“Because I am yer braither? And yer groomsman?”
Jack began to wash again, slower this time. “Any disturbances in the night?”
“None,” Duncan answered. “Unless ye count Jamie tripping over his own feet after too much whiskey.”
“Anyone at the outer gates?”
“Two traders at first light. Barley and lamp oil. They were sent to the stores.”
Jack nodded, relieved, but still uneasy. “Good.”
Duncan lifted the formal coat like a priest lifted his robe. “Hold still, or ye will look as if ye are marching into a funeral.”
Jack took the coat and shrugged into it. “I am excited.”
“Aye,” Duncan drawled. “Ye look it. Like a man going to his own execution.”
“Duncan.”
“Peace,” Duncan said, throwing his hands up. “I ken it. Ye arenae the kind to dance before noon.”
Jack reached for the belt, and Duncan tried to help. He snatched it immediately from his brother and threaded the buckle himself. The leather bit when he pulled too tightly.
“Ye will have a mark at supper,” Duncan cautioned. “The ladies will whisper that ye are starved.”
“Let them,” Jack said. He loosened the belt one notch, then forced his shoulders to drop. “Is the chapel ready?”
“Aye. There are flowers, candles, and a carpet so soft ye could sleep on it.”
“Musicians?”
“Tuning their instruments as we speak. The piper says he will play only two marches, or he will faint.”
“Let him faint,” Jack said, then caught himself. “Nay. Tell him to eat.”
Duncan grinned. “There he is. The caring Laird returns.”
Jack fastened the collar pin. “Emma said aye.”
“She did.” Duncan nodded. “She looked like she meant it.”
“She meant it,” Jack affirmed. He kept his eyes on the pin. “She gave me her trust last night.”
“Then why do ye look like a man who expects the floor to open and swallow him?”
Jack checked the fall of his coat. “Because floors open.”
Duncan studied him. “She ran once.”
“She willnae run today.”
“She might.”
“She willnae.” Jack met Duncan’s gaze. “She promised.”
Duncan nodded and let it go. Then, he lifted the plaid and draped it over Jack’s shoulder. “Turn around.”
Jack did, and Duncan fixed the brooch and stepped back.
