Page 113 of My Notorious Highlander

"Aye. I've waited long enough to make this lady my wife."

"I'll set to work right away on the marriage contract, then." Dirk grinned. "Congratulations to you both. I've been hoping Jessie would finally get past her stubborn streak and marry you." He left the room.

"I wasn't being stubborn," Jessie muttered when she was alone with Torrin again.

"Call it what you will." Torrin smirked. "I agree with Dirk; you were stubborn."

Much to Jessie's annoyance, Torrin walked around the bed twice more that day. He assured her each time 'twas a bit easier, but she could not tell this by his horrid grimaces, curses and groans.

That night, Jessie slept in the guest chamber the servants had prepared for her. Several women of the clan insisted 'twould be for the best, for they should not see each other before the wedding. Flora slept on the pallet in Torrin's room, should he need anything.

A knock sounded at the door, waking Jessie. Morning sunlight streamed through the narrow window. Had she overslept?

She leapt up and the nausea struck her. She quickly found the empty chamber pot and retched into it. Flora rushed in. "Och! M'lady, I'm so sorry."

"'Tis all right." She arose and rinsed her mouth with the watered down wine from the jug on her bedside table.

"Laird MacLeod is all dressed and ready."

"What? This early?"

"Aye. Woke me at the crack of dawn, he did, insisting on a bath in the tub. His manservant came in and helped him dress in his finest plaid and doublet. He's a right handsome sight." She grinned.

"'Twill take me a wee bit to get ready," Jessie said, the nausea still tormenting her, though not as bad as before.

"I'll tell him to be patient, and then I'll send in the maids. I brought you two bannocks to help settle your stomach." She set a plate on the bedside table.

"I thank you."

While she ate, a crew of servants brought in a tub and filled it with buckets of hot water. It had been a while since she'd had anything more than a sponge bath. 'Twould feel heavenly to sink into that warm water.

An hour later, she was squeaky clean from her head to her toes, and dressed in a fine royal-blue gown she'd brought. When she'd packed it, she'd had no inkling she would be using it as her wedding dress… or did she? Why else would she bring her best gown?

Dolina braided sections of her drying hair and created a lovely hairstyle where some of her wavy hair remained down on her shoulders. She thought Torrin would like it this way.

"Och!" Flora exclaimed upon entering the room. "How lovely you look, m'lady!"

Jessie smiled. "I thank you, Flora."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Aye. Where is Torrin?"

"He's in the great hall with the rest of the men. They're all dressed in their finest."

Jessie's mouth dropped open. "Did he walk down there?"

"Aye, with the help of Iain and a walking stick."

Jessie shook her head, unable to believe how eager he was, and how much improvement he'd shown since yesterday.

She was eager, too, for she would soon be Torrin's wife.

∞∞∞

Sitting in the great hall, Torrin kept glancing at the doorway leading to the staircase, hoping each time to see Jessie.

'Twas unfortunate that it was too early in the day to drink whisky. He could use a dram to take the edge off the sharp ache in his leg. But more, he needed to be fully himself when Jessie walked down those steps, and when he said his vows. He could endure a bit more pain in order to see his dreams come true.