Katie opened her eyes, meeting Griselda’s gaze in the mirror. “Happy and nervous, I suppose,” she admitted, her fingers twisting in her lap. “There’s so much to take in, and I just want to do everything right.”
Griselda smiled, her expression one of understanding. “That’s natural, lass. But ye need nae worry so much. Ye’re a beautiful bride, and everyone’s lookin’ forward to the weddin’. The whole clan is abuzz with excitement.”
Katie hesitated for a moment, then voiced the question that had been nagging at her. “Do you think they really want me as Lady of MacNiall Castle? I’ve tried so hard to learn all the names of the local lairds and their wives and understand the many traditions, and become familiar with the way things are run here, but what if I get it wrong?”
Griselda let out a soft chuckle, her hands still working on Katie’s hair. “Oh, lass, let me tell ye somethin’. When I first came here, I was as green as they come. The Scottish ways were a mystery to me, and I made more than me share of mistakes. But I learned, as ye will too. And if I could manage it with Aiden’s grandmaither breathin’ down me neck the whole time, ye’ll do just fine.”
One of the ladies, an older woman with a kind face, nodded in agreement. “Aye, Griselda had her moments, but look at her now. She’s the heart of this castle. And ye, dearie, have already won the people over. They can see how much ye care.”
Katie looked back at Griselda, her eyes softening with gratitude. “It must have been difficult for you, with Aiden’s grandmother behaving so harshly. I can’t imagine how challenging it must have been to find your place within the family.”
Griselda paused, her expression turning reflective. “Aye, it was a hurdle, nay doubt about it. She was a hard woman and very set in her ways. But it taught me resilience, and I swore that if I ever had a daughter-in-law, I’d make sure she felt welcome, nae scrutinized.”
Katie reached up to squeeze Griselda’s hand, her heart full of affection for the woman who had become more than just a mother-in-law. “I feel very blessed to have you in my life, Griselda. You’ve been more understanding and supportive than I could have ever hoped for.”
Griselda smiled, her eyes misting over with emotion. “And I’m blessed to have ye, Katie. Ye’ve brought new life to this castle, and I’m sure ye’ll make a wonderful Lady.”
Katie watched in the mirror as a sense of peace settled over her. She was surrounded by people who cared for her and wanted to see her succeed, and that gave her the confidence she needed.
When they were done with her hair, Katie admired the intricate hairstyle, the way the braids framed her face and the flowers seemed to glow against her tresses. She looked every bit the part of a Scottish bride, and the sight made her heart swell with pride and joy.
However, Griselda hadn’t finished yet. With a sly smile, she reached into a small box that one of the ladies had handed her and pulled out a stunning necklace. It was made of amber and silver, the stones catching the light in a way that made them glowwarmly. The necklace was accompanied by matching earrings and a pearl hairpin.
“These are heirlooms of the MacNiall family,” Griselda said, her voice filled with reverence. “They’ve been passed down through the generations, worn by every Lady of MacNiall Castle on her weddin’ day. I want ye to have them, Katie.”
Katie’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the beauty of the jewelry. She felt a surge of gratitude and love for the woman blossom in her heart. “Griselda, they’re… they’re beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say ye’ll wear them with pride, lass,” Griselda replied, fastening the necklace around Katie’s neck. “Ye’re part of this family now, and these belong to ye as much as they did to those who came afore ye.”
Katie looked at herself in the mirror, the amber stones glowing warmly against her skin, the pearl hairpin catching the light. She felt a deep connection to the women who had worn these pieces before her, to the history and legacy she was now a part of. It was a solemn feeling, but one that she embraced with open arms.
“Thank you,” Katie whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, Griselda. I’ll wear them with pride, and I’ll do my best to honor the legacy of this family.”
Griselda smiled, her eyes glistening with tears. “I have nay doubt that ye will, lass. Now, let’s go. There’s a fine man waitin’ for ye, and ye’ve got a castle full of people eager to celebrate.”
Katie nodded, her heart filled with excitement, gratitude, and love. She was ready to marry Aiden, to become the Lady of MacNiall Castle and begin this new chapter of her life surrounded by people who believed in her. It was more than she had ever dared to hope for, and she was determined to cherish every moment.
Katie stood before the mirror, admiring her reflection as Griselda and her ladies made final adjustments to her wedding dress. The gown was everything she had ever dreamed of—delicate lace that hugged her figure perfectly, intricate embroidery that shimmered in the light, and a train that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. It was the dress of her dreams, a symbol of the new life she was about to begin.
Her heart swelled with happiness and pride as she took in every detail. She could hardly believe the day had finally arrived. After all the planning, the uncertainty, and the newness of her life at MacNiall Castle, she was about to marry Aiden. The thought sent a thrill through her, mingled with a flutter of nerves. But, above it all, she felt a deep sense of rightness, a feeling that this was where she was meant to be.
Griselda’s gentle touch brought her back to the present. “Ye look radiant, lass,” she said, her voice full of warmth as she adjusted a stray lock of her hair.
Katie blushed, her eyes meeting Griselda’s in the mirror. “Thank you, Griselda. I can’t tell you how much it means to me—everything you’ve done.”
“Nay need to thank me,” Griselda replied with a soft smile. “Ye’re part of the clan now. We take care of our own.”
Katie’s heart swelled even more at the words. The MacNiall family had welcomed her in ways she hadn’t expected. Griselda in particular had been a guiding hand and a comforting presence. Although Katie had her mother back in England, Griselda had become a mother to her in a different way, one that understood the challenges of her new life and had given her the courage she needed to face them.
Katie’s thoughts turned to Aiden. She hadn’t expected to grow so fond of him. At first, their union had been one of duty, an arrangement made for the benefit of their families. But as she got to know him better, she discovered a man of depth and kindness, a man who had his own struggles but was trying to be the best he could be, both for her and for his clan.
Katie felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. She was blessed, and she knew it. Not every arranged marriage grew into a partnership based on mutual respect, trust, and care. But in Aiden, she knew with her whole heart and soul that she had found a man she could envision spending the rest of her life with, a man who would never let her down.
CHAPTER 21
A soft knockon the door interrupted her thoughts. Griselda stood to answer it, and when she opened the door, Katie’s heart leaped with joy. Leah and Daphne stood before her, their faces lighting up when they saw her.
“Katie!” Leah exclaimed, rushing into the room, with Daphne right behind her. “You look absolutely stunning!”
