2 Chapter 2

The carriage bumped along dirt road leading up to the Grey Estate. Kevan looked across the small space at his brother. "Yer could look 'appier. Tis yer weddin' day after all." he teased with his boyish grin. Where Aedan was hard and tough, Kevan was playful and carefree. He didn't blame his brother for his brash attitude. It was just his way. Aedan was the firstborn, their father's heir. He had to be tough and responsible. Since being a young lad, he had been raised with the sole purpose of taking over his father's responsibilities as head of their estate and land. Kevan being four years younger had the good fortune to do as he wished. He knew his elder brother wasn't fond of the idea of an arranged marriage but Aedan would do what was required of him. With a playful kick, Kevan smirked at his grim brother. "At least she's naught a wagon." Kevan thought for a moment about the woman his brother was about to marry. They had each met her just once. It wasn't even a real meeting. Aedan spoke with her father while she sat there, looking pretty for her future husband. And my was she pretty. If he wasn't so content with being a single man, Kevan would be jealous of his brother and his new wife. The way she would keep her hands together so sweetly, made him wonder what magical things she could do with them elsewhere. Her small, pouty lips seemed to beckon him to her. Her eyes were the best part. She kept them down for most of the meeting, but just before they stood to leave, she lifted her gaze. She looked to Kevan for a brief moment before shifting her gaze to Aedan. Jealousy tugged at his mind for a moment before he reminded himself that she was not meant for him.

A deep grunt pulled him out of his daydream down memory lane. They had arrived back at the large house belonging to the Grey family. The house was big but nothing like the Callaghan Castle. Their home might not be as grand, but the Grey's definitely knew how to host a wedding. The front garden was covered in so much lace and gauze that it looked like a cloud had landed on the ground itself. Dozens of maids and footmen ran around with various flowers and fabrics in their hands, trying to finish last minute preparations. Last minute indeed, for it was just under an hour until the bride and groom would say their vows before God and family.

Kevan chuckled at the look on Aedan's face. Patting his brother's knee, he stepped out of the carriage. "Naught ter worry, brahder. Twill all be over soon." They dodged a few servants on their way up to the house. Once inside, they spent the rest of their time waiting in a side room. While Kevan grew restless, Aedan seemed to only be bored. He figured that the groom would be more nervous, but then again nerves were not Aedan's strong suit. After another droll half hour, the men made their way to the altar to wait for the bridal party. Kevan spent the entire wedding standing by his brother's side. His breath caught in his throat when he saw Eleanor walking down the aisle in her white dress and veil. She was a vision of beauty and grace. It took a lot of will power to keep reminding himself that this was his new sister-in-law.

After the ceremony, the reception began with a feast. Kevan ate his fill and drank wine as he watched the flushed bride dance through the night. He wasn't the only one with eyes on Eleanor. His brother seemed to be watching her with a careful eye. There was a sense of jealousy coming from him. He certainly didn't like all of these men dancing with his new wife. Just before he could take her away from them all, Kevan left his seat and joined her on the dance floor. At his touch on her shoulder, she turned to him with bright eyes and rosy cheeks. He called out to his brother to wait just one more dance and turned back to Elle as the music began again. He couldn't help but to enjoy the feeling of her tiny waist under his hand as he led her through the dance. Looking down at her, time seemed to slow to a near halt. He wanted so badly to run his fingers through her hair, but the entire room seemed to be watching. Soon enough, the dance ended and his brother came to take away his bride. Kevan watched them walk away, trying not to look distraught. He turned and grabbed the nearest cup of wine. He spent the rest of the night in the company of beautiful women, drinking enough wine to forget what his brother was doing with his wife upstairs.