Page 53 of An Allusive Love
Craigg drove home alone. He didn’t care where his daughter slept for the next week. It was war now. Another marriage decided by the great MacNaughtons. When he first discovered Nessie was pregnant, he’d wanted to beat her until she lost the babe. Then today’s scheme had come to him. After he’d revealed MacDunn as a thief, Ross would have smothered the bairn at birth and dumped the bastard on MacDunn’s doorstep.
Instead, MacNaughton had demanded anapologyand the five sheep with MacDunn’s lug mark. The animals were worth more than the sniveling girl. He drank deeply from his flask.
His father’s words haunted him, wouldn’t stop ringing in his ears.
Dinna follow them like the rest of the bleatin’ sheep. Keep yer own counsel and bide yer time.
Ithadbeen his time. He clenched his fists; he would call in some help. It would cost him, but a hired man would also be the perfect scapegoat if anything went awry. Another plan began to form. The wedding would be at the castle. Everyone drunk and off their guard. Behind the castle gardens was a copse. Nice and dark.
Craigg slammed open his cottage door and shouted for his wife. She was huddled in bed, pretending to be sleep. He grabbed her long braid and jerked her head up, backhanding her. “Get up! I’m hungry.” Her whimpers eased his anger.
By God, they would all pay.
Chapter Sixteen
Untimely Impediments
A week later
MacNaughton Castle
Kirstine twirled aroundher bed, imagining a dance with Brodie later that night. She smoothed out the indigo dress with a silvery gossamer overlay. The waist was high, and the neckline was low. Too low, in her father’s opinion. A delicate lace trim, matching the sheer material, had taken her a better part of a day to sew.
“Are ye ready?” Her mother stood below. “We need to leave in an hour.”
“Aye. I’m so happy for Nessie and Hamish. He’s marrying his true love, and she’s escaping the devil.”
“That mon will get his comeuppance. Beasts like that always do, eventually.”
Kirstine pulled on her most expensive stockings and secured them with leather ties. The soft leather shoes were snug but comfortable on her feet. She climbed down the ladder and handed Ma the ribbon. Turning, she lifted her long tresses so her mother could tie the ribbon about her waist.
“Get my ivory comb and mirror and sit down at the table.” Her tresses were soon arranged, fastened at her crown with another thinner, iridescent ribbon, curls dangling on the back of her neck. Her mother added sprigs of dry heather and stepped back.
“Pretty enough to be getting married yerself.”
Kirstine picked up the small mirror and turned her head one way, then another. Her stomach tumbled at the reflection. Was that really her?
“How many times has the lad proposed?”
With a smile, Kirstine counted out loud. “The dye disaster,” she began, giggling at their nickname for that day, “and the last three days in a row.”
Despite his threats, Brodie had returned to propose every day. She gave him the same answer each time. “I’m no’ quite ready. Perhaps the next time ye ask.”
He’d smiled and nodded, as if he were in on the scheme. “A treasure is worth waiting for,” he’d responded each time.
“And ye’ve stood firm?” her mother asked.
“Aye, but tonight I will tell him yes. I canna play with his heart any longer.” Kirstine knew he was sincere, and it was time to move on with their lives. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered again as she thought of his lips on hers, his hands skimming along her—
“Did ye hear me?” asked Ma. “Never mind, I ken where yer mind is. Now, here comes yer father with the wagon. Remember yer shawl.”
Kirstine fetched the tartan wrap, checks of forest green against a deep blue that matched her gown. She wasn’t in a hurry, since Brodie wouldn’t attend the wedding. Brigid had sent a message that she and Brodie would be late. A cow in distress, a fall birthing, took priority over a cèilidh. Brodie had volunteered to help. She smiled and wondered if he considered it voluntary. His sister had a way of pressing her unwilling brothers into service.
MacNaughton Castle bustled with activity. In the main hall, Peigi gave last minute orders to housemaids and cooks. “Be certain there is plenty of wine and ale. My husband willna be happy if we run out of either. Once the food is served, ye may join in the festivities. Keep at least two on duty throughout the day and evening to check the pitchers and platters.”
Guests already filled the hall for the late morning ceremony. Tables lined one wall with small pies, breads, and fruit compotes. More trestles were set up with benches for eating and visiting, white linen spread across the wooden boards with candles and crystal water bowls for washing. Glynnis and Lissie were overseeing the table decorations, placing entwined circles of marzipan at intervals on the table. The sugar creation sparkled and shed twinkling crumbs along the length of the linen. On the dais, silver goblets and plates had been set out for the guests of honor and their hosts.
The smells were as dizzying as the surroundings. Venison and pig sizzled on spits, and scents of simmering dishes floated up from the kitchen. Nessie and Hamish had hoped for an elopement at best. Fate, and the MacNaughtons, had given them a memorable ceremony and the best gift of all. A chance to be happy. What they made of their lives from here would be up to them.
