Page 86 of Highland Jewel
Maisie was relieved that her sister and Cinaed listened to reason. She didn’t want them to stop the planned festivities. From what she’d heard, so many guests were already here and many more were expected to arrive for the ceremony today.
The blessing of their marriage was going to be an intimate affair, held in the chapel. But afterwards, the largest number of guests Dalmigavie had ever seen would gather in the Great Hall for a reception and a pledging of loyalty.
Though she was still recovering her strength, Maisie was not going to miss anything. The pain in her side plagued her, and Isabella said it would take a long time for it to heal. She felt it now, as Morrigan helped her to dress, but she tried to hide her discomfort. She wanted to be ready, for Niall was due any moment to help her downstairs.
The days following the knife attack were a blur. Isabella told her later that it wasn’t the depth of the wound but the amount of blood she’d lost that was the greatest cause ofconcern. That and the possibility of fever, which thankfully didn’t happen.
Niall was beside her, day and night. Once she was past the initial danger, he told her everything that he had to keep secret from her. Also, everything that he and Blair had been able to learn from Woelk and Rainey since the two men’s arrests. She hadn’t seen either of their faces. The only clear memory of that day was staring down at the knife handle protruding from her body.
She sat down on a bench by the long mirror. Out of habit, she touched her side. The area around the incision was itchy and sore, but it was healing. Maisie knew she wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for Isabella and her expertise.
“No one would know by looking at you that you’ve been run through by a sword.”
Maisie smiled as Morrigan pulled her curls into place with the combs, forcing them to behave before stepping back and studying her handiwork.
“The knife has already turned into a sword?”
“It’s far more impressive.”
“Then I suppose I shouldn’t mention to anyone that the stays in my corset saved my life. Isabella says Lewis Rainey’s blade would have pierced my heart or my lungs.”
“Indeed. Corsets.” Morrigan looked into the mirror and ran a hand down over her own waistline. “I’m having one made full length for me. With iron stays.”
The dress of dark blue was tightly fitted in the bodice and looked stunning on her. The mass of braided auburn hair, accented with rows of pearls, gave Morrigan the appearance of a warrior queen.
“That reminds me.” Maisie looked at Morrigan’s reflection in the mirror. “What’s this I hear that you’vebeen out in the training yard, learning to shoot a pistol and fight with a sword?”
“Your husband talks too much.”
“My husband knows how much I love my sisters.”
“I only go there in the early morning and in the evening.”
“I’m not being critical.” Maisie wanted to make sure Morrigan knew. “I was just surprised you’d not told me.”
“I would have. Soon. Once you’d recovered enough. I want you to come down and watch me practice.”
Morrigan sat next to Maisie on the bench and took her hand. The dark eyes were serious and troubled when they looked into hers. “Each of us has a gift, a task. Isabella is a physician, a healer. You are the voice and conscience of the rising. You motivate women. You make us think before accepting things as they are. This ismygift.”
“What? To be a… soldier? A warrior?” Maisie was suddenly worried.
“I intend to be competent. To be strong and proficient. Where that takes me, only time will tell.”
A thousand objections arose in her, but Maisie kept silent. Who was she to warn Morrigan against what she was doing? She who had broken the law and stood on platforms and shouted on behalf of a woman’s right to representation. She who continued to write and distribute arguments against the government’s abuse of power. She who had applauded Morrigan for killing a man in an alleyway in Edinburgh.
“I know you’ll excel in whatever you set your mind to do. I can’t wait to come and see you train.”
Morrigan’s arm wrapped around Maisie, and they held on to each other. Not so many months ago, when they’d escaped from the city, Isabella had assumed sheneeded to be a mother to them. But the road to Dalmigavie Castle had changed their lives. Now the three of them were sisters. The bond between them was precious and indestructible.
“Excellent. For I already have some deadly moves to show you.”
The sound of approaching footsteps outside the door ended the embrace. Morrigan stood up as Niall entered.
“Are you ready?”
His blue eyes never moved from her, and Maisie’s heart sang. How she loved this man! How he loved her! During each day of her recovery, it was his presence, his touch, his voice that calmed her and made her believe all would be well.
“I’m leaving before you two embarrass me,” Morrigan complained facetiously. “I’ll make sure to have a seat ready.”
