Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
“There we are, lass,” Margaret spoke curtly, looking her over closely.
Once Margaret and Alice finished fidgeting with her dress, her hair, and her jewelry, Helena was deemed ready.
“Thank ye,” she said quietly as Margaret led her out of her room.
They descended the stairs to the main hall, with Alice preceding her and Margaret following her, ensuring that the short train of her dress did not snag on anything.
“Ye look beautiful.” Alice smiled at her as they reached the last step.
The hall had been prepared for the feast to follow the ceremony.
Flowered decorations matching those that Helena had seen from her window brought color to the otherwise earth-hued room.
A small area in the corner had been set aside for musicians.
The bards were gathered there, tuning their instruments.
“This hall is beautiful,” Helena returned, and Alice’s smile widened.
She caught a whiff of a delightful aroma that wafted through the door to the kitchens. It caused her stomach to growl with hunger. Her nerves had gotten the better of her and prevented her from eating breakfast that morning.
Outside, only a handful of people had gathered to witness the ceremony. They were standing at the bottom of the stairs leading to the main hall. Their eyes swiveled to her as she stepped out into the courtyard.
The area was beautifully decorated with colorful flower garlands of various lengths and sizes. The whites, blues, and purples blended seamlessly together along the low walls that bordered the main hall and stables.
“I’m nervous,” Helena admitted, her stomach fluttering.
Alice paused, turning back to her and taking her hands. “About Alexander? Or marriage? Or perhaps both?”
“Aye, all of it…”
“Deep breaths,” Alice advised. “All will be well. Remember why ye’re doin’ this.”
Helena nodded.
Alice gave a soft smile before turning back around.
Following her to the center, Helena noticed a young, red-haired maid glaring at her from the back of the small group. She was just about to ask Margaret who the girl was when the older maid stepped away to join the other servants.
Helena decided that the question would have to wait as she continued following Alice to where her two brothers stood with the priest. Only a handful of the MacAllister clansfolk were in attendance, and the majority of them were the castle’s occupants.
Everyone was staring at her. For some, it was their first glimpse of the new lady of the castle.
Alice had informed her just that morning that the tradition in Clan MacAllister was far different from that in Clan MacPherson.
She had sworn to help her learn it, as Helena had never been prepared for such a monumental responsibility.
Oh God. After today, I’ll be responsible for these people, their families, and the runnin’ of this clan.
Bile rose in Helena’s throat as she started to panic.
She decided to focus her attention on those she knew, chasing the fear back down. This was the first time she had seen the three siblings beside one another.
The resemblance was uncanny now that she saw them together.
All three had dark black hair. All of them had the same striking hazel eyes.
The biggest difference between them was their height and facial hair.
Alice was short compared to her brothers, Alexander being the tallest of the bunch, Michael not much shorter than him.
The three wore near-matching blue and green tartans—MacAllister colors. Alexander’s belted kilt was pristine. His long hair was pulled back in a small bun at the nape of his neck.
The village priest started the ceremony. Michael handed them a quiach, and as tradition dictated, Helena drank from the small ceremonial cup first and then Alexander, signifying trust between bride and groom. Alice then produced a long ribbon in MacAllister colors for the handfasting part.
Helena felt as if she couldn’t breathe, the air around her thick and stagnant as the gravity of the situation dawned on her. She prayed over and over as she clasped hands with Alexander.
Alice wrapped the soft ribbon around their hands and forearms. An unexpected warmth rushed up Helena’s arm as the ceremony that would forever tie their lives ended.
Remember, it’s just a means to an end. The war will end, and our people will finally find peace. This is the only choice—the right choice.
Risking a glance at him, she found that he was watching her with an amused smile. For the first time, she let herself consider how attractive he truly was, with his long black hair and matching beard.
He looked dashing, with long black hose covering his lower legs, a matching vest, and a belt around his kilt, which matched her blue and green arisaid.
Her thoughts, combined with the look in his hazel eyes, brought a shy smile to her lips. He leaned down to kiss her, but instead of meeting her lips, he brushed aside her hair and kissed her cheek softly.
“I do hope ye are ready to become mine this evening, me bride,” he whispered in her ear, causing a deep blush to bloom across her face such that she could feel its warmth spread down her neck and to her ears.
Alexander raised their arms, signaling to the small crowd that the ceremony was over. Helena felt her neck flush impossibly further as all eyes surrounding them landed on her. She felt exposed under their scrutiny.
Oh Lord, let me find someplace to hide.
“Let us withdraw to the hall for the celebratory feast in Lady MacAllister’s honor,” Alexander boomed as he released her hand. “I will meet ye inside. Alice, please escort Helena.”
Helena looked from Alexander to Alice for a moment, confused by his sudden dismissal. Her sister-in-law took her hand, patting it reassuringly, and pulled her through the crowd.
“Come now, Helena—I mean, Sister. Oh, I’m so excited to say that I have a sister!” Alice squealed, oblivious to Helena’s confusion.
They made their way through the small crowd as flowers were thrown and excited cheers rang out. But Helena noticed that the red-haired girl who hung at the back of the group was still glaring daggers in her direction.
She leaned closer to her sister-in-law. “Alice,” she asked quietly, “who is that girl there? With the red hair?”
Looking around Helena briefly, Alice waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, that’s just Felicia. She’s an orphan Alexander found on the front line. All of her family was killed—she only survived by hidin’ in a vegetable storage cabinet in their home.”
She paused, noticing the scowl on the young woman’s face for the first time.
“Dinnae worry about her. She’ll get over it. She’s harmless, anyway. I suppose she’s suspicious of Alexander takin’ a MacPherson as his bride, considerin’ the circumstances.”
They stepped into the hall and took their seats at the main table, while the rest of the congregation filed in behind them. Alexander and Michael brought up the rear, still discussing something in low tones.
The feast lasted well into the evening. Ale flowed freely, and music was sung cheerfully. Though they had kept the ceremony small, the whole keep had gathered to celebrate.
I must send a message to Faither, to inform him that we are now officially married. Well, almost. We still need to consummate our marriage.
After more than an hour of being tortured by her thoughts, Helena worked up the nerve to excuse herself. She put a hand on Alexander’s arm to draw his attention, and her breath caught when those hazel eyes flicked to her.
“Would it be too forward of me to ask to be excused? I’d like to write a letter to me faither informin’ him that we are now wed, and send it out with the first rider on the morrow.
Also…” She blushed slightly, averting her gaze.
“I’d also, ah, like to have time to prepare meself for, um, for what’s to come. To, ah, to please ye, Me Laird.”
The smile that spread across Alexander’s face was less of a charming one and more of a taunting one, irritating her. But she held her tongue. He then touched her hand, making the butterflies in her belly flutter madly, before motioning for Margaret to accompany her.
“See that Lady MacAllister has everything she needs—I’ll be up in a bit.
Tell Frync that he rides out with the sun to MacPherson Castle with a letter to her faither, so he shouldnae get pished this evening,” he instructed.
Then, he leaned over to whisper in Helena’s ear, “I’ll see ye in a while.
I look forward to discoverin’ what treasures lie beneath that dress, lass. ”
Helena swallowed nervously and nodded, before slowly standing up and retreating to their rooms. Margaret helped her change into the simple white linen nightdress with the flowers embroidered on the collar and sleeves, then led her to Alexander’s room next door, setting out a quill and blank parchment on the writing desk for her to use.
Helena took in the large bed, the dark canopy, the clan crest over the fireplace, and the various effects throughout the room. She ran her fingers over the claymore that lay on the mantelpiece.
“Goodnight, Me Lady,” Margaret said, nodding and leaving the room quietly, closing the door behind her.
Helena turned to the task at hand, sitting at the desk to write to her father about her marriage and how the war was over now that the two clans were united.
She finished folding the letter and reached for Alexander’s seal, realizing that this would be her first official action as a MacAllister and not a MacPherson. As she pressed the seal into the wax and watched it dry, the door to the bedchamber opened, revealing Alexander.
“Oh! Ye scared me,” she gasped as she jumped slightly, dropping the seal. She quickly grabbed it and put it back in its tray.
“Me apologies,” Alexander said, raising an eyebrow at her. “Is that letter for yer faither?”
“Aye.”
She looked down at the parchment again, the wax fully dry now. She ran her fingers over it thoughtfully before picking it up and holding it out to him.
As Alexander took it, his fingers brushed hers lightly, the touch shocking them both for a brief moment. Their eyes met at that moment, and Helena turned away, blushing.
The nerves she’d felt earlier hadn’t ebbed away, and she knew that much relied on their wedding night. He took the letter and returned to the hallway, speaking in a low voice to a servant outside. A few moments later, he stepped back into the room and closed the door behind him.
Helena’s anxiety rose as she realized this was it—this was about to happen. Standing abruptly, she crossed her arms to hide her breasts as she faced him, her eyes seeking out the fibers in the rug. She started counting them hopelessly to distract herself from her growing panic.
So, she was surprised when Alexander crossed the room to the bed, not saying more than a single word to her.
“Wife,” he rasped.
Then, to her surprise, he kicked off his boots, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes. In a matter of seconds, he was snoring… and she was utterly baffled.
What in the world do I do now?
She had imagined several ends for their wedding night. This was not one of them.
Mags jumped up on the bed beside the snoring hulk of a man, kneading the blanket for a long minute before settling beside him. Yawning, he looked at her through expectant green eyes as if urging her to lie down as well.
This is goin’ to be a long night.