The Bride (43 page)

She almost called out that it should be the father putting his daughter back in her bed and not one of his soldiers, then remembered that her husband was stark naked, after all, and Edith would certainly die of embarrassment if she woke up and found him in her room.

That picture was so amusing she had to roll over on her stomach to stifle her giggles.

Alec came back to bed, hauled her up against his side, and was snoring before she'd even gotten herself properly settled.

Her soft sigh of contentment filled the air. She could barely wait for morning. Tomorrow was going to be a glorious day.

It was the worst day of her life.

Oh, it started out well enough. Jamie and Edith had the great hall looking as grand as a palace in less than two hours' time. Fresh flowers decorated the tables, new rushes covered the floor, and the tall box-shaped chair King Edgar would sit upon was scrubbed spotless.

Gavin and Marcus did try Jamie's patience, however. Every time she turned around, one of the big men was blocking her path. "Isn't there something you need to be doing?" she asked.

The soldiers didn't take her subtle hint. "It's our day away from our duties," Gavin explained.

She didn't look as if she believed him. Neither did Marcus, for that matter.

"But why are you following me around?" Jamie persisted.

The soldiers were saved from having to come up with a lie to that question when Mary Kathleen grabbed hold of Jamie's skirt. The little girl was dressed in a Kincaid gown.

The garment had come from the blacksmith's family and fit Mary well. Jamie lifted her daughter into her arms, gave her a quick kiss, and whispered a few words of praise in Gaelic.

"May I take Mary with me to Frances's cottage?" Edith called out.

"Frances?"

"The blacksmith's wife," Edith explained. "She has several pairs of shoes we can try on Mary."

"Be sure to tell Frances how much I appreciate her help," Jamie said.

Edith shook her head. "She'd be insulted. It's her duty to help."

Jamie didn't know what to make of that statement. She handed Mary to Edith, a difficult task, that, since Mary wanted to stay right where she was. Edith explained to her niece what their errand was and finally gained her cooperation.

"I'll tell Frances you're pleased with her," Edith called over her shoulder.

She bumped into Marcus when she turned around. "I cannot help but wonder why you're following me around," she said. She let him see her exasperation. "And why are those soldiers lounging above the stairs? Don't they have some duties to see to?"

Marcus shook his head. "It's their day off from other duties," he explained.

Alec walked into the hall in time to hear Marcus's outrageous explanation. He noticed his wife's incredulous expression, too. "Jamie? The clan is coming up the last hills. They'll be here in a few minutes. Some of Harold's clan is with them. I want you—"

"We're receiving guests now?" she cried out.

"We are," Alec stated.

He didn't realize his wife could move so quickly. Alec reached out to grab her when she tried to fly past him. He pulled her into his arms and forced her to look up at him.

She looked terribly worried. Alec couldn't resist. He leaned down and kissed her wrinkled brow. This spontane ous show of affection was still new to him, but he found he liked it well enough. He kissed her again.

"I don't like to see you frown," he whispered. "Are you worrying again?"

She shook her head. "I need to change my gown," she announced.

"Why? Whether your English garb be clean or not, it still won't matter. They're bound to hate it as much as I do."

She didn't give him an answer to that remark. He could tell, though, that she was more amused than irritated. Her reaction puzzled him. He kissed her again, a long, wet kiss on her sweet mouth, and when she wrapped her arms around his waist, his tongue moved inside and began to stroke the roof of her mouth.

She looked thoroughly bemused with him when he finally ended the kiss. He whispered in Gaelic that he loved her, pulled her hands away from him, and walked down the three steps into the hall.

He motioned Gavin and Marcus over to the table. Jamie, he noticed, was slumped against the arch, staring at him. "Didn't you want to change your clothes?" he called out.

She straightened away from the wall and hurried up the steps. Alec could hear her mutterings all the way across the hall. He smiled in reaction.

The man could make her forget her duties with such ease, Jamie thought. When he kissed her, all she could think about was kissing him back.

She had to force herself to put Alec out of her mind. There was his surprise to be seen to, after all, and she wouldn't let him ruin it by robbing her of her determination.

She straightened the covers on their bed, then changed into a cream-colored ankle-length chemise. Those two chores took her just a few minutes, but the wrapping of the plaid was another matter altogether.

The piece of material was approximately twelve feet long after she'd cut a third away. It was narrow, which should have made it easier for her to pleat, but no matter how she tried, she couldn't get it right.

In desperation, she opened the door and ordered one of the soldiers to fetch Father Murdock for her.

The priest arrived a short while later. She opened the door to his timid knock, then all but pulled him into the bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Alec had heard the priest wheeze his way up the stairs. He did raise an eyebrow when he was given entrance to the bedroom. He wondered what in God's name she'd need Murdock for, then put the matter out of his mind.

Still, he kept watching the door. When it was finally opened and Murdock came outside, Alec saw the wide smile on the priest's face.

"Father Murdock? What were you doing in my chamber?" he shouted.

The priest didn't answer until he'd reached Alec's side. "I was assisting your wife," he said then.

"Assisting her in what?"

"I cannot tell you," Father Murdock stated. He held his smile, even in the face of Alec's dark expression, then added, "She's wanting to give you a little surprise, Alec. Let her have her way. You don't want to be hurting her feelings by knowing ahead of time."

"So you also worry about her feelings," Alec answered dryly. " 'Tis an affliction we all seem to share." He glanced over at Marcus and then turned to include Gavin in his gaze.

The bedroom door opened then, drawing his full attention.

Alec wasn't aware he'd stood up. He stared at the vision making her way around the smiling soldiers, feeling such incredible pride he could barely breathe.

She was wearing his plaid. And he was so pleased, he couldn't even speak. It was high time, he kept telling himself, high time indeed.

"She couldn't make the pleats. The lass had even folded the garment on the floor and tried to stretch herself out atop it Aye, she'd tried ways I'd never heard of until she confessed them to me."

"And so you assisted her," Gavin interjected with a nod.

"She praised me for my quick hands," the priest whispered as he, too, watched Jamie come down the stairs. "My, she's a bonny lass."

Jamie knew she had the men's full attention. She kept her shoulders straight and her hands at her sides so she wouldn't accidentally pull one of the pleats away from her belt. When she reached the steps leading down into the hall, she gave her husband a formal curtsy.

He wanted to kiss her again. He might even tell her how proud he was to have her for his own.

When Alec motioned to her, Jamie gently lifted the hem of her gown and walked over to him. He reached for her then, but she shook her head and backed up a space. "Don't touch me, Alec."

"What?"

"Don't raise your voice either," Jamie returned, frowning. "You can tell me how pleased you are standing right where you are. I'll not have my pleats disturbed before the king arrives, and that's that."

He didn't look at all happy with her now. "You are pleased with me, aren't you, husband?"

"I'm very pleased."

"And?" she prodded, hoping for a little more praise.

"And what?"

She laughed then. Alec certainly wasn't one to hand out compliments. He didn't even know he was supposed to, she guessed.

"Never mind," she replied. She shrugged before she remembered her pleats. One quick look told her she hadn't done any damage, though. "I'm never going to get these folds just so," she remarked.

"We'll practice that, too," Alec promised.

She didn't start to blush until Father Murdock asked what else they were practicing. "Perhaps I could lend my expertise," he suggested eagerly.

"A private matter," Jamie blurted out. "We can't use your assistance, Father, but we both thank you for offering."

Alec's devilish smile widened. "Come along with me, Jamie. The guests are waiting outside to meet you."

"One of your guests is already inside," a stranger called out from the entrance.

Jamie turned to acknowledge their guest, then decided she should be standing by her husband when she was given introduction. She moved to his side and immediately gained his nod of approval.

Alec put his arm around her shoulders. The spontaneous show of possessiveness surprised her almost as much as his hard grip.

"Have a care with my pleats," she whispered.

Alec wasn't paying her any attention, though. His dark gaze was directed on the man approaching them. His scowl suggested he didn't much care for the man he was about to introduce.

"I was eager to meet your wife, Alec, and took it upon myself to come inside."

Alec's arm tightened around Jamie. "This is Harold's son, Justin."

"I'm pleased to meet you," Jamie said, smiling so he'd think she meant what she'd said. In truth, she wasn't pleased at all. The blond man was appraising her in an earthy way. Only a married man should be able to give his wife that kind of look.

If he'd been a fully grown man, she probably would have given him a proper set down, but the lack of marks on his arms and face indicated he hadn't seen any battles yet. His manners certainly needed improvement, too.

"Not nearly as pleased as I am to meet you, milady," Justin replied.

She gave him an abrupt nod, then suggested in a firm voice that he return to the others. "Alec and I will join you soon," she promised.

Her suggestion was rudely ignored. Justin continued to stand there gaping at her. "Was there something else you wished to say?"

Justin looked embarrassed. "Nay, milady. I—I just enjoy listening to your unusual accent," he stammered out.

"It's an English accent, Justin," she reminded him. "And as appealing to most Scots as the sound of a nail being scraped across a pane of glass."

Marcus let out a loud cough to cover his amusement. Gavin had to turn his back so Justin wouldn't see his reaction.

Justin still didn't want to give up. "I understand your name is Jamie," he said.

"It is."

"It's a fine name," he announced.

"It's a man's name, and that's that," Jamie snapped. She was through trying to contain her temper. Justin was staring at her chest. She wanted to kick him.

She couldn't wait to get away from the insolent creature. She wondered why Alec hadn't noticed the boy's shameful conduct and glanced up to look at him.

Alec was smiling. She didn't know what to make of that oddity. Gavin interrupted then with the reminder that the tables had been set up in the courtyard.

Alec nodded. "Direct the servants to begin serving the food. Jamie and I will be along in a few minutes. Marcus, take Justin with you. He doesn't look capable of making it on his own."

The last of Alec's orders was given in a hard voice. Jamie thought her husband had finally noticed the lustful way their guest was staring at her.

As soon as Alec let go of her, she started toward the screen. She'd left her dagger on the chest the day before and wanted to put it back in her belt before she forgot about it.

Justin tried to follow her. Jamie had to give the boy a good frown when he dared to touch her. Justin proved determined, though. It was an embarrassment, for the other men were watching, but Jamie had to slap his hand away from her.

"You aren't perchance related to Laird McPherson, are you, Justin?" she asked.

"Nay, Lady Kincaid," Justin answered, looking puzzled. "I'm not related. Why would you ask such a question?"

"Your manners remind me of the laird," she answered.

She could tell Justin didn't know how to take that remark. Alec understood the insult she'd just given the boy, however. His laughter followed her behind the screen.

The dagger wasn't where she thought she'd left it. Jamie spent several minutes looking for her weapon, then gave up on the task.

She was given quite a fright when she turned around and saw Alec watching her. "You gave me a start."

Alec pulled her into his arms, ignoring her plea not to ruin her skirt's folds. He lifted her up, until she was at eye level. His mouth was a convenient breath away from hers. "I'll fix your pleats," he promised in a husky growl.