Page 105 of The Refuge

In her chamber, Deidre and a servant, sent by the queen to help the brides, brought out the gowns they would wear: sapphire for Fia because it was Rhodri’s favorite color for her, gold for Audra for it brought out the gold in her hazel eyes and green like the forest for Catrìona because Steinar told her he would ever think of her as his tree nymph.

Each wore a circlet of silver and gold around her crown, gifts from the queen, leaving their long tresses flowing free down their backs. After this day they would wear the circlets over the headscarves that would mark them married women.

The night before, Catrìona had given Steinar the tunic she made for him, embroidered with silver and gold falcons and quills. “’Tis the color of your eyes,” she had told him as she proudly placed it into his hands. “It may not be the fine stitching of the other ladies, but I did it myself.”

“In truth, I was worried when I saw the tunic you embroidered for Colbán,” Steinar had said. “I believed it a sign you agreed with his request for your hand.”

“At the time, I knew naught of it,” she had assured him. “Colbán asked me to embroider the tunic. His request, so unforeseen, quite startled me. But the doing of it gave me the idea to make this one for you.” She had looked into the face of the man she loved. “The one for Colbán was something I did as one of the queen’s ladies. This one I did for love of the man who would wear it.”

Beaming, he had held it up and studied the silver and gold threads that marked the quills and outlined the falcons, filled in with flaxen thread. She had labored much to get the design just right. “You are too modest, little cat,” he had said. “’Tis truly magnificent. I will wear it proudly.”

* * *

Margaret stood with her husband, watching her three ladies and the men who would soon be their husbands take their places in front of the chapel door. The Culdee monk in his gray cowl robe who was to perform the ceremony seemed a bit overwhelmed by having to wed three couples, but he managed, in spite of it, to pronounce the words that saw them united.

All of Dunfermline looked on, smiling their pleasure.

As the couples walked back to the tower for the feast that would follow, Margaret slipped her arm through her husband’s and leaned in to ask in a whisper, “What was it Colbán said to you that made you switch the brides at the last moment?”

“He apologized for being remiss in telling me that Audra had declared she loved him no matter he was from Moray. It seems he returns her affection.”

“What about Catrìona?”

“At the same time he became aware of Audra’s feelings, he realized the redhead favored the scribe. Colbán’s words were, ‘Hurled herself into the scribe’s arms when he rescued her from the Northman, not a glance for me though I lay wounded and bleeding on the deck!’.”

“Ah,” said Margaret, “so my first instinct was correct. ’Twas Catrìona for Steinar all along.”

He pulled her close and kissed her on her cheek. “Just so, mo cridhe.”

The celebration that day brought a warm gladness to Margaret’s heart, seeing her ladies happily wed to good men. And that night when she said her prayers, she had much to be thankful for.

* * *

The feasting had gone on for some time when, ignoring the jests from the men in the hall, Steinar led Catrìona to the stairs, eager to be alone with his bride. The celebration in the hall would continue late into the night but not with them. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Rhodri and Colbán coming behind him, their brides in tow.

Catrìona’s hand was cold in his as they ascended the stairs. She is nervous. He gave her a reassuring look. “Trust me, little cat. I will see my beautiful bride happy this night.”

“You promise?”

He expected to see mirth dancing in her green eyes but, instead, he saw uncertainty and, mayhap, a little fear. “Aye, I promise. Have I not waited months for you, desperate to have you for my own even though I believed the king would give you to another?”

“Yea.” Her green eyes sparkled like jewels. “Oh, yea, you did.”

“Then trust me to be patient this night and make our joining a sweet one.”

They turned down the corridor, her smile telling him all he needed to know.

When they reached the chamber assigned to them, he was glad to see all had been made ready. Candles and a fire in the brazier warmed the room, dominated by the bed, much larger than the one he normally slept in.

His eyes followed Catrìona as she went to the small table set with a pitcher of wine, two silver goblets and a trencher of bread, cheese and fruit. “I love pears and cherries,” she said, idly fingering one of the pears.

My innocent firebrand is stalling. He smiled to himself, knowing he would make it good for her.

Casting her gaze about the chamber, his bride looked at the two chests at the foot of the bed, hers next to his. “My chest,” she remarked.

“Aye, my love. While we were being wed, the servants moved all of our things here. See, your cloak and mine hang on pegs next to the door. ’Twill be our chamber until we leave for the vale.”

He came up behind her and slid his arms around her slim waist, pulling her back against his chest, loving the feel of her and her scent, as fresh as the forest. Running his lips down the side of her neck, he felt her shiver. “Do not be afraid, little cat. Have I not held you before? And do I not love you?” He turned her in his arms and met her emerald gaze. “Since the king gave me your hand, I have dreamed of this night. Truth be told, mayhap even before.”