“Dinna take too long,” he said. “I may not have the patience to wait.”
“That makes two of us.”
“We’ll wait for you by the lake.” He walked toward the fur post and Fiona materialized, as if she’d been waiting for Arran to leave.
“Ach, lass.” Fiona’s cheeks glowed and tears rimmed her eyes. “Look what the good Lord has done this day.”
Tears filled Eleanor’s eyes as well, but not only from her reunion with Arran. Her heart ached for her friend and all that Fiona had lost.
“Dinna let one day go by that ye dinna thank God for Arran and Miriam.” Fiona’s smile trembled. “Each day is a gift.”
Eleanor wiped at her tears and nodded. “Will you stand up with me at my wedding?”
“I would be honored.”
“I have a gown I’ve been saving for today.” Eleanor went to the trunk in her tent and lifted out several pieces of clothing beforeshe came to the bottom. She removed the wrinkled garment and gently shook out the folds. “It’s one of my nicest dresses, though I don’t know why I brought it with me.”
“For yer wedding, of course.” Fiona touched the fine pink silk almost reverently. “’Tis lovely.”
“I have a silk ribbon that matches, for my hair.”
“Mr. MacLean will be very happy to see ye in this dress.”
“Do you think so?” Eleanor’s heart beat hard with the desire to please him.
“Ye could wear the filthiest rags in the fort and he’d still think ye were the bonniest girl he’d ever seen. Love has a way of doing that.” She nodded a bit brusquely. “Let’s not keep him waiting.”
An hour later, after Isla had joined them to help in the preparations, Eleanor was washed and dressed, and her hair was restyled. She stood near the closed flaps of her tent, Fiona behind her, tying the sash around her waist. Isla had left to retrieve Fiona’s children and Nicolette, and would send them all to the lake for the ceremony.
“Are ye ready?” Fiona asked, finishing the bow at Eleanor’s back.
Eleanor turned and took a deep breath. “Yes.”
Fiona hesitated, but then she said, “And do ye ken the intimacies of the marriage bed?”
Eleanor’s cheeks grew warm and she nodded quickly.
“That’s good.” Fiona patted her hand. “And if Arran is a good man, he’ll be sweet and gentle with ye.”
More heat filled Eleanor’s cheeks, dipping down her neck and into her hairline. “Heisa good man.” Eleanor had no worries about Arran’s kindness or his affection. If his kisses were any indication, she would love being his wife in every way.
“We’ve made the lad wait long enough.” Fiona held the flaps open for Eleanor and she stepped out into the light of day.
The sun was high in the sky and the air was warm. Not a cloud marred the blue overhead.
It was the perfect day to become Arran MacLean’s wife.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The first hint of a breeze ruffled Arran’s hair as he stood by the shores of Little Playgreen Lake watching Miriam. She lifted stones off the ground and threw them into the water, clapping when they made a splash.
James stood near the little girl, keeping his eye on her, too. When he caught Arran watching them, he smiled.
Mr. Barlas had welcomed Arran and James into his fort with a hearty greeting and been quick to find the priest, who had agreed to perform the wedding ceremony. While James had kept his eye on Miriam, Arran had quickly cleaned and prepared himself to meet his bride. He had taken a quick swim in the lake and then shaved his face and put on a clean outfit of clothes. It had not taken him long, pressed as he was with excitement.
His hair was still moist when he caught a glimpse of Eleanor at the top of the fort hill, walking toward him, Fiona by her side.
Arran’s breath caught in his throat.
