Free Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen by On Highland Hill

to perform mass.”
    The Father bobbed his head. “Our lord will be looking down upon the union and you shall be blessed all of your days. ‘Tis the best chapel to wed in, beneath the bonny blue sky with the heavens above.”
    That didn’t make her smile or appease her. She looked flustered. Kenneth observed the way she paced in front of Grey and the Father. Though she didn’t quite stand solidly on her feet and swayed every few steps. He’d have to take pity at some point or she’d fall to the soft grass. If he stood close enough, he might be able to catch her.
    “Who be the bridegroom? Oh, aye, Sean, that’s right. Step forward, Sean,” Father Geoffrey called, becoming impatient and looked a wee bit flustered himself.
    Sean shoved his way between Colm and James who stood grinning, and approached them. He didn’t look as pleased as he had the night before when he jested about being a husband. Kenneth thought Sean might be panicking, but he’d never seen him apprehensive over anything. Sean was too pragmatic for his own good, which wasn’t serving him now.
    “Now see here, lass, I’m not really wanting to wed you neither. But I do my duty,” Sean said evenly.
    “Duty? I don’t understand why I must wed.” Elisa turned and glared at Grey.
    “I explained, lass, we must protect you and the only way to do that is to make you a Gunn. The only way to become a Gunn is to wed one of my men. If you want, you can choose another.” Grey looked at each of the guardsmen, before turning back to her.
    Kenneth thought she’d scream, for her face turned a mite red.
    “Let us begin, shall we. Do either of you wish to make your confession before you take the vows? Sean, seems to me you have something to confess. Why I haven’t seen a lass this angry since …”
    Elisa tilted her head. Befuddlement in her eyes. “Must we make confession beforehand?”
    Father nodded politely. “It is usually customary. Many wish to confess any sins they’d committed so they’re forgiven before they take the holy sacrament of marriage. Have you sinned and need forgiveness, milady?”
    Her intake of a gasp attested that she hadn’t. “Nay, I have not, Father.”
    To Kenneth she didn’t appear to be able to commit a sin, as angelic as she looked. But he was contradicted a breath later.
    “Aye, you did too sin. You committed an atrocity when you kicked your husband,” Sean said derisively. “Aye, Father, she needs forgiveness, too.”
    “And you, Sean, have you need of confession? Other than for striking the lass?” Father Geoffrey raised a doubtful brow at Sean.
    “Damned right I do.” Sean’s pride heightened when he folded his arms across his chest and glowered.
    Father Geoffrey shook his head. “For shame, lad, to boast of such ill deeds. I shan’t be offering any sacrament to you until you confess your sins. This could take a while and I’m in a hurry, Laird.” He began pacing.
    Elisa turned and scrunched her eyes at Grey, folding her arms over her stomach. “You wish me to marry a sinner?”
    James and Colm shouted their opinions on the fact that Elisa couldn’t commit a sin and that Sean was definitely a sinner. The tumult was enough to make everyone’s heads spin.
    “Enough!”
    Everyone looked at him because Kenneth had shouted loud enough for the damned English to hear him. He shoved Colm and James hard before standing next to Grey. He gazed at Elisa, wishing he knew what to say to her.
    “Kenneth? Have you changed your mind then?” Grey asked.
    He nodded. “Aye, damned me, I guess I have.” Kenneth turned a heated look to Sean. “I’m saving your arse. Remember this.”
    Sean gave a firm nod and moved to stand with James and Colm.
    “Father, Kenneth will be the bridegroom,” Grey told him. And then he turned to give the men a nod, while motioning them back a few steps.
    “What say you, Laird? We’re replacing bridegrooms? I’ve never been so confused in all my days. Very well then, Kenneth, have you