Bound by Wish and Mistletoe (Highland Legends #1.5)(36)

I’ve been handfasted.

Mama had prepared her for the inevitable day that her father would sentence her to the fate of marriage. Nothing had readied her for what had happened though. She’d willingly chosen to be with a man, to belong to Robert.

Unaware in the heat of passion that the act itself would legally bind them, she’d given in to what her body...and her heart...had wanted. Only after her head had cleared, and he’d left her to her solitude, had his words sunk in. They’d become man and wife by the laws of the land.

Did she regret it? She had no idea.

As she tried to analyze whether she could stay here, rising terror threatened her ability to breathe. Mama had instilled within her a deep-seated need to seek her freedom at the first opportunity—to take control of her own fate, rather than relinquish it to the will of a man. Even this bright-spirited castle was no different than the last. Both had confining walls with men inside. And Robert’s assurances of her safety did nothing to quell her fears of the evil still chasing her on the outside.

As she tried to imagine a new life within Clan Brodie, worry about an uncertain future overrode her concerns about the past. With each step down into the great hall, she felt a growing weight on her chest. Panic fluttered into her stomach about everything she didn’t know. What would he expect of her? Where would they live? How often would he be away to lead his clansmen...and what would she do here while he was gone?

Were they her clansmen now too?

Midway down the steps, Susanna spotted Robert. His gaze locked onto her, and a grin spread wide across his face. She smiled in return as warmth bloomed in her chest, lifting the constriction she’d felt only a moment ago. Her head spun at how Robert’s charm calmed her so completely.

With swift grace, he crossed the room and met her before her foot left the bottom step. The toes of her satin slippers never hit the main floor, because he swept her into his arms, and she squealed as he crushed the air from her lungs with his embrace.

“Robert!” She gasped for breath. “Put me down,” she said with a soft laugh.

Light as air, she drifted down in his arms. His fingers laced into hers as he pulled her arms wide. “Susanna, you’re a vision.”

She blushed, glancing down at the ivory satin dress trimmed with tiny beads that glittered. It resembled the gown her mama last wore, as if it were a gift sent from Heaven for her.

“Thank you, Robert.”

He tucked her against his side and led her into the room. “Come, we’ve a clan for you to meet.”

Everyone’s eyes were upon them, and there were nearly a hundred people in the large room, maybe more. She shrunk into his embrace, unaccustomed to the spotlight; she’d spent her life disappearing into the shadows.

“Doona be afraid, they’re as anxious as you,” Robert whispered.

She laughed. “I doona think that true at all. Why are we needin’ to do this? ’Tis not true we’re handfasted?”

“Aye, ’tis true, but Iain insists upon our clan witnessin’ our union blessed before God,” he replied.

“Oh.” Another flicker of apprehension tripped down her spine. She slipped her hand into his larger one to ward the uneasiness away.

Robert’s men, all dressed in their finest linen shirts and tartans, stared at them with interest, but she also saw a gleam of pride in their eyes. Toward Robert, she assumed. Many of the women, however, glared at her with undisguised hostility.

“Robert, do the women dislike me?”

He gripped her tighter into his side, and she glanced up to catch his chin drop, a single black brow arching. “Aye, and let them. They coveted me like a prize, but not one of them cared about the man beneath. All they can see is my physical vitality and my rank as commander.”

The idea anyone wouldn’t appreciate such an incredible man for who he truly was angered her, and she glared right back at them. Three of the worst offenders discontinued their staring, and instead began whispering among themselves. Her stomach clenched at the blatant animosity, and she gripped Robert’s hand tighter. He rubbed a thumb over the back of her hand, and the simple gesture soothed away her agitation.

Robert guided her through the crowd until they stood before a man with short light-brown hair. He wore a white linen robe with a crimson over-tunic and a narrow, leather belt loose at his waist.

“Father John, this is Susanna.”

“Most delighted to meet you, my dear,” he said, bowing his head. “Let us proceed, shall we?”

Susanna looked around, surprised the event would begin the moment they arrived, but everyone in the room continued to look their way, conversations quieting.

Robert took both her hands in his, his dark eyes sparkling with joy. Susanna smiled up at him. He smiled broadly and gave her hands a gentle squeeze, and she exhaled, calming.

“We have come together tonight to celebrate a most happy occasion. Our beloved Robert has found himself a woman he approves of,” the priest said.

The entire room roared with laughter. Robert growled low. “Doona taunt me, Father. Get on with it.”

“Right, right,” the priest replied, drawing his brows together, appearing more serious. He leaned in toward them. “What clan do you come from, my child?”

She stiffened. No part of her wanted to claim her heritage—she’d rejected them. Her blood ties had grown icy cold.