A Seduction at Christmas (22 page)

And then it was his turn to make his vows. He spoke with quiet assurance and when the time came to offer a ring, she was surprised when he placed a heavy gold band on her finger. He sealed his actions by lifting her hand to his lips and kissing the band.

At last, Reverend Mosley raised his hand over their heads and pronounced them man and wife. If the skies had opened and angels had started singing, this moment could not be more momentous.

Back at the house, all was ready for the wedding breakfast. Some wagster in the family had placed
mistletoe over the chairs at the head of the table where Nick and Fiona were to sit. At different moments during the breakfast, everyone would start clanging on their glasses with their silverware and demanding a kiss. Usually the glass clanging was started by the giggling children although Carter and Andres led it several times.

Fiona also noticed that Andres was paying marked attention to Gillian.

After dinner, Fiona and Nick went down to the stables where the servants were having their Christmas celebration. There was a merry band of musicians and everyone stomped their feet until Nick and Fiona led a dance.

At last, they could return to the house where the family was still celebrating with games and good cheer. Both she and Nick had decided not to linger. The time had come when they wanted to be alone. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “Come. Let’s go upstairs.”

However, his invitation to her set off a round of catcalls and suggestions in the family.

The cousins rose from their seats and Fiona could see they were in the mood for a country custom of teasing and mocking the newlywed couple to their bed. Sometimes, overzealous family members would even try to help the bride and groom disrobe.

Nick must have had the same fear. “Run,” he said. He didn’t have to tell Fiona twice. They took off up the stairs while the younger family members chased them all the way to the bedroom door, which Nick slammed shut in their laughing faces.

At last, Nick and Fee were alone. “Husband and wife,” he said. She smiled.

A table had been set up with enough food and drink for them to live a few days inside the room and her clothing now filled his wardrobe.

Fiona went to where she had instructed Sarah to hide her gift for her husband. From under the pillows on the bed, she pulled out a swath of green and blue plaid that had kept her warm and her dreams alive for the past year—her family’s tartan.

She faced Nick. “In Scotland, it is the custom for the groom to pin a plaid to his bride. I thought we’d do it in reverse. This, my husband, is the honor of family.” She placed it around his shoulders. She rested her hands on his shoulders. “I pray that we have many strong children who will take pride in their father and their heritage.”

Nick ran his fingers lightly over the material as if it were more valuable than silk. It was. “It’s the only thing I own,” she told him, “that is truly mine.”

“No, there is something that is truly yours,” he answered. “You have my heart.”

He held out his arms and gathered her close. “You have seduced me, Fee. Mind, body, and soul. From this day forward, we are one.”

And so they were.

Later, holding her lover, her friend, her husband in her arms, Fiona realized that all the roads of her life had led her to this moment, to this man.

She was blessed.

Very blessed indeed.