Tilly turned around and put her hands on her hips. She glanced at the strips of fabric in Katherine’s hands. “Ye have plans for him, then?”
“Aye,” Katherine confirmed as she began to walk toward the door. “I think he’d look quite nice with his mane braided. If I’m to look me best, Brimstone should as well.”
“He will,” Tilly said, following Katherine into the corridor. She seemed pleased that Katherine was participating in the preparations, that she was excited about at least one thing about the upcoming festivities. “And ye’re correct. Everyone should be lookin’ their best. It’s a special day.”
The rest of their walk passed in silence. Their footsteps echoed off the cool stone floors and solid walls. Katherine felt as if everyone was watching her, though when she looked directly at the staff members and residents, they didn’t seem to be paying her any mind. A shameful part of her searched for Liam in the faces of each person they passed.
But would seein’ him make me feel any different? Would I be more settled? Or would I feel more like the ground is crumblin’ beneath me feet?
“Would ye look at that,” Tilly said, breaking Katherine out of her thoughts as they stepped into the sunlight. She pointed ahead, her eyes squinted against the bright beams overhead. “He’s already out in the yard.”
Sure enough, Brimstone was grazing leisurely in the pasture. He dipped his head down slowly, plucking a mouthful of grass and chewing thoughtfully before raising his head once more. The sun glistened off his coat, making him look as though he were glimmering. He was newly washed and nearly dry.
Brimstone, responding to the hurried swishing of her gown, turned his head. When he saw her, his nostrils flared, and he trotted over to the fence. His head bobbed in a show of evident excitement.
“There ye are, handsome creature,” she said, stroking his muzzle when he reached her. He pressed into her palm, shamelessly taking all the attention she’d give. “Would ye allow me to dress ye up for tomorrow?”
Brimstone snorted as if giving her permission, pulling his head back, so she was free to enter the pasture. With a grin, Katherine dropped her hand and started toward the stables. The horse walked alongside her, and after a beat, Tilly was on her other side.
“I ken that I daenae spend all that much time with the horses, but I daenae think I’ve ever seen him so happy to see someone,” Tilly said thoughtfully. “He adores ye, Me Lady.”
Katherine looked at the horse, tilting her head to the side. Brimstone turned his head toward her, seeming to measure their pace. She reached over the fence, patting his strong shoulder.
“Well, I am happy to see him as well,” Katherine said. “He was me first friend here.”
Chapter Twelve
“Ye look absolutely bonnie,” Tilly said, her voice barely audible over the carriage wheels. She ducked her head, taking in the finer details of Katherine’s appearance. “Though I wish ye would have let me put more jewels on ye.”
Katherine looked down at the gleaming, beautiful rocks hanging from her neck on fine metal. Her hand twitched in her lap, and she fought the urge to reach up and touch them. She was very aware of how much wealth she was wearing on her body and didn’t want to do anything that might damage it.
“I think that I’m wearin’ more than enough,” she said, her stomach dropping as the carriage began to slow. Nerves had been fluttering around her chest all morning. “It’s nay as if anyone but Laird MacDougal will be close enough to me to see everythin’ I’m adorned with. And I doubt it makes any difference to him whether I’m drippin’ with jewels or nae.”
“I suppose ye’re correct,” Tilly said, sliding forward to adjust Katherine’s hair one last time. She twirled a strand of Katherine’s long, brown hair around her finger. “But ye’re gettin’ married. If there were ever an occasion to wear more jewels than necessary, it’s today. It’s nae only for Laird MacDougal, it’s for ye.”
Katherine nodded, a nervous sweat breaking out on the back of her neck. Guards spoke to each other just beyond the walls of the carriage. The door to the carriage was pulled open, and a guard offered her his arm. It wasn’t until Tilly nudged her side that Katherine accepted the help, her hand trembling slightly as she held tight to him.
When her feet hit the ground, she took a moment to look at Brimstone, the braids in his mane now flecked with flowers. Agnes was standing with a basket of petals, waiting for her to arrive. Her face brightened a bit, and the gown she wore bounced as she walked toward Katherine.
“Are ye ready?” Agnes asked, her voice still carrying that deep sense of duty. She shifted the basket in the crook of her elbow, standing herself up straighter,
“I should be askin’ ye,” Katherine said, picking up a flower from within the basket. She brought it to her nose and took a long inhale. The scent steadied her, floral and light. “Are ye the one who decided Brimstone would be wearin’ flowers?”
“Aye,” Agnes said. “Ye braided his mane, but he looked quite plain. I picked the flowers yesterday evenin’. Our groom wove them in for me.”
“I’m sure ye made it quite difficult for him to say nae,” Katherine said. “Ye’re very convincin’ when ye wish to be.”
Before Agnes could say anything else, the kirk door opened, and Cillian slipped out. His eyes scanned the horizon, almost as if he were looking for the approach of a distant threat, before he turned his attention to the two girls. He smiled as he took in their dresses, saying, “Ach, seems ye’re already here. We can start soon. Liam is waitin’ for ye. The priest is ready. I daenae suggest we keep Lady Agnes waitin’ too long.”
“Aye, I cannae imagine the pews are comfortable for her to be sittin’ in for any period of time,” Katherine said, the admission making her nerves churn harder.
Cillian nodded at her before returning to the doors. He slightly opened them and whispered something to whoever was on the other side. A few seconds later, the kirk’s organ started playing something lyrical and beautiful. It filled her with a sense of strength for the coming spectacle. But before Katherine was fully ready, Cillian swung the doors open wide, and Agnes stepped forward, tossing flowers down the aisle as she moved.
After this, I willnae have to worry about bein’ sent back to father.
Strengthening her resolve, Katherine lifted her chin and started her slow walk over the delicate petals. Although there weren’t many people present—only a few witnesses from MacDougal castle—all eyes were on her. It seemed as if they watched her journey with bated breath though it was more likely they admired how well Tilly had prepared her for the ceremony. She clasped her hands in front of her, her fingers tangled so tightly it hurt, and she kept her focus ahead.
Liam stood at the end of the aisle, looking at her with an expression she couldn’t quite understand. It was somewhat warm, but she wasn’t sure if she could trust that. She couldn’t dismiss the possibility that he was just watching her that way for the audience.
