"Good heavens," Elspeth gasped. "Please, come inside, both of you. And Gracie, I'm so glad you're all right. Did Mistress Brown treat you well?"
The lass grinned. "Indeed, m'lady. She sends her regards."
After kissing Elspeth on the cheek, Cyrus instructed his men to carry the trunks inside. Elspeth squeezed his elbow as he escorted her up the steps to the great hall. She hated that she was still limping a bit.
"I thank you for bringing them," she whispered to Cyrus.
"Well, I couldn't have you going about naked, now could I?" he murmured too low for anyone else to hear. "I mean, I would love it in the bedchamber, but out here…" He scowled and shook his head.
Her face flaming, she burst out laughing, then smacked his thick arm. "You are mad!"
"Indeed. Mad for you." He grinned, then kissed her cheek again. "Come, I'll help you to your bedchamber as the men carry the trunks up."
Once Cyrus and the men had left her chamber, Elspeth turned to Audrey. "How on earth did you have time to sew all these gowns?"
"We only had a few customers during your absence, m'lady. Nellie, Verona and I set to work catching up on all the gowns you've been drawing and choosing the fabrics for during these last several months. We were behind, you ken, after those two ladies who had large orders for their trousseaus."
"Aye, of course."
"When his lairdship said you lost all your clothing in fire at Darby Hall, I kenned you would need these."
"Oh, you are a blessing, Audrey. I thank you."
"I'm glad to help. When he told us that you two would marry tomorrow, well… I was beside myself with happiness for you. I'm hoping the pale blue gown might suit for your wedding." Audrey grinned.
Elspeth knew she was beaming with joy at the very idea of marrying Cyrus. "I'm certain the gown will be lovely."
Audrey opened one of the trunks and pulled out the bodice, skirts, and petticoats of the gown on top.
The skirts were many diaphanous layers of pale blue gossamer silk, while the bodice had been embroidered with tiny forget-me-not flowers. Elspeth gasped, remembering drawing this gown in the spring, just after she'd seen an enchanting drift of forget-me-nots near a splashing burn in the morning mist.
"Oh, Audrey. 'Tis stunning! You do such remarkable work." The wee flowers were perfection.
The rest of the gowns, in many different colors, were equally gorgeous. Elspeth would have to give Audrey and the other seamstresses bonuses for working so hard on her new wardrobe.
After calling in Bernice to assist her, Elspeth quickly tried on the blue gown, and they set to work with fitting and alterations. Elspeth was glad to see that young Gracie was enjoying helping Audrey and that thankfully she didn't seem to have any lasting trauma from the incident outside Darby. Elspeth wondered if 'haps the lass would like to become a dressmaker instead of a servant.
That evening and the next morn went by in a whirlwind of activity. The servants took care of the food and decorations, while Audrey worked on the gown. Even Mistress Almsly pitched in with the floral arrangements, which contained many wildflowers and herbs.
Finally, 'twas time, and Elspeth was giddy with excitement.
She was dressed in the exquisite new gown, which fit perfectly, when Mistress Smith notified her that the rector had arrived. Adam helped her descend the spiral stairs. Her knee pained her a bit less today, thankfully. At the bottom of the steps, Mistress Almsly handed her a beautiful bridal bouquet, a mixture of flower colors and types.
"Good heavens," Elspeth whispered. "How lovely." When she recognized the special Velvet roses of deepest burgundy from her garden back at Darby Hall, her throat tightened, and tears filled her eyes.
"M'lady, are you well?" Mistress Almsly touched her arm.
Elspeth nodded and wiped at her tears. Had Cyrus done this… gone back to Darby to bring her favorite flowers? How did he know about them? Had the blooms not been ruined by the fire's heat? What an extravagant surprise. Sniffing their amazing scent, she glanced across the great hall to see him, gorgeous and smiling, as he waited before the floral-draped fireplace beside Reverend Whittier. Cyrus was dressed impeccably in a white linen shirt, belted plaid, and blue doublet.
"Are you ready, Adam?" Elspeth whispered. She could not wait to become Cyrus's wife. She had never been more certain of anything in her life.
"Aye." Dressed in his fine clothing, Adam looked like a wee laird.
Holding the bouquet in one hand and her son's slender arm with the other, she walked forward as smoothly as she could, hoping her limp didn't show.
She could not believe the powerful love gleaming in Cyrus's penetrating eyes.
"You look stunning," he whispered and kissed her cheek.
