He patted her hand. “Tis in the past, but this garden serves as a memory. I can only hope tae be remembered with such fondness when I go tae meet the heavens one day.” A smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Of course, I would need someone tae remember mah.”
Gretna blushed. “I’m sure ye aren’t easily forgotten.”
“James,” she added, pausing.
“And I couldna forget ye easily, Gretna. Ye are verra lovely, much like the flowers in this garden.”
His compliments caused her to smile and some of the tension left her shoulders. “Ye are too kind.” He was charming and handsome, traits that she could see as being a draw to any lass. “May I ask a question?”
“Of course,” he smiled.
“Why havana ye wed before now?” It was bold of her, but Gretna didn’t want to find herself being the second lass in his life because he was pining after another. If they were to consider marriage, she would want him to be honest with her and she with him.
James laughed, his grin widening. “I like that ye are forward with yer words, Gretna. Tis refreshing.” He covered her handwith his. “Perhaps, I was waiting for the right one tae come along. Is that so difficult tae believe?”
Gretna’s heart squeezed in her chest. “Nay,” she said softly. “Tis not hard tae believe at all.”
They shared a smile before he moved them on, his hand still resting over hers. “Come. There is much tae show ye before the feast tonight.”
“Feast?” She had anticipated that they would dine together, but a feast meant that the clan would be there as well.
“Aye,” James replied. “How else am I tae show ye off tae mah clan?”
How else indeed? Gretna fought a smile, already thinking about what dress she would wear for this evening. She was ready to impress whoever she needed to in order to spend more time with the handsome Scot at her side.
6
Gretna tightened the laces on the front of her gown, frowning as she adjusted her bosom to not appear as if it was going to spill out. Tonight she had to be perfect, so the dark blue gown complemented her coloring perfectly. Long skirts were nipped at her waist, with a white paneling between the laces and long sleeves that molded to her arms and cut off at the wrists. Her collarbones were on display and while she would have normally accented the dress with a necklace of sorts, Gretna decided to forgo the adornment tonight.
A knock on the door turned her away from the mirror and she strode across the finely appointed chamber, opening it to find a redheaded woman in maid’s attire. “I’ve been sent tae dress yer hair,” the woman stated, eyeing Gretna’s gown. “By the laird’s son.”
Gretna fought a smile, thinking of how thoughtful of James it was. “Of course, come in.”
The maid swept in and Gretna shut the door, moving back to the mirror. “I want ribbons weaved through my hair,” she started, turning her head sideways. “From the crown. Can ye do that?”
“Aye, miss,” the maid stated, picking up the ribbon that matched the dress. Gretna settled on the chair before the mirror and the maid started, sectioning off Gretna’s hair. Gretna watched her work in the mirror, feeling the nervousness build up in her stomach. Her time with James earlier had been wonderful, learning more about her suitor and the clan that he clearly loved. They had much in common and when he had shown her the chamber in which she was now in, Gretna had been reluctant to let him go. Their first meeting couldn’t have been more perfect in her mind.
A sharp tug on her hair caused Gretna to jump and her eyes met the maid’s. “That hurt.”
“Sorry, miss,” the maid stated. “I hit a snag. Mah apologies.”
Gretna gave her a firm nod. “Continue. I donna wish tae be late.”
The woman began again and Gretna looked down at her hands in her lap, noting the tremor. She would carry on conversation like she had been taught tonight, be gracious, and above all, smile. Not only did she have a suitor to win over, but his entire clan would be watching, and at this point, they viewed her as the enemy.
Another tug pulled at the roots of her hair and Gretna winced. “Wot are ye trying tae do?” she asked, feeling the pain in her head. “That hurt.”
This time the maid just gave her an apologetic smile that didn’t reach her eyes and Gretna sighed inwardly. “Tell mah aboot James,” she said instead, hoping that some conversation would help the maid feel more relaxed around her.
The change in the maid’s demeanor was nearly immediate, her eyes softening and a small secret smile coming across her lips. “He’s verra handsome and kind.”
“Aye,” Gretna echoed, thinking of their earlier encounter. “He seems tae love his clan.”
The maid weaved the strands of Gretna’s hair together, gentler this time. “He does. He’s fair and will make a strong laird one day.”
Gretna watched the emotions play out on the maid’s face, wondering if the lasses were in love with him as well. Not that she would blame them. James was very handsome. “It seems he treats his servants with the same accord as he does his clan,” she said slowly.
The maid finished with Gretna’s hair. “Aye, he does. We are treated well enough. Any of us would gladly serve him.”
