Gareth rose to his feet. The laughter and the loud conversation ceased abruptly. A hush claimed the crowd as all eyes turned toward the head table.
Clare knew that everyone in the hall was waiting to see what would happen next. It was time for her to carry out her end of the bargain that she had struck with Gareth. She must go to the bridal chamber with the air of a willing, welcoming bride.
Gareth lifted his silver goblet and looked down at Clare. His gaze was brilliant and intent. Clare swallowed. Her smile felt shaky.
Friends first. Then lovers.
She could trust the Hellhound, she told herself. He would keep his end of the bargain.
"I drink a toast to my fair and lovely bride," Gareth said into the taut silence. He took a deep sip from the goblet.
Cheers rang through the hall. The boisterous crowd pounded tankards on the tables.
Gareth set his goblet down and drew the Window of Hell from its scabbard. The steel flashed in the firelight as he held the blade aloft just as he had the day of his arrival. A murmur of excitement rippled through the hall.
"I am a fortunate man, for I have wed a most gracious lady." Gareth's voice carried to the farthest corner of the large chamber.
A shout of agreement went up from the audience. Clare smiled wryly. The Hellhound really was very good at making the grand gesture.
"Hear me, good people of Desire," Gareth said. "Listen well, for I would have all those present here tonight witness that I give this sword, which had never been stained with dishonor, once more into the hands of my lady. This I do as a symbol of regard for her. She is now my wife.
She holds my honor in her hands even as she holds my sword."
"Aye, aye."
Another round of enthusiastic shouts and yells echoed from the stone walls, the revelers slamming tankards and knife butts against the tables.
Gareth reversed the blade and presented the sword, hilt first, to Clare.
"Know that I am well pleased in my wife."
The thundering yells of approval made it impossible for Clare to say a word. She did not know if she would have been able to speak had the hall been empty.
For some reason, Gareth's extravagantly chivalrous gesture, though she knew it to be carefully calculated for the effect it would have on the crowd, brought tears to her eyes.
She took the heavy, crystal-pommeled sword from his hand and rose to her feet.
Once more the hall fell silent in anticipation. Clare drew a deep breath and prepared to make a formal gesture of her own.
She nodded at William, who immediately came forward down the aisle between a row of trestle tables. He carried a large bunch of dried flowers and herbs.
"My lord," Clare said, "in exchange for the honor and strength that you bring to us this day, I give into your safekeeping the source of the prosperity of our fair isle."
William went down on one knee and handed the fragrant sheaf of dried lavender, rosemary, roses, and mug-wort to Clare. She took it from his hand and gave the ribbon-tied bundle to Gareth.
Gareth looked down at the sheaf of flowers and herbs that were symbolic of the perfumed isle. When he raised his eyes, Clare was stunned by the fierceness of his gaze.
"I will guard this isle, its people, and its lady with more care than I would use to guard my own life," Gareth said so that all could hear.
Clare saw the unwavering promise in his strong face. She knew that he meant every word. Their personal relationship was far from settled, but she could be certain that her isle was in good hands.
She smiled tremulously. "I have chosen well."
"I would have you believe so."
Clare could hardly breathe. For a moment it was as if she and Gareth were alone in the hall. She could feel the unbreakable, invisible cords that now bound them together.
Friends first, Clare reminded herself. It was far too soon for her and Gareth to become lovers.
Much too soon.
They barely knew each other.
Joanna rose from her place at the table and hurried toward Clare. The movement freed Clare of the spell that had settled on her. It was time to leave the hall.
Aware of the growing curiosity and expectation of the throng, Clare gripped the heavy sword and looked at Gareth.
"I go now to prepare to welcome my husband to the bridal chamber," Clare said very distinctly.
The crowd cheered and tankards were raised.
Gareth raised his goblet once more. "I pray you will not delay a moment longer, my lady. As a gardener, you know well that some herbs are most potent when they are shriveled and dried. There are others, however, which are best used when the stalk is strong and fully erect. Tis the latter variety that I shall bring to you tonight."
Laughter shook the hall.
Clare's eyes widened as the meaning of his words sank home. "For a man who claims that he does not jest, my lord, you have an unusual turn of phrase," she muttered.
"Aye, well, a wedding is an unusual event, madam."
Joanna seized her arm. "Come. We must hurry." She tugged impatiently.
Clare sent Gareth a speaking look as she was led away.
"Have a care with my sword," Gareth called after her. "It is the only one I have."
More shouts of laughter rang through the chamber.
"I vow, I shall find some good use for it." Clare clutched the blade hilt very tightly as Joanna drew her toward the staircase. " Twill make an excellent stake from which to string pea vines in my garden."
Shouts of encouragement accompanied Clare and Joanna as they picked up their skirts and hurried toward the ower stairs.
"Take this," Joanna whispered to Clare as they went lown the hall. "Hide it about your person. Do not let Lord jareth or anyone else see it."
Clare's fingers closed around yet another small object. Let me hazard a guess. Chicken blood?"
"Aye. Sprinkle some on the sheets before morning md all will be well."
Several other women appeared in the hall. Giggling ind laughing, they all crowded into the bedchamber to prepare the bride.
Within a few minutes Clare's gown had been stripped rom her. A beautifully embroidered night robe of fine soft inen was dropped over her head and she was tucked into:he sweet-smelling bed.
"There, now, ye look lovely," Eunice said as she ran a;omb through Clare's unbound hair. She leaned close and owered her voice. "Don't be forgetting the chicken blood."
"Believe me, I am unlikely to forget it."
Joanna went to the door and put her ear to the wood. 'I can hear Lord Gareth and his men on the stairs."
"Grooms is always an impatient lot." Agnes elbowed ler way to the side of the bed. "As yer old nurse, 'tis my right to say good night to the maid I helped raise. On the norrow, I'll greet the woman who rises from this bed."
"Hurry," Joanna said. "They're almost here."
Masculine voices and roars of mirth could be heard echoing down the corridor. The serving girls quickly poured svine into two goblets that stood on a table near the fire. Eunice dabbed a tear from her eye and smiled benignly.
Everyone's attention was on the door, waiting for it to Dpen. Agnes leaned over the bed.
"Here, now, take this, m'lady." She pressed a small object into Clare's hand.
With a sense of resignation, Clare glanced down at yet another small vial. "Thank you, Agnes. You cannot know how much your thoughtfulness means to me."
"Hush." Agnes cast a quick look about to make certain no one had overheard. "Be sure to dab a few drops on the sheets ere morning and all will be well."
"But, Agnes?"
" Tis just a useful precaution." Agnes fussed with the bedding. "When you've lived as long as I have, ye learn it pays to help nature along now and again. Especially when a man's honor is involved."
The door crashed open before Clare could argue.