Chapter 6
6
Gretna tightened the laces on the front of her gown, frowning as she adjusted her bosom to not appear as if it was going to spill out. Tonight she had to be perfect, so the dark blue gown complemented her coloring perfectly. Long skirts were nipped at her waist, with a white paneling between the laces and long sleeves that molded to her arms and cut off at the wrists. Her collarbones were on display and while she would have normally accented the dress with a necklace of sorts, Gretna decided to forgo the adornment tonight.
A knock on the door turned her away from the mirror and she strode across the finely appointed chamber, opening it to find a redheaded woman in maid’s attire. “I’ve been sent tae dress yer hair,” the woman stated, eyeing Gretna’s gown. “By the laird’s son.”
Gretna fought a smile, thinking of how thoughtful of James it was. “Of course, come in.”
The maid swept in and Gretna shut the door, moving back to the mirror. “I want ribbons weaved through my hair,” she started, turning her head sideways. “From the crown. Can ye do that?”
“Aye, miss,” the maid stated, picking up the ribbon that matched the dress. Gretna settled on the chair before the mirror and the maid started, sectioning off Gretna’s hair. Gretna watched her work in the mirror, feeling the nervousness build up in her stomach. Her time with James earlier had been wonderful, learning more about her suitor and the clan that he clearly loved. They had much in common and when he had shown her the chamber in which she was now in, Gretna had been reluctant to let him go. Their first meeting couldn’t have been more perfect in her mind.
A sharp tug on her hair caused Gretna to jump and her eyes met the maid’s. “That hurt.”
“Sorry, miss,” the maid stated. “I hit a snag. Mah apologies.”
Gretna gave her a firm nod. “Continue. I donna wish tae be late.”
The woman began again and Gretna looked down at her hands in her lap, noting the tremor. She would carry on conversation like she had been taught tonight, be gracious, and above all, smile. Not only did she have a suitor to win over, but his entire clan would be watching, and at this point, they viewed her as the enemy.
Another tug pulled at the roots of her hair and Gretna winced. “Wot are ye trying tae do?” she asked, feeling the pain in her head. “That hurt.”
This time the maid just gave her an apologetic smile that didn’t reach her eyes and Gretna sighed inwardly. “Tell mah aboot James,” she said instead, hoping that some conversation would help the maid feel more relaxed around her.
The change in the maid’s demeanor was nearly immediate, her eyes softening and a small secret smile coming across her lips. “He’s verra handsome and kind.”
“Aye,” Gretna echoed, thinking of their earlier encounter. “He seems tae love his clan.”
The maid weaved the strands of Gretna’s hair together, gentler this time. “He does. He’s fair and will make a strong laird one day.”
Gretna watched the emotions play out on the maid’s face, wondering if the lasses were in love with him as well. Not that she would blame them. James was very handsome. “It seems he treats his servants with the same accord as he does his clan,” she said slowly.
The maid finished with Gretna’s hair. “Aye, he does. We are treated well enough. Any of us would gladly serve him.”
It was an odd statement, but Gretna didn’t have time to dwell on it as another knock on the door was heard and she rose from her chair, opening the door. Remy was on the other side and for a moment, Gretna just stared, drinking in the sight of him. He was wearing a fine tunic of soft green, one that made him look even more handsome than before, with his hair neatly combed and his sword at his side. A pair of brown breeks and his boots shone up to complete the look. If it wasn’t for the stubble on his face that made him look ruggedly handsome, she thought he could pass for nobility. “Good evening,” he told her. “I’m here tae escort ye downstairs.”
“I must leave,” the maid said quickly, ducking out of the room before Gretna could stop her.
They watched her go before Gretna turned her attention back to Remy. “Ye look lovely, lass,” he said, proffering his arm to her. “Like a vision.”
Her stomach curled appreciatively and Gretna fought the urge to check her hair. Remy thought she was lovely. He wouldn’t lie to her. “Ye could have done a better job at dressing for the occasion,” she blurted out, not certain as to what to say.
The twinkle left Remy’s eye and Gretna cursed inwardly at her awkward words. In truth, he was perfection as well, handsomer than she had ever seen him and James didn’t hold any sort of candle to the way that Remy looked. She shouldn’t say that about her brother’s closest friend, but gods help her, she couldn’t look away and that was concerning. “Remy.”
“Take mah arm, lass,” he said instead, ceasing any thought for an apology from Gretna. “Before ye are late.”
Right. She had somewhere to be. Gretna slid her arm through Remy’s, feeling the muscles of his forearm under her fingers, and forced herself to move, keeping a respectable distance between them. She didn’t know what to say to him, but there was an uncomfortableness with them now and Gretna didn’t like it one bit. Remy was her only ally in this keep, but he had, also, become a friend, someone who hadn’t commented on her oddness nor had he left her side.
He just made her feel things she shouldn’t, not for Remy. “I will be just a nod away,” he finally said as they moved down the last few stairs that would lead them to the great hall.
Gretna looked at him, feeling the fluttering of her heart in her chest as their eyes met. “Are ye troubled aboot something?”
“Nay,” he said quickly. “I donna think he will harm ye, but I canna let mah guard down, not here.”
Gretna opened her mouth to correct her words, but they were stepping into a crowd of people. Remy steered her toward where the laird and his son were waiting. James was handsome tonight, dressed in a blue tunic with silver threading and dark breeks, though he had no sword strapped to his side. His hair was artfully tousled on his head, with a small silver circlet pressed into his locks signifying his status.
That man could be her husband one day. Gretna’s steps faltered as she looked about, at the impassive faces that watched her approach. They were waiting for her to fail, to do something that would make her not worthy in their eyes. She was the enemy right now until proven otherwise.
But why did Gretna suddenly wish to run back to her chamber or better yet, be wherever Remy was?
“Lass?” Remy whispered just so she could hear. “Wot’s wrong?”
Gretna drew in a breath and straightened her shoulders, giving James a wide smile before releasing Remy’s arm. “Good evening, Laird,” Gretna said as she dipped into a curtsey before his father.
“Gretna,” James said, helping her to her feet, his hand lingering on hers a bit longer than needed. “Ye are a vision.”
His words didn’t affect her the way that she had hoped, but Gretna still gave him a warm smile. It was far too soon to be thinking that James wasn’t her true love, her lifelong mate. After all, they had just met. Love could come later.
“Thank ye,” she smiled.
He took her hand and led her to the seat next to the head of the table, the place setting already arranged for the feast.
“Ye will sit at mah right.”
Gretna swallowed, taking a seat in the chair. James putting her at his right could only mean one thing. He hadn’t been disappointed in meeting her. He was letting all of his clan know that he fully intended on going through with the marriage.
God help her, she had done it.