A/N: Thanks to my girls for whippin this one into shape. x

Chapter 18

Isabella was frantic with nerves. She didn't know what decision to make, to marry Edward and have the Scots fight for her, or to go to the Baron and save the lives of the Scots. Not that it mattered what she thought, because Edward had made up his mind. He had every intention of marrying her and she was sure that nothing she said would convince him otherwise, and there was certainly no way she could escape the castle without being seen. Not that she actually wanted to escape. Leaving here meant seeing the English soldiers and Baron Segrave. She shuddered at the thought of what he might do to her now that he had been forced to come to Scotland to get her.

Nay, she would rather be dead than in the hands of that man.

There was a knock on the door, distracting her from her thoughts. Isabella bid the person to enter, grateful to see that it was Tiffany. She could use a friend right about now.

"Ye look like ye could be dan we a wee tipple," Tiffany said, setting a tray down on the chair. "And a bite tae eat." If the truth be told, Tiffany thought the Lass looked ready to swoon. She realised that she must be terrified out of her mind with the English coming for her and the Laird wanting to marry her, not to forget the thought of losing her maidenhood. "Here Lass," she said, pouring her a cup of mead, and handing it to her. "This will soothe yer nerves."

Isabella took the cup and drained it in one sip. "May I have another?"

"Aye Lass, but wan more and that's it. The Laird will hae me head if I wer tae send ye tae your wedding drunk."

Isabella wasn't drunk by the time she stood in front of the Priest, at Edward's side, but she was certainly tipsy, and thankful for it. She wasn't sure she would have made it into the main hall otherwise.

"Shall we begin?" Father Brennan asked, looking between them.

The mere question made Isabella's knees go weak. The sooner they began, the sooner they would be wed, and she wasn't entirely sure what that would mean. She understood that Edward would take her to his bed, but what he would do with her when she was there? It wasn't something that ladies talked about, well, certainly not the ladies she had known and her mother had never coursed her in such things.

She was grateful that Edward was holding her up by her elbow because without him she would surely be lying on the floor by now.

"Aye, let's start," Edward said, glancing at his nervous bride. He hoped she would settle once the ceremony was over and they were sat down to their meal. He did intend to take her that night, but he would be gentle, at least the first time. He didn't want to scare her.

"Lady Swan, the church requires me to ask you. Do ye come here of your own free will? Do ye agree to marry Edward Menzies?"

Isabella thought for a moment, wondering what Edward or the priest would do if she said no. She imagined Edward's rage and laughed. The priest and Edward both frowned at her then. She quickly recovered herself, muttering a small apology.

"Lady Swan, do ye come here of your own free will? Do ye agree to marry Edward Menzies?"

"I do. I am. I mean I will," Isabella muttered, utterly confused. Perhaps, she was drunker than she thought.

The Father looked at her, wondering if he should continue.

"Please, do Father continue," Isabella mumbled, her cheeks flushing red.

The Father then proceeded to read a dissertation about the holy sacrament of matrimony. Bella barely heard a word he said.

"Now, if ye could both face each other and proclaim yer vows."

Edward went first. His vows were short and sweet. He swore to protect her with his life and honour until the day he died. When it was Isabella's turn, she had no idea what to say. She hadn't actually thought about it until now. In the end, she settled for saying she would do her best to honour him as his wife. She refused to say that she would obey him as that was something she couldn't promise. She could never follow his command if she knew in her heart that it was wrong, but she knew he would expect that of her.

Edward noticed that she failed to say that she would obey him, but he didn't comment. In time she would learn her place in his home and that his orders were to be followed. She just needed time to adjust.

"I now declare you man and wife," Father said, and the hall erupted into cheers. "You may kiss your bride."

Isabella's stomach twisted into a knot. She had never kissed a man before and now she was going to have her first kiss in a room full of strangers. She didn't like the idea, but didn't have much of a choice.

Edward turned to face her, he could tell that she was scared, but he didn't plan to do anything other than peck her on the lips. He would show her what a proper kiss later tonight.

Isabella's breath hitched as Edward caught her chin and tilted her head to face him. His lips were on hers for the briefest of seconds and then they were gone, leaving a warm tingling trail behind.

"Let's eat," Edward declared. "I'm starving."