Realizing her mind had wandered yet again, she gave a beaming smile to James. “I’m verra sorry. I was thinking aboot how lovely this all is. Ye shouldna have gone tae such lengths for mah.”
James reached for her hand that had been resting on the table and brought it up to his lips. “Ye deserve this and more, Gretna. I can only hope in mah humbling heart that ye see that.”
He was saying all the right things to her, yet Gretna didn’t feel the spark she had hoped to find. Instead, she felt, well, irritation that it wasn’t there. Could she give up the one thing she had wanted most in her life? Could she forgo love for this sort of marriage?
James didn’t release her hand, instead rubbing his thumb over her knuckles and Gretna suddenly remembered the way that Remy’s touch had felt and how her body had reacted to it.
Nay! She had to stop! He wasn’t her future, the Scot before her was.
“More wine?”
Gretna looked up to find the maid from earlier standing over them, a bottle in her hand. Hastily she pulled her hand away from James’ and picked up her cup, holding it aloft. “Please.”
The maid tipped the bottle, but instead of hitting Gretna’s cup, the red liquid splashed onto her bodice instead, staining the white cloth immediately. “Oh!”
“Trista!” James thundered, causing the maid to flinch. “Whatever are ye doing?” He shoved his chair back and reached for his cloth napkin, nearly starting to dab at the liquid before Gretna moved out of his way, her cheeks reddening. Not only had James just called the maid by her first name but she was soaked with red wine and he wished to help clean her bosom! “I must clean mahself,” Gretna forced out, pushing to her feet.
James frowned, pausing with his napkin. “Allow mah tae help ye.”
“I will help her.”
Gretna’s knees went weak with relief as Remy appeared at her elbow, taking it in his capable hand. “I will escort her tae her chamber,” he was telling James, his fingers barely pressing into her skin. “Tae change.”
James’ gaze narrowed. “I can do that.”
Remy gave him a tight smile. “It wouldna be proper of course. I have been charged tae watch over her.”
Gretna tried not to grimace at the feel of the cold wine starting to seep into her skin, the smell overpowering. “Tis alright, James. I will return shortly. I swear it.”
James’ jaw didn’t unclench, but he did step back and allow Gretna to pass, Remy steering her through the crowd of people. There were stares and whispers, but Remy kept Gretna moving. “Donna let them see yer weakness,” he said softly. “Show them wot sort of Wallace ye are, lass.”
He was right. Gretna lifted her chin and didn’t allow them to see how upset she was at a ruined dress. When they finallyreached her chamber, Remy pushed open the door and they both stepped inside. “Ye donna have tae go back,” he said, releasing her elbow. “I can make yer regrets.”
Gretna shook her head, looking down at her sodden bodice. “Nay. Tis in mah honor. I must go back.” She had to show that maid, who was starting to seem as if she was vindictive toward Gretna, and the entire room that she wasn’t going to let this make her cower and hide. “I just need tae change.”
Remy didn’t look at all pleased by her announcement, but he didn’t object when Gretna pointed at the door. “I will be right outside.”
When Gretna was certain the door was shut, she quickly stripped off her ruined gown and wiped the remainder of wine from her chest, choosing to slip on another stunning gown that would match the ribbons in her hair. When she paused by the mirror, Gretna noted the color on her cheeks, how her eyes were wide and sighed. Hopefully James wouldn’t see this as a setback in her character. After all, she could have railed at the maid and demanded help, but she hadn’t. She had taken it as gracefully as someone who had wine poured on them could.
Now it was time to put this past her and move forward.
Gretna opened the door and Remy pushed off the wall across from it, giving her a critical look.
“I think I like this one better.”
His words. It was ridiculous how her heart galloped just a bit faster at his praise. “Well, this canna happen often. I will run out of gowns.”
Remy gave her a slow smile and Gretna’s lungs tightened. It was that smile that had weakened the knees of many lasses in their clan, just as it was happening to her right now. “I would hate for ye tae have tae walk around in yer underthings then. The Scot wouldna be able tae keep his eyes or his hands tae himself.”
Gretna’s lips parted at the mere thought of Remy’s calloused hands on her scantily clad body instead and not that of James’ overly smooth ones. If he was the ladies’ man that everyone made him out to be, he would know exactly what to do with his hands.
Nay! This was ridiculous! This was Remy, not her suitor!
“I should return before someone comes looking for mah.”
The light went out of Remy’s eyes and he held out his arm. “Then let’s get back tae the feast.”
This time, Gretna didn’t say a word as they made their way back to the great hall, but when they arrived, dancing had started and they could not see the high table amongst all the dancers crowding the area.
