Chapter Nineteen

One Month Later

Isle of Eigg

The wedding ceremony was simple by the standards of someone of her wealth, but Freya wouldn't have had it any other way.

Her aunt fussed over every detail as Lady Ross, her cousin Sorcha, and Gavin's brothers' wives helped out with what they could.

It was wonderful to be surrounded by women who cared for her.

Wearing a flowing gown that had been her mother's Freya felt beautiful that day. Her aunt pinned her hair in place and took a step back. "Perfect."

Just then movement from the far corner of the room made Freya look, for a whisper of a moment, her mother stood there and then the image faded. It was so fast that she wasn't sure she had seen it. At her startled expression, everyone looked to the corner.

"What is it?" her aunt asked in a soft voice.

"I thought to have seen Mother." Freya shook her head. "I'm sure it is just that I am nervous."

Her aunt took her hand. "Of course it was her. Yer mother would nae miss this moment."

Freya blinked away happy tears. "She would nae."

Gavin stood proudly at the front of the chapel. He wore the Ross clan colors of green and black draped over his shoulder, his kilt was solid black, and a tunic made of white fine linen. Next to him stood his brothers, each striking in their own right.

On her uncle's arm, she walked down the center of the room, not seeing anyone but her handsome husband to be, his gaze never wavering from hers.

She took a deep breath imagining that if things were different, her brother and father would have been involved in the marriage ceremony as well.

Just then Gavin's other two brothers moved away, leaving only Gavin and Munro. Freya gathered that of his three brothers, Gavin was closest to him.

As she made her way to the front of the room, it was strange that there were very few people in attendance other than the family, some of the servants, and Laird Macdonald.

In a way Freya preferred it. She wished to celebrate, but her heart was also broken that her parents and brother were not there.

The exchange of vows seemed to go swiftly, each repeating after the young vicar from a neighboring village whom she'd picked to do the wedding, not wishing for the priest who'd presided over her betrothal to Tasgall to be who married her to Gavin.

Before she realized it, Gavin's lips were on hers as they sealed their commitment to one another, and she wondered exactly how it was possible to have missed whatever it was the vicar had said.

Gavin gave her a quizzical look as their families headed toward them. "Is something wrong?"

"No… not exactly. 'Tis just that I wanted to commit every moment to memory, and I seem to have missed parts of it. It went much too fast."

His lips curved. "It did."

They were ushered into the house to the large room where her parents had often entertained. There was just enough room for everyone, making Freya glad they'd not invited too many people.

Someone, probably her aunt, had hired musicians, and the music filled the room. When she saw the display of food set out by Edina, Freya had to blink back tears. It was the kind of display her mother would have chosen.

She turned searching for the older woman and found her standing with her hands clasped in front watching from the doorway.

Their eyes met; Edina's eyes watery as she held back tears. How many times had her mother and Edina discussed details for her wedding?

Freya lifted to her toes and placed a kiss to Gavin's jaw. "I will return in a moment."

She made a beeline for Edina, throwing herself into the older woman's arms and both began to cry.

Before long they were surrounded by her aunt and Gavin's mother, each asking what happened.

Edina cleared her throat, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse. "We remember how much Freya's mother had looked forward to this day."

"This is nae a day for tears, but for celebration," her aunt proclaimed. "Yer mother would have nae wished for sorrow, but for happiness on this day."

Freya nodded. "I am so very happy." She looked across the room noting Gavin watching them. "He will ensure it."

"Aye, my son would rather die than cause ye a sadness." Lady Ross took her hand. "Come let us celebrate."

The musicians were instructed to play lively music as Freya and Gavin, and their guests, celebrated. The food was delicious and only the best ales were served. After the meal, there was dancing until late into the night.

"Wife," Gavin whispered into her ear. "It is time for us to bid everyone a good night."