Page 49 of Highland Guard
Naomi was stunned as Macbeth continued. “I agreed to their petition, but Kieran MacKenzie over here is asking that my decision be overturned. If that is still the case, then you have no choice but to wed the baron—”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Kieran yelled. All heads whipped towards him.
“Please repeat that,” Macbeth said.
Kieran stepped forward beside Naomi and said, “I’ve changed my mind. I dinnae object to this woman being my wife. I insist we wed and consummate the marriage at once.”
The Anrias and Mackenzie contingent all sighed in relief. Dalziel had a wry grin on his face, and Queen Gruoch winked at Naomi.
Naomi whispered, “MacKenzie, what are you doing? Do not sacrifice your freedom for me. If you say yes, it will mean having to become a laird to a clan you dislike.”
“Quiet, wench. I’ve decided. Just agree and let me deal with everything else.”
“MacKenzie, I’ll not let you run rough-shod over me. Marriage is an important decision. One cannot be careless about who they choose,” she snapped back.
“Dinnae be daft. You have no choice, and you should be honored that I am offering for you, when I could have so many other wenches by just snapping my fingers.”
Naomi scowled. “But I intended to wed a man who is a virgin and has not sullied his shaft by sticking it in other wenches with the snap of his fingertips.”
“Ha! Well, good luck finding a male virgin in Scotland.”
Snickers could be heard around the hall.
“I’ll have you know there are many young unwed men who believe in not ruining the marriage bed. I intend to keep myself pure for such a man,” Naomi replied.
“Then they’re either pious idiots or liars. Most men of marriageable age have dallied before.”
“Well, I’ll have you ken I was raised in an abbey; I speak Latin, I have read the good book, and I will wait for the right man to wed me. He will be my husband and he will be kind, and considerate and he will—”
“He will be dead of boredom listening to you recite your piety list.”
“You are such a heathen.”
“And you are a stubborn wench.”
The tension was palpable as they glared at one another, causing Macbeth and the queen to struggle to hold back their laughter. Just when it seemed quiet, the hallway erupted with noise. Macbeth stood on high alert, fully aware that Guy of Brionne and his retinue could show up at any second. He decided he wasn’t particularly interested in what the Norman had to say, but he would play along because the couple in front of him was quite amusing.
Macbeth signaled to a guard, who quickly barred the hall doors just as loud banging noises echoed from the other side.
“I have a proposition for you, Naomi. If you truly do not want to marry the Norman baron, and you’re unsure about Kieran MacKenzie, then you have the choice, lass, to pick someone else, unattached, of course.”
“What?” they both replied.
Macbeth replied, “Aye, tis true, pick someone and I’ll have our priest, Father Michael, marry you immediately and you may use the guest chambers behind the hall to celebrate your union.”
“I can pick anyone at all?” Naomi asked.
“Aye.”
“Naomi, dinnae even think about it,” Kieran growled with a warning.
She tried hard to ignore Kieran. She knew she could not allow him to sacrifice himself for her and it would be best to choose someone else if it meant Kieran could be free to live the life he wanted.
Naomi looked about the hall when a young lad named Henry stepped forward and said, “I’ll marry you.” Then, of all people, Dermid stepped forward and offered his services.
The banging on the hall doors persisted, accompanied by echoing shouts. Soon a priestly looking man appeared whom Naomi deduced was Father Michael.
Dalziel said, “Lass, we’ll be needing your answer out loud if you wish to be married before the baron arrives.”
