Gracie considered this,letting the words settle within her. Perhaps kindness would be enough, even in a place so grand.
The bath ended,and warm wool enveloped her like clouds. They guided her to a cushioned chair by the hearth, where April began brushing her hair in long, careful strokes. Gracie gazed at the flames, feeling the steady rhythm calm her thoughts. Each stroke seemed to smooth not only her hair but her fears.
Margaret laidout gowns upon a nearby table, each finer than the last.
“Tonight, ye will wear the blue,”she declared.
Gracie glanced over and said,“It is very fine, Mama.”
Her mother smiled.“It will suit ye, and the Laird will see what I have always known. Ye are the most beautiful lass in the world.”
Gracie’s heartfluttered at the mention of her new husband.
She wonderedwhere Jaxon was at that moment, and whether he thought of her at all. His words from the night before still echoed, sharp and confusing, yet his presence lingered like a steady shadow. Gracie did not know what place she held in his heart, if any. Still, as the warmth of the bath faded into a gentle glow within her, she hoped that tonight might give her a hint as to how he felt about marrying her.
Margaret smoothedGracie’s hair once more and said, “I am goin’ to go speak with Brianna. I ken just the foods she should prepare for breakfast that will have ye glowin’ by the evenin’.”
Gracie blinked and replied,“Is there truly such a thing, Mama?”
Her mother smiled knowingly.“Aye, and ye shall see,” she said, then swept from the chamber with determined steps.
Left alone with April,Gracie stared at her reflection in the polished mirror. Her stomach fluttered, for the night’s celebration loomed in her thoughts, bright and loud and full of eyes. Yet beneath that nervousness lay a deeper fear, one she scarcely dared name.
Is all this pamperin’truly meant for the ceilidh, or is it to prepare me body for the marriage bed?
She thoughtof scented soaps and warm water and gentle hands, and her cheeks burned. Was this what being a wife meant, that she must be prepared for a man she barely knew? Her heart beat too quickly, and she clasped her hands in her lap.
Isthat why Mama fusses so?
April studiedher face and said, “I ken that frown, Gracie, what is on yer mind?”
Gracie forced a smile and answered,“Oh, nothin’ really.”
April lifted a brow and said,“I daenae believe that, I’ve ken ye for too long.” She leaned closer and asked, “How do ye feel about all that happened yestermorn?”
Gracie’s shoulders sagged,and the truth spilled forth. “Humiliated and confused,” she said softly. “I daenae ken why Edmund would run away, he doesnae ken me at all. If he was just goin’ to leave me at the altar, why agree to the marriage in the first place?”
She drew a breath and added,“And why would his brother, the Laird, step in and marry me instead? It doesnae make sense.”
April scoffed lightly.“It seems clear to me that one of those brothers has a good head on his shoulders, and the other doesnae.”
Gracie let out a small laugh,surprised by it.
April smiled and said, “If anythin’happens, I will be here with ye, nay matter what.”
Gracie reached for her hand.“Thank ye for agreein’ to stay here, instead of returnin’ home with me parents.”
“I wouldnae haveit any other way,” April replied at once. “This place may be grand, but it will need yer warmth, and I want to be here to see ye make it yer own.”
Gracie’s eyes shone,and she said, “I daenae ken what I would do without ye.”
April squeezed her fingers.“Ye have more strength than ye think, Gracie Gallagher.”
Gracie looked down and murmured,“I am afraid, April.”
April answered gently,“That is nay shame, lass, any woman would be in yer place.”
Gracie whispered,“What if he expects too much of me?”
