Always Mine by Sophia Johnson Page B

the tunic’s long, flaring sleeves. She tied a braided rope girdle interwoven with silver cloth low on her hips, the way Elise wore hers.
    Fully awake now, she stifled a yawn and daydreamed about the steaming mug of sweet, creamy mocha chocolate cappuccino she always bought at her favorite coffee shop near her work.
    “Come,” Elise urged. “’Twould be a pity for Father Jacob to scold us for being late on such a special day.” She grabbed Brianna’s hand and rushed her through the castle and out into the bailey.
    “What’s so special about today?”
    Elise skidded to a stop and rolled her eyes. “The banns.”
    She waved her hands in front of Brianna’s eyes as if to wake her. “Do not tell me you forgot the banns? Blessed saints, ’tis worse than forgetting your name.” She linked her arm with Brianna’s and urged her into a sprint toward the chapel.
    The cool morning mist dampened Brianna’s cheeks. She shivered, but not from cold. Prickles of warning scampered down her back as something just out of reach teased her memory.
    The chapel stood atop a small knoll in the rear bailey. The Ridley family awaited them inside the entrance to the balcony and their private pews.
    Galan’s face glowed with satisfaction. He offered Brianna his wrist and escorted her to sit between himself and Elise on a padded bench covered in bright red linen. Brianna glanced around, admiring the elaborate carved railings and the exquisite statues in niches along each wall. Brianna spotted several Morgan knights seated below, but neither Damron nor Connor was among them.
    The mass was lengthy, and she fought to keep the priest’s dron-ing voice from lulling her to sleep. As the service drew to an end, Father Jacob smiled up at her and raised his arms high.
    “I have a most pleasant duty to perform—the avowal of an intent to wed.”
    ALWAYS MINE
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    Brianna smiled back. She didn’t smile for long.
    Father Jacob began with a prayer.
    Lord God our Father, You have called Your children to paths not yet taken, through hardships not yet discovered.
    Give us faith to go with good courage, knowing that You are guiding us,
    and Your love supports us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Amen.
    “Brianna Sinclair and Galan Ridley desire that prayers be made for them that they may enter a union in the name of the Lord.”
    The priest studied the room. “Should anyone wish to challenge this, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
    “What?” Brianna shot to her feet. All sleepiness had fled.
    Everyone below the balcony gawked up at her like hungry nestlings waiting for worms.
    Behind her on the balcony, a resonant voice rolled like approaching thunder through the chapel.
    “I have most serious objections, Father Jacob.”
    Damron! Brianna’s scalp tingled. She whirled around to stare at him.
    “Lady Brianna canna wed Galan Ridley.”
    She nodded her head and almost shouted she couldn’t marry anyone. Instead, she gulped and decided she’d better hear him out.
    Dressed in full Highland regalia, Damron stood inside the doorway. He wore his hair brushed back from his face, a long, thin braid at each temple. Leather thongs tied the neck opening of a wide-sleeved white shirt.
    Around his waist, a heavy leather belt secured a woolen tartan in muted colors of green, blue and black. The end of
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    Sophia Johnson
    the material rested over his left shoulder, where a brooch pinned the tartan to his shirt. Her heart lurched, for it was the brooch from the drawing, larger than the one she’d bought at the antique shop.
    One hand rested on the sword hilt at his side, drawing her attention to a leather pouch riding low on his hips. Her gaze continued down past his handsome knees, where white gartered stockings covered his calves and ended at his leather shoes.
    The man in the drawing had sprung to life.
    Brianna’s heart raced, and blood thrummed through her veins. Damron was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Had they been in the