“Enough of this, ladies,” she said, wiping her eyes. “We’ve got much to do. Try on that dress, me Lady, and let’s see if there need to be any tweaks.”
The maids rushed to Skye’s side and helped her remove her day dress. Nellie reached up and slipped the wedding dress gingerly over her head, letting it drop down her body.
Skye had never worn anything so fine. Living in hiding for the past three years, she had seen the care and attention given to brides on their wedding days. The care, the traditions, and the love passed down from mothers to daughters was something she had watched from a distance, and she’d secretly longed for it.
But Blackwell made it an impossible dream. Her mother had held out hope that one day she’d marry, but Skye never believed it would happen.
It’s happening now. Maither, I wish ye were here…
Before she teared up again, she directed her attention to the maids bustling around her. Even though it should have been her mother helping her into her dress, she was grateful for their care and attention.
Nellie stood behind her and pulled the fabric around her waist. “Nae much to be done here. I’ll tuck it in just slightly.”
Skye felt her mark the spot with a pin.
Nellie straightened, stepped in front of her, and turned her attention to the bust. “I think we need to lower the neckline a bit, me Lady. Ye’re quite blessed with a generous bosom,” she noted lightly.
The maids giggled again.
“Nellie, ye daenae have to go to such trouble,” Skye interjected gently. “This dress is beautiful as it is. I daenae want ye to stay up all night, sewing.”
“Nonsense! It will take me nay time at all!” Nellie shook her head.
Skye didn’t argue further, standing still as Nellie added a few more pins.
“There, that will do it!” Nellie announced shortly. “I’ve got several pins placed, so let me help ye get this off.”
Skye almost hated taking the dress off, but once she was undressed down to her shift, the younger maids jumped into action. She was ushered to the dressing table, on which a pan of water and several curling rags sat. Her hair was combed thoroughly and dampened slightly with the water, and then small sections of her hair were wrapped in the rags.
“I sure hope Arran doesnae see me like this!” Skye proclaimed, her head now looking more like that of Medusa.
Nellie laughed. “The curls will look beautiful on the morrow. Dinnae worry!”
Skye yawned loudly.
Nellie shook her head sympathetically, looked at her from head to toe, and seemed satisfied with their progress.
“Rest is what ye need, me Lady,” she said firmly. She gathered her basket and then the dress carefully. When she was at the door, she turned back to Skye. “I’ll tell the Laird that ye will be resting this evening, and I’ll send ye up a dinner tray.”
Skye nodded her head in agreement. It wasn’t long before a tray laden with cheese, bread, jam, dried meats, and a pitcher of barley water was delivered to her room.
She crawled into bed shortly after eating, but her mind wouldn’t let her sleep.
Can I do it? Can I marry Arran?
Again, she weighed her options. Marrying Arran seemed to be the answer to her problems, but one thought kept nagging at her.
What if the council still rules in Blackwell’s favor and he keeps the lands? Then, all of this will be for nothing. Will Arran throw me out then?
Over and over, a voice in the back of her head whispered that she was just a means to an end, a way to get what Arran wanted and nothing else. In her heart, she wanted love, not a marriage to settle a grievance.
The memory of their kiss seemed burned into her heart. The thought of it tumbled around and around in her mind, wearing the rough edges off her doubts. At last, she was too worn out to argue with herself any longer, and sleep claimed her.
CHAPTER NINE
Arran rose before the sun. The significance of the day weighed heavily on his mind. Today he would be married. And today Blackwell would arrive.
He considered for a moment the fact that he would gain a wife, but a bloody feud could ensue. He didn’t know what he feared more, a battle with Clan MacKeith or marriage. The thought of Skye being an innocent pawn in his battle with Blackwell made his blood boil, but this was his best chance to get back his lands and gain the respect of his clan.
