Chapter 34

34

Another Wedding Day

" I t is time," said Conall. "Might I say that you look more beautiful than any woman I have ever seen?"

"Thank ye," replied Dakota.

She would play along with this charade until William arrived to save her, though she was disappointed that he had not come yet.

"Do you like the dress I got for you?"

Dakota tried to smile, and she made a show of looking down at the dress. It was beautiful, but Conall had given it to her, so she hated it with a passion.

"Aye, it is very lovely," she said.

"Well?" Conall took his jacket and held it open. He spun around on the spot to show off his lavish attire.

"Aye, ye look very handsome."

Dakota hated complimenting him, and he was nothing compared to her husband. Her husband who was alive and on his way to save her.

Yet, the longer it took, the more she doubted herself.

"Come. It is time," said Conall.

"Aye, but where is everyone? Ye said this would be a joyous day for the castle, but they arenae here with us to celebrate. We should have everyone around, should we nae?"

"And we will, my dear. They are busy preparing the feast for later. We do not need the entire castle to be stuffed into the chapel, do we? I have brought my most trusted men to witness the ceremony, and then we will celebrate with everyone. How does that sound?"

Dakota looked at the six men who had joined them for the walk to the chapel. They were soldiers, all equipped with swords. They were not there to witness the wedding but to protect Conall should William break through.

"Aye, that sounds fine."

"Shall we?" Conall held out his arm, and every fiber of her being told her not to take it, but she had to play along.

The two walked toward the chapel, and Dakota trained her ear in every direction. She just needed to hear the slightest clang of metal on metal or a hoof thundering on the ground. Just one scream and she would be happy.

She got her wish as they entered the chapel. Before one of the soldiers could close the door behind them, a cry rang out, and it became a small din from outside the castle walls. The door was closed, and the noise disappeared.

Dakota held her smile in when she saw how worried Conall looked.

"Is everythin' all right?" she asked.

"Yes, of course," Conall stammered. "Let us get this fuss over with quickly so we can celebrate, huh?"

"Yes, just one moment," said Dakota. "The walk and the heat have made me a little faint, and I need to sit down."

"No, there is no time for that," seethed Conall.

"I will just be a moment." Dakota sat on the closest chair and bent over to stare at the ground.

"I said there is no time for that." Conall grabbed her arm and wrenched her to her feet.

Dakota gasped. "I need a moment."

"No, you do not! We are getting married, and that is all there is to it."

"Yer hurtin' me!"

"I do not care. Do as you are told or feel my wrath."

"Ye're scared!" sneered Dakota. "Ye ken he is comin' for ye."

"Shut your mouth!" demanded Conall.

The six soldiers with him looked on uneasily, and the minister at the altar did not know where to look. If he thought about saying something to ease the situation, he did not act on it.

"He's goin' to kill ye," smiled Dakota.

That was enough for Conall, and he struck Dakota with the back of his hand. She spun and fell to the floor. Two guards moved to help her up, but Conall would not let them.

"Leave her to get up by herself. She needs to learn some respect." He turned to the minister. "Why have you not started yet?"

"I, um, I, perhaps a prayer before we begin."

"Get to the ceremony!" Conall blasted. He turned back to the guards. "Do not just stand there. Bring her to me."

They looked at each other and did not know what to do. They decided to help Dakota to the altar now that she was back on her feet.

Dakota was about to say something else to antagonize Conall when the door flew open, and a welcome breeze wafted through the chapel. Everyone spun to look, and Dakota almost burst into tears. William stormed into the room, followed closely behind by Dominic.

She would have run to them if Conall had not grabbed her arm. He gestured to his men, and they lifted their swords and moved toward the two Scotsmen.

"Conall, let her go!" shouted William.

"Do not come any closer."

William addressed the soldiers this time. "Ye ken what he is doin' is nae right. That's me wife he intends to wed."

"I thought you were dead, William. I am only trying to do the right thing."

William glared at the six men in front of him and Dominic. "Did yer Viscount tell ye what happened to his men in the forest? He set five on me when he took me wife. Did they tell ye what happened? Nay , because they met an early grave. Yer castle is surrounded. It's over."

The men hesitated for a second before two of them dropped their swords. The rest held onto theirs, but all six moved together. They did not run out of the room; they marched quietly.

Conall looked around, not knowing what to do. He had Dakota, but he had no weapon. As William and Dominic turned to him, he let her go and grabbed one of the swords from the ground, holding it tight in both hands.

William gestured to Dominic, and he went to his sister. He shepherded her to the other side of the chapel.

"I thought you were dead, William."

"Nay, ye dinnae. Ye kenned I was alive, and ye were tryin' to marry her quick."

"I will surrender to you. You can have me sent back to England to face justice."

"Nay," said William. "Ye have caused too much trouble. Men have died needlessly because of ye. Ye are a thief, a liar, and a despicable human being. Ye daenae deserve to live."

"You know she is better off with me than an uncouth Scotsman. Will you not think what is best for that poor woman, you fool! She will see in time that I am better than you."

"I will have no mercy on ye, Conall. Is that to be yer last words?"

Conall held William's gaze. The sword in Conall's hands started to shake. He dropped the blade and dashed from the chapel as quickly as he could. William walked quickly and purposefully from the chapel—there was nowhere for Conall to run.

"It's over," said Dominic.

He took his sister in his arms, and Dakota buried her head in his shirt.

It was done.