Victoria Roberts - [Bad Boys of the Highlands 03] by To Wed a Wicked Highlander Read Free Book Online Page B

flared into rounded hips. The sun illuminated her long golden tresses, making them look like strands of lustrous silk. She was simply…enchanting.
    Escorted by her father, she walked slowly and moved with an easy grace. She nodded at a few people along the way and approached Alex at the altar.
    He couldn’t help but smile. “My lady.” His voice was shakier than he would have liked.
    She curtseyed in response. “My laird.”
    The priest asked something of Sybella’s father and the MacKenzie may have answered, but to be truthful, Alex only half listened. Sybella was simply beautiful, and he could barely take his eyes from her. Everything that happened next would remain a haze around the edge of his mind.
    He believed he had spoken his vows when he heard his stammering voice, which was nothing but a buzz in his ear. But when Sybella spoke, there was a gentle softness to her words. Her tone was comforting, calming. Or maybe it only sounded that way because he’d barely slept.
    “Ye are now man and wife,” said the priest.
    When everyone clapped and shouted in response to the priest’s words, Aunt Iseabail’s voice could be heard above all others. “Give her a wee kiss and make it a good one, Alexander!”
    He looked directly at Sybella, and they exchanged a subtle expression of amusement. “I cannae disappoint my aunt.”
    Sybella gave him a gentle smile. “Of course ye cannae.”
    Her eyes froze on his lips and he lowered his head. Standing on tiptoe, his wife pressed her lips to his, his hands locking against her back. She was soft and warm, and suddenly he was very conscious of where his wife’s flesh pressed up against his.
    When their kin whooped and hollered, Alex pulled back slightly and gazed into her eyes. Ignoring everyone, he spoke only to her. “Welcome to Glengarry, Lady Sybella MacDonell.”
    Aunt Iseabail rushed to the altar and handed Sybella a tartan sash. “This belonged to Alexander’s wife. Ye should have it.”
    “It was my mother’s,” he said.
    Sybella accepted the sash with gentle kindness. “Thank ye, Aunt Iseabail. ’ Tis quite lovely and I shall wear it proudly.” She removed the MacKenzie plaid and draped the MacDonell sash over her dress, fastening the garment with the MacKenzie badge.
    “I also have a gift for you,” said Alex. He handed her a bejeweled dagger. “I thought of ye and had it made.”
    ***
    “Thank ye, Alexander.”
    Although she was reluctant to admit it, the man looked positively dashing in the MacDonell kilt and plaid. God help her, but his blatant good looks were hard to ignore. When he touched his lips to hers, Sybella felt as though she’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. In truth, she was shocked at her own eager response to his touch.
    “Are ye ready for another feast?” Alexander’s hand came over hers possessively and he smiled.
    “I am, but I am nae sure I can say the same for our kin.” She glanced around the chapel at the tired faces. “It seems they are still recovering from last eve.”
    “There is that,” said Alexander.
    A hand clamped down on Sybella’s shoulder and she jumped.
    “Let me be the first to congratulate ye, Sister. Gu meal sibh ur naidheachd. ” Congratulations to both of you.
    “Thank ye, Colin,” she said with a warm smile.
    Sybella stepped around Colin, and her father tugged her close. His lips whispered lightly into her ear as he rubbed her back. “Best wishes, my daughter.”
    “Thank ye, Father.”
    Her father gave a brief nod to Alexander. “Congratulations on your union to my daughter, Laird MacDonell. I am sure ye will find Sybella to be a faithful and obedient wife.”
    Sybella stiffened as Alexander clasped her father’s arm.
    “Let us hope so, for ’ tis too late to go back on our agreement now,” said Alexander, a trace of laughter in his voice.
    Her new husband glanced at her for any sign of objection and so did her father. Sybella bit her lower lip before her mood veered sharply to anger.