Brimstone whinnied, clearly happy to have a chance to stretch his legs properly. He was thoughtful of the two on his back, skillfully slowing down around each turn they took. It was obvious he was showing off for them.
“Magnificent beast!” Katherine yelled over the wind whipping past them.
“I didnae ken that he could go this fast!” Agnes exclaimed, holding on tighter.
Taking the final turn around the edge of the grounds, Brimstone slowed down instinctively. They slowed from a gallop to a canter, and Katherine guided them back toward the stables. As they approached, the groom came running from inside the building, looking panicked.
“Where did the two of ye go?” he demanded, wringing his hands. “Laird MacDougal told me to keep an eye on ye, and ye just disappeared. Brimstone is nae a jumpin’ horse. Ye were both lucky that he was able to get over the fence.”
“Katherine is good at ridin’,” Agnes said, her tone coming back down to her normal, severe cadence. “We were never in danger. Ye and Father worry too much.”
“Me apologies,” Katherine said, dismounting before helping Agnes to the ground. She felt a spark of pride at the girl’s belief in her abilities. “I suppose all three of us needed a bit of fresh air. I promise that we were never goin’ to leave the grounds.”
“I would have appreciated ye givin’ me a wee bit of warnin’ before ye disappeared,” the groom grumbled, taking hold of Brimstone’s reins. “I nearly called a search party for ye.”
“It’s good that we came back when we did, aye?” Katherine said with a grin. “And since nothin’ happened while we were out, ye daenae need to inform Laird MacDougal about our ride.”
“I should,” he said, leading Brimstone back toward the stables, “but I will simply warn ye that if it happens again, I willnae hesitate to go directly to him.”
“Ye have me word that I willnae take Agnes out again without permission,” Katherine told him, smiling at his retreating back. When he was gone, she leaned back down to whisper in Agnes’s ear, “It seems that if we want to ride again, we will have to ensure that he is nae in the stables.”
Instead of responding with words, Agnes looked up at Katherine with a sly grin. It was a good look on her. She looked every bit the child she was, even if she was serious more often than not.
Chapter Nineteen
Katherine picked at the skin around her thumbnail as she forced herself to sit still. Tilly stood in the corner, seeming to vibrate with a kind of nervous energy. She’d been the one to tell Katherine that ceilidh planning was placed in her hands.
Though apparently the order had come directly from Liam himself.
I ken that he doesnae wish to speak with me, but I didnae expect it to hurt this much. I must harden meself, at least for a wee bit.
“Ach, I see the ladies arrivin’ now,” Tilly said, gesturing out the window. “I’m lookin’ forward to ye gettin’ to meet them. They’re goin’ to love ye.”
“I do hope so,” Katherine said, sitting up straighter. “If I’m their lady, I want them to trust me.”
“I’m quite sure they will,” Tilly said. “I’m goin’ to have the tea made and a few refreshments. I will be back shortly.”
She was already taking long strides toward the open doors, leaving Katherine alone in the large room. Telling herself that she was worrying far too much about how she’d be perceived by these women, Katherine stood. By the time she’d made it to the door, she heard the delighted conversation of the group approaching quickly.
“Me Lady!” the woman leading the group exclaimed when she spotted Katherine. “We’ve all been lookin’ forward to makin’ yer acquaintance.”
“Aye,” another said, walking into the solar holding tightly to a thick, leather-bound book. “We were all disappointed to hear that yer handfastin’ ceremony was such a small affair.”
“She looked absolutely gorgeous,” Annabeth, the seamstress, said as she shepherded the women through the door, “and I will ensure she looks just as lovely for the ceilidh.”
“I daenae need a new gown for the ceilidh,” Katherine said, the women’s energy contagious. “I will gladly wear me weddin’ gown again.”
“Nay,” the first woman said. “Laird MacDougal has insisted that ye get somethin’ brand new. I’m inclined to agree with him. Ye’re officially bein’ presented as Lady MacDougal. Ye should be dressed in only the finest fabrics.”
“I’ve already worked somethin’ up for ye,” Annabeth said, putting her large bag on the settee. She pulled a gorgeous green gown from within its depths. “I’m just here to do a final fittin’ while the rest of ye plan the ceilidh.”
“Me name is Olivia,” the second woman said, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. “And this is Marigold. Lady Elspeth will be joinin’ us in a bit.”
“It’s me pleasure to meet ye all,” Katherine said as Annabeth tugged her from the solar and into a private room nearby.
“Let’s get ye into this gown while the ladies and yer maid get everythin’ set up,” Annabeth told her. When Katherine turned around, Annabeth began removing her casual gown as she asked, “Are ye lookin’ forward to the ceilidh?”
“Aye,” Katherine said, mostly telling the truth. Shewasexcited about the celebration, but she worried about how Liam would behave, that he’d ignore her throughout the ceilidh. “I’m nae sure what to expect, though. It’s been years since I’ve attended a celebration.”
