You are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone
Chapter Summary
I searched for traditional Scottish Wedding Vows and liked this one.
"You are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give you my body that we two may be one. I give you my spirit, 'till our life shall be done. You are my Blood, and Bone of my Bone"
Elizabeth watched herself in the mirror as the Montrose Tiara was finally placed on her head. Today was her wedding day and everything was to change. She would no longer going be a Montrose but Lady Elizabeth Worcester.
Even though she was a happy to marry Alfred she wished her father was present. Tears falling down her cheek and she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. Charlotte knowing that it was always going to be hard for Elizabeth today. Hector and Charlotte over the years had dreamed about their children's futures.
"You father will always be with you! He was always proud of you and loved your fire" Charlotte spoke to break her daughter out of her depression. Elizabeth not caring about her clothing tightly embraced her mother as she thought about her father who she dearly missed. Even though she was happy for her mother finding Sidney again it had been difficult seeing her mother love another.
"Did you love my father?" was a question Elizabeth had asked the night before.
"Dearly … my love. He brought light back into my life when I had lost Sidney. I will always love him… will you be able to accept Sidney as your stepfather?" anxiously asked Charlotte. She knew it was going to be challenging for Sidney as Hector had been such a large presence in the children's lives. She had noticed at times he became tense when Hector was spoken about …. particularly by Sidney M.
"I can see Sidney loves you and happy you will not be alone." bravely spoke Elizabeth.
Charlotte wiping away the tears and suggested they think of some good memories. Charlotte reminding Elizabeth about the time she had been playing hide and seek. Hector had every single person in the castle looking for Elizabeth. Elizabeth remembering her father gently pulling her out from behind a cupboard she had gotten wedged behind. He never let her out of his sight for days and ensured she had someone keeping an eye on her.
"He is your father and never stop talking about him. Your children need to know their grandfather" Charlotte kissing her forehead and now turned their attention back to the preparations for the wedding.
It had become more formal since the King had gotten involved. Charlotte couldn't blame the man after watching Sidney with their son. Susan had been able to regain control and the wedding breakfast was to be held at the new home of the couple. Susan had been shocked when the King gifted the couple $50 000 and country estate. Susan was thankful her husband didn't think it was odd and without concern thanked his cousin for the generous gift.
Charlotte leading her daughter downstairs where the family was waiting. Sidney M taking hold of his sister's arm as he was to perform his father Hector's duty. He directed everyone to fill their glasses with his father's favourite drink and with emotion spoke a poem his father had requested to be delivered the morning of Elizabeth's wedding. He spoke from memory and by the end everyone was in tears.
"Let us toast to the memory of the great man Hector…father, Uncle, brother and Laird" Sidney M raising his glass as he honoured the man who had raised him. Everyone standing in silence as they remembered Hector. Sidney M breaking the silence by starting a traditional Scottish song and everyone joined in unison with him.
"Moran pithar beannachd….many blessings sister" he embraced Elizabeth and kissed her on the forehead. Everyone in the family followed and Charlotte encouraged the Parker men to participate. Sidney and James watching with interested as the various traditions were performed and the deep emotions being displayed. James asking Charlotte if there would be other traditions performed. Charlotte speaking the sacred words in Gaelic and then translated them into English.
"You are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give you my body that we two may be one. I give you my spirit, 'till our life shall be done. You are my Blood, and Bone of my Bone".
Sidney closely observing Charlotte as she spoke with emotion…. Knowing Charlotte would have said them to Hector. She privately shared later in their bedroom that when she spoken those words, she didn't love Hector but had thought about Sidney. Sidney acknowledging he did the same when he spoke his vows to Eliza.
The King outdoing himself with the chapel decorated with numerous flower arrangements and displayed his own family coat of arms. Susan was thankful no one asked questions and the ceremony was performed to everyone's satisfaction. Her son looked extremely handsome and couldn't take his eyes off his beautiful bride.
"Finally!" Alfred spoke after kissing his wife. The small number of guests congratulating the couple and they headed for their wedding breakfast. Susan out doing herself and ensured all their guests needs were satisfied.
While the happy couple were visiting with their many guests Isabella, Claire and Flora were seated together. It was Isabella's first Scottish wedding and was asking many questions. She was also distracting herself as she had noticed the Count of Alix on the other side of the room.
Sidney M and Alfred taking their cousin aside. The had never seen him so rattled and low in confidence. They encouraged him to speak with Isabella and express his feelings about the matter. Filipe agreeing and knew he had to be courageous at the wedding breakfast, but he still needed some help.
James taking matters into his own hands as he wanted to speak with Flora Montrose. He grabbed a reluctant Filipe and walked over towards the women. Filipe had avoided Isabella since their encounter, but it had only intensified his feelings. She had judged him and had been found him wonting. He had been angry but also knew she could make him wordless. Filipe's usual bag of tricks had been rendered useless and he didn't know how to act around her.
The women inviting to join them and Filipe was forced to sit next to Isabella. James easily starting a conversation with the Montrose twins while it was a little awkward with the other pair.
"Good morning Miss Crowe, how are you this morning?" He simply spoke without any other meaning.
"I am well My Lord" Isabella spoke back. She had felt guilty after that evening and had tried to apologise but it seemed he had been avoiding her.
"I would like to start again! Could we see if we could be friends instead of enemies" Filipe asked nervously
"I would like that… hello my name is Isabella" holding her hand and Filipe grasped it with relief.
"Hello, my name is Filipe!" giving her one of his genuine smiles. They were not sure what was ahead but at least they were going to be honest with each other. Amanda smiling as she knew her Isabella was taming a rogue the same way she did her husband.
It was time to leave the newly married couple and Charlotte held her daughter longer than anyone else. The couple would be settling in England and Charlotte would have to console herself with visits. Alfred was a good man and would ensure all her needs were met but she was going to miss Elizabeth's presence.
"Mathair … Mother… we will see you in Sanditon in a week's time and then we will visit you in Scotland" Elizabeth wiping away tears as she held her mother. Charlotte nodding and let her go back to her husband.
Charlotte was thankful for Sidney who tucked her arm in his and had never left her side. When they were finally alone in bed he lovingly gathered her to him and watched her as she slept.
Speaking aloud the vow to her…
"You are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give you my body that we two may be one. I give you my spirit, 'till our life shall be done. You are my Blood, and Bone of my Bone".