Page 107

Chapter 35

She was ready.

Kathryn and Neill had left the hall at the same time, her cheeks flaming as the guests cheered and called out bawdy suggestions, but they’d been separated into their own private chambers so Kathryn could prepare for the wedding night. She was not far from the lord and lady of Kenshire, just one floor below them, in the same tower.

But that was not where she would be staying this night, or any other night henceforth. Neill would come to fetch her soon and bring her to their new chamber.

“You look lovely,” Sara said, stepping back. The countess herself had fastened the clasp to the robe she’d gifted her that morn. Velvet, fur-lined, and exquisite. Kathryn had tried to refuse—the countess had given her so much already, gowns she claimed no longer fit and the kind of friendship that felt more like sisterhood—but Sara would have none of it.

“So tell us,” Emma said as Faye tsked and left the room. Sara’s maid had accompanied the ladies of the family to the chamber. She’d untied Kathryn’s hair and brushed it until it gleamed. “Are you a virgin still?”

“Emma!” Catrina scolded her.

Kathryn knew Catrina the least of her new sisters-in-law, but she liked her just the same. These women were her family now, and if she could not speak of such things with family, then who could she take into her confidence?

“Aye,” she admitted, fanning out her robe. Kathryn loved how it gathered around her feet, covering the equally as fine silk shift beneath it.

“You’re nervous?” Catrina asked, her accent leaving no doubt she hailed from north of the border.

“Of course she’s nervous,” Emma answered for her, the chamber suddenly feeling quite crowded. She was grateful for their presence but felt quite ready to be reunited with Neill. “Do you know what to expect?”

“Aye. I know the first time will be painful. And after that, not as much so.”

“Oh dear.” Sara sat on the bed and patted the space beside her. “What about the ladies at court? What have they told you?”

Kathryn sat as the others gathered around them.

“Some,” she admitted. “But none were widows.”

“All virgins then,” Emma blurted, which earned her a look from the others.

“Do not be nervous,” Catrina said. “When there is love between a husband and wife—”

“Or even a man and a woman,” Emma laughed at her own jest. “For who here was wed first?” She winked at Kathryn. “The Waryn women don’t care to do things in the typical way.”

That, she’d noticed. “I . . . may not have done so either. But we decided to wait . . .”

“An admirable feat, that.” Emma looked toward the door as if Neill were to barge through it at any moment.

“Rest assured that you will be well taken care of. Neill is like our brothers in that way.”

Both Sara and Catrina looked at her, their faces stricken.

“Gentle!” Emma blurted. “Large but, oh do stop. I meant their frames are large, but they are gentle still.”

All of them burst into laughter at the way Emma had unintentionally phrased her words of comfort.

Which was precisely when Neill walked into the chamber.

Their laughter became even louder, and even Kathryn could not stop. She thought of what Emma had said and inadvertently looked . . . there.

Apparently the others noticed because, instead of gathering their composure, they did quite the opposite. They were doubled over in laughter, tears tracking down their cheeks.

Neill looked at his sister.

“Emma?”

Which only made the situation worse, since he had so easily predicted the source of their merriment.