Page 87 of A Touch So Wicked

She slipped away into the shadows. Alarmed, Damian called her back. “Wait! Tell me more.”

She paused and glanced at him over her shoulder, her face obscured by darkness. “My ‘voices’ are not always as enlightening as I would like them to be, and they donna always come in time to prevent disaster. Good night, Lord Damian.”

Damian blinked in dismay when Nan seemed to fade away into the gloom. How much of Nan’s warning should he believe? One thing made clear from Nan’s words, however, was that he should take steps to ban all weapons in the hall during the wedding ceremony except those carried by his own trusted retainers.

Elissa was awakened early on her wedding day after a restless night plagued by dreams. Maggie arrived early to direct the placement of the round wooden tub before the hearth, followed shortly afterward by Marianne and Nan with Elissa’s wedding dress.

“’Tis time to dress for your wedding, daughter,” Marianne said. “Into the tub with you.”

Maggie left to fetch Elissa’s breakfast while Nan shook the wrinkles from the dress and spread it out on the bed.

“I’ll leave you in Nan’s good hands,” Marianne said, “if you have no objection. I should help Lora dress.”

“Should you be exerting yourself, Mama? Are you strong enough?”

Marianne’s smile warmed Elissa. “Donna worry, dear one, my health improves every day. This is one wedding I donna intend to miss.”

Elissa stepped into the tub, sighing as she sank into the water. This was her wedding day. It wasn’t too long ago that she had prepared for another wedding, to another man. A man her beloved father had chosen for her. Tears shimmered in her eyes. What would the great Alpin Fraser think of her now? She knew her mother and sister approved, for against all odds they had grown fond of Damian. Even her kinsmen approved of him.

Damian’s many good qualities overshadowed his reputation as a ruthless soldier. The one detriment to their marriage was the fact that Damian didn’t love her. Of course Tavis didn’t love her either, or she him, but she would have had the satisfaction of fulfilling her father’s wish to unite the Gordons and the Frasers had she wed Tavis.

“Out with ye, lass,” Nan said, spreading a large drying cloth for Elissa to step into. “Maggie will be here with yer breakfast soon.”

There was no way to stop the wedding, Elissa realized as she wrapped herself in the soft linen cloth, so she had no reason to dawdle. Her fate was sealed; Damian would not be dissuaded.

Maggie arrived moments later with a tray and placed it on the table.

“Winifred prepared a feast for ye,” Maggie said, whisking off the napkin. “There’s eggs and sausage, fried ham, a small round of goat cheese, and a pot of tea. There’s even berry jam to spread on fresh bread just out of the oven.”

Elissa pulled a chair to the table and stared at the food. Though she was hungry, she had too much on her mind to eat. She took a few bites of egg and ham, picked at the cheese, and drank nearly all the strong, hot tea. Then it was time to dress.

Marianne and Lora returned as Nan was hooking Elissa into her wedding dress. Marianne urged her onto a bench, picked up a brush, and brushed her hair until the glistening strands rivaled last evening’s sunset. The jeweled cap and veil were placed atop her head for the crowning touch.

“Oh, Lissa, you look so beautiful,” Lora gushed. “Donna you think so, Mama?”

“Indeed,” Marianne agreed, fixing her loving gaze on Elissa. “I’ve never seen a lovelier bride.”

“Pinch yer cheeks, lass,” Nan advised. “Yer too pale.” She stared into Elissa’s eyes for a long, tense moment, then whispered, “Beware the Gordon.”

Elissa became instantly alert. “What did you say?”

A knock at the door prevented Nan from responding. Maggie opened the door and Dermot stepped inside, dressed in his best finery.

“Is it time already?” Elissa asked in a quavering voice.

“Aye, Father Hugh and yer bridegroom await ye below,” Dermot said. He held out his arm. “Come, lass, I’ll escort ye to yer wedding.”

“Go,” Marianne said, giving Elissa a fierce hug. “Lord Damian will make you happy if you give him a chance.”

“I…oh, Mama, if Damian loved me I’d be the happiest woman alive.”

“Are you sure he doesna?”

“Are ye ready, lass?” Dermot asked impatiently. “The guests have arrived and grow restless.”

Elissa gave a wobbly smile and placed her arm on Dermot’s.

Damian paced restlessly, his gaze returning to the arched doorway again and again. What was keeping her? Was she going to change her mind at the last minute? Bloody hell! She had to marry him. Didn’t she realize she had no choice? He hadn’t wanted to worry Elissa, but it was possible that once Kimbra reached London and spewed her lies into the king’s ear, the monarch would react with typical violence. Elissa needed his protection whether she knew it or not.