There was a knock on the door.
“Enter!” he bellowed.
The door opened and Thomas came in. The lad was also wearing his best clothes—as Reid had instructed everyone to do. He cut quite the dashing figure in his Sunday best and would no doubt be breaking the hearts of the local lasses before long.
Thomas grinned at the sight of Reid in all his paraphernalia. “If that doesnae impress her, my lord, naught will.”
Reid glowered at the lad. “When I want yer opinion on something, I’ll ask for it. What do ye want?”
“Preparations in the great hall are finished and cook says dinner will be ready shortly.”
Reid nodded, feeling irritable. What was he doing? Was this a good idea? He waved Thomas away then checked his reflection in the mirror again. He sighed, blowing out his cheeks. Right. He couldn’t put it off any longer.
He strode to the door, pulled it open, told the dogs to stay, then walked down the hall to Abigail’s room. He knocked before he could lose his courage.
She answered immediately, as though she’d already been waiting. She was wearing one of the new dresses he’d had Drummond bring for her, and her hair was done up with some of the clips and ribbons he’d bought for her as well. She’d chosen a dress that was a deep green in color, with a tight bodice that accentuated all of her curves and her golden hair spilled down her shoulders in a luscious wave. She was even wearing the earrings he’d given her.
Oh, my. He stood there, knowing he was gaping like a landed fish, and unable to stop himself. She looked mesmerizing. He cleared his throat, mastered himself with an effort, and offered her his arm.
“If my lady is ready?”
She smiled at him, a white flash of her perfect teeth. “Are you going to tell me what this is all about? The clothes and jewelry must have cost a fortune!”
“Aye, they did,” he replied with a mischievous grin. “Are ye impressed yet?”
“I am. They’re gorgeous. But I’d be more impressed still if you’d tell me what you’ve been up to. Martin hasn’t let me into the great hall since we got back and Thomas and Clyde have been avoiding me like I’ve got the plague!” She fixed him with a hard scowl but he knew her well enough by now to know that beneath the scowl she was trying to hide a smile.
“Shall we?” he said.
She took his arm and together they glided down the stairs like a proper lord and lady. The door to the great hall was closed as they approached so Reid hung back and gestured for Abigail to precede him.
She pushed the door open but halted after two steps, staring in wonder. Quietly, Reid came to stand by her side. Abigail gazed around, her eyes wide, her mouth open.
Just as he’d ordered, the great hall had been transformed. Gone was the drab, austere room with its bare walls and cold floor. Instead, it had been decorated with Autumn splendor. Bunches of wheat and barley and garlands of autumn flowers decorated the walls and hung suspended from the ceiling. Baskets of chestnuts, apples, pears, plums, acorns, and all the other bounty of the season decorated the tables. His men were already seated, done out in their best clothes just like he was, and he’d enlisted Duncan, Brian and Peter to act as minstrels for the night. As Reid and Abigail walked in, they struck up a jaunty tune on the pipes and the fiddle.
Thomas and Clyde came over carrying two crowns woven from ears of wheat and autumn leaves.
“Welcome to the King and Queen of the harvest!” Thomas called out as they placed the crowns on his and Abigail’s heads.
She laughed delightedly. “What is this?”
“The harvest feast, of course,” Reid replied. “It’s the harvest moon tonight and I didnae think we should miss out on the celebrations just because we’re preparing for war. The men need a chance to let their hair down. I think we’ve all earned it.”
“So this is what you’ve been up to? This is why you got me out of the castle today and why you sent Drummond off to get supplies?”
“Aye, lass. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well, it certainly is that.”
He led her over to the high table and the two chairs that had been decked out in leaves and flowers—the thrones of the king and queen of the harvest.
Abigail settled into her throne, looking around with a smile on her face and tapping her foot to the music. “I didn’t even know they could play,” she said, nodding towards the impromptu band.
“From the sounds of it, they canna,” Reid replied sardonically. “But they’re the best I could come up with at short notice.”
The door burst open and cook came in trailed by a line of stable lads and guards that he’d commandeered to help him in the kitchen for the day. In short order, a feast was laid out. Platters of roasted meats, bowls piled high with grilled vegetables, bowls of sticky sauces, and jugs of ale and whisky soon filled the tables.
When it was all laid out, Reid indicated for cook and his helpers to take their places—nobody would miss out on the feast tonight—and then pushed his chair back and stood. He raised his mug of whisky high in a toast.
