Smiling, Selene stood before the narrow looking glass in her chamber while Elsie and Maureen fluttered about her like bright birds, their hands busy. Sunlight streamed through the small window, catching on the pale silk and wool of her gown and turning the room to gold. The air smelled faintly of lavender and woodsmoke, and beneath it all hummed a delicious, breathless excitement.
They teased her as they worked.
“Yer hands are shaking.”
“Ye cannae keep the smile from yer lips.”
“Hold still, Selene,” Elsie laughed, tugging gently at the laces of the gown. “If ye fidget any more, I’ll be forced tae sit on ye.”
Selene did her best to comply, though her heart was racing far too quickly for stillness. Maureen stood behind her, deft fingers separating and plaiting rich chestnut strands of hair, her movements practiced and sure. Once the braids were done, she reached for the ivy she had gathered earlier that morning – fresh and green, still cool with the snow that had fallen during the night – and began to weave it into a delicate crown. She threaded the braids through it carefully, murmuring in approval as the leaves settled into place.
“There now,” she said softly. “Ye look as though ye’ve stepped straight out of a tale.”
Selene lifted her gaze to the looking glass and drew in a slow, astonished breath. The young woman who looked back at her seemed both familiar and entirely new. Her eyes sparkled, brighter than she could ever remember them being, her cheeks flushed a warm pink, her lips red and plush with smiling. She scarcely recognized herself as the same young woman who had left her home in Hertfordshire only a few short weeks ago, anxious and uncertain, boarding the birlinn at Mallaig with more fear than hope in her heart.
She turned suddenly, emotion welling too swiftly to be contained, and seized the hands of her sister and her soon-to-be sister-in-law, pressing a kiss to each of their cheeks.
“You’ve been so wonderful,” she said, her voice thick with feeling. “Even at such short notice, you’ve made this so special.”
Both women glowed at her words, pleasure written plainly upon their faces.
“I know you have both worked so hard since yesterday to give me a beautiful wedding day,” Selene added, her eyes shining. “I could never thank you enough.”
Maureen laughed and leaned in to plant a warm kiss on Selene’s cheek. “We’re happy tae dae this fer ye and me braither, dear Selene. Truly. I am so glad tae have gained nae just one sister, but two.” She cast a fond glance at Elsie as she spoke.
“And I, dear sister,” Elsie exclaimed, squeezing Selene’s hands. “I wish nothing more than fer ye and yer beloved Kenneth tae be every bit as happy as me darling Halvard and I.”
Selene gave a delighted laugh, light and unguarded. “I am quite certain of our happiness taegether.” She shook her head in wonder. “I could never have dreamed, when I boarded the birlinn in Mallaig, that I was sailing straight toward me fate.” Her smile turned mischievous. “And now I am marrying the Brute of Sleat.”
All three dissolved into giggles, Maureen and Elsie gathering close around Selene, their faces flushed and bright, the room echoing with their laughter and shared joy.
It was at that moment that a timid knock sounded at the door.
“Who goes?” Selene called, startled.
“’Tis Jamie,” came a faint, hesitant voice from the other side.
Maureen lifted her skirts and hurried to the door. Selene watched her go, an odd flutter stirring low in her stomach, though she could not have said why.
A moment later, Maureen returned, her expression curious rather than concerned. “It was one of the grooms from the stable,” she said. “It seems he is acting as a kitchen boy today.”
“What did he want?” Selene asked, her stomach lurching despite herself. “Is something wrong?”
“Nay,” Maureen replied, shaking her head. “He said naught of trouble – only that meself and Elsie are called fer in the dining hall.”
Selene nodded slowly, schooling her breath even as her pulse quickened, unaware that this small summons marked the first ripple of change in what had, until now, been a perfect morning.
“Oh,” said Elsie, crossly. “Mayhap there is a problem with the decorations. We’ll dine there after the ceremony, and the maids were tae follow our instructions and place garlands of holly and ivy along the tables and hang them upon the walls.”
“Well then, we’d best hurry,” Maureen replied briskly, already moving toward the door. “There’s little time left, Selene is tae be in the chapel fer her wedding before many minutes have passed.”
Selene laughed, waving a hand at them. “I promise I’ll not leave my chamber for the chapel until you’ve both returned. I swear it.”
“We’ll be back soon,” Maureen called over her shoulder as the door closed behind them.
Selene listened as their footsteps faded along the passageway, their excited chatter drifting back to her in bursts of hurried words. The sound made her smile, though the sudden quiet that followed seemed odd, as though the room itself were holding its breath.
Left alone, she smoothed the lace at her sleeves and took up her mother’s necklace, which had been laid carefully upon the table. The pearls gleamed softly in the morning light, the diamond clasp catching a brief spark of fire as she lifted it. She fastened it around her neck and then raised a hand to touch it, fingertips lingering upon the smooth pearls.
