kindnesses toward ye and yer brother and sisters?”
Fraser did not give Claire an opportunity to speak, for he stepped forward, blocking even Lord Walter’s view of her. “The fault lies not with the lass, but with yer own stubbornness in regard to Lady Claire’s right to marry, which ye were not granted along with the right of wardship.”
“I was not trying to force her, but merely offered my counsel. Ye are interfering in family business that is none o’ yer concern.”
Lord Monleigh moved next to Fraser. “There is no need for dissention and argument. This step was necessary in order to prevent painful and unnecessary discussions concerning the differences between yer preferences for Lady Claire’s husband and her own, in an attempt to pressure and influence her to turn against the man she has declared she wishes to marry. I trust ye willna interfere and necessitate the intervention of Argyll’s troops, and those of my own clan.”
“Take her,” Lord Walter said. “If she prefers to marry ye, I wash my hands of any concern for her, her future, or trying to arrange a great and grand marriage for her.” Without another word, he whirled around and returned to the house.
Fraser put his arm around her, and Claire turned to go with him. For a brief instant she glanced up at the castle and saw Isobel standing at the window, an expression of hateful intensity that went beyond hostility twisting the edges of her smile. Most frightening of all was the look of pure hate in her eyes, andthen it was gone, and Claire walked away with Fraser, wondering if it was Isobel she saw or some malevolent spirit impersonating her.
Ten
Fate sits on these dark battlements, and frowns; And as the portals open to receive me, Her voice, in sullen echoes, through the courts, Tells of a nameless deed
Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823), British novelist.
The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794)
A bride. The words hung in the back of her mind, almost overpowering the words being said.
With her arm through Fraser’s, she bowed her head and spoke the words led by the minister.
Oor Faither in heiven, hallowt be thy name; Thy Kingdom come; thy will be dune on the yird, as in heiven.
Gie us oor breid for this incomin day;
Forgie us the wrangs we hae wrocht, as we hae forgien the wrangs we hae dree’d and sey-us-na sairlie, but sauf us frae the Ill Ane.
An thine be the Kingdom, the Glory and the Pooer, noo an forivver.
Amen.
The wedding was a small one, held at Graham-stone Castle, with Claire, Fraser, Lord Monleigh, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, and a few of the Graham clansmen present.
The duchess, a kind and thoughtful lady, brought a gown for Claire, a lovely violet silk, trimmed with Irish lace the color of cream.
It was the first gown that was not black that Claire had worn since the death of her father and brothers. “I thank ye, yer grace. “’Tis the most beautiful gown a bride could ever hope to own.”
The duchess put her hand on Claire’s. “It is a gift to honor this day. Ye are the daughter of a fine, honorable and just man and the bride of a fine, honorable and just man. My husband and I are proud to call them both friend. I ken yer father is pleased with ye, Claire, and with yer decision to marry a man he knew and approved of, and what happier occasion to end yer period o’ mourning than the blessed occasion of yer marriage?”
They gathered for dinner after the wedding, and some lively Highland dancing afterward. Claire was too much in love to give much thought to Isobel and Lord Walter, or to care if they approved of her marriage to Fraser or not. She had no idea that the happiest day of her life would also be a turning point, which would be followed by a time of pain and sadness.
Jamie returned to Monleigh Castle, while Claire and Fraser remained at Grahamstone Castle for a few months. Claire made several attempts to have her brother and sisters visit her, but Isobel and Lord Walter refused to allow them to leave the
Fraser did not give Claire an opportunity to speak, for he stepped forward, blocking even Lord Walter’s view of her. “The fault lies not with the lass, but with yer own stubbornness in regard to Lady Claire’s right to marry, which ye were not granted along with the right of wardship.”
“I was not trying to force her, but merely offered my counsel. Ye are interfering in family business that is none o’ yer concern.”
Lord Monleigh moved next to Fraser. “There is no need for dissention and argument. This step was necessary in order to prevent painful and unnecessary discussions concerning the differences between yer preferences for Lady Claire’s husband and her own, in an attempt to pressure and influence her to turn against the man she has declared she wishes to marry. I trust ye willna interfere and necessitate the intervention of Argyll’s troops, and those of my own clan.”
“Take her,” Lord Walter said. “If she prefers to marry ye, I wash my hands of any concern for her, her future, or trying to arrange a great and grand marriage for her.” Without another word, he whirled around and returned to the house.
Fraser put his arm around her, and Claire turned to go with him. For a brief instant she glanced up at the castle and saw Isobel standing at the window, an expression of hateful intensity that went beyond hostility twisting the edges of her smile. Most frightening of all was the look of pure hate in her eyes, andthen it was gone, and Claire walked away with Fraser, wondering if it was Isobel she saw or some malevolent spirit impersonating her.
Ten
Fate sits on these dark battlements, and frowns; And as the portals open to receive me, Her voice, in sullen echoes, through the courts, Tells of a nameless deed
Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823), British novelist.
The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794)
A bride. The words hung in the back of her mind, almost overpowering the words being said.
With her arm through Fraser’s, she bowed her head and spoke the words led by the minister.
Oor Faither in heiven, hallowt be thy name; Thy Kingdom come; thy will be dune on the yird, as in heiven.
Gie us oor breid for this incomin day;
Forgie us the wrangs we hae wrocht, as we hae forgien the wrangs we hae dree’d and sey-us-na sairlie, but sauf us frae the Ill Ane.
An thine be the Kingdom, the Glory and the Pooer, noo an forivver.
Amen.
The wedding was a small one, held at Graham-stone Castle, with Claire, Fraser, Lord Monleigh, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, and a few of the Graham clansmen present.
The duchess, a kind and thoughtful lady, brought a gown for Claire, a lovely violet silk, trimmed with Irish lace the color of cream.
It was the first gown that was not black that Claire had worn since the death of her father and brothers. “I thank ye, yer grace. “’Tis the most beautiful gown a bride could ever hope to own.”
The duchess put her hand on Claire’s. “It is a gift to honor this day. Ye are the daughter of a fine, honorable and just man and the bride of a fine, honorable and just man. My husband and I are proud to call them both friend. I ken yer father is pleased with ye, Claire, and with yer decision to marry a man he knew and approved of, and what happier occasion to end yer period o’ mourning than the blessed occasion of yer marriage?”
They gathered for dinner after the wedding, and some lively Highland dancing afterward. Claire was too much in love to give much thought to Isobel and Lord Walter, or to care if they approved of her marriage to Fraser or not. She had no idea that the happiest day of her life would also be a turning point, which would be followed by a time of pain and sadness.
Jamie returned to Monleigh Castle, while Claire and Fraser remained at Grahamstone Castle for a few months. Claire made several attempts to have her brother and sisters visit her, but Isobel and Lord Walter refused to allow them to leave the
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