Free Highland Wedding by Hannah Howell Page A

The king’s voice shook with laughter and he looked at Iain in sympathy. “Has a man e’er been so tried? So ye are human after all, Iain lad. Many have wondered.”
    “For Islaen’s sake I would hope that they dinnae ken my weakness. She came to me in all innocence. That she no longer enjoys that state is my fault alone.”
    “Are ye saying ye forced her, laddie?”
    “He would be dead if he had,” growled Alaistair.
    At the same time Islaen peered at the king from around Iain. “Nay, sire. I ne’er once protested.”
    “Not once?” he teased, grinning when even Iain looked slightly disconcerted.
    Islaen groaned and hid behind Iain again, pressing her hot face against his back. She felt this was more embarrassment than any soul should have to suffer. It was her fervent hope that they would hurry up and solve the problem her impetuosity had made so that she could retire to her chambers and try to compose herself. Perhaps in the rush of activity and celebration that her wedding would bring she could forget the whole trying morning.
    “So the marriage has been consummated ere the vows were said,” the king mused aloud. “’Tis not the first time this has occurred. Many a betrothed couple tastes the joys of the marriage bed ere they speak the vows.”
    “Aye but I fear the tale that might go the rounds is that my Islaen wasnae chaste when Sir Iain took her to his bed as wife.”
    “Ah and it could be hinted that Iain was not the first. I see the trouble weel now. Robert, fetch the queen. She will be expecting word from me. Bring her and her woman here. Aye and this Meg woman. They will help us in smoothing over this trouble. You may cease your scowling, Alaistair. ’Tis not such a big problem.”
    When the women arrived Islaen saw that she could suffer even more embarrassment than she had already. The linen was inspected, her chastity confirmed and the discussion about what to do next began. Islaen tried to distance herself from it all by watching her father and Meg, the former quite clearly chastizing the latter. She tried to discern just how much trouble Meg was in.
    It was decided that the bedding ceremony and the morning visit to the bride and groom would be done by the royal couple, the queen’s handmaiden, Meg and two of Islaen’s brothers as weel as Alexander MacDubh to represent Iain’s absent family. Thatsettled, Islaen was hurried back to her chambers by her family.
    Once assured that his squire was unharmed, Iain sent the man to locate Alexander MacDubh. When Alexander joined him, Iain rather crossly explained what had happened. He also told Alexander what part he was to play now. His humour was not at all improved by Alexander’s bursts of hilarity. He was glad that strenuous efforts were being made to keep the whole matter secret. Iain had no wish to become the object of court jests.
    “Come, Iain, you must see the humour of it,” Alexander said when he finally controlled his laughter.
    “Mayhaps I will when I am certain we have all escaped unscathed,” he said.
    “Though distant, the MacRoths are kin to the king and he is fond of them in his way. He will let nothing sully their name.”
    “Am I the only one who didnae ken the relationship there?”
    “Weel, you are the first of your clan to linger much at court and t’was before your time that the real bond was formed and easily seen by all. If ye cocked an ear to the gossip more ye would have kenned it ere now.”
    “I thought ye came to court for other than talk.”
    “’Tis true that I come for the ladies but they do talk upon occasion. Men should pay more heed to the lasses. ’Tis astounding what they ken, e’en if they dinnae always ken the importance of the knowledge they have gained.”
    “I will keep that in mind. Come, I best don my finery. They will soon wish access to my chambers.”
    “My friend, ye should show more cheer. Ye gain a fine lass.” Seeing little comfort in Iain’s face, Alexander sighed. “Ah, weel,