Page 56 of Highlander of Steel
She turned and walked off toward the main doors, refusing to do him the courtesy of glancing back. He called after her, but she ignored him, striding onward.
Last night, he had had complete control of her body, and she had relished it. But today was a new day—her wedding day, in fact—andnobodywould control what she did except her.
22
The rest of the day passed in an anxious blur of maids coming in and out of her bedchamber, fretting over the absence of a viable wedding gown.
Ailis could only apologize, sad at the loss of such a beautiful dress, but more and more convinced that its destruction was an omen.
I got too close, I allowed meself to forget who he is and who I am, and I got burned. What else did I expect?
She cursed her body for remembering last night more fondly. When she removed the ruined dress, she recalled Killian pulling the borrowed shirt over her head and how eagerly he had worshiped her. When the maids took hurried measurements, the brush of their fingertips sent her mind back to the cave, to Killian’s titillating touch.
Just closing her eyes dredged up a thousand stirring memories, her weary sighs reminding her of her ragged breathing, her nerves pulsing at random just to kick her while she was down.
After swallowing down a few mouthfuls of soup that had been foisted on her by Rachel, Ailis flinched as the castle bells chimed three times. It was time to leave for the wedding, whether she was ready or not.
“Ye’re nae dressed.” Paisley’s voice was a balm to her reeling mind.
“I have nay dress to wear,” Ailis replied, twisting around.
She frowned at the sight of a linen-wrapped package in Paisley’s arms, feeling for a moment as if last night hadn’t happened. Had it all been a vivid dream, and she had never left her bedchamber?
“I thought I could help with that,” Paisley said, tentatively stepping closer. “The seamstresses werenae happy with me, but this is for ye if ye want it.”
Ailis got up. “What is it?”
“A dress.” Paisley pulled back the linen and held the dress up for perusal.
It was beautiful. Not as grand or intricate as the original wedding gown, but exquisite all the same. A piece of garnet red, adorned with dried flowers that had been sewn into the fabric,with some embroidered golden lace along the hem of the sleeves and skirt. Panels of a slightly darker red had been sewn into the sides, as if it had been amended to fit someone other than its previous owner.
“I made it for me weddin’,” Paisley explained, blushing a little. “But I’ll make a new one once Fraser is released. I was never certain that the color suited me anyway, but I ken it’ll suit ye perfectly. And I’m sure Fraser wouldnae mind; he’d be happy for ye to have it when ye marry his braither.”
Ailis stared, dumbfounded, at the dress and the woman who was fast becoming a friend. “I couldnae, Paisley.”
“Aye, ye could, ye can, and ye will,” the healer replied with a smile. “I already had it altered to fit ye, so it’s nae mine anymore.”
Rubbing her throat, Ailis didn’t know what to say. It was one of the kindest things that anyone had ever done for her. Indeed, there had been so much kindness and consideration since she had arrived at Castle MacNairn. A feeling she wasn’t at all accustomed to, when her life had been spent waiting for the next punishment, the next cruel word, the next insult. All of the goodness inthatplace came from Skye.
“Thank ye,” she croaked as she rushed forward to hug the healer.
She didn’t care that she was crushing the dress between them; she just wanted to let Paisley know how much this gesture meant to her.
Paisley hugged her back just as tightly, patting her back. “Ye’re entirely welcome, Ailis. As I said, it’ll suit ye better anyway.”
Ailis laughed into the woman’s shoulder. “I’ve been wonderin’ for an age who ye remind me of, but it’s just come to me—ye remind me of me sister.”
“Well, that’s fortunate,” Paisley replied, pulling back, “because that’s what we’ll soon be. Together, I’m certain we can keep these MacNairn lads under control, eh?”
Ailis’s laughter faltered.
“I daenae ken about that.” She paused. “But Idohope that this weddin’ achieves some of what we’re all prayin’ for. I hope it sees Fraser returned and secures a brief peace, if nothin’ else. What I daenae want is me weddin’ turnin’ into a bloodbath, or anythin’ befallin’ Fraser because of it.”
“Yer faither, madman though he is, willnae risk losin’ the one morsel of leverage he has by hurtin’ Fraser,” Paisley stated confidently. “His value is what’s kept him alive so far. What I daenae ken is whether or nae I’ll get to see him today.”
“Me braither was very clear about them nae attendin’ the weddin’,” Ailis said apologetically. “But ye’re right. Fraser is important to them alive; he’s of nay use to them dead.”
Paisley took a deep breath. “I trust the Laird. I have all the faith that he’s made the right decision, and that his plans will bearfruit, though it’s difficult at times to stay here and do nothin’.” She paused, offering a small smile. “So, thank ye for agreein’ to marry him. Ye’ve givenmehope that there’ll be better days to come.”
