He rubbed his chest. Her easy agreement made him feel strange.Good.
“Excellent. I have missives to send.” He bowed and bounded from the chamber, a bounce to his step.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Only the slightest of morning light stole through the window of Emily’s room when Isobell and two other woman arrived full of excitement to prepare her for the wedding. Emily yawned. Why hadn’t Gregor joined them last night for dinner?
She turned from the window and the niggling thought to the three expectant faces. Isobell held the gown Emily was to wear. “It’s a lovely dress. Thank you for lending it to me.”
“The color goes well with your blue eyes. The gown was made for Elspeth.” Isobell ran slim fingers over the lustrous silk fabric. “Many years ago, Archie brought several bolts of fine cloth back from France for his sister. He had been on embassage for the king with the Campbells, and Elspeth had been betrothed to the Campbell’s second son. Of course, that was before we were wed, and before Elspeth refused to abide by the old contract and handfasted with Finn.” She leaned toward Emily and whispered near her ear. “That was before they traveled to the future.”
The pale dress reminded Emily of a moonstone brooch often worn by Elspeth in Anderson Creek. It was a shame no one from home would see Emily wearing the gown. If only she hadn’t lost her cell phone before falling through time.Tevin could have taken a picture for them to share on their return.
She wrinkled her brow. Why was she getting married if they were going home?
Could Gregor travel back with them?
“I am delighted you have reconsidered your position and agreed to wed with Gregor,” the other woman said, startling her from the disturbing questions rattling around in her brain. “He is a braw lad. He will keep you and Tevin safe.”
Emily rubbed her forehead where a nagging ache pulsed over her eyes. Her mind went fuzzy. What had she been thinking?
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked.
“’Tis not important. ’Twas a surprise you decided to wed with Gregor after fervently denying the possibility.”
Why did Isobell and Gregor act as if she changed her mind? She’d agreed from the beginning it would be for the best. Who wouldn’t want to marry a man as gorgeous as Gregor? Or as nice?
“I’m sure he will guard us well.”
She hoped he’d perform other husbandly duties well, too.
Would they make love tonight? The thought made her insides tighten with anticipation.
Isobell dropped the dress over Emily’s head and shoulders. Fortunately, the women couldn’t see the scarlet color that must be blushing her cheeks from her risqué imaginings. The silk slipped smoothly over her hips and draped to the floor, the sensuous touch of the fabric against bare skin making her feel beautiful.
“I am a bit uneasy having pressured you.” Isobell stepped away. Her critical gaze slid over Emily from head to bare foot. She nodded with approval, a genuine smile curving her lips. “You see, I refused to wed with Archie on the eve of our marriage.”
“Really? Why?”
“I was angry. Proud. I didn’t want to be told what to do by a man I nae longer trusted, one who nae longer trustedme. He ordered me put in the dungeon until I reconsidered my position and agreed to wed him.”
“He didn’t? That’s horrible.”
“Not so bad. Really. Munn came to me, offering a fine wine. ’Twas the best wine I had ever tasted. ’Twas spelled by magic. You ken? Made me verra agreeable.”
“So then what happened?”
“We wed. But when the wine wore off, I was verra, verra angry with Archie and ran away. I was a foolish lass. ’Twas a snowy night. A dangerous night to be abroad. I became entranced by a strange light, which guided me through the blustery snow to theSithichean Sluaigh, the knoll of the Fae. On the knoll, ’twas like spring, and I stumbled through time to Anderson Creek.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “All of that has long been forgotten and I love my husband andbairnsverra much. Shall we do your hair?”
“Yes. But tell me how you and Archie got back together.”
“He came after me. He always will. As willyourGregor.”
“He’s not mine. He only agreed to marry me because Archie forced him. He doesn’t have real feelings for me. He couldn’t. We just met.”
“And you? Do you haverealfeelings for him?”
Did she? Maybe. “Like I said, we just met.”
