The newlyweds go back up the aisle and the guests make their way to the lawn for the reception. Thankfully Jemmy, Germain and Joan were mostly well-behaved though Germain yelled out when they got to the rings.
Brian sees Ellen looking blankly at Henry Gallegher, a recent immigrant to the ridge, who has a Glaswegian accent that's so strong that everyone has a difficult time understanding him. Brian watches amusedly as the man speaks to his sister, flailing his arms around as he talks before, he soon takes pity and hurries over to them.
He gives Ellen a huge hug, Jem has already been handed over to his Grandmother, and says, "Congratulations, sis." He kisses her cheek and turns to face Roger. "Welcome to the family officially, Roger Mac."
"I couldn't be prouder te be part o' it." Roger tells him. He smiles and hugs his new brother-in-law as well.
"You'll be happy to know that my wedding gift is having Jem at the Big House so you both can have some privacy." Brian smirks.
"That's actually not bad compared to the 'gifts' some people are getting me." Ellen grumbles. Her husband lets out a little snigger.
"Can't be as bad that Grannie Bacon getting her granddaughters to present Mama with that overly large and garish mobcap to cover her hair." Brian remarks.
Ellen's nose wrinkles. "Did she seriously give Mama a massive cap?"
Brian laughs. "Yep, it was meant to be a thank you for treating her but also, she deems it 'unseemly and amoral' for a woman of Mama's age to not only have her head uncovered but to wear her hair loose about her shoulders."
"It's worse than tha' gift." Roger smirks.
Brian looks curiously at his sister, who sighs. "Mrs Buchanan," she gestures to an older lady who stands off in the distance, talking with a group of people that look like they could be related to her, "as a wedding gift gave me embroidery thread. Guess what that was for?"
"What?" Brian questions. What could be so bad about a bit of thread?
"To decorate my funeral clothes in the event I should die in childbirth."
Brian's eyebrows shoot up at that.
Oh.
Roger sniggers. Ellen sends him a glare, jabbing her husband in the side with her elbow.
——
They are having a ceilidh (a Scottish wedding tradition involving dancing and folk music), and everyone's making merry. Brian takes a break from the wedding/gathering to sit at a table, a sleeping Jem in his arms. He's taking a break from all the dancing he's been pulled into. Brian has just escaped from the MacEalair daughters, Eudora and Penuel, particularly with the help of a disproving Grannie MacEalair.
"May I join you?" Brian looks up and sees Lord John standing next to him.
Brian grins, very happy to see him. "Of course, please do." He gestures to the chair next to him and he sits down.
"You seemed to have your hands full." Lord John remarks, looking down at the sleeping baby.
Brian blushes. "I'm using him a barrier, plus I'm meant to be looking after him tonight."
"Yes, erm, you seem quite popular." Lord John says inelegantly.
"Well, you can say that's what comes when you're a young bachelor plus Da owns a great amount of land so..." Brian explains awkwardly. "I'm a dream to all those Mamas out there."
"Yes..."
It's quiet for a moment before Brian smirks and remarks, "I hope you're not to upset that you're only a guest at Ellen's wedding instead of the groom."
Lord John laughs. "I am masking the heartbreak as best I can." Brian smiles at the joke. "I am truly happy for the two of them. They are very well suited for one another."
"Absolutely. After all they've been through, they deserve their happy ending." Brian remarks. He hesitates before saying, "How about you, are you happy?"
"I am well." Lord John replies shortly.
Brian winces. Great, he's made it awkward again. "How is William, by the way? His schooling is good? He's enjoying London still?"
"Yes, and very much. He writes frequently." Lord John replies, happy to talk about his son. "Headstrong as ever."
"Sounds like him." Brian grins.
Lord John smiles back but Brian can't help but notice the tension in his face.
——
A/N: A quick side note: Brian doesn't know who William Ransom is, but he would've heard about him while Lord John was at River Run.
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