“MacKay’s jaw dropped as he gained his first look at Myrna,” the laird continued. “I had reacted the same way when I first saw yer mam. I told Myrna that this man now with me was to be her husband. Myrna declared she should never wed, but MacKay just laughed and told her that aye, she would marry him. She then scorned him for a Highlander, and said that she would wed no northerner. At that point I lost my temper wi’ her. I told her that if she had nae been so vain and foolish she might have had the Melville lad, for all he was a cowardly cur. I told her that Duncan MacKay was kinsman to her aunt’s husband and was willing to have her despite her faults. I told her I would not have her behavior cause our family’s good name to be besmirched further. I told her that the pastor would see to the contracts immediately, and that she would be wed before nightfall. Then I left the two of them together in the hall, but as I departed I heard Myrna shout that he was to come no closer, he was not to kiss her, and then silence.”
“A formidable fellow,” the Earl of Duin remarked with a chuckle. “And so yer second daughter was wed to this Highlander?”
“Aye! I went directly to the kirk, where the pastor fell on his knees and praised the Lord for Myrna’s good fortune. He drew up the marriage contracts, then came back to the hall wi’ me, where we found Myrna now resigned to becoming the wife of the big Highlander. The pastor agreed wi’ us that he seemed a reasonable man, and that Myrna was fortunate despite her shortcomings to get such a fine husband.”
“It was hardly the future she envisioned for herself, Da,” Annabella said. “She saw herself at court, because Ian’s kinsman is the queen’s adviser.”
“’Tis unlikely,” the lady Anne spoke up. “For all their pretensions, that branch of the Melville family has no real distinction. And despite his rough Highland manner I found I liked Duncan MacKay in spite of our short acquaintance. There was a kindness and an honesty about him that gave me comfort. I know Myrna will be happy with him.”
“He accepted her dower?” Annabella said.
“Ten gold pieces, a chest of linens for bed and table, a down coverlet, two silver goblets, six silver spoons, a small gilt saltcellar, a little bag of salt, and two small rolls of velvet,” the laird recounted to them. “Duncan MacKay was most impressed, and told us he had never had so well-dowered a wife. I had no need to apologize, as I had had wi’ the Melvilles. I heard the Hamiltons gave a purse of twenty-five gold pieces to stave off their lass’s shame.”
“I hope she births a daughter,” young Agnes said venomously. “They made poor Myrna so unhappy that she miscarried her son. She cried for days after.”
“Agnes!” her mother remonstrated. “Where is the charity in yer heart?”
“I have nae charity for fools,” Agnes said fiercely.
What an interesting little wench, Matthew Ferguson thought.
“They were married that day, Da?” Annabella asked her father.
“Aye, as soon as the contracts were signed. Myrna was surprised that MacKay could write his name. He was equally surprised that she could write hers. But once the agreement was signed the pastor wed them.”
Agnes spoke up again. “She was wed in her skirt and a white blouse.”
“I’m relieved that all ended well,” Annabella said, smiling.
The meal was served. It was a simple one: venison stew in a red wine gravy with leeks and carrots, a roasted capon, and bread, butter, and cheese. Afterward, there were baked apples. When the meal was over, Annabella sat by the hearth with her mother and Jean Ferguson. Agnes, however, was engaged in a game of chess with Matthew Ferguson. She crowed with delight at each move she made, considering herself very clever.
“Ye smile more now,” the lady Anne said to her daughter. “Ye’re happy.”
“I am,” Annabella admitted.
“Everyone at Duin loves her,” Jean spoke up. “She is a good lady to her folk.”
“I am pleased to hear it,” the lady Anne replied. “At least the eldest of my daughters behaves as she was brought up to behave. I canna believe that Myrna behaved so improperly. Still, it saddens me to have lost her.”
“Aunt Jane had only lads, Mam,” Annabella reminded her mother. “Myrna will be like the daughter she never had, and I will wager that my sister proves a good wife to her Highlander, Mama.”
In the morning they departed Rath at first light for Edinburgh, arriving two days later. The house Matthew had rented for them was surprisingly comfortable, and Annabella saw immediately that the servants were well trained and friendly. They rendered Jean Ferguson their aid as she unpacked and prepared her mistress’s gowns. Bathing, however, proved a different matter. Duin’s bathing chamber was a unique accommodation. Angus was not at all pleased by the little round wooden bathing tub that was brought forth. He sent immediately for a cooper, carefully elucidated his requirements, and two days later a tall round wooden tub was delivered to the house. It would require buckets of water to fill, but the earl enjoyed his bath, and Annabella had come to enjoy a large tub as well.
“We shall save the servants the toil of filling the tub twice each day,” he told her. “We shall bathe together, sweeting.” He gave her a quick kiss.
“How thoughtful of ye, my lord,” she murmured sweetly.
The tub was filled that evening after the meal had been served. Jean helped Annabella disrobe. The tub was made of hard oak. There were two steps that could be used to mount and descend into the tub. Jean helped Annabella into the water, and then said, “I’ve nae ever seen my brother wi’out his breeks, and I’ll not do so now. Will ye need me again tonight, Annabella?”
Annabella giggled. “Nay,” she said. “My husband will help me to bed.”
“Not until after he’s helped ye in the tub,” Jean said pithily. Then she was gone.
Annabella enjoyed the hot water finally easing the soreness in her muscles from their long journey from the western borders. There was a door between the two bedchambers inhabited by the lord and the lady. It opened, and Angus came through as naked as the day he was born. Without a word, he climbed into the tub with her.
“Good evening, madam,” he said with a grin.
“My lord.” She inclined her head at him.
