Chapter Thirty
“You may now kiss the bride.”
The vicar’s pronouncement rang out through the chapel. Owen McShae embraced his radiantly happy bride, lifted her lace veil, and kissed her. Evelyn swallowed hard against a rush of joy that manifested itself in tears. Despite her best efforts, salty drops traced a path down her cheeks. A quick glance to the other bridesmaids revealed she was not the only one in need of a handkerchief.
In a fitted gown trimmed with lace, her veil now flowing over the cascading waves of her dark hair, Bonnie made a beautiful bride. Shades of blue in the plaid draped over the gown posed a vivid contrast to the snowy white of her wedding dress. A silver luckenbooth brooch securing the plaid to the gown, a gift from the groom to his bride, added a lovely touch to the ensemble. Stepping back to take her in, McShae looked ready to burst with pride and happiness at the sight of the woman who was now his wife.
A fresh wave of happy tears filled Evelyn’s eyes. With a sniff, she brushed away a few of the drops. Blinking to focus her vision, she gazed into the throng of friends and family who’d gathered to witness Bonnie and the dapper Highland agent take their vows.
Harrison MacMasters had arrived that morning. Attired in a black jacket, deep green waistcoat, and kilt in the MacMasters’ colors, he cut a striking figure. Seated several rows from the front, he kept his eyes on Grace. No doubt his interest in the sweet-faced American had contributed to his desire to return for the ceremony.
She’d seen no sign of Gerard. When Catriona had inquired if he would attend the wedding, Harrison had been uncharacteristically vague. Evelyn’s heart had sunk, just a bit. Quite silly, really. In truth, his absence was for the best. Allowing her feelings for the man to rekindle would serve no purpose. Her heartache would only increase if she fell more deeply in love with him.
At the door of the church, the piper sounded a vibrant tune. Soon, Bonnie and Owen would leave the chapel, united in matrimony and eager to begin their life together.
Suddenly, her gaze lit on Gerard. How long had he been seated at the back of the chapel? His expression somber as a man attending a funeral, his attention was trained on her.
Their eyes met. A hint of a smile broke through the serious set of his features. He dragged a hand through his sable hair. A nervous gesture? So very uncharacteristic of the brash Scot.
When he stood, Evelyn’s knees wobbled. What on earth was the man doing?
He came forward.
The sight of him truly took her breath away. A kilt in the bold MacMasters’ tartan draped his lean hips. He wore an ebony jacket and a waistcoat in a rich shade of charcoal gray. A sporran hung before the kilt. He marched toward her, so very dashing, she felt as if the very sight of him left her transfixed.
To her amazement, Owen McShae grinned. “Get on with it, MacMasters. I was starting to think ye’d lost yer nerve.”
Gerard marched toward her. “Not a chance, my friend.”
Bonnie beamed at him. Why in heaven was she so happy? The arrogant Scot had dared to interrupt her wedding, yet the bride could not hide her delight.
“Well, then, Mr. MacMasters, as I understand it, you have rather an important announcement,” Bonnie said, her tone laced with joy. “We have a chapel full of guests, all on the edge of their seats, eager to hear what you have to say.”
Gerard turned to the guests. “I have come here today, in front of all of you, to speak what will be the most important words ever to come out of this mouth. I may need yer assistance to persuade the lass to hear me out.”
Persuade the lass. What was happening? Beneath her flowing gown, Evelyn’s legs wobbled again, unsteady as spindly trees in a gale.
“Aye,” the guests spoke, as if in unison. At Evelyn’s side, Grace and Sally smiled warmly. Was Evelyn the only one in the church who did not understand what was happening?
Gerard came closer. Standing before her, he clasped her hands in his.
“Lady Evelyn, I have come to ask ye a question…a question that may change both of our lives.”
“What…what is this, Gerard?” She glanced past him to the guests watching the scene unfold. “I had not expected to see you again. Much less in this place.” She swallowed a nervous gulp. “And at a time such as this.”
“On a solemn occasion such as marriage, a man gets to thinking about his own life.” Gerard’s natural burr lent his pronouncement a husky rumble that warmed her heart.
She felt dozens of eyes upon her. “Gerard, what is this about?”
Gerard’s expression was solemn. “A man gets to thinking about the woman he loves.”
“Oh, dear.”
“This may seem like madness. But I have to tell ye, lass… I have to tell ye what’s in my heart.”
“In…in your heart.”
“Since I’ve met ye, Evie, I cannae imagine a life without ye in it.”
“You cannot?” The floor swayed beneath her feet, just a bit. If only she could think of something to say besides parroting his words back to him, as if to confirm her own ears had not deceived her.
He stood before her then, taking her gloved hand in his large, warm fingers.
“I love ye, Evelyn.”
“You…you love me?”
“Aye.” He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. “More than I ever thought possible.”
Her voice trembled. “This is so very…so very unexpected.”
“Aye, that it is. These last few months without ye have been like living in a prison with no hope of escape.”
“You created that prison, Gerard.”
How desperately she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him with every bit of love in her heart. But this was so very sudden, so far beyond what she’d ever considered possible. She’d erected a shield around her heart again, and now, here he was, dismantling her protection with a few pretty words. Could she trust him?
“Ah, lass, I’m well aware of that. I intend to destroy that prison. Here. And now. If ye’ll forgive me.” His eyes darkened to a smoky topaz. “If ye’ll have me again.”
“Oh, Gerard…this is so very sudden… I don’t know.”
“When ye’re near me, Evie, ye bring me joy. Yer smile. Yer laugh. The way ye look in a tub while steam curls the tendrils around yer face.”
Gasps erupted among the guests, but they were drowned out by a chorus of approving ahs. Evelyn’s heart stuttered. Her heart wanted to believe him. If only she could be sure this was not some sweet madness which would end with pain and regret.
He dropped to one knee, and Evelyn’s heart soared. It seemed she was in the midst of a wonderful dream, one from which she’d never want to wake.
“Say ye love me, Evie,” he said in that knee-weakening brogue of his.
“Oh, Gerard.” Tears streamed down her face. Tears of happiness. Tears of utter joy.
“Say ye’ll permit me to court ye, to woo ye, as ye deserve.” Emotion colored his voice. “Say ye will be my bride. Soon, lass…after ye’ve had time to be sure…time to cast aside any doubt and love me as I love ye.”
“Yes!” The word burst from her lips. “Oh, yes, Gerard. I will…I love you. So very much.” She gulped a breath. “There are no doubts in my heart. Only love.”
He rose to his full height. Enfolding her in his strong arms, he drew her close.
“What are ye waitin’ for?” From the back row, with the Houghton family’s genial cook, Mrs. Lewis, at his side, Fergus crowed his encouragement. “Kiss her, ye daft lug.”
Gerard pressed his lips to hers. Everyone and everything else faded away. There was only this man, and this kiss, and this moment in time.
When he released her, his smile melted her heart. “I’ll prove to ye how grand our life together will be. Soon, ye’ll be wearing the MacMasters’ plaid.” Lightly, he kissed her again. “And my ring.”