Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
“What do you suppose those two are up to,” Jenna asked Ashley.
She was about to go up to get dressed for the party, when she noticed Sophia and Jonathan huddled together.
She and Ashley had gone for a brief ride and they had just handed their horses to the stable boys when she spotted Sophia and Jonathan in close conversation near the postern gate.
Looking around she could see Latharn, looking none too pleased at the exchange, but he, along with Donal and Fergus were giving them their privacy.
For a brief moment she thought she noticed Jonathan handing something to Sophia, but she was too far away to see clearly and assumed she was just imagining things.
“Forget about it, Jenna. They’ve got plenty of people keeping an eye on them. We need to go in and get cleaned up and into our gowns for the party,” Ashley said, pulling Jenna along with her.
“Okay. Okay. I just don’t trust Jonathan.
He’s up to something. I can feel it,” Jenna realized that if she had been paying attention, she might have noticed he wasn’t to be trusted long before she married him.
As they approached the stairs, Jenna was beginning to feel a bit like Cailin, “Ashley, slow down. There’s no need to run up the stairs. You’re pregnant, remember?”
Ashley rolled her eyes at Jenna. “Don’t you start, too.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m starting to understand Cailin’s concern. We’ve got plenty of time to get ready and Helene will help us, I’m sure.”
“I know she will. I’m just so excited to have you here to do this with. It’ll be like when we went to the prom. You remember. We fixed each other’s hair and makeup.”
“There’s not really any makeup here, Ashley.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I have some in my room. Edna sent it to me in my magick backpack.”
“Your what?”
“My magick backpack. I’ve had it with me since I got here and I’m always finding things in there that weren’t there before. Edna has a bit of guilt about almost getting me killed.”
“Wait a minute. What are you talking about? How did she almost get you killed?” Jenna couldn’t believe her ears.
“Well, it’s a long story, but the condensed version is that she tricked me into going over the bridge, where I met Cailin.
By the way, the best thing that ever happened to me.
Then later, after I was kidnapped by Thomas and Sir Richard, I was almost raped and killed.
I got sliced by a sword and broke my arm.
I don’t hold it against her though. She didn’t know it was going to happen. ”
Jenna’s head was swimming. “She tricked you, you were kidnapped, almost raped, and sliced by a sword and you don’t hold any of that against her?”
“Everything worked out in the most unbelievably magical way. I’m alive, the man who tried to rape me is dead and I survived my wounds.”
“I have to admit, I’ve never seen you happier,” Jenna conceded.
“That’s because I’ve never been happier. Someday I’ll tell you the whole story, but for now, let’s get dressed.”
Jenna couldn’t help but be swept up in Ashley’s excitement. “Okay, you win. Let’s get ready.”
***
Cormac scanned the room as he waited for Jenna to make her entrance.
Everything seemed to be in order. Cailin had men stationed around the room and at all the entrances and exits.
He could relax and concentrate on Jenna, who was taking a good deal of time to join him.
He went and stood by the stairs and was greeted by every single person who entered the Great Hall.
Irene and Robert were already inside and the room was buzzing with activity. Cailin joined him to wait for Ashley.
“What is taking so long,” Cormac wondered.
“Ashley is almost always the last person down the stairs and now she has a friend to help delay her.”
At that moment, the two men looked up to see their lovely ladies heading towards them. Ashley was first and greeted Cailin with a kiss. She took his arm and they entered the Great Hall.
Jenna was next and she took Cormac’s breath away. “Jenna, ye are so beautiful,” was all he could manage to get out.
“Thank you, Cormac,” Jenna said as she placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Shall we?”
They made their entrance and the room seemed to stand still as everyone stopped what they were doing to look at them. Or more precisely, to look at Jenna. They were all curious about this newcomer and it made for an uncomfortable moment or two of silence.
Irene and Robert rushed to their rescue.
“Everyone, we’d like to present the Lady Jenna,” Robert said with a flourish.
All those in the room were turned to face them and bowed and curtsied as they walked past. Jenna appeared to be very nervous, which was unusual as far as Cormac knew.
She always seemed very much in control at her gala in San Francisco.
He understood though. This was different.
She didn’t really know quite what was expected of her.
He wouldnae leave her side this night. He whispered in her ear, “I’m here, all is well.
” She leaned into him for support, he imagined.
If he had said that to her in her own time, she would have been angry with him.
She always let him know that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
He knew that to be true, but he also knew her standoffish demeanor was a ruse.
It was a show she put on to keep people where she wanted them, just far enough away so she could escape if need be.
***
Jenna had a grip on Cormac’s arm and was not going to let go.
They reached the head table where they sat facing the other guests.
Platters of food made their way from the kitchen to each table and Jenna was impressed with the selection.
She was completely unfamiliar with most of the food, but had no trouble trying new things.
They had eaten very well since she’d been at Breaghacraig, but tonight Irene had gone above and beyond for their guests.
Jenna forced herself to relax, after all she had been to many dinners in the city and some where she was the guest of honor.
This was no different, she told herself.
Cormac was very attentive, which she appreciated.
He knew she was out of her element and he let her know he was there for her.
Ashley was on her other side and was in an animated conversation with Cailin.
Jenna loved and admired her friend so much.
She had been brave enough to make a place for herself in an unfamiliar land and time.
Not only that, she was making it work. She was married and very much in love with her husband and she was expecting.
Jenna had already decided she would not be able to do the same.
It was just too crazy to even consider. Once she got back home, it would take time, but she’d get over Cormac, at least enough to carry on with her life.
Who was she kidding? She didn’t really believe she’d ever get over Cormac.
How could she? He was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Tears formed in her eyes and she fought to control them.
She wiped away any hint of them with her napkin.
Across the room, she kept an eye on Jonathan and Sophia.
Latharn was looking very upset. He apparently didn’t appreciate Sophia spending the evening beside Jonathan, but to his credit, he didn’t interfere.
Instead he sent Jonathan a death glare from his corner perch.
Cormac was laughing with Dougall, who had stopped in front of the table to speak with him.
She hadn’t been paying attention and missed the joke.
“Lady Jenna, I hope you are enjoying your evening,” Dougall said.
“Very much so, Dougall. You seem to be enjoying yourself as well,” Jenna smiled.
Dougall dipped his head in agreement. “You must excuse me, Helene will be waiting for me.” He wandered off into the crowd of people who, having finished their meal, were milling around the outer edges of the room.
The servants appeared and began clearing the tables and before long, Jenna understood why.
The Great Hall was being transformed from a dining room to a dance floor.
Musicians entered and set themselves up in a nook by the door.
The music began and it took only seconds for the floor to be filled with happy faces twirling and dancing around the room.
Jenna was amazed to see almost everyone out on the dance floor.
Those on the sidelines had mugs of ale and whiskey in their hands.
“Would ye care to dance with me, love?” Cormac looked so handsome standing there in front of her that she could hardly refuse.
“I’m not sure I know what to do,” Jenna said as she warily looked around the room.
“Dinna fash, love, I will show ye, much as ye showed me at yer gala in San Francisco.”
“Yeah, but, that was not a very complicated dance. This looks much more complicated.”
“Just follow me. Ye cannae go wrong and if ye do, not a soul would notice or care.”
Jenna took his hand and followed him out to the dance floor.
She looked around and saw Ashley having a discussion with Cailin.
She obviously wanted to dance and he was doing his best to keep her from it.
Jenna laughed as she watched the two of them.
She knew who would win and it wasn’t going to be Cailin.
“Cailin should just give up and let Ashley dance,” Jenna observed.
“He will,” Cormac stated. “Yer doing verra well, Jenna.