Makenna reached out her hand, and Colin clasped it in his. He turned and together they approached the altar and stepped up to make their vows. Colin heard his voice ring out solidly, without doubt and then it was Makenna’s turn. Her tone was softer, serene, and filled with sincerity.
Colin felt her slim, soft fingers unconsciously squeeze his, as if his nearness gave her a confidence that would otherwise not exist. Again he felt the surge of hope that with Makenna he would know a real marriage. Not an imprisonment as he earlier feared, but a second chance to find what he never did with Deirdre. It would not be what his parents had shared. He did not love Makenna, nor she him. But they had something. Passion, and now the beginnings of trust.
It was enough.
As soon as the ceremony ended, Colin was surrounded by interested parties who knew what such a marriage might mean. Feeling Colin’s hand slip away from hers, Makenna turned around and became engulfed as the crowd shuffled her outside for the breaking of bread.
Crumbs fell about her and the women immediately stooped to pick them up. She had stepped free of the semicrazed mob and felt the warm familiar fingers of her father close over her hand. He tugged gently, and she followed.
Alexander looked down at his youngest daughter with tears in his eyes. He had hoped that he had done the right thing by forcing this marriage. Colin and Makenna were so different, but so alike. Though neither had realized it, after Deirdre’s death, they had both retreated into themselves. It was only when they were verbally sparring with each other that they came alive. His clan needed this marriage, but he truly believed Colin and Makenna needed each other as well.
His fears had disappeared the moment Makenna trusted Colin to help her in the chapel. Their vows were not made under protest, but were heartfelt. At that moment, Alexander felt true hope for his daughter and his clan. He could let go now. He just needed to say good-bye.
Makenna smiled at him, and Alexander hooked her arm in his, leading her away from the chaos. “I’m glad you are no longer still angry with me, Áille.”
“How could I stay angry with you, Father? You are the only man I will ever love.”
He smiled at her innocence. “Ah, Makenna, you have so many changes ahead of you, but do not let your adventurous spirit be one of them.”
“Don’t worry, Father. I doubt I will be transformed into a dutiful, dull domesticate just by merely uttering the words.”
“No, I doubt that anything in this world is powerful to fully tame your wild nature.” Alexander maneuvered Makenna out of view to a private spot just inside the base of the rear tower. “But what I want you to understand is that marriage will change you, but it will be for the better. If you let him, Colin will not take away, but add to your life. Learn to lean upon him for the hard times. If you do, you will never be alone again.”
Makenna shook her head. “Father, you just don’t understand how it is between Colin and me. You have no idea what he has said and done over the past few years. He thinks I am wild—”
“You are wild,” Alexander responded, interrupting.
“—and impetuous. He thinks I care for no one but myself.”
“Then you must show him differently. I have seen more than you realize, Aille, and you and I both know that he has only seen one side to you. I know it has been hard these past two years, especially after losing Deirdre. I went through the same after your mother passed. You were young, but I know the feeling of abandonment and how it changes a person. It makes one very defiant, not wanting to rely on anyone or anything.”
“He has definitely seen my defiance,” Makenna replied, looking down as she twisted the ties to her bliaut.
Alexander put a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze. “Does he know of your loyalty? Does he understand your perseverance to perfect what you are determined to learn? Has he seen that you have a heart more full of compassion than anyone—aye, anyone—I have ever known?”
“I’m telling you he has known me for almost two years and doesn’t care about those things. Only you can see the good side of me.”
Alexander dropped his hand. “I was there in the chapel when fear overcame you. It was Colin, not I, that gave you the peace to continue.”
Makenna stared at the ground, remembering. “He made me a promise.”
“A promise?”
“To never make me do anything I didn’t want to.”
“Do you think he meant it?”
Makenna nodded, the movement barely detectable. “He meant it. Colin is arrogant and self-assured and loves to intimidate everyone near him. Probably why I enjoy showing him that he cannot with me. But he never does or says anything he doesn’t mean.”
“Do you trust him?”
Makenna rolled the question over in her mind, knowing the answer. Outside of her father, she trusted Colin more than any other man. With him, she might be aggravated, but she always knew where she stood. Yet she found it impossible to say as much aloud.
Makenna looked directly into her father’s green eyes and nodded. “I do.”
Alexander knew how difficult that had been to admit, but he knew Makenna was telling the truth. “Trust me, Áille, everything will be fine. Remember I love you, and I would never have asked you to commit yourself to Colin if I did not truly believe your life would be the better for it. He can make you happy…if you let him. And though you cannot imagine it to be true now, you have it within you to make Colin happy as well. Now, let us say good-bye before we go to the hall and the crowd takes you away from me.”
Makenna hugged her father tightly and felt him return the firm embrace. She wondered if there was anyone who could ever make her feel as safe and as loved as he did.
Alexander held on to his youngest and most beloved daughter, knowing that this would be the last time. He could finally let go. She was safe. She was Colin’s now, and he would protect her. In doing so, the young Highlander would discover that he had received the greatest treasure a father could give, someone to love and be loved by.
“When?” Colin asked, only paying half attention to the discussion. Laird Crawford had joined him a few minutes ago, and based on the direction of their conversation, the Lowland laird intended to ally himself with Colin.
“Perhaps a week or two, maybe longer,” a friendly, but solid voice replied. “My boys have talent but they need a firm hand, one away from the accolades of their mother. God bless her soul, she is the one person I cannot say no to. Any other man and I’d have been able to stop the nonsense hindering those two. I’ve seen your men, and how you train them. If you aren’t too busy being a new groom, it would be a great relief and honor if you would agree to train my sons and a few of their friends.”
Colin nodded in agreement. His real focus was across the room. Makenna. Just a few hours ago, they had said their vows, and instead of being distraught and angry, she appeared content and untroubled, even happily married.
He mulled over the idea. Was Makenna happily married? Did she consider him to be a good man?
Yesterday when he had unilaterally made the decision they should marry, he had not cared about her feelings for him. It mattered not if she considered him decent, trustworthy, or even honorable. He knew he was and that was all that mattered—then. Now, seeing Makenna relaxed, and happy, talking with Crawford’s wife, he wanted her to be just as comfortable when she was with him.
Jaimie Crawford watched the large Highlander stare questioningly at his new wife. When he had met Colin two days ago, he witnessed the loyalty Colin generated from his men and the reasons why. Calm, steady, and self-assured, this commander would not only teach his sons how to wield a claymore with accuracy, but he would give them the wisdom needed to lead the Crawford army when Jaimie passed. Colin was a rare leader of men, possessing talent to guide and teach as well as command. But, watching him tonight, Jaimie wondered if Colin knew what it meant to be a good husband.