“In the next day or two everyone is gathering at my estate. Join me?”
Her eyes rounded. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Dinna be silly.” He tugged her closer. “I want ye there.” He bent and captured her lips in a soft kiss, savoring how she melded into him.
Her arms looped around his neck, and he never wanted her to let go.
They broke the kiss, and she smiled slyly.
“Well, how can I reject that request?”
*
Jocelyn was packingher few belongings in her bag when a knock sounded. “Come in.”
Flora poked her head in. “My lady, ye received a delivery from Madame Gossard.”
Her new gowns. Just in time for her to bring them to Gunn’s estate. She breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worrying about how she would be received by his friends when they realized she only owned two gowns. Lizzie had tried to reassure her that they weren’t like that, but it didn’t stop her from worrying still.
“There are multiple packages. It appears that ye will have a full wardrobe.”
Jocelyn watched in amazement as Flora stacked the items on the bed. She hadn’t realized she had ordered so much. Had she?
Lizzie appeared in the doorway. “Your new gowns have arrived I heard. I canna wait to see how they came out.”
Flora curtsied and left the room.
“Go on,” Lizzie urged. “Unbox them.”
They opened package after package. Oohing and aahing after each reveal.
Madame Gossard had outdone herself. Every item was of the highest quality, with unique details that ensured no one else would have the same gown.
“Ye must wear this one this eve when we all gather for dinner.” Lizzie picked up a gown that matched the color of the roses that used to grow in her mother’s garden. “It’s beautiful.”
Jocelyn studied the piece. It was a delicate balance between pink and red, the color rich with matching beading that lined the hem of the sleeves. A pair of slippers to match had the same beading stitched into a rose pattern on the toe.
“Speaking of that. Is everyone gathering here or are we all meeting at Gunn’s estate?”
“There, I believe. They will all have been traveling for some time, and it will be better for them to have time to settle in in one place.”
Jocelyn nodded, worrying her lip.
“Are ye still nervous about meeting everyone? Dinna be. Ye won o’er Gunn. If ye can do that, ye will have no problem with the others.”
“I hope so. I am nervous, but also excited, if that makes sense. You and Gunn talk so fondly of the others that I am looking forward to meeting them.”
“I’m glad. They’re bringing the wee ones, too. ’Twill be a fun time.” She moved to the door. “I need to go and finish packingour stuff. If I leave it to Malcolm everything will be in a rumpled heap when we arrive.” She giggled and then she was gone.
Looking at the pile of gowns, slippers, undergarments, a cloak, and new bonnets, Jocelyn didn’t know how she would get it all packed. The bag she’d arrived with surely wouldn’t accommodate everything.
She would have to track down Gunn and ask if he had an extra travel trunk she could borrow.
She found him in the pub, wiping down a table as he chatted with Thomas. There were more people inside then she’d ever seen since she’d been here. It was a lovely sight to see. A wide smile broke out on her face, she was so happy for Gunn.
Someone called his name, and he sauntered over to the table, laughter erupted, and he clapped the man on the back. Noticing her there, he smiled, threw the towel over his shoulder and approached.
“Can ye believe it?” He nodded his head in the direction of the filled tables. “It’s much the same in the dining room.”
