When it was finally time, she turned to Finlay, and he grasped the fingers of one of her hands with his, her skin seemingly burning where they touched. The priest provided them the words as they committed their lives to one another.
Kyla repeated the words unconsciously, her gazed fixed somewhere behind Finlay’s shoulder. When it was his turn, he gripped her fingers with strength, bringing her focus back to his face. His eyes burned into hers as he finished his vows with the words, “Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life and into the next.”
She was taken aback at his conviction. The commitment in what he was saying washed over her like a wave, causing a deep emotion to twist inside of her.
The expression in his voice made her think that, perhaps, there was belief in what he was saying, that he would approach this marriage with the same dedication he did everything in life. Was there a chance that there could be more to this than she had originally thought? Did she even want that?
* * *
The reception was an affair that none present would soon forget. Any animosity that existed between the two clans was forgotten that night as all celebrated the union with plenty of ale, whisky, and wine in the great hall of Galbury Castle.
In the past few days leading up to the wedding, Peggy, Jane, and Kyla had brought the outdoors inside, with sprigs of flowers and greenery lining the hall. Finlay was happy to share the celebration with his brother, as the McDougalls also rejoiced in the union of Callum and his wife, Victoria.
Finlay took a sip of the welcome home celebration drink he was currently sharing with his three brothers. Callum’s return was bittersweet for them all, for while they enjoyed seeing him again, it was also a reminder that his stay would be far too short.
He seemed a different man, Finlay mused as they laughed over the uniform Callum wore as part of his police regiment. While tonight he wore the McDougall plaid, they had all enjoyed when he brought it out to show them all upon his arrival. He seemed to love his new land, his new purpose to life.
“Does everyone not see you coming from miles away?” Roderick ribbed him about the red jacket. Callum just smiled and shrugged.
He had always been good natured, but now there was an ease, an aura about him that was new. Perhaps it was love, Finlay thought as he watched him continue to glance over to where his wife sat with Jane. While he was present in his conversation, it was as though she was always on his mind. A wave of melancholy washed over Finlay with the knowledge that he would never experience the same with a woman who loved him as he did her.
He and Kyla had barely spoken to one another following their initial dance, the traditional grand march, in which they went through the motions of the steps. He had been unsure of what to say to her, now that they were husband and wife. Thank you? Congratulations? It all seemed trite and unnecessary.
As Adam and Roderick found partners for the next dance, Callum eyed Finlay with an intensity that had Finlay shifting back and forth from one foot to the other.
“Well, brother, are you happy now?” Callum asked, raising an eyebrow. “This is what you always wanted, was it not? Marriage to Kyla?”
“I suppose,” Finlay answered slowly, knowing his older brother had kept himself from Kyla because of him. He appreciated it, but the understanding had always been unspoken between them, and he wasn’t sure how to now put it into words. “Although… it would have been different, had she done it for reasons besides the good of her family. She has no interest in being wed to me, specifically. It is more of a… business arrangement, you could say.”
“It doesna have to be that way,” Callum said, his blue eyes keeping Finlay locked in their gaze. “Tell her what you feel for her. Sometimes, I’ve learned, the best path forward is to say what ye really mean.”
“Tell her how I feel?” Finlay scoffed, staring at his brother as though he had gone mad. “That will do nothing but cause her to pity me. She is certainly not of the same mind and has made it clear that it will remain this way between us. Worse yet, it may scare her away. No,” he shook his head with conviction, “we will remain as we are. I will be satisfied by the knowledge that she is my partner, in this one way at least, if no other.”
“Fin,” Callum said softly, “that is not the life you want or the marriage you want, when there could be so much more. Kyla doesn’t know you as we do. If you open up, allow her in, you both might be surprised by what could be there between you.”
“You say that because you have what you have, a wife who loves and cares for you,” said Finlay, trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “Kyla knows me as well as any of you do. You love me because you’re my brother and you have to. I’m happy you found love, Callum, I truly am. But this is my life now, and I’m at peace with it.”
“All right, Finlay,” said Callum with a sigh, raising his hands in defeat. “Well, if nothing else, I’d like to thank you. Had ye not been so in love with Kyla all those years, I may have married her myself and never met Victoria.”
Finlay’s lips twisted into what he hoped was the semblance of a smile.
“Glad to have been of service,” he said wryly. “Now do shut up about that, won’t you Callum? I’d
