Page 106 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

Dougal looked down at Lily, who was dressed up in her new frock with ribbons that matched those worn by Skye right down to the last stitch, and could not help but concede.

His chest had clenched when he woke that morning, and the tightness had not eased. Not through getting dressed. Not through Stephen’s taunts. Not even right here at the front of the hall, surrounded by guests.

“I am nae going to be sick, Lily.”

“Ye look it all the same.” She tugged at his sleeve, entirely unbothered by the solemnity of the occasion, the way only a child of eight could manage. “Grandmaither says that grooms always look like this before their weddings. She said Grandda looked green as a frog on their wedding day.”

“Did he now?” Dougal found himself smiling despite the churning in his gut, despite the weight of every eye stare.

“Aye. Green as a frog, and twice as clumsy, she said.” Lily beamed up at him, clearly delighted with her own retelling. “Are ye going to be clumsy too, Da?”

“I sincerely hope nae.”

Stephen, standing at his shoulder with an expression far too pleased for his liking, leaned in just enough to be heard. “Ye’ve faced down armies with a steadier hand than this, me Laird. I daenae think I’ve ever seen ye look so thoroughly rattled.”

“An army I ken how to fight, Stephen.”

“And this ye daenae?”

Dougal didn’t answer right away, his gaze drifting toward the doors at the far end of the hall, still closed, still holding back the one thing he’d spent seven years convincing himself he’d never have again.

“This is different.”

“Aye, I imagine it is.” Stephen’s voice softened. “For what it’s worth, Dougal, I’ve never once seen ye look more certain of anything, whatever state yer stomach’s currently in.”

Kenna appeared at his other side then, reaching up to straighten his collar the way she’d done since he was a boy far too small to stand still for it. “Ye’ll do fine, son.”

“Will I, Maither?”

“Aye.” She patted his arm, her eyes suspiciously bright. “Yer faither looked the same the day he married me. Terrified half out of his wits but happier than I’d ever seen him look before or since.”

“I only hope I daenae make a fool of meself in front of these people, after everything they whispered about me these past years.”

“Ye willnae.” Kenna’s voice was firm, brooking no argument. “And even if ye did, I daenae think Skye would love ye any less for it. She’s never once cared what people whispered.”

Lily tugged at his sleeve again, more insistent this time. “Da, ye’re doing the far-away face again. Ye’re supposed to be watching the doors.”

“Am I, now?” Dougal glanced down at her, something in his chest easing at the simple, uncomplicated certainty on her small face. “And what would ye have me do instead, little one?”

Lily opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, the doors opened, revealing Skye in an ivory gown. A plaid wasdraped across her shoulder and pinned with Kenna’s brooch, and her dark hair was pinned back loosely.

Dougal had never seen something so beautiful.

Kaden walked her down the aisle, muttering something to her. She teared up, leaning up to kiss his cheek. For a moment, Dougal wondered if her brother was trying to convince her not to marry him, but he knew that was foolish.

He and Kaden had bonded in the past month. Skye had seen to it that they bridged the chasm between them before she walked down the aisle. It was important to her that they got along.

When she stopped before him, she beamed.

The priest rattled off his usual speech, but Dougal barely heard any of it until they had to say their vows. They tumbled out, but he kept speaking. He was going to get through this and let Skye know how much he cared about her.

Skye then spoke her vows, tears streaming down her cheeks, before the priest finally said the words he had been aching to hear.

“I now pronounce ye husband and wife. Ye may kiss the bride, me Laird.”

Dougal did not waste time, leaning down and capturing her lips in a kiss.

The hall erupted in hearty applause and cheers. Some guests even whistled. Lily was laughing and clapping her hands together.