Lady Eilean

Chapter 10

Tucking my cloak tight about me, I slipped out of my room as the clock chimed one in the morning. I checked only once to confirm that the hallway was deserted. Not only had Walther planned his wedding for this most unholy hour, but Alex's earlier comment was truthful. No one paid any lingering attention to the daughter of Stormway. What had convinced me that I was so watched?

The only sounds in the castle were the low crackle of flames, the murmur of voices behind closed doors, and the lonely howl of wind. My skirts rustled with a surprising clatter. I felt like some urchin of the night, some mistress of mist and secrecy. Powdered and dressed in one of my finest gowns, I had wanted to look my best for the occasion. Secret or not, a wedding was still a wedding.

My brothers and Alex were all waiting outside the main gate. From the giddy sounds of their whispers on the wind, they were drunk — or close enough to it — and in a bawdy mood.

"Are we waiting for Bess?" I whispered as I joined them, scanning the group and seeing her missing.

"And have the groom see his bride before the ceremony! I think not! Even you must bow before some tradition, Buggy," Rupert said, his wide eyes glassy in the moonlight.

"We're tempting bad enough fortune if we do not arrive on time. Come on, it is freezing out here. At least the kirk will be warm." Robert complained, stamping his feet against the ground.

"Aye," Timothy said, tucking a silver flask into his coat pocket. "And make sure to hide your libations before we enter the house of god, gentlemen...and Eilean."

"The priest might be fine with a clandestine wedding, but he draws the line at drinking in the pews." John winked at me and passed me a flask. "I didn't think you'd have one of your own."

I took it, speechless, and slipped it into my pocket. The gaggle of us set off, striding through the moonlight-gilded grass, making up a much larger and more festive wedding party than I had anticipated.

Alex fell in line beside me, his hands shoved into his pockets, his head tossed back in casual grace. "You look nice," he offered.

"You can't see me in the dark," I said, grateful for the cover of night as I warmed at the compliment.

"Quite the contrary, the moon makes you glow with radiance. You could be the fairy queen herself!" He teased.

I laughed and shoved him, "Behave yourself."

Alex did no such thing. Regaining his footing, he nuzzled up close to me, pressing his nose to the side of my face. It was a cumbersome way to walk, but I was resolved to keep going. He looped an arm around my shoulders. His body was warm and pliant against my own. Only second-guessing myself for half a second, I wound my arm around his waist. It was nice, if surprising, to be so cuddled up.

"You are beautiful in every light, Eilean," he said tenderly, pressing a sloppy kiss to my cheek.

I thought my heart would stop. At the very least, it seemed to have dropped somewhere low in my gut. Then, I caught the whiff of whiskey on Alex's breath and rolled my eyes. "You're drunk."

"You could be too, you know." He suggested, running his hand from my shoulder, down my arm, along my waist, before patting the pocket on my hip.

The flask knocked against my leg. "And then what?"

"You might repay my compliment."

With a dry laugh, I reached for the container and took a long drink. The liquor burned my throat, but I didn't wince. Instead, I enjoyed the bloom of aromas that bounced off my tongue.