MacKinnons' Hope: A Highland Christmas Carol by Tanya Anne Crosby Page A

this age—the difference being that neither of these two young folk had ever met ere now.
    Alas, mayhap Lìli would see it as a boon; that he was bringing home yet another soul to love.
    It could be worse; he could be leaving Kellen as he had Cat.
    And then he would surely die.
    “You will join hands,” the old woman called Glenna commanded the pair.
    Eager to see the ceremony done, both Kellen and Constance rushed to do the woman’s bidding. Aidan must confess, they looked quite please with the turn of events.
    Glenna held in her hand a number of ribbons and she looped one over their joined wrists, binding them together, as Una had once done for Aidan and for Lìli. Despite the hasty ceremony, the memory brought a wistful smile to his face and he longed to hold his wife, wanting little more than to be with Lìli now.
    “Constance and Kellen, do ye come forward of your own free will to make this union?”
    “I do,” Kellen said quickly, and loudly enough for everyone to hear.
    “And you, Constance,” the auld woman continued.
    “I do!” Constance replied happily. She was a lovely little thing, and the excitement in her voice was genuine. Aidan recognized the look of love—or if not love, precisely, the seeds of love. Nurtured properly, it might grow into something as glorious and extraordinary as a rose.
    Glenna first looked to the boy’s uncles—Broc and Iain both—respectable lairds in their own rights. They could do worse than to be bound by blood to these men.
    Each gave a nod. And then Glenna looked to Aidan; Aidan did the same. Glenna gave a nod in return, acknowledging their grace.
    For better or worse, this union was now blessed. If these two young folk would not deal well with one another, they would discover it soon enough.
    Dressed in a pale blue dress, with goldenrod and sage in her hair, Constance looked radiant and resolved.
    “This hand fasting will bind you together for the period of one year,” Glenna explained. “During this time, Constance and Kellen, will you honor and respect one another?”
    “I will,” said the pair in unison.
    The old woman then wrapped yet another ribbon around their wrists and continued, “Will you forever aid each other in times of pain and sorrow?”
    “I will,” both said once more, and once again, the old woman looped another ribbon about their joined wrists.
    “Will you be true to one another that you may grow strong in this union?”
    “I will,” Kellen said at once.
    “I will,” agreed Constance. She gave Kellen a lover’s glance, albeit one filled with such innocence that Aidan realized his son had spoken truth. Kellen did not bed this girl as yet. The two had simply hied away to do what young folk were wont to do—whisper sweet nothings into each other’s ears and maybe steal a kiss or two.
    “As your hands become withered, will you now reach out only for each other?” the old woman continued, and Aidan wondered if Kellen realized exactly what she’d meant. Not only that he must he confide in his bride, forsaking all others, but he must also never swing his willie near other lassies. Thankfully, Kellen was his mother’s son, kind and respectful of others.
    “We will,” said the two in unison, and for a fourth time, a ribbon was looped about their wrists.
    “Is it your intention to bring peace and harmony to these united clans?”
    “It is.”
    “When you falter—and you will—will you have the courage—and loyalty—to remember the promises you have made to one another?”
    “I will,” Kellen said, smiling brightly.
    “With all my heart,” Constance agreed. She gave Kellen a smile that brought one to Aidan’s face as well. The sight of the two warmed the cockles of his heart.
    “Verra well, “ Glenna declared, “Constance and Kellen, now as your hands are bound, so too are you bound to one another. Kellen, you may bestow a kiss of peace upon your bride.”
    Timidly at first, looking toward Aidan and then to Broc and then to