Chapter 29 — Mo Chroí Iomlán
All grand thoughts come from the heart.
Luc de Clapiers
Bella's POV
The hall was just like I remembered, long and straight with trestle tables lining the side walls. Grandfather's chair stood tall on the dais behind the table. The west wall's stained glass windows were ablaze from the setting sun. The dais was calling to me, beckoning me to stand before those gathered. The pull had me squaring my shoulders and taking a step forward with a timid smile on my face.
As I passed, heads turned and people bowed as they whispered, "Welcome home, my lady."
Home, I thought. The word was a bit strange. I didn't consider Scotland home. Seattle was home. Edward was home. A hand came to rest on the small of my back. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Edward, and a thought struck me. It didn't matter where I was; if he was with me, I would always be home.
The nervousness I was feeling fled when I saw his smile, so gentle and encouraging. As I accepted Ian's hand and stepped up onto the dais, Edward stood with the gathered clan members.
Once I was facing those gathered, they bowed, including Edward. It touched me that he would acknowledge me in that fashion. With a lift of my hand, I motioned for Edward to join Ian and me. If he was going to be my husband, we might as well show a united front, right?
He didn't immediately join me, but instead, he knelt in front of me. A collective gasp resounded when he pulled a dagger out of the sheath at his waist. Holding it by the blade with the hilt toward the ceiling, he said nothing but kissed the crossguard before offering the hilt to me.
I smiled down at Edward as I took the dagger. It was a simple thing for him to do and a powerful message at the same time. He pledged that he would protect me in front of the several high-ranking clan members. Word would make its way around to the rest, fast, and every member would know by tomorrow afternoon. I might as well add to the news.
With Edward finally next to me, I introduced him as my fiancé. To my surprise, cheers rang throughout the hall. "Am pòg thu i?" someone shouted as the cheers died down.
Edward glanced at Ian and me with a raised brow. It was my job to act as translator for him, but I wasn't sure telling him was the right thing to do.
"Bella, what was said?" he asked through our link.
I wisely stayed silent for the moment, opting to kiss him. "This is what they wanted you to do," I answered when my lips pressed against his.
Another cheer rang throughout the hall as Edward wrapped his arms around me, though he didn't deepen the kiss.
"Làmh fhad, is cead a sìneadh ," the cook said.
"Time to eat," I whispered in Edward's ear. Pulling away, I took hold of his hand to lead him around the head table, indicating the chair to my left.
Ian sat in the chair Grandfather would have occupied.
I will have to tell Edward soon that he will become Laird the day we wed. Internally, I sighed. That will be one hell of a conversation.
Edward's POV
Malcolm had told me to stand off to the side and wait for Bella to call me to join her on the dais. He had further advised me to kneel and present my dagger to her. I was shocked by the response of the clan members when I did so, and I still didn't know what to make of it.
"Love, is there some significance to giving someone a dagger?" I asked through our shared connection, not knowing how much Finlay would understand.
Bella glanced over at me as Finlay led us to her chambers upstairs.
"Well, not normally. It's more the way you presented it to me that spoke volumes," she responded.
"What do you mean?"
"By kneeling and kissing the dagger, you swore to always be loyal to me and protect me with your life. When I took the dagger from you, I accepted your unspoken pledge of fidelity."
I thought about this a moment. "I would have pledged that without the ceremony."
With a smile on her face, Bella looked at me. "I know, but it was more for the clan than me."
Bella's POV
Dinner was wonderful as usual. The spirits flowed freely, though many chose to enjoy them, none drank to oblivion. Even though I was of legal age to drink, I declined, opting for water, but I did take a few small sips from Edward's goblet. He said nothing, but he gave me a disapproving look each time. I believe in his mind he was focusing on the U.S. drinking age, and there I wasn't old enough.
Edward's question startled me out of my own contemplations. I thought that he had known what it meant to offer me the dagger, but when he had asked me about it later, I realized he had been oblivious. I thought it only fair to offer him an explanation when he asked.
After a quick smile, we came to a stop outside my chambers, but when Finlay motioned for Edward to follow, I threw a hissy fit—well, not really, but I didn't let Finlay lead Edward away.
"No," I said, stomping my foot and crossing my arms over my chest. "Edward is to stay with me."
"My lady, you're not yet—" Finlay started only to be cut off by Ian.
"It's his lairdship's order. They are not to be separated. This afternoon was permissible, but Malcolm wants Edward sleeping in the same room as his granddaughter," Ian said in such a way that left no room for argument.
Huffing and mumbling under his breath about it not being proper, Finlay walked away.
"Thank you, Ian," Edward remarked. "I wasn't looking forward to walking through the secret bolt hole."
Ian laughed. "I would imagine. They haven't been swept out in a decade," Ian said. "I had your bags put in Isabella's suite. Goodnight." Ian gave me a kiss on the cheek and clapped Edward on the back before continuing on and disappearing into one of the guestrooms at the end of the hall.
Edward followed me inside. He gave a low, appreciated whistle as he spun slowly, taking in the main sitting room.
The room was lavishly decorated in soft golds and royal blue with silver accents. Leather chairs sat on either side of the fireplace, and a love seat was a good distance from it, too. The clan coat of arms hung down from the ceiling, covering one wall fully. Two long tables were positioned on either side of the door that led to the bedroom. Both tables boasted a vase of Scottish wildflowers—primrose and violets being the ones I could readily name. One table held a few books.
"It's not my style," I said. "But I'm not here that often." Shrugging, I moved to the bedroom door.
"I'll give you time to change, love," Edward said, still exploring the sitting room.
I took my time undressing, folding each piece with care—not something I normally did, but my mind was reeling, but it wasn't because Edward would be sharing my bed. He said he would wait until I was ready. It was being here in Scotland and in the clan house, knowing someone disapproved of the sleeping arrangements that had me nervous. Propriety was to be observed, but Grandfather's order would be honored, and his word was law.
Stepping into the baby blue pajamas I had worn the second night I stayed with Edward—that seemed a lifetime ago—I thought about Grandfather's motives. It was strange he would give an order like that without a good reason. I sighed.
"What's wrong, love?"
"Nothing," I answered, opening the door.
Edward looked at me in concern. I could picture him peering over the rims of glasses. "I don't believe you, Bella. Please, tell me."
I motioned for him to sit. When he had, I moved to take the place next to him, but he pulled me onto his lap.
"Talk to me," he whispered.
Which did I start with? With the fact that he would become laird, or seeing if he knew why Grandfather was allowing us to sleep together. "One or two?" I asked, letting him decide.
He raised his eyebrow. "Why?"
"Two problems," I answered. "Choose which one you want to start with."
"Hmm," he said. "I guess we'll start with one."
Internally I groaned, but we had to start with one of them. "When we marry, you will become laird," I said slowly.
Edward appeared to be holding back a laugh but failed. "I know, love," he said a little breathless once he stopped. "The day I went and asked Malcolm for his blessing, he told me." He leaned forward and gave me a small, sweet kiss. "I'm looking forward to that day, because it will mean you're my wife."
I was at a loss for words, truly at a loss. He knew and said nothing.
"What's next?" he asked.
Huh? Oh! "Do you have any idea why my grandfather gave an order for you to stay with me?"
He smile lit my eyes. "Maybe I should share with you what Malcolm said before giving me his blessing."
I nodded, encouraging him to go on.
"He said I didn't need his blessing, that you and I are meant to be together, and it was beyond his control since our connection was written in the stars." Edward caressed my face with a single finger. "So, in a sense, we are already married. The piece of paper, the ceremony, a hand-tying, or whatever you want is just a formality, Bella. No matter how we formalize it, our fate is sealed, but I want it legal, love, before a priest and witnesses."
Tears were sliding down my face by the time he was finished. My whole heart was his, like I knew that his was mine. Pressing my lips to his, I whispered four words against them, "Make love to me."
Without a word, he stood and slipped his right arm under my legs, carrying me straight through the open door of the bedroom. After laying me on the bed, he stripped off his top, folding it. Moving to his suitcase, he pulled out a pair of pajamas. I was confused. "Trust me, Bella, I want to, but your health is more important. The cough is gone, for the moment, and it will come back at some point. Once you're well again, we'll stay in bed all day, exploring each other's bodies."
Edward had a point, a very good point, and my chest was starting to feel heavy again. "Okay," I said with no hint of disappointment or sadness evident in my voice. "I'll be content if you just hold me like you have been. It helps keep the nightmares away."
Edward's POV
When Bella told me that when I held her at night it had helped her, I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. I hadn't been concerned since she never fought me, but hearing her ask for me to hold her as I had every night for the past two weeks was an indescribable feeling.
"First, let's get some medicine in you. Then, my arms are yours," I said, turning to the dresser where I had placed the bottle of cough syrup before I changed into my pajamas.
I carefully measured the dose and handed the cup over to Bella. She made a "Mr. Yuck" face—all scrunched up with closed eyes, frown, and tongue sticking out but lacking the green color—after she swallowed. Having learned fast, I had a glass of juice—conjured by magic—at the ready.
After placing the medicine cup back on the dresser, I settled down next to Bella. Exhaustion claimed us both, fast, and it wasn't even seven in the evening yet. I attributed my fatigue to not sleeping much in the past two days, the long flight and drive to get to the keep, and the wonderful meal of roasted venison and potatoes. And like every night since I met Bella, she filled my dreams.
A/N:
I use three Scottish Gaelic phrases in this chapter, here are the translations:
Mo Chroí Iomlán means "My Whole Heart" is Scottish Gaelic.
Am pòg thu i? means "Will you kiss her?"
Làmh fhad, is cead a sìneadh is a Scottish proverb meaning "A long arm, and leave to stretch it." i.e. tuck in – as in "to eat."
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