Seocan’s pursed lips curled into a smile under his ruddy beard, and he nodded.“Is Cormag within?”
“Aye,” William answered.“As is Caitir, ready for these items.”He pointed to the cart as he flicked his gaze to Mairi.Unlike her husband, she did not smile at William’s antics.Och, Ailith had been right – Mairi seemed to be a hard woman.
She carried her bairn, Morgan, strapped to her chest, and in the cart was Elsbet, her lady’s maid, to assist with the babe as needed.Mayhap her concerns were focused on traveling with a babe and not on a wedding, and ‘twas why she did not smile.William figured it was the latter.
He moved to the cart and gave Elsbet a hand over the side.The lass rushed to Mairi as Seocan helped her from her horse, taking care of the babe, and kissed his wife.This gesture seemed to soften her hard exterior a wee bit.
William then returned to Ailith and held out his elbow.She threaded her arm through his and let him lead her to Drumoak, to her new home.
Ailith had persisted in a state of shock most of the day.To have the moment real, to have it knocking at the door – that tomorrow she would be William’s wife – set her entire body on edge.She was more than a nervous bride.She was a nervous bride about to marry a man she had known for only a month, at best.
William might have known Ailith since he was a pubescent lad, but in her mind, she had only met the man a few weeks ago.Yet over the past month, he had more than proved himself a worthy man, a loving and romantic man in private, a bold and defensive one in public, and her martial arts skills, her penchant for mushrooms, and the news that she was not the same Ailith he had known but had traveled from the future were accepted by him without question.
Men in the 21st century could learn a thing or two from a man like William,she thought as she walked through the doors to her new home.
“Caitir, Muire, and Sine are all busy with preparations.The men will bring your trunk and belongings up to my chambers.We will retire there so ye might settle in, aye?”
Settle in.Would she ever feel settled?She had spent the past month learning the ins and outs of Glenbervie Tower, now she was changing houses and would have to learn a new home.More mental fatigue, but at least she had allies here to help her–ones who were less familiar with the younger Ailith.She’d miss Leitis, but here, William, Muire, and Sine all appeared welcoming, and Ailith tried to assure herself that if she had any questions or needs, William and his sisters were ready to provide.
“A cousin of mine who is also a dear friend arrived earlier today,” William was saying, and Ailith returned her focus to her future husband.Yikes!Even thinking the wordhusbandlike that sent a warm shudder coursing through her!“He is here with his sister, whom I dinna ken as well.They are Grants, and after all they have endured, I am pleased he arrived for our wedding.”
“A dear friend?I am pleased he made it to see ye wed, then.For a wedding celebration, one should be surrounded by friends.”
They reached the second floor, where William’s large chambers were.He paused in front of his door and enchanted her with his blue gaze.“Nay,mo ruaidh.For a wedding celebration, all I need is ye.”
What was she going to do with a man this romantic?A man with no hesitation speaking his love so forcefully?He hid nothing of his emotions from her, and since she was hiding so much, Ailith found she struggled with it more than she thought possible.
In the end, however, she knew her only option was to accept and enjoy it.What other woman had such assurances of her husband’s love and adoration?None that Ailith might think of.
She rose on her toes and kissed his scruffy cheek.He hadn’t shaved, and his dark blond beard had started to grow in.She nuzzled her cheek to his.“Ye are more than I imagined possible, William.Aye, ye are all I need for this celebration.”
His smile widened, and he pushed the latch on his door.The room was the same as she had seen the day before.The only difference was their filthy, blood-stained clothes from the battle against the king were gone.Burned probably.She couldn’t imagine anyone trying to clean those clothes.
Two men grunted behind them as they finished dragging her trunk up the stairs and shoved it into the room.William pointed to an empty space next to his wardrobe, and they pushed it there.Another set of men followed, carrying another, smaller, darker wood trunk between them.William directed that trunk to be set next to the first.
Once the men were gone, with thanks from Ailith, William sat on a nearby dark brown overstuffed chair and watched her unpack.“Ye can hang gowns or the like on the pegs in the wardrobe.I made space for ye.”
She opened one of the doors and noted the empty spaces.With a delighted smile, she hung her nicer kirtles, including her deep blue one, on the pegs.As she unpacked, she uncovered her pregnancy prevention kit gifted to her from Leitis – oil and small swaths of linen to be used like a diaphragm from the modern age.
Ailith paused, her hand near the leather pouch that held the items.She also realized in that moment she had lain with William twice without the benefit of the oilcloth.
Oh no, could I be pregnant?
It was an inevitability she knew, but until she was certain, she’d keep the kit near.She tucked it under her stockings and moved léines to the side, making space in the trunk.
Her other trunk held her mirror, water bowl and pitcher, plaid bedding, and washing cloths.William placed those on his table and eyed his warped pitcher.
“’Tis good ye brought yours,” he said.“Mine has seen better days.”
His wedding gift, the Lukenbooth, was tucked in with her léines, and another conundrum met her.When should she gift it to him?Tonight?On their wedding day?After the wedding?She palmed it in the trunk, wondering.For the life of her, she could not recall the tradition.
“What do ye have there, lass?”William asked.He must have noticed her pause.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
I guess I'll give it to him now.
“A gift for ye.”
