks. Will was a good friend, but it would have been nice to have his own kin standing beside him on this day.
"Here she comes."
Kade glanced around at that announcement from Will, eyes widening as they landed on Averill descending the stairs. She wore a dark green gown that matched his clothes in color, her hair was unbound and flowing around her head in fiery waves, her cheeks were flushed, and she looked absolutely beautiful to him.
Kade stood up and moved toward her, but Lord Mortagne suddenly rose and waved him back to his seat as he hurried to her side. He hesitated, tempted to ignore the man, but it was her father after all, so he settled reluctantly back on the bench.
"Let us head out to the chapel steps," the priest said, getting to his feet on the other side of Will. "Lord Mortagne will bring the bride along."
Kade scowled but began to walk when Will nudged him. Averill was here. She must plan to marry him. That would have to be enough.
Most of the castle inhabitants were already out by the church waiting when the priest led Kade and Will across the bailey. The old man spent a moment fussing and arranging them on the steps, then they all turned to peer back toward the keep in expectation. Much to Kade's relief, Lord Mortagne and Averill were already halfway across the bailey, but as she drew closer, Kade was able to see that she was nibbling at her lip and wringing her hands.
"She looks worried," Will muttered.
"Aye," Kaye growled.
"She is also moving a bit swiftly," Will pointed out. "Father appears to be having trouble keeping up."
Kade grunted. He had just noted that for himself. Averill was moving at a quick clip that soon became a jog, then a run as she dropped her father's arm, and left him behind to hurry through the parting crowd to pause before him.
"K-kade?" she said uncertainly.
"Aye?" he asked growing wary.
"Averill!"
That shout from Lord Mortagne made her pause and glance around. Clucking impatiently, she hurried back to him, caught his arm, and chivvied him toward the stairs, saying, "I am sorry, Father, but I must speak to Kade. Please hurry."
"There will be plenty of time to speak after the ceremony," the priest said repressively, as a panting Lord Mortagne and Averill arrived at the stairs. "Please take your place beside Lord Stewart, and I will start the ceremony."
Averill ignored him and turned to Kade. "M-my lord?"
Kade frowned at her stammer. She had done it only once before--the morning after the night in his room--but it surprised him that she was stammering now. Taking her hands in an effort to calm her, he raised an eyebrow in question.
"My lady," the priest began in sharp tones.
"Oh, stuff and bother, Father Bennett. I must speak to Kade," Averill hissed impatiently, and caught Kade's arm to urge him down the steps. He supposed she'd hoped for privacy away from the priest, her father, and Will, but all she did was take them down to where the people of Mortagne stood. The servants, soldiers, and guests made room for her and Kade to join them, but then stood, listening eagerly for what she had to say.
"I-I...er..." She forced a smile for those around them, then cleared her throat and turned back to Kade. "D-do y-you--" She paused abruptly when Kade lifted a hand to cover her mouth.
"Yer stammering," he pointed out quietly when she raised her eyebrows in question.
"Aye. Lady Averill does that sometimes," one of the nearer men said, and Averill lowered her eyes, misery crossing her face.
"'Tis only when she's nervous or uncomfortable with someone," another pointed out.
"Aye, but she don't normally stammer around Lord Stewart," a woman announced, and Kade glanced over to see Mabs among the crowd surrounding them.
He turned his gaze back to Averill, and asked quietly, "Are ye so uncomfortable with me now ye ken I can see ye?"
"N-nay, t-tis not that," she murmured, then shook her head impatiently. "Tis j-just I--" Her words ended on a gasp of surprise when Kade lowered his head and kissed her. She stood still under his kiss for a moment, but sighed and sank against him as he deepened the kiss.
"Here now," someone said, "the kiss don't come until after the ceremony."
Kade ignored the speaker and the people who hushed him, and kissed Averill until they were both breathless. He then raised his head and asked, "'Tis just what?"
"I was worried you no longer wished to marry me, but felt you had to because you had already agreed," she admitted in a breathless rush. And didn't stammer once, he noted.
"I want to marry ye," Kade said simply, then caught her hand and turned to pull her out of the crowd that had moved to surround them, but she tugged her hand free. Frowning, he turned back in question.
"B-but you have been avoiding me these last t-two weeks," she pointed out, and he frowned as he noted the stammer was back.
"I told you it would upset her," Will said dryly, and Kade glanced around with surprise to see that the man had joined the crowd around them. Glancing to his sister, Will added, "I did tell him, Avy."
Kade scowled, but concentrated on Averill, and said, "I had me reasons, but it wasna because I'd changed me mind on marryin' ye, lass."
She opened her mouth, no doubt, to ask what those reasons were, but he forestalled her by saying, "I'll explain later. When we're alone."
"Oh." Averill glanced around at the people surrounding them, then relaxed and nodded in acquiescence.
"Can we get married now?" Kade asked quietly.
Averill blushed, her eyes dropping away from his, but she also nodded.
Feeling the tension ease out of his shoulders, Kade took her hand and drew it over his arm, then led her through the crowd and up the stairs to stand before the priest.
Chapter Eight
"'Tis time."
Averill glanced over her shoulder to see Bess and the other women standing behind her.
Surely it could not be time for the bedding already? she thought with dismay, but the presence of the women seemed to suggest it was.