The Handfasting, page 1
Chapter One
“I canna leave tomorrow. I need one more day,” Gavin said firmly as he raked his hand through his shoulder length blonde hair and squared his broad shoulders in preparation for a battle with his sire.
“Time is a luxury that we nae longer have. We leave in the morning,” Laird Mackinnon said curtly. “I’ll have nae argument from ye on this, Gavin. We leave at first light.”
Gavin bowed his head in frustration and garnered his thoughts. He fought mightily to control his raging temper.
He would not beg. He began quietly and his voice gathered intensity as he spoke. “Father, there is no much that I have asked of ye. I’ve been a humble, obedient son, sometimes a bit obstinate, but I’ve borne my duty tae the clan well. I’ve dedicated my life tae the clan as ye’ve taught me. I’ve learned the art of war as ye’ve instructed me. I’ve done all that ye’ve asked of me, father, and I’ve worked hard tae make ye proud,” Gavin said solemnly, his piercing green eyes locking intensely with his father’s.
“I’m prepared tae follow ye tae battle, tae lay down my life fighting for Prince Charlie,” Gavin vowed, his voice shaking with genuine commitment to the clan’s cause. “But I need ye tae grant me this. Give me one more day,” he said with conviction.
Laird Mackinnon exhaled loudly and raised his hand to his temple in an effort to relieve the throbbing in his head. He shouldered the burden of leading his clan to war and it was a burden that he did not take lightly. He knew that war, even one in which the clan was victorious, would no doubt end in loss of life. Would his son be one of the clansmen whose life would be cut short? Would his own bloodline be snuffed out by the atrocities of war?
Mackinnon’s defenses weakened when his eyes studied his son, standing strong and proud before him. Gavin had grown into a fine man. He was a skillful warrior and he had made the Laird proud. Being the youngest of Mackinnon’s three sons, the Laird harbored a special place in his heart for his reckless, mischievous youngest child. Mackinnon’s defenses were cracking.
“Blast!” he cursed, shaking his head as he relented to his son. “Ye’ll ride like the devil’s at yer heels tae catch up tae us in a fortnight?” he said, watching the corner of Gavin’s mouth curl into the faintest hint of a smile.
“Aye, Da. I’ll ride like hell tae meet ye at Kyleakin before ye depart for the mainland,” Gavin said solemnly. “Thank ye, Da,” he said, smiling softly now and clapping his father gently on the back. “Ye have no idea of how much this means tae me.”
..ooOoo..
Gavin rapped on the door of the small cottage and waited impatiently. Time was a luxury that he now had very little of. Feelings of anticipation were building in his stomach, twisting into an unpleasant knot. Gavin was not a man who was accustomed to feelings of nervousness, but when it came to Emma, everything was different. Loving Emma had changed his outlook on the world. Emma was the sunlight in his life, and try as he might, Gavin could not reconcile how he was going to leave her.
The door cracked open and his heart soared when he saw her. Emma’s eyes were alight with surprise when she saw him and the most radiant smile spread across her beautiful face when her blue eyes locked with his.
“Gavin!” she beamed as she launched herself at him and threw her arms around his neck. Her less than formal greeting was a welcome indicator that her mother was not at home.
“Hi love,” he whispered as he nuzzled her neck and inhaled her sweet, feminine scent. She smelled of heather and summer sunshine. “I’ll take it that my lass missed me?” he chuckled softly as he pried Emma away from him so that he could kiss her properly.
His lips found hers and lightly they grazed over the soft skin of her full lips. Emma smiled against his mouth and he playfully bit her lower lip, growling deep within his throat as he teased her. Lord how she affected him.
“Kiss me,” she warned playfully as she knotted her hands in his unbound hair and pulled him close.
Obliging her, Gavin claimed her lips fully. The kiss began tenderly and quickly progressed into a passionate, all consuming assault on Emma’s mouth. His tongue traced the line of her lower lip and when she opened for him, he swept into her mouth and stroked his tongue against her sweet, wet heat.
Emma’s knees threatened to give out and her body sagged against Gavin’s chest. His arms were there to support her and she clung to him, yielding to the pleasures that his kiss brought to her senses. Her breathing came heavily now and the blood in her veins pulsed with desire for Gavin.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. He looked down into her blue eyes with such love that it pained her.
Oh, how I love you, Gavin Mackinnon.
Gavin tenderly kissed her lips now, holding her soft gaze as he gently skimmed his lips over hers. He trailed his fingers over her jaw-line and then placed a soft kiss on her lips before pulling away slightly.
“Lord, I’ve missed ye, woman,” he confessed, his lips curling into the lop-sided smile that Emma adored.
“I didn’t expect to see you today,” she whispered, threading her fingers through his hair and interlacing them behind his neck. “What a nice surprise,” she said softly as she hugged him again.
“I thought I’d come and whisk ye away,” he said huskily as he swept her off of her feet and into his arms.
Emma squealed in response and kicked her feet in mock protest.
Gavin silenced her protest with another kiss.
“Where are we going?” she asked, intrigued. Gavin was usually required to drill with the Mackinnon men during the day and it was a rare treat for him to have an afternoon to himself.
“Wouldn’t ye like tae ken?” he joked, nipping at Emma’s ear. “I promise ye that it will be worth yer time milady,” he whispered into her ear.
“And if I say no?” she teased.
“Then I’ll kidnap ye,” he said firmly. “I’ll toss ye over my shoulder and carry ye away.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Emma fumed.
“Aye. Ye ken that I would. But ye also ken that I willna have tae,” he smiled deliciously, knowing how his touch affected Emma.
Lord how she affected him. She was such a slight thing, so small and fragile. And yet she was so head-strong and willful. Emma was a contradiction for sure. She was also the love of his life. Emma came to the Isle of Skye from England when her mother, Lady Abernathy, wed Gavin’s uncle Albert. Gavin had loved Emma from the moment that he first laid eyes on her. The only problem was that so did every other hot-blooded Mackinnon man.
Emma was a rare beauty with her honey blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes. She had a body that would make a priest repent for lustful thoughts, but more than her physical charms, it had been Emma’s lively personality that had truly made her irresistible to Gavin. Emma was intelligent and strong-willed, downright fiery when provoked. Gavin loved that about her. Emma was his match in every way and Gavin counted his blessings that he had been the man lucky enough to ensnare her affections.
Emma had been the object of many a man’s desires. She held a reputation for having a viper’s tongue when provoked, a fact that secretly delighted Gavin. He loved that she was not a milk-toast lass. She was a fiery and headstrong lass and he loved her just the way that she was. Emma Abernathy was made for him. He had just hoped to have more time with her.
Gavin mounted his horse with Emma still in his arms and he settled her firmly atop his lap. Feeling her supple thighs atop his own aroused him and he gritted his teeth as he fought his bodily response to the lass. This was how it always was with Emma. Her slightest smile caused his pulse to race. The way that she held her graceful neck when she spoke made goose bumps break out on his skin. Her infectious laugh made his heart sing with joy. Every move that Emma made aroused and intrigued him.
He kicked his stallion into motion and kidnapped his lovely lass for the remainder of the early spring afternoon.
..ooOoo..
“I have tae go away,” he said, green eyes studying Emma’s blue ones intensely as they sat wrapped up in each other on his plaid. A knot settled in Gavin’s throat as the words escaped his lips.
Emma swallowed hard. Her world came crashing down around her as the implication of Gavin’s words settled in.
“Prince Charlie?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Aye. I’m so sorry, Emma.”
“When?” she asked, tears welling in her eyes.
“The rest of the clan leaves at first light in the morning, but I’ve asked for another day,” Gavin said softly, his heart wrenching as he watched the pain play openly across Emma’s face. “Doona cry, lass. It breaks my heart tae see ye so.”
“I can’t help it!” Emma exclaimed, her defenses melting as the tears spilled forth down her cheeks. She was trying her hardest to be stoic, but the thought of Gavin leaving so soon was more than she could bear.
Gavin took her face in his hands and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. Emma closed her eyes and drank in the feeling of his warm hands against her skin.
“What if you don’t make it back?” she asked, almost afraid to speak the words aloud.
“Then ye’ll move on. Ye’ll find someone else,” he said. The very thought of Emma finding someone else made his blood boil. It enraged him to think of another man touching Emma, kissing her as he was meant to do. Emma was meant to be his.
Emma shook her head fiercely from side to side. “No,” she said. “No!”
“It is what ye must do, sweetheart. Believe me, I’ll fight like hell tae get back tae ye, but if I
Emma shook her head defiantly. “I could not live if you don’t come back to me, Gavin. I love you so much,” she said, her eyes misty with tears. “I need you to come back.”
She leaned forward on her knees and captured Gavin’s face in her hands. His stubble tickled her fingers and she brought his mouth to hers. Her lips were demanding, urgent in their need for him. She kissed him with all of the love in her heart, bearing her soul for him to see. Emma could simply not fathom living in a world in which Gavin Mackinnon was not in.
“You will come back to me,” she vowed, willing both of them to believe her statement as truth.
“Aye. I will,” Gavin said sternly, brushing her golden hair back from her face. “I love ye so, Emma,” he whispered, lowering his forehead to rest on hers.
“I love you too,” she whispered in return.
“I’d planned tae ask ye tae marry me, tae be my wife,” he confessed, his green eyes looking hopefully into hers.
The love that Emma saw in his eyes overwhelmed her.
His wife.
“Then why didn’t you?” she asked boldly, her eyebrows scrunching together in dismay.
“I think that I’m asking ye right now,” he said, his lips curling into her favorite lop-sided, sexy smile.
“Really?” Emma asked, barely able to contain her smile.
“Aye. Nothing would make me happier,” he said honestly as he reached up and caressed her face. She was so beautiful and his heart ached as he watched her react to his impromptu proposal. He should have asked her sooner so that they could have had more time together. If only he had known that he would be called to battle so soon.
Gavin’s pulse raced as he waited for Emma’s response.
“Yes!” Emma whispered, her smile now broadening.
Gavin reached behind her neck and guided her lips to his. He kissed her with all of his pent up love, his longing and his desire. Kissing Emma enflamed his senses and aroused him to the point of combustion. She tasted so sweet, so feminine and the way that she yielded herself to him caused his cock to throb painfully in his pants. Oh how he wanted her.
He broke the kiss and calmed his ragged breathing before continuing.
“Ye’ve just made me the happiest man on Earth,” he said, smiling now as he looked at the beautiful lass before him. Emma’s lips were ruddy from his kisses. This was when she was the most beautiful to him. She was beautiful because she belonged to him.
“I’d planned tae do this proper, tae ask for yer mother’s blessing and all. I wanted tae wait until banns were called and wed ye in kirk, all proper and the like,” he said, the smile suddenly slipping from his face. He had wanted to make this perfect for Emma. She deserved perfect and his heart broke because he could no longer give her the wedding that she deserved.
“I just want you,” she said softly, looking deeply into his eyes.
“I thought that we might do a handfasting instead. I ken that it’s no what ye had envisioned, it’s no what I had either. But I’m afraid that it’s all we have time for,” he said, his heart thundering in his chest as he anticipated her response.
“I just want you, Gavin,” she said, color flushing her face as she considered what they were about to embark upon. This beautiful man was to be her husband. Possibly tonight.
“The handfasting would last for a year and a day and then ye would be free. If I doona return, ye would be free tae marry another,” he said, swallowing hard as the impact of his words struck home.
“Don’t talk like that, Gavin,” Emma said, looking away as she felt the tears welling in her eyes again. She fought to hold them back, struggling to work past the knot that had lodged in her throat.
“I ken that ye don’t want tae hear it, but it’s a possibility that I might no come back,” Gavin said. “I want ye tae move on if I doona.”
“I don’t think that I can,” Emma said, eyes flashing up towards Gavin’s.
“Aye, ye can. Ye will. But at least we will have this. We’ll have this night together that may have tae last a lifetime.”
Chapter Two
Emma’s knees quivered as she stood before the man that would soon become her husband. Her heart swelled with love for Gavin, but she could hardly believe that they were about to be handfast. Lord above, when she woke up this morning, she would have never dreamed that she would be handfast to Gavin this afternoon. She had never dreamed that Gavin would be leaving for war so soon either.
Gavin stood before her now, resplendent in his best white linen shirt, smiling down at her with a look of love and longing in his eyes. He wore the dress kilt that he reserved for the most formal of occasions. He had bathed and shaved and his shoulder length blonde hair was pulled back into a queue at the base of his neck. Emma’s eyes traced over Gavin’s angular jaw and lingered on his lips. His lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile as he watched her appraise him. He was pleased. Just looking at the man that was to be her husband caused Emma’s heart to race. He was so handsome and in a matter of minutes, he would be hers.
Gavin’s cousin Jaime had agreed to witness their handfasting and he stood before the couple now, unsure of where to begin.
Jamie cleared his throat nervously. “I think that ye should lock hands, and we’ll start,” he said with mock authority. He had never presided over such a ritual before, and had agreed to do so now only because Gavin had strong-armed him into participating.
Gavin took Emma’s hands within in his own, squeezing them gently. He smiled at her, revealing the dimples that she loved so much. He stroked the backs of her hands with his thumbs, reassuring her that this was the right thing to do.
Emma’s right hand was enclosed in Gavin’s right hand and her left was clasped in his left hand. Jamie took a strip of tartan and bound their hands together.
Emma’s eyes flashed up and she gifted Gavin with a radiant smile. Her smile was so genuine that it made Gavin’s breath hitch in his throat. She was so outwardly happy to be bound to him like this that it made his heart soar. The only problem was that he knew he must leave her. How could he ever leave his beautiful lass? Leaving Emma would be like living in a world where there was no sunlight. She was the center of everything in his world.
Jamie unfolded a scrap of paper that he had dug out of his sporran. He had scribbled down the handfasting rites, not wanting to forget the words.
“Gavin, ye’ll go first. Repeat these words after me,” he said, eyes darting to Gavin’s.
“Aye,” Gavin said, nodding. He still looked into Emma’s eyes as he spoke.
Gavin mirrored the words that Jamie read, speaking directly into Emma’s blue eyes and professing his commitment before her and the Lord.
“I, Gavin Mackinnon, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take the Emma Abernathy tae my hand, my heart and my spirit, tae be my chosen one,” he said tenderly, swallowing hard as the implications of his vows to the woman before him settled in. “Tae desire thee and be desired by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise tae love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again,” Gavin said, repeating the words that Jamie read from the scrap of paper.
A knot settled in Gavin’s stomach as he spoke to Emma about loving her in this life and beyond. He watched in discontent as a shroud of worry cast over her beautiful face. He knew that she was thinking about the possibility that he might not return to her.
Jamie continued, and Gavin squeezed Emma’s small hands as he continued his vows. “Ye are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone. I give ye my body, that we two might be one. I give ye my spirit, ‘til our life shall be done.”
Tears cascaded down Emma’s face as she watched Gavin speak his vows to her. Hearing him speak of his love and commitment to her caused her heart to overflow with happiness. How was she ever going to let him leave tomorrow?
Gavin fought the urge to wipe Emma’s tears from her face. He hated to see her cry. He hated that he was the reason for her tears. He wanted to capture her sweet face in his hands and wipe away her tears, beg her to believe that everything would be alright. He could not do this, not now, for his hands were bound to hers by the strip of red tartan.
