Page 68 of Taming the Scot
They truly were well matched in mind, body and soul.
Despite the gloriousness of their time together, both were eager to get back to the city and see Maggie, Amabel, Lillie, Skye, Esme and Raine. And what better way than by having a celebration?
Though, neither of them wanted a ball. They felt an intimate gathering with the friends Euan cherished and Bronwen had come to adore would be best.
And so it was, nearly a month and a half after they wed, Bronwen and Euan returned to Edinburgh in time for her birthday and the end of the season.
The house was alive with chatter as the sisters converged on them to enquire about Drum, if they enjoyed their time away, and giggled behind their hands at how Bronwen and Euan were always holding hands.
On behalf of herself and her sisters, Maggie presented Bronwen with a new frock to wear that evening for their dinner party. It was a lovely shimmering gold with silk thread embroidered in floral patterns.
“It’s beautiful,” Bronwen said, feeling a little teary-eyed at their thoughtfulness.
“It matches ye well,” Maggie said. “Both inside and out.”
“Ye are all too kind.”
They ushered her upstairs to fawn over her gown, and when she was finally ready, Euan entered, carrying a gift of his own.
“For ye, my wife.”
He handed her a blue velvet box, tied with a lighter blue silk ribbon.
Bronwen unraveled the ribbon and opened the box to reveal a diamond necklace and matching earbobs. “Oh my,” she breathed out. She’d never seen, let alone owned, anything so beautiful in her life.
“This is…stunning,” she said.
“And yet it pales in comparison to your beauty.” He winked down at her, still quite a charmer.
“Flattery will get ye quite a lot of places,” she said with a giggle. “Help me put it on?”
While she fastened the earbobs, Euan stepped behind her and clasped the necklace.
She stared into the looking glass, barely recognizing herself for who she used to be. So much had changed. Not just the coin or the title, but she herself. She was less cynical, more trusting, and she was happy.
“I feel like a princess,” she murmured.
“Ah, to me ye are a queen.” Euan pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Are ye ready to greet our guests?”
She glanced toward the bed. “I’d rather say here.”
Euan laughed. “As would I. Perhaps we’ll make it an early night then.”
Bronwen grinned up at him mischievously. “Or we could disappear after dinner for a few minutes.”
“An hour. I want to savor ye in nothing but these diamonds.”
“I am amenable to that,” she said with a wink.
They headed down the stairs to greet their guests as husband and wife with that plan in place.
They were welcomed by all their friends, well all but one, Malcolm was absent, having sent his regrets in quite a cryptic manner…
