Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)(21)

Graeme fixed him with his stare. “And Eveline is less of a child? In a lot of ways, Rorie would be a more competent wife than Eveline herself. Rorie’s young, but she’s hale and hearty and she’ll bear a man children. She’s of marriageable age. You and I know she’s not ready for a husband. But the king doesn’t. He could have very well taken her from us and there would have been naught to do unless we wanted to wage war against the crown.”

Teague swallowed, his jaw drawn into a hard line. He was infuriated by the mere idea.

“Now imagine how they are feeling,” Graeme said in a low voice. “Imagine how we would feel if we were even now preparing to watch Rorie wed an Armstrong.”

“You’re becoming soft,” Teague hissed. “You cannot sympathize with these bastards. They are not deserving of our regard or sympathy.”

Graeme nodded his agreement. “Aye, I know it. I don’t expect you to like them. I’m merely asking you to imagine if the situation was reversed and Rorie had been ordered to marry an Armstrong.”

“ ’Tis unthinkable,” Bowen said. “I cannot imagine how Eveline’s family hasn’t rebelled against the crown.”

“Because Armstrong knows it would be signing a death warrant for his entire clan,” Graeme said. “We may hate the man, but he’s not stupid. A daughter for his entire clan? He doesn’t like it, but he also knows he has no choice as much as it pains him. Just as if Rorie had been ordered to marry an Armstrong, we would not have a choice either.”

“Marry the lass so we can take our leave at once,” Teague muttered. “I want to return to our lands before anyone decides that we’ve not given in return what we are being given. I still say the Armstrongs have favor with the king or the earl. In the king’s mind, he’s ridded them of a burden and saddled you with a wife who cannot provide you heirs. What are they truly giving up, Graeme? Because the way I see it, the king has done you a great injustice. You are the chieftain. ’Tis your bloodline that should carry on. He’s now made it impossible for you to do so.”

CHAPTER 10

Eveline stood with Graeme in front of the priest as she waited for the ceremony to commence. She supposed it would be proper if she were to have her hand on Graeme’s arm or if he were to have her hand tucked underneath. But her hands were locked in front of her, buried in the folds of her exquisite gown so that no one would see how badly they shook.

She’d gathered enough information from rapidly scanning lips in the conversation that took place prior to the ceremony to know that her father would be responding in her stead.

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She’d give anything to make her own promises, but she was afraid to try. Afraid to attempt to form those words and then have no idea if they came out a whisper or if they came out a bellow.

Perhaps once she reached the Montgomery holding she could … she could start anew. Maybe she could even try with Graeme, but not until she was certain that it was the right thing to do.

She was fascinated by the man she would soon be wed to, but he was still a Montgomery, and no Armstrong had any reason to believe the Montgomerys were anything but bloodthirsty savages. Even if everything she’d seen so far of Graeme contradicted that idea.

But she also had to remember that with the earl present and a dictate rendered by the king himself, the Montgomerys would be on their very best behavior.

Eveline would know more about the character of her husband once they reached his lands and he was no longer restrained in his actions and words.

So lost in her thoughts was she, that she hadn’t realized that the ceremony not only had begun but that now Graeme was facing her. He reached down for her hand and for a moment she thought he would kiss her.

What a breathless thought. She hadn’t imagined such a thing until now, and it made her precariously light-headed.

But all he did was hold up her hand, turn to the others, and then he made an announcement, one she couldn’t see since she wasn’t facing him.

Whatever he said, she could only assume he’d announced that they were man and wife. Or perhaps that she was now a Montgomery. Or perhaps he’d even said he was taking his leave now. But whatever it was he’d proclaimed, it was met with reserve on both sides.

Somber. It was the word to describe the expressions of everyone gathered. There was no joy. No festive spirit. There would be no wedding feast with music and food well into the night.

Nay, her wedding day was as a dark cloud marring a perfect spring day. And now she would face saying good-bye to the only life she’d ever known. To a family who was fiercely protective of her, even as they didn’t fully understand her. A family who loved her without reservation or condition.

They cared not if she was daft as a stone or if she was cursed by the devil himself. She was an Armstrong. The only Armstrong daughter. And she was loved.

Graeme tugged on her hand, pulling her toward the door. Panic raced through Eveline as she realized they were indeed departing the moment they were wed and she was his wife.

For a moment she resisted and she expected anger or perhaps impatience. But he merely stood there, their arms outstretched because she hadn’t budged from her spot when he’d begun to walk away.

He stared at her, no anger or judgment. He merely waited. And then he said, “We must go now, Eveline. My men await.”