Highland Courage (Highland Brides) by Ceci Giltenan

goose, partridge and quail, as well as venison and boar. Cabbage, carrots, parsnips, and leeks accompanied the meal, as did platters of cheeses, fresh apples and pears, walnuts, almonds, imported dates, a variety of breads, and preserves of strawberry and red currents. The meal was finished with sweet cakes and tarts.
    After everyone had eaten their fill, servants removed the trestle tables so the music and dancing could begin. Mairead loved music, and apparently Tadhg had spared no expense to arrange for a large number of excellent minstrels, who provided music throughout the evening.
    Mairead danced with Tadhg first, before her father claimed her for a dance. It was common for the bride to dance with other honored guests, but perhaps knowing this would be challenging for her, Tadhg stayed close. Over the course of the evening, she danced with Lairds Chisholm, Ranald, MacDonnell, MacNicol, Davidson, and MacBain. They were all men with whom she was acquainted, as Hogan MacBain was her brother-in-law and the others were fathers-in-law to her siblings. Laird MacIan asked her for a dance and she tensed. Tadhg looked poised to step in, but somehow just knowing he was there gave her the courage to dance with this huge man whom she had only just met.
    When the dance was over, they joined Katherine and Tadhg, who had been watching. Tadhg caught her and to everyone’s delight, gave her a quick kiss.
    “Ye are a wonderful dancer,” exclaimed Katherine. “I love watching the Highland dances, but I’m not very skilled at them myself,” she confided.
    Laird MacIan slipped his arm around his wife, kissing her cheek. “But there is no one I would rather dance with than ye, my love.” He pulled her laughing and protesting away with him to join the next dance.
    Mairead smiled after them, fanning herself with her hands.
    Tadhg gave her an appraising look. “It looks as if ye could use a wee break from dancing.”
    “Aye, that I could,” she admitted honestly, so he led her off to get a drink before another guest could claim her.
    As they walked to the laird’s table, her father, who was well into his cups, called to her. “Mairead, will ye not play an air on the harp for your Da?”
    “My harp hasn’t been unpacked yet, Da,” Mairead said, thankful for the excuse.
    “Lass, I am sure yon harper would let ye play his,” her father persisted.
    Mairead was mortified. “Oh, Da, nay, don’t ask me to perform, not in front of all of these people.”
    “Lass, ye’re more talented than any musician here and your new husband has never heard ye play. If not for me, play something for him.”
    She turned terror-filled eyes to Tadhg, who just smiled at her and said lightly, “Laird MacKenzie, any other evening I would love to hear Mairead play the harp, but it has been a very long day. I am sure ye will forgive me but right now, I am anxious to escape with my bride.” Before anyone could object, Tadhg whisked her out of the hall.

Six
     
    When they were out of earshot, Mairead whispered, “Thank ye.”
    Tadhg laughed. “It was the truth. I am anxious to escape with my bride.” He leaned down and gave her a kiss. When she parted her lips, he deepened the kiss, and she gave a little moan of pleasure. Releasing her lips, he smiled at her, took her hand, and continued to lead her to his chamber in the south tower.
    “We’re leaving the celebration?”
    “Aye, little one. I thought it best to spirit ye away before they could call for the bedding ritual. I suspect it might embarrass ye.” Although the ceremony could be as simple as the priest blessing the marriage bed, it generally happened in the presence of friends and family after they put the couple into the bed. Tadhg worried a ceremony like this would have been more than his shy bride could handle.
    Her relief was palpable. “Oh, Tadhg, thank ye. I hadn’t even thought about the bedding ritual. But what if—what if…”
    “What if they call for it anyway? Ye have