“There, Lady Douglas, you’re ready for the household tae greet you—and later, the wedding feast where everyone else will have a chance tae wish you and our laird well. Och, you were whisked upstairs so quickly after you arrived, tae tend tae Laird Douglas’s wee son, that few of us caught a glimpse of you.”
Aran. She and Roger had gone to see him last night and he had looked as pink-cheeked and healthy as when last she had seen him, but now she longed desperately to hold him in her arms.
With a quick thanks to the three serving maids, Julianna hastened from the bedchamber and went at once to Aran’s room, where the wet nurse was just laying him down into the cradle.
“He is well?”
“Aye, hale and hearty, my lady,” came the reassurance Julianna had needed, Aran already falling asleep after his meal. She leaned over to caress his dark downy hair and tenderly squeeze his curled hand, an excited intake of breath sounding behind her.
“Mama!”
Before Julianna had even turned around, Elspeth encircled her legs in a hug while little Breda echoed, “Mama…” from the doorway where she was held by a nursemaid, both girls dressed in rose-hued tunics with matching slippers.
It seemed today was more festive than Julianna had imagined, which warmed her greatly, she couldn’t deny it. Mayhap all of her trepidation about whether she would be accepted at Douglas Castle was unwarranted, God willing.
With a last glance at Aran, Julianna took Elspeth by the hand and led her to the door, another excited outburst startling her as the girls squealed with delight to see Roger striding toward them.
Julianna could see at once that he had bathed, his deep brown hair still damp—and how handsome he looked in a forest green tunic, a blue and green plaid breacan wound around his hips and draped over one powerful shoulder…and a new leather belt sheathing his sword.
Her heartbeat thudding hard again to see him appraising her, too, an appreciative warmth in his dark eyes that made her shiver.
“Aye, good! All of my lovely lasses ready tae greet our household. Shall we go, wife?”
She nodded as he swung Elspeth up to settle her on top of his shoulders, and then scooped up Breda from the nursemaid to hold her in the crook of his right arm. With a boyish grin that went straight to Julianna’s heart, he extended his left hand to her.
“Come, Juli. Everyone is waiting tae meet you properly as my bride.”
Hope filling her, along with lingering nervousness, Julianna laced her arm through his to walk close to him, his strong hand squeezing hers.
CHAPTER14
Roger glanced at Julianna sitting beside him at the head table, and he squeezed her hand again as he had done to reassure her many times over the past few hours.
Hours that he imagined had passed like a whirlwind to her with so many people wishing to meet her, retainers and servants alike as well as warriors and guardsmen who had taken turns to leave their posts to come into the great hall for an introduction.
All had gone well thus far, Roger already having spread word that he would not tolerate any disrespect toward her and that King Robert himself had sanctioned his marriage to Julianna.
The only one appearing disgruntled was William, but Roger had expected as much—no time yet to inform his brother that he would be leaving soon for Argyll to take up his new position as one of Gabriel MacLachlan’s captains.
Evander, in stark contrast, had gone out of his way to express his pleasure to Julianna that his nieces and nephew now had a mother again, which had pleased her, too, her lighthearted laughter at his daughters’ antics like the sweetest music to Roger’s ears.
He knew greeting everyone wasn’t easy for her, but she had faced the task bravely after he had done what he could to pave the way for acceptance of her place beside him as Lady Douglas. The great hall was abuzz with genial conversation and outbursts of laughter, which heartened Roger, too.
He wanted desperately for Julianna to feel at home here and the wedding feast about to begin was the perfect way for his kinsmen and servants to see them seated side by side as husband and wife.
“I’m hungry, Papa!” piped up Elspeth, who banged her spoon impatiently upon the cloth-covered table, Breda quickly following suit from where they sat with their nursemaids to Julianna’s right. The two women instructed by Roger to oversee the girls so Julianna could enjoy the meal with him, though she appeared glad to have his daughters so near.
He was ready, too, for the meal to begin as it was well past midday, the savory smell of roasted meat making his stomach grumble. He gestured to Benedict, who stood by the door leading to the kitchen, the steward giving the order for the servants to commence carrying in the food.
Evander, likewise, took his cue to stand from his seat to Roger’s left to give the blessing, his brother’s voice astoundingly strong for one grown so thin and wan.
“Let us pray!”
At once the great hall fell quiet except for the bustling footsteps of the servants, Evander thanking God for the feast they were soon to enjoy and for the union of Roger to his bride, Julianna—to which he was certain he heard a muttered curse from William that made him bristle.
Only her hand squeezing his fingers made Roger hold his peace, for she knew, too, that his recalcitrant brother would not be among them much longer.
Wishing now that he had already sent William on his way, Roger murmured his thanks for the prayer to Evander, who had taken his seat again, and turned his attention to Julianna, who warmly met his gaze.
