“Absolutely.”
“And he loves you?”
“Yes. I didn’t think it was possible, but he truly does.”
“He looked fit to be tied when those men came to your table.”
“I feared he’d beat them senseless, but he managed with restrain himself,” Allyson chuckled. “He’s a better person than I am. If any women had approached, I might’ve ended up in the castle’s dungeon. We had a run in with Lady Bevan earlier. I may not have been as polite as I should have been. In fact, I was quite vulgar, and I don’t regret it in the least.”
“Good. I heard the king has arranged a marriage for her, too.”
“To whom?” Allyson couldn’t help herself; she wanted to know this piece of gossip.
“To auld Laird Farquharson.”
“Good gracious, he’s old enough to be my father’s father. He’s got to be close to seventy.”
“Aye, and word is, he’s still as randy as an old goat.”
“What on earth did she do to deserve that?”
“She had some unkind words about you while you were gone, bragging that Ewan and Eoin would return to her bed once you were back. But her gravest sin was trying to seduce the king when she didn’t realize the queen could see and hear her. You know the king prefers discretion, so it forced him to send her away. I overheard that the queen selected the groom.”
“That is a shocking turn of events.”
“Rather. The queen intends for her to leave two days after Easter.”
“So she can watch the wedding,” the two women said together before dissolving into laughter.
They clung to one another’s arm until Ewan came to retrieve his bride. Allyson promised to visit with Cairren for longer in the days to come, as she had a sense that something else happened while she was gone. As Ewan suspected, Eoin was nowhere in sight when he led Allyson to the exit. He’d seen his brother speaking to Cairstine Grant, but he didn’t see either of them as he and Allyson left. They retired to their chamber, where they spent most of their time over the coming week. Eoin shared a chamber with his father, allowing the newlyweds their space. Ewan left to train in the lists in the morning, and Allyson joined the queen and other ladies-in-waiting for their morning walk, but they spent their afternoons together. They joined the court for the evening meal, an expectation they couldn’t avoid. When they weren’t distracted with one another, Allyson drew and read; Ewan often serenaded her. The days between their return to court and their wedding slid past in a flurry of lovemaking and cuddling.
* * *
Allyson took one last glance at herself in the looking glass. It felt surreal to be in a gown she’d sewn four years ago but had kept stored in her chest. She’d sewn the gown when she learned she was being sent to court, understanding her parents hoped she would find a husband there. She’d wanted to be prepared, but as the years dragged on, she’d doubted when she would wear it. But she’d been resolute and saved it for this special day. Cairren helped style her hair, which she wore down but with a ribbon woven through a thick braid that coiled around her head. She’d never felt more beautiful than she did in that moment. She prayed Ewan would think she looked bonnie, too. She remembered their encounter in the dark passageway all those weeks earlier when he’d called her bonnie, and it had hurt her feelings to think he saw her as merely pretty when she knew her sisters were beautiful. She’d learned since then that bonnie meant more than just “pretty” to Highlanders. Now she enjoyed Ewan complimenting her appearance when he allowed his burr to color his words. It made her spine tingle.
“You’re stunning, Allyson. Ewan won’t know what to do having to wait through the entire ceremony,” Cairren teased.
“I’m glad the king convinced the bishop that we could shorten the vows outside the kirk and move directly to the wedding Mass. Seemed a little too late for a lengthy exchange. Ewan and I have already made our promises to one another.”
“I suppose, but it would have been wonderful to see you standing there with your braw Highlander. They are so different from the men in the Lowlands. It’s rather exciting when they come to court.”
“Perhaps, one day you’ll have your own,” Allyson teased, but when Cairren didn’t join her laughter she sent her maid away. She sat beside Cairren and took her friend’s hands in her. “What is it?”
“My father sent word that he’s arranging a marriage for me, but I don’t know to whom.”
“Perhaps it’s be a braw Highlander after all.”
“The Lowlanders at court are snooty enough, but I hear that Highlanders detest outsiders. I couldn’t be more of one. I mean, look at me.” Cairren placed her hands on her sun-darkened cheeks before holding out her arms, pushing back her sleeves. Her olive skin shone in the candlelight.
“I am looking at you. You’re one of the most attractive women at court. What man wouldn’t want you?”
“Want to bed me, maybe, but marry me? Hardly. I won’t resemble any of the Scottish roses in the Highlands. I’ll stick out because I take after my mother’s people.”
“And the Scots have a history with the French. You’re worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet. If anyone has learned the futility of that, it’s me.”
“I suppose,” Cairren agreed. She smiled with warmth as she stood and walked to the door with Allyson.
“You can always come to Huntley. Ewan and I will never turn you away.”
