CHAPTER TWELVE
Snow was falling fast as Skye and Holly hurried back to the vintage dress shop. Innis accompanied them, doing his utmost to shield them from the cold. They’d thanked Lyle for dinner at the tea shop, enjoyed dancing to the Christmas songs, but then they needed to get back to the dress shop to get on with the dress alterations.
Holly unlocked the door and scurried inside, shaking the snow from herself.
Innis clasped hold of Skye’s hand for a moment before she hurried in. His tall stature protected her from the full force of the snow and the wind sweeping in from the sea.
‘I never intended asking you to go with me to the ball in front of everyone in the shop.’ There was an apologetic tone in his voice, and his amber eyes gazed down at her.
‘I know, it’s fine,’ Skye assured him. And for a brief moment she thought he was going to kiss her goodnight, but he pulled back and nodded in that way she’d become accustomed to.
Skye stepped inside the shop and closed the door against the snowy night. She peered through the flakes fluttering down, watching Innis get into his car and drive off home to the castle. It had been a day she’d never forget, and a night to remember.
Holly put the kettle on to make them a hot cup of tea while Skye set up her sewing machine to continue the dress alterations.
They chatted about their evening and the work they had to do while the kettle boiled.
Holly gazed out the window. ‘Look at the snow falling into the sea. It looks magical.’
Skye looked round and viewed the scene. ‘It’s wild and so beautiful.’
‘It is.’ Holly sighed. ‘I love living on the island. I don’t miss the mainland at all.’
‘Neither do I,’ Skye agreed.
The kettle clicked off and Holly made the tea in the kitchen.
‘Lyle seems very taken with you,’ Skye called through to her.
‘You think so?’
‘Has he invited you to go with him to the ball?’
‘No. We’re still keeping things on a friendly note.’
Holly carried the tea through.
‘Have you decided what ball gown you’d like to wear?’
‘Not yet. I thought I’d wait until I see the next delivery. It should arrive in the morning.’ She pulled up the list of dresses on her laptop on the counter. ‘I saw this amber creation. I don’t think the photo does it justice.’
Skye leaned over and viewed the dress. ‘Amber satin overlaid with layers of light amber chiffon that’s sprinkled with bronze and gold sparkles. It sounds gorgeous. But you’re right, the photo doesn’t show it properly.’
‘The emerald velvet and organza is lovely too.’
‘There are so many pretty dresses.’
Skye turned her attention back to the sewing. ‘And so many to mend. I’m sure I’ll dream about sequins in my sleep tonight.’
Holly laughed. ‘And Innis.’
‘I could say the same about you and Lyle.’
Holly didn’t deny it as she unpicked the darts in the bodice of a dress that Nettie wanted to alter the fit. Then she planned to embroider strands of gold metallic thread over the stitch marks where the darts had been to disguise they’d ever been there.
‘There’s a feeling in the air this Christmas,’ said Skye as she stitched sequins and crystals on to the bodice of her pink ball gown. ‘And not just because of the fairytale ball at the castle. Something more...’
‘Romance?’
‘Maybe.’
Holly glanced out again at the snow. ‘Do you think either of us will have a fairytale romance this Christmas?’
Skye sighed. ‘I wish.’
‘It’s Christmas,’ Holly said hopefully. ‘A time when wishes can come true.’
They continued to chat and sew, discussing their plans for the following day.
‘Are there any festive events on the to–do list?’ said Skye.
Holly checked the list pinned up in the kitchen while clearing their cups away. ‘The next event we said we’d go to is the lantern walk.’
‘I asked Innis if there’s any skinny or skimpy dipping at the waterfall. He said no, and seemed surprised that I was up for putting on my swimsuit and braving the cold water.’
‘The thought of it makes me shiver.’ Holly shuddered. ‘What do we have to do?’
‘Innis says everyone carries a lantern and walks from the forest road through the snow to the forget–me–not waterfall. A fire pit, like the one at the carol singing, is set up, and there is more hot chocolate and marshmallow toasting.’
‘Now that’s something I’d like.’
‘We’ll need our sturdy boots and warm coats, Innis told me.’
‘We’ve got those. What else do we need?’
‘The lanterns. That’s it.’
Holly checked the note she’d written on the list. ‘The night before the lantern walk, we’re going to the traditional festive tea at Lyle’s shop.’
‘His quiche tonight was tasty. I’d happily have more of that and his chocolate Yule log.’
‘I told Lyle I’ve been reading through the recipes in the book he gave me. I just haven’t had time to do any baking. But he says I can pop in any evening to the tea shop and learn from him.’
‘You should, especially as there’s the feeling of Christmas romance in the air.’
Holly laughed, but the warmth she felt in her heart for Lyle gave her hope.
Working late into the evening, they finally tidied up and drove home.
That night, Skye lay tucked up in bed gazing out at the snow. Rewinding the events of the day she drifted off to sleep thinking about Innis...
Driving through the snow on his way back to the castle, Innis had taken a detour through the forest to have a look at thistle loch. The hills around the whole area were blanketed in white. The slopes that were used for the sledging would be perfect for the event.
Heading away, he drove back through the forest to the castle. Lights shone from the windows casting a glow on to the snow that covered the gardens. A ceilidh night that had been held for guests was coming to a close as he walked into the reception, dropped off his winter jacket, and joined Finlay and Ean at their table in the function room. They were wearing their kilts and had been joining in the ceilidh dancing.
Guests filtered out of the party night looking like they’d had a great time and headed to their rooms.
The three brothers sat discussing their plans for the forthcoming ball.
‘Brodrick spoke to Nairne and they’ve sorted out the order for extra ice cream,’ said Finlay, running his pen down the to–do list in front of him.
Innis told them about his evening at the tea shop. ‘The quiche we had was excellent, so make sure Nairne includes it on the menu.’
Finlay and Ean exchanged a look and smiled.
‘What?’ said Innis. ‘I didn’t plan to spend the evening there with Skye. Holly and Skye hadn’t eaten dinner and were working late at the dress shop. Brodrick’s cafe bar was jumping due to it being one of his Christmas nights, so Lyle invited us all to join him in the tea shop. He was batch baking quiche for his festive tea event.’
Finlay and Ean’s smiles broadened.
‘And it gave me a chance to try the quiche for myself,’ Innis added.
‘You and Skye are certainly getting along very well these days,’ Finlay remarked, happy for his brother.
‘Ailsa says you bought a little something for Skye from her stall at the Christmas market,’ Ean added.
‘No secrets on this island.’ Innis shook his head, but tried not to smile.
‘Now we’ve all got a partner for the ball,’ Ean chimed in. ‘People have been saying that there’s a sense of romance in the air this Christmas. So it’s the perfect time to hold a fairytale ball.’
‘We should take some pictures of the castle lit up in the snow and put them on the website,’ Innis suggested. ‘When I drove up it looked picture perfect.’
Ean stood up. ‘I’ll pop out and take a few before Murdo starts putting the lights out.’
Finlay looked at his list again. ‘I think we’ve more or less got everything in order. Nairne has the menu planned, and the bookings are pouring in, not only for the ball, but for breaks in the New Year and spring weddings. The whole thing has sparked extra interest in the castle, and we were already doing well.’
They stood up and walked out of the function room to head upstairs to their private suites.
Ean came running in from the cold, brushing snowflakes off his white ghillie shirt and dark waistcoat. His legs had braved the icy air but he was used to wearing thick socks and brogues with his kilt and exposing his knees to the wintry weather. Lean and fit from hill running, Ean often raced over the countryside in his kilt as well as his training gear.
‘I’ve got some great shots.’ Ean’s enthusiasm sounded clear. He showed his brothers the photos on his camera. ‘The castle looks magnificent tonight in the first fresh snow of the winter.’
‘Excellent,’ said Finlay. ‘Send them to me and I’ll upload them to the website. I’ve a few things to update, including the new bookings. Nairne has given me a buffet menu list so I’m adding that too.’
Even in the feature Merrilees had written for the newspaper, she’d brushed over the details of the menu and given a general idea of the delicious choices that would be available at the ball.
The three of them walked upstairs talking about their plans. And about Innis and Skye.
Innis tried to make light of it, but his brothers knew him too well.
‘It’s true what they say,’ remarked Ean. ‘Opposites do attract. Look at me and Ailsa. I know we have a shared interest in art, but apart from that...’ he shrugged.
Innis and Finlay agreed.
‘You and Merrilees are a strong match,’ Innis told Finlay.
‘She’s the perfect woman for me,’ Finlay told them. ‘I see my future with her.’
What did he see for himself with Skye Innis suddenly wondered. He’d started to think past the present, and it had crossed his mind about where they’d live if they ever got married. A thought that had wandered into his dreams recently. Nothing was clear though, maybe because he kept warning himself not to break her heart. But now that he stood on the brink of falling deeply in love with her, if he hadn’t already, marriage was on his mind. Everyone expected Finlay or Ean to be the first to marry especially as they were already happily dating Merrilees and Ailsa. As fairly new couples, they seemed to have a lead on him. But maybe...the lone wolf would win that accolade.
Innis shook himself from such deep thoughts and heard the chatter of his brothers return to full volume and clarity...
‘So I’ve promised Merrilees I’ll practise with her on the easy slopes. She’s done sledging before years ago, but she wants to brush up on it,’ said Finlay. ‘She’s not planning on racing anyone, it’s just for fun.’
‘It’s the same with Ailsa and me,’ Ean added.
Innis stopped outside his door and looked at them. ‘Skye plans to leave me in a trail of snowflakes as she whizzes past me. She mentioned that tonight at the tea shop.’
Finlay and Ean laughed and then headed to their own rooms.
The winter grey, white and beige decor of Innis’ private suite matched the view from the windows. He wandered through to the bedroom and stripped off his clothes. The suite was warm and he stood gazing out at the view wearing grey silk boxers ready for bed.
The front gardens were covered in snow and flakes swirled outside the window as the snowstorm gathered pace. But the snow storm was no match for the castle’s thick walls that had withstood many decades of winters.
The view of the sea in the distance was a blur of snowflakes and only the red and yellow lights from the main street’s decorations shone through the whiteout.
Winter was well and truly here, and a rush of excitement charged through him. He loved the winters at the castle and the feeling of the festive season on the island.And for a second he let himself picture Skye there with him, cosy and warm together in the castle.
For the first time the warning — don’t break her heart was beaten by a new consideration — would Skye break his heart?
Blinking away this thought, he climbed into bed watching the snow fall until he fell asleep.
The snow clouds across the pale grey sky refused to allow any direct sunlight to shine through. Arching over the town and stretched along the coast and out to sea, the grey sky promised more snow later that morning.
The new delivery of ball gowns had arrived and Skye and Holly’s squeal of glee filled their shop along with the beautiful dresses.
The amber confection was claimed by Holly as soon as she saw it and held it up in front of herself to view in the mirror. ‘It’s even lovelier than I’d hoped.’
‘The colour suits your chestnut hair and green eyes.’
Holly nodded and slipped behind the dressing room curtain to try the dress on.
‘Zip me up,’ Holly stood so Skye could fasten the zipper at the back of the dress.
‘There you go.’ Skye stepped back to admire the dress. ‘It’s so lovely. The layers of fabric will make it wonderful for sweeping around the dance floor.’
Holly held the sides of the full skirt and swished them back and forth. ‘It glitters with the gold thread.’
Skye studied the satin bodice that was embellished with gold sequins and shiny amber crystals. ‘It’s as if it was made for you.’ She peered at it closely. ‘I don’t think it’s ever been worn.’
‘That’s what I was thinking,’ Holly agreed.
They had enough experience of handling vintage dresses to recognise when a dress had barely been worn. Many of the dresses that found their way into their shop were worn–once designs as they called them. After one outing to a party, they’d hung in a wardrobe or been packed away in storage never to see the light again until they’d been acquired for sale in the shop.
Holly viewed the dress from all angles and looked down at the bodice. ‘There isn’t a sequin or crystal missing that I can see.’
Their shop wasn’t open for another half an hour, but Primrose chapped on the window and waved, wanting to come in.
Skye unlocked the door.
‘I know you’re not open yet,’ Primrose began, ‘but I want that ball gown you’ve got on display in the window. I don’t care if it’s an exact fit or not, I’ll make it work.’
They didn’t doubt it. Both Primrose and Rosabel were experts in knitting and dressmaking, as well as baking.
‘I’ll take this dress off and give you a hand to get it off the mannequin,’ said Holly.
‘Oh, is that the dress you’re wearing to the ball?’ Primrose’s remark made Holly pause and smile. ‘Yes, it arrived this morning, but we think it’s a never been worn vintage designer dress.’
Primrose went over for a closer look. ‘It’s perfect on you. The amber colour suits you so well.’
‘Thank you, Primrose.’ Holly then went to change out of her dress.
‘Don’t rush. I’ll help Skye get the yellow ball gown off the mannequin. It’s definitely my colour. And that wispy chiffon and not too plunging a neckline... I want it,’ Primrose insisted.
Between them Skye and Primrose wrestled the dress off the mannequin.
‘This mannequin takes moods, I’m sure of it,’ Skye commented.
Primrose laughed. ‘A bit like us. I hear that you and Innis are really getting along.’ She called through to Holly in the changing room. ‘And you and Lyle.’
‘Lyle’s teaching me how to bake,’ Holly shouted through the curtain that shielded her modesty.
Primrose shot a knowing look at Skye.
Skye giggled.
‘What are you two giggling about?’ Holly called to them. In the confines of the small changing room it was a battle of wills trying to take the ball gown off without wrestling against herself.
‘Learning to bake is a very handy skill,’ Primrose commented as Skye lifted the dress over to the counter, folded it carefully and put it into a bag.
Primrose paid for it, and clasped the bag in sheer excitement. ‘I saw it last night, thought it over and decided to snap it up before anyone else bought it. Thanks for opening up the shop for me.’
‘Do you want to try your dress on?’ Holly offered, stepping out of the changing room.
‘No, it’s fine. As I say, I’ll make it work. I’ll try it on at home. I can’t wait to finish the day at the cake shop and start on it. Rosabel plans to pop in to see the new arrivals.’
‘Tell her to come in now. We’ve just opened the new delivery.’
‘I’ll do that right now.’ Primrose hurried out and headed for the cake shop.
‘I’m putting this dress on my currently loved rail,’ Holly said, taking it through to the back of the shop.
Rosabel came rushing in. ‘Primrose says the new dresses have arrived.’
‘Yes, we’re still unpacking them. Want to help?’ Skye gestured to the two large boxes on the floor of the shop.
Rosabel couldn’t wait to help Skye lift each dress out and carefully unfold it and give it a little shake before putting it on a hanger on one of the rails.
Holly picked up the mannequin that was lying prone in the window display. ‘Every time we put a dress on her someone buys it.’ She wasn’t complaining, but it was a bit of a fuss having to keep dressing and undressing the mannequin. They had three mannequins, but the other two were put out of the way because when a full ball gown was on display in the window there wasn’t room for any others.
Skye had an idea. ‘Don’t put that green velvet and brocade gown on her.’ Skye ran through to her currently loved rail and lifted the pink ball gown through to be put on the mannequin.
‘Great idea!’ Holly dressed the mannequin while Skye wrote a display only note and pinned it up in the window.
‘Sorted,’ Skye announced standing with her hands firmly on her hips. This morning she wore purple cords tucked into her boots and a lilac jumper. Her hair was pinned up in pleats.
Holly’s crushed velvet emerald trousers were a retro seventies design and she wore them with a Fair Isle jumper. Her shiny chestnut hair hung around her shoulders.
‘Well, look at this,’ Rosabel said, lifting up a rose pink ball gown and gauging it for size. ‘I think this one has my name on it.’
Skye and Holly thought it suited her and it was her signature colour so...
‘I love the soft chiffon skirt. It’s not too full. I wanted something less sticky out, if you know what I mean,’ said Rosabel.
‘If you need any pink chiffon to make alterations to the dress, we have two rolls of it here,’ Skye told Rosabel. ‘And yellow if Primrose needs it.’
‘That’s handy to know.’ Rosabel was happy with her purchase and left with the dress in a bag. As they didn’t have a chance to price it, they charged the same fair but bargain amount as Primrose’s dress.
With two sales done before they’d even opened their shop, Holly put the kettle on. ‘We’d better get a cuppa before we open up. We’re going to be busy again today.’
The grey sky created a cosy feeling inside the shop, and the fairy lights in the window glowed clearly. When it was bright sunshine, like the previous day, they were outshone by the sunlight.
Sipping their tea, they got on with their day, sorting through the new dresses and continued to mend all the ones they had on sale.
Throughout the morning they were busy with local customers buying the vintage ball gowns.
By lunchtime, Skye phoned Merrilees at stargazer cottage. Merrilees had almost finished writing her novel.
‘I’ve repaired those wee bits on your ball gown,’ Skye said to her. ‘You can pick it up whenever you want.’
‘I’m sort of snowed–in at the cottage,’ Merrilees told her. ‘Is there any chance you could give the dress to Innis to bring up to the castle tonight after he’s finished at the cake shop?’
‘Yes, I’ll do that,’ Skye promised.
‘Merrilees is going to look gorgeous in that ice blue crystal dress,’ Holly remarked as Skye folded it into a bag.
Skye agreed and then glanced out the window. ‘Is that the snow on?’
‘Looks like it.’
Skye sighed. ‘I wanted a wee wander round the stalls. I saw one selling fairy lights.’ The Christmas market was still on and Skye had been too busy to shop at the stalls the previous day.
‘Go now before the snow gets too heavy and people pack up,’ Holly encouraged her.
Skye threw her warm coat and woolly hat on. ‘I won’t be that long.’ She took the bag containing Merrilees’ dress with her intending to hand it in to the cake shop on her way back.
The Christmas market stalls were busy and the snow fluttering down gently added to the festive atmosphere.
Skye made a beeline for the fairy lights. They had just what she needed. Two sets of colourful fairy lights that were powered by batteries. ‘I’ll take these.’ She handed them to the seller.
‘These will look nice in your dress shop window,’ the woman selling them remarked. ‘They’re handy for displays because they don’t need plugged in.’
Skye smiled, paid for them and put them in her shoulder bag. ‘Thanks, merry Christmas.’
‘You too, Skye.’
As she turned to hurry away she bumped into a tall figure standing in her way. She had been so busy putting the lights in her bag she hadn’t noticed him.
‘More fairy lights?’ There was a smirk in Innis’ tone.
‘You can never have too much Christmas razzle–dazzle.’ Skye’s chirpy tone made him smile.
‘That looks like you’ve got a bag full of sparkle.’ He peered at the dress bag.
‘Ah, this is for Merrilees. She wanted me to give this to you to take up to the castle tonight. She’s snowed–in at the cottage.’ She handed the bag to him.
‘I’d be happy to do that.’ Taking charge of the bag, he paused, feeling his senses react to seeing her beautiful face smiling at him.
‘Well, I’d better get back to the dress shop to help Holly. Another new load of ball gowns arrived.’
‘I noticed the pink dress in the window.’
‘Yes, that’s mine. I’m wearing it to the ball, so be prepared to be dazzled all evening.’
He looked at her as if she was capable of dazzling him every time he set eyes on her.
A blush rose in her cheeks. ‘Okay, I’m heading back to a day of fun and frou–frou.’
‘Do I even want to know what that is?’ His sensual lips broke into a wry grin.
‘Nope.’ Skye strode away, glancing back once and casting him a cheeky smile.
His heart melted, and then he went back to the cake shop carrying the dress for Merrilees, wishing he could’ve spent the day with Skye.
Skye burst into the dress shop, shaking the snow from herself and taking off her coat and hat.
‘Did you get what you wanted?’ said Holly. She was sitting at the sewing machine hemming one of the dresses.
‘Yes, I bought two sets of fairy lights.’ She tapped her bag and shrugged it off her shoulder.
‘More lights?’
‘That’s what Innis said.’ Skye explained what had happened.
‘But he has no idea what I’m up to,’ Skye insisted.
‘What are you up to?’
Skye dug the lights from her bag. ‘These a two little sets of lights, battery powered.’
‘Okay, so...’
‘Sledge challenge,’ Skye reminded her.
‘You’re up to mischief.’
‘Isn’t that the plan — skulduggery, mischief and bamboozlement.’
Holly grinned. ‘What are you going to do with those lights?’
Skye took a deep breath and sounded excited. ‘Well...’