Chapter 20

"You look absolutely enchanting," Lindsey said, smiling widely as she stood back to look at Kenna. "Max will be thrilled. I can't wait to see his face!" She began a slightly unwieldy dance around her future sister-in-law.

The dress itself was made of plain grey silk, with a modest round neck, long sleeves, and a skirt that draped softly from her waist to her ankles. Over it, she wore a fur-trimmed cloak in a deep buttercream color, and instead of carrying a bouquet of flowers, both of her hands were enclosed in a muff made of rabbit fur. She felt cozy, comfortable, but absolutely terrified that something would go wrong at the last moment.

Lindsey stepped back and almost bumped into a little table behind her. She was very large now, and Kenna watched every move she made with gentle concern, expecting her to topple over on her tummy at any moment. However, now she was more worried that her future sister-in-law would land on her back, and she leaped forward to catch her as she stumbled.

Luckily Kenna managed to grab Lindsey at the last moment and put her arms around her. She did not relax until the other woman was standing firmly on her two feet.

"Are you all right?" she asked anxiously.

Lindsey hugged her tightly.

"I am fine, lovely girl," she replied fondly. "We both are. Now get ready. Your bridegroom is likely climbing the walls by now if I know him—and I do!" she giggled.

They laughed together for a moment, then Kenna shook her head in wonder as she looked at Lindsey's protruding stomach.

"I could never do that," she murmured. "It is too frightening."

Lindsey looked down at her bump and laughed.

"Most women say that the first time, lovie," she said, patting Kenna's shoulder. "I have done it twice before, and I will not deny that the birth is painful, but the child is worth it. You will love them more than you love yourself. You would kill or die for them. When it is your turn, you will love the joy of being with child, and you will love the child itself. You will soon find this out if you are blessed with children, and I am sure you will be."

Kenna smiled tremulously and smoothed out the creases in her dress.

"I am ready," she declared, squaring her shoulders and tilting her chin. "At least I think I am."

"Kenna, you are not going into battle!" Lindsey laughed at her fierce, determined stance.

"I suppose not," Kenna conceded, "but I feel so scared."

"So did I," Lindsey told her. "So does every woman, Kenna, but you are not alone. I am here to help you. Don't be afraid."

She held her hand out, and Kenna laid hers in it.

"In a few more moments, we will be sisters," Lindsey declared. "You will be part of the Forbes family, and you need never worry about your safety or security again—and your husband-to-be loves you to distraction. Now, let us go!"

"How do I look?" Maxwell asked his manservant.

Jock Taylor looked his master up and down, from his dark wavy hair, broad shoulders, and powerful body to his strong calves and feet. He wore the blue and green Forbes kilt and plaid, which made him look especially resplendent, and he carried a broadsword in a scabbard by his hip emblazoned with his clan motto: Grace Me Guide.

"Like a king, sir," the other man replied, standing back and smiling. "The mistress will be thrilled wi' ye!"

Maxwell ran a hand back through his hair in agitation.

"Thank you, Jock," he said worriedly. "Now go to the church. I will be there in a moment."

"Good luck, sir!" Jock called, then left.

Maxwell began to pace around the room, putting off the moment when he had to make his way into the castle chapel. He did not know why he was so frightened. He had been deliriously happy when Kenna had accepted his proposal of marriage, so why was he so afraid now?

You are a complete eejit, Max Forbes! he thought viciously. Anybody would think she was an ugly old hag and you were a cripple. Get on with it!

With that, he marched outside and strode over to the chapel, then went down to stand beside the minister, fidgeting and shifting from foot to foot. His heart was hammering.

Suddenly he saw everyone's head swivel around to look at the back of the church, and when he turned, he saw Kenna coming toward him, looking like the queen out of a fairy story. Her cheeks were pink, and there was a slight smile on her face that gave her a girlish, mischievous air. He could not help but smile back. She looked so desirable that he wondered how he was going to get through the whole day without grabbing his wife and pulling her upstairs so that he could have his wicked way with her.

Flora was walking with her, her arm around her daughter's waist. When she let go of her, she gave Maxwell a look that was full of warning. Don't harm my lass, it said. She put her daughter's hand in Maxwell's, and Kenna looked up at him trustingly.

"Ready?" he whispered.

"Yes. Are you?" Her voice was trembling slightly.

"Since the first minute I saw you, love," he replied, smiling.

The minister, Reverend Keir, spoke then. He addressed the congregation and asked if there was anyone who objected to the marriage. There was a slight commotion at the back of the church, and they both looked back in alarm, hearts thudding, but it was only another guest settling into his seat. Maxwell glared at him.

Breathing sighs of relief, they turned back to the minister again, and soon the service was in progress. It took only a short time, and when Maxwell placed the ring on her finger, Kenna beamed, feeling as though she would burst with happiness.

Even though it was not part of the service and wildly outrageous, Maxwell pulled Kenna into his arms and kissed her soundly. She responded with enthusiasm, and a collective gasp erupted from the congregation, but it turned into a ripple of laughter, then applause.

With a whoop, Maxwell swept Kenna into his arms and carried her out of the chapel, then headed for the great hall, where a great log fire burned in the huge fireplace. The enormous room was bathed in warmth and the light of hundreds of candles. A sumptuous feast was laid out, and two special chairs had been reserved at the very center of the long table for the bridal couple.

Kenna thought she must be dreaming. She had often served at grand banquets but had never been a guest, and especially not a guest of honor at one. Suddenly a chair was being pulled out for her, a napkin was being laid on her lap, and a glass of wine was poured for her. She felt dizzy with confusion and delight.

Seeing her bemused expression, Maxwell put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed her, then kissed her cheek.

"Don't be afraid, Kenna Forbes. You are among friends, and you are very, very welcome. I will never let anything bad happen to you. Do you believe me?"

Kenna looked up into his silver-grey eyes and saw her future. Here was her life, her home, her happiness, all wrapped up in this one lovely man. She believed him, she trusted him, and she loved him.

"Yes, my love, I do." She smiled, then said mischievously, "Who is this Kenna Forbes you speak of? Have I met her?"

Entering into the spirit of the jest, Maxwell narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin in contemplation.

"You know, I think I have heard of her," he said at last. "I heard that she was very beautiful and betrothed to the son of a powerful laird."

"Do you not mean married?" Kenna asked, giggling.

Maxwell slapped his forehead with the heel of his hand.

"Of course! She is my wife!"

They both burst into a fit of laughter and kissed again. Maxwell realized that he had never felt such joy and wonder. After all the trials they had come through to arrive at this moment, he was still incredulous that this lovely woman loved an imperfect man like him. Surely she could have done better for herself?

Just then, they were interrupted by Lindsey, who bent to kiss them both.

"Congratulations, wee brother!" Her voice was full of joy as she kissed Maxwell and turned to Kenna. "Welcome to the family, Mistress Forbes. I am so glad to have a sister at last!"

"I am too." There were tears in Kenna's eyes as she hugged Lindsey, then James. "Are you looking forward to being a father again?" she asked.

"Indeed I am," he replied, gazing at his wife fondly. "It has been five years since the twins, and they are longing for a brother." He bent to kiss Kenna's hand. "Welcome, Kenna Forbes. I never thought I would see the day when this one married!" He pointed at Maxwell, who gave a mock growl.

"I must eat!" Lindsey declared dramatically. "We are ravenous!"

She patted her bump and laughed, then was swept away by her husband.

"Still madly in love," Maxwell remarked, smiling. "I never thought anyone would satisfy my sister."

"Will we be like them?" Kenna asked. "I hope we are."

"I will make sure of it!" Maxwell answered firmly, as a plate heaped with a small mountain of food appeared in front of him.

Kenna's eyes widened as she looked at it.

"Are you going to eat all that?" she asked, amazed.

"Yes," he replied as he picked up a piece of chicken and bit into it. "We will both need all our strength."

He winked at her and she blushed, then drank deeply of her wine, hiding behind the rim of the glass.

Kenna began to eat her food in tiny nibbles while Maxwell watched her from the corner of his eye.

Underneath the table, he began to squeeze the soft flesh of her inner thigh, beginning at her knee and working slowly upward. All the while, he was keeping up a conversation with his uncle, who was seated on his right-hand side.

Kenna felt shivers of sensation moving from his hand to her core as what felt like a puddle of warm liquid began to gather between her legs. It was such a delicious feeling that she had to bite down on her lower lip to stop herself from crying out.

She tried to move Maxwell's hand, but he was far stronger than she was and refused to budge. However, fate intervened when one of the other guests began to talk to Maxwell's uncle, and he was obliged to end the conversation.

By this time, his thumb was caressing the most sensitive spot on Kenna's body, and she was becoming so aroused that she knew she had to make her escape or risk embarrassing herself.

Maxwell turned to her, grinning wickedly, but when he saw the desperate look in Kenna's eyes, he stopped his ministrations immediately, and Kenna sagged, limp with relief. Tremors were still going through her body, but gradually they began to subside, and she was relieved to realize that no one had noticed anything amiss.

"Kenna, are you all right?" Maxwell asked in an anxious whisper. "I am sorry, I did not mean to upset you."

Looking into his silver-grey eyes, Kenna felt her heart swell with love.

"It was too…pleasant," she whispered. It was an inadequate word but the only one she could think of at that moment. "Leave all that 'til later, or I will embarrass both of us."

"Stop murmuring sweet nothings, you two," said a laughing woman's voice.

It belonged to Maxwell's cousin Mhairi, a young woman with bright red hair and a well-developed sense of humor.

"Remember what I promised the last time we argued, young Mhairi?" Maxwell said threateningly, waving a knife in the air, eyes narrowed in mock fury.

"Kenna, he said he would set my hair on fire!" Mhairi told Kenna, trying not to giggle.

"We were only ten years old," Maxwell informed his wife. "Fortunately, I have never had to carry out that threat. But there is always a first time!"

"Kenna, don't worry," Mhairi said, laughing. "He pretends to be big and tough?—"

"I am big and tough!" Maxwell protested, flexing his arms.

"—but inside he is as soft as butter." Mhari winked at Kenna, then sighed. "I am so happy for both of you. I never thought I would see Max madly in love."

Maxwell smiled lovingly at his wife. "Neither did I," he said. "Is she not beautiful, Mhairi?"

"Indeed she is," Mhairi agreed, "and I hope we will be very good friends."

"I hope so too." Kenna smiled at her.

"And one of these days I will be married if I can just snare Cameron Johnstone over there!"

Mhairi nodded toward a tall, fair man who was a little older than them. He had a pleasant face and a kind manner, and Kenna liked him at once.

"That poor man has had a target on his back ever since he came out of mourning," Maxwell said, sighing and shaking his head. "She will drag him to the altar if it is the last thing she ever does."

Just then, Cameron turned, caught her eye, and smiled. Mhairi waved, jumped up, and hurried over to him. They stood, laughing at some jest for a moment before he put an arm around her shoulders, and they walked away, chatting amiably.

"I think he is ready to propose," Maxwell observed drily. He turned to Kenna, and his silver-grey eyes were loaded with intent. "Time to go, I think," he said, his voice low and husky.

Lost in his gaze, Kenna could only nod.