Tess hadn’t even realized that the womenwere talking about her until the seamstress moved a looking glassand rested it against the wall.
“Look at yerself, lassie. Ye are sure to putthe very moon to shame.”
Tess didn’t recognize the young womanstaring back at her through the silvered glass. Never in her lifehad she worn such a fine gown. The ivory-colored bodice, laced withthreads of gold, clung to her slender frame and then flared to along, full skirt below the curves of her hips. The tight sleeveshugged her arms while the plush velvet cuffs extended over herfingers. Tess eyed the low neckline and blushed at the revealingsight.
“No worries about that, mistress.” Theseamstress must have followed the direction of her gaze. The womanmoved to a chest and came back with a length of Macpherson plaid.In a moment, she’d artfully arranged it around Tess’s shoulder.
“This is absolutely beautiful.” Tesswhispered in awe, staring at her reflection again. “But, to whomdoes this dress belong?”
“This one was to be Lady Fiona’s—though shewas only having it made up to please the laird. The same withthose.” The woman motioned toward a few dresses that were lying onthe bed. “She wanted ye to have ‘em…until we can make something toyer own tastes, mistress.”
“But these are so beautiful!” Tess saidshyly. “This is too much! I have been so much troublealready…and…”
“Nay, lass. The mistress is truly enjoyingthis.” The woman sent her a toothless smile. “With no daughters tofret over, and with three braw and handsome sons who should belooking for wives, I’d say yer presence here is more welcome thanye know.”
Tess tried to hide her blush by stepping offthe stool. Chatting happily, the women went about their business ofhanging the other dresses and cleaning up after themselves.
Looking for wives. Tess pressed hericy hands to her fevered cheeks as the words echoed again and againin her head.
The memory of her time with Colin on theIsle of May was branded forever in her mind. Every moment they hadspent together, everything they’d said, the image of his smile, thegleam that crept into his deep blue eyes and set her on fire wereall branded there as well.
She ran her fingers over the plaid scarf.
But Colin had plans of his own. He’d said ithimself, and Tess had heard it again from Alexander on their way toBenmore. Colin had always wanted to be a sailor. He dreamed oftaking command of his own ship and living a free and exciting lifeat sea.
She moved to the table beside the bed and touchedthe Lindsay brooch. Lady Fiona’s words about the marriage of Tess’sparents rushed back to her. She couldn’t help but fear that perhapsher own marriage someday might be an arranged one. Her mother hadleft the Highlands after the death of her father, and Tess wonderedwhy. What dark secrets did Ravenie Castle hold? She carefullypinned the brooch on the Macpherson wrap and decided that there wasno point in tormenting herself with such thoughts now.
The seamstress and her helpers gathered allof their things and bid her goodnight. Lady Fiona had told Tessearlier that she would be sending someone after her as soon as theseamstress was done.
The noise of revelry in the Great Hall wasloud when the two women opened the door to depart. She would knowalmost no one down there. She had been so far removed from crowdsfor so long. It was almost terrifying to think of being in anassembly of so many people. On top of that, Tess was uncertain evenabout proper customs and manners at table.
She looked in the mirror again and wondered for aninstant if Colin would have anything to do with her, now that hewas back among his own people. It would be only natural if hedecided to distance himself from her now, but she found herselfhoping fervently that he would not.
Tess gathered up her long dark hair and pulled itover one shoulder. Colin knew her. He understood her. There was nopretense between them. She no longer had a home, but when she waswith him, she felt a sense of comfort that she wondered might besomething akin to belonging. If only he would feel a fraction ofwhat she felt for him.
Nay. Tess knew it was too much to hope.
Blast this foolish nervousness, Colin thought,staring at her door. What had he to be nervous about?
Everything…that’s what.
Drawing a deep breath, he knocked.
She must have been waiting on the otherside, for the iron-banded oak door swung open immediately. Hisbreath was caught in his chest again at the sight of her.
In the golden light of dozens of candlesspread around the chamber, she looked absolutely stunning. “Are…areyou ready?”
“I am. But would you come in first?”
He knew better than to go inside, and he remindedhimself now. Colinknewhow flimsy his restraint wasbecoming when he came anywhere near her. Still, he found himselftaking a step inside her room. He couldn’t help himself.
“You look so...so…” Before he could finish thesentence, Tess had him by the hand and was closing the door behindhim. “…Wonderful. But I do not think…what I mean is…”
Tess released him and backed away.
He was feeling like an abbey schoolboy. Shewasn’t looking too steady herself, either, Colin thought, watchingher put distance between them.
“I missed you,” he finally got out.
