Medieval Ever After (88 page)

In an instant, two hands wrapped around her waist and she jumped. Turning around quickly, she stared into her betrothed’s steel gray eyes.

“Alex, you startled me.”

“And what were you so deep in thought about, sweeting?”

“You do no’ really want to know,” Maddie said with a sigh. “I was thinking about Kenneth, wondering if he is still out there.”

“Aye, I have failed you, love. I promised to find him and I have no’. But I do no’ want you fretting about him today,” Alex said as he pulled her to him. Maddie allowed herself the comfort of settling in against him.

“I believe your stepbrother is dead,” Alex continued. “If not, he would have come here before today to try to stop the wedding. He will no’ bother us, sweeting. I just wish I had managed to bring you proof of his fate.”  Leaning in closer, he nuzzled her neck. “I missed you last night, lass.”

“I missed you, too. I apologize for Alice. She felt she owed it to my mother.” She grabbed his arms as she shivered in delight.

“‘Tis all right. I will be able to look at Father MacGregor today with a little less guilt, and it will make tonight even more special.”

Maddie blushed. “Alex, I am still a little nervous,” she admitted.

“I know. But you know I need to make you mine tonight, aye lass? We will go as slow as you need, Maddie. If I have to wait one more day, I think I may explode. I need you desperately,” he whispered in her ear.

“Aye, I know. I want us to be a true married couple in all ways. I love you, Alex Grant. I would be lost without you. And you have never failed me. Just know that I am probably different from other women.” Turning to face him, Maddie ran her fingers down the side of his face, stroking his cheek. “I am really the most concerned about the bedding ceremony. What is your normal custom here? I do not wish for anyone to see the marks on my body. I fear it would embarrass us both.”

“Ah, I see your concern. Don’t worry, lass. There will be no bedding ceremony tonight. I will take care of it.”

“You would do that for me?”

“Och, lass, I would run through burning embers for you. You have no’ realized that yet?”

His smile melted her heart. He leaned down and kissed her softly.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I will be much more relaxed today knowing that I do not have to worry about that tonight.” She felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

He reached into his tunic to retrieve a package. “I wanted to give you something special on our wedding day.” He handed her the small parcel wrapped in twine. “Why no’ open it now, lass? I would know if it meets your approval.”

He gazed at her intently, yet seemed a bit nervous.

“But, Alex, I have no gift for you!”

“
You
are my gift, sweeting. Now open yours.”

She untied the twine and carefully pulled back the wrapping. Inside the package was a beautiful set of pearls.

“Oh, Alex, they are just like my mother’s.” As she ran the cool gems across her fingers, her hands trembled and her eyes welled up with tears. “My mother gave me her set of pearls right before she died. They were a gift from my father. I treasured them, but Kenneth sold them.”

“I know. I confess that I had Father MacGregor’s help in this. He remembered your mother’s pearls, so I asked him to search for them when he left a few days ago. I know they are probably not your mother’s, but I hope they are similar enough to remind you of her.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh, Alex, thank you. They are exquisite. I will always treasure them. Will you help me put them on?”

She lifted her hair so Alex could help with the clasp, then turned to face him and said, “How do they look?”

“Almost as lovely as you.”

Maddie giggled and threw her arms around his neck. After kissing him thoroughly, she said, “I think they will look perfect with my gown. I promise not to remove them today.”

Alex quirked an eyebrow. “I look forward to your promise, lass.” He paused a moment, then said, “You realize what happened to you before was not your fault.”

“I know that now. But Kenneth made me feel guilty for just about everything I did. He was extremely critical, and Niles was just cruel.” Maddie found herself gazing off into space as she spoke. “But things are different here. People appreciate me. I tried to live my life in a loving way before, but I was always punished for it. But my mother’s teachings are still in my heart. I cannot change that.”

“Kenneth and Niles were sick, twisted men. I promise you it will never be like that between us. Do you believe me, lass?”

“Aye, I do, Alex.” Maddie reached up, cupped his face, and kissed him lightly.

There was the sound of yelling from down below, so Alex brushed her lips with another quick kiss and pulled her back down the stairs. He turned at the bottom of the steps and kissed her knuckles. “Until tonight, my lady.”

Maddie was still beaming when she sauntered into her chamber. Alice had her back to the door, so she did not notice her at first, but as soon as the maid turned around, she gasped and burst into tears.

“Oh, Maddie, where did you get them? They are just like your mother’s.”

“They are a wedding gift from my betrothed. Don’t you think they will look lovely with my gown?”

“Oh, they will be perfect,” she said as she hugged Maddie. “In fact, I think it is time for you to start getting ready. I want to have plenty of time to do your hair. Have you decided if you want your hair up or down?”

“Oh, I think Alex would like it better long and flowing.”

“I think so, too. I would like to see those golden tresses down with some ribbons and maybe some flowers woven through your waves. What do you think?” Alice pulled some of her long strands free.

“I agree. Are you sure it will not be too much work for you, Alice? I am limited with my arm.”

“Nay, I think there is time. But we need to get the tub up here quickly so we can wash your hair. Where did you put that bar of soap that Moira gave you?” Alice bustled around the room, searching for the soap. “I cannot find your soap, child.”

Maddie smiled at her maid’s nickname for her. She wouldn’t be able to call her that tomorrow. Alice left the room to find Fiona while Maddie retrieved the soap. There was much for her to do.

***

Alex searched the bailey for his brothers. The day was getting shorter and there was still much for him to do. He spotted Brodie across the bailey and shouted for him. Robbie was not far away.

He gathered both of his brothers to him. “I need you to help me tonight.”

“Aye, you know we will,” said Brodie. “What is it?”

“There will be no bedding ceremony tonight and I need you to guard the stairs.” His chin jutted out in anticipation of their arguments.

“What?” Brodie yelped. “No bedding ceremony? Have you lost your wits, Alex?”

“Aye, there is always a bedding ceremony. You cannot take away the best part of the night!” Robbie argued.

“Aye, but ‘tis my wedding, and I do not want one.”

“Och, Alex, you know all the men wait all night for it. Most of ‘em are too drunk to see anything anyway. There will be too many guests to stop it from happening tonight. You are asking the impossible.”

“As laird, I am telling you there will be no bedding ceremony.” Alex’s eyes turned dark.

Robbie argued, “You used to love bedding ceremonies. You cannot change Scottish tradition. The clansmen will revolt.”

“Now that you are a little more mature, Robbie, do you no’ see anything wrong with it?”

“Nay, ‘tis always done. Every lass knows it!” Robbie countered.

“I agree,” Brodie said.

“Aye, so when it is wee Jennie’s turn, do you want to be the ones to hold up the linens so everyone can see your sister’s bare body? Robbie, I assign you to help at Jennie’s wedding and Brodie, you will do the same at Brenna’s wedding.”

Brodie’s hands went up to his head. “Och, do not put that image in my head!”

Robbie started sputtering, “Alex, that is no’ right! You know we will not let it happen to our sisters.”

“And it will not happen to my wife, either. ‘Tis just a way for some old men to get a thrill. ‘Tis a stupid custom. A lass has enough to worry about on her wedding night. And my wife is no’ a maiden. So it will no’ be happening. And you need to keep the drunken men away. I will not have my wife tortured tonight.”

Both of his brothers stared at him, then Robbie scratched his head thoughtfully. Quietly, he asked, “Did the Comming really tie her to the bed and rape her?”

“Aye, he did. And I will not have her reminded of any of it tonight,” Alex whispered. “Maddie has been through enough. You especially know it, Brodie. You saw how cruel her stepbrother was to her.”

“Aye, you are right. We will stop the bedding ceremony. Maybe Brenna can help us create a diversion. We will need a few more sober guardsmen to help us, too.” Robbie hung his head sheepishly.

“Do whatever you must. I am counting on you both. Now I am heading to the loch for a bath.” He sniffed the air loudly around him. “You might want to consider it, too, Brodie. That is, if you want to get ‘tween some skirts later. The lasses like their men to be sweet smelling.” He grinned and headed to the stables.

Brodie threw a stone after him.

RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Maddie paced in
the great hall with Mac, Alice, Jennie, and Brenna. Everyone else had been sent ahead to the chapel. Looking at all the people she loved around her, she realized how fortunate she was to have found the Grants. Mac had done her a true favor the day he sent his missive to the Grant chief. Maddie thanked God every day for her blessings.

Robbie stuck his head in the door and said, “We are ready for you, my lady.”

Smiling at her soon-to-be brother, she moved toward the door, hoping Alex would think she was as lovely as she felt in all her finery. Outside, little Tommy was proudly holding the reins of two white palfreys. Their tails were woven with ribbons—pink for one horse, blue for the other. Tommy bowed to Madeline and said, “A gift for you from my laird, my lady.” He held out the reins of the horse with the blue ribbons to Maddie and offered the reins of the horse with the pink ribbons to Jennie, who looked angelic in her pink finery. The wee lass jumped up and down excitedly before dashing forward to give her horse a quick hug around the neck. While Mac helped Jennie mount her horse, Robbie seated Maddie on hers.

The sky was blue, there was a light breeze, and the air was warm for fall in Scotland. Tommy led Jennie and Maddie down through the courtyard to the chapel, while Mac, Alice, and Brenna followed on foot. Well-wishers greeted them in the courtyard, cheering as they passed.

Maddie was pleased to see the number of people who were shouting out greetings and pleasantries. When they reached the chapel, Robbie helped her dismount, but she waited in the back while the others found their seats. As soon as her eyes adjusted to the light, her gaze found Alex immediately at the front of the altar.

Maddie’s breath hitched at how magnificent her betrothed was in his wedding attire. Alex wore his red and green plaid proudly, secured with a jeweled brooch at his shoulder. Her body tingled at the very sight of him.

***