Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Liam wasn’t surprised that Cillian found him during the first few moments he’d had to himself in the past few weeks. As he turned away from the window, Cillian stood at attention. He’d kept himself just as busy as Liam.
“Ye best nae be bringin’ me any bad news,” Liam warned, not joking in the slightest.
Making the decision to keep Katherine in the castle had been difficult. It wasn’t because she wasn’t doing well but perhaps because she was doing too well. Keeping her in the castle risked her safety, which could spell another tragic loss for his daughter.
“Nay, I wouldnae do that to ye on the eve of yer handfastin’,” Cillian said as he came to a stop.
“In fact, I’ve nothin’ but good news on that front.
Everythin’ is ready for the bindin’. It’ll be quiet just as ye asked.
Only the most important people will be in attendance, and only our neighbors have been alerted to the ceremony. ”
“I kent that I was correct to leave plannin’ oversight to ye,” Liam grunted, looking back at the distant hills between the castle and the sea. “I trust there werenae any problems, then.”
“Nay, the forms ye drafted were approved, and I didnae find any issues in arrangin’ the priest’s arrival,” Cillian reported.
“The only thing ye will have to worry about tomorrow is arrivin’ at the ceremony.
” He paused, a bit of humor leaking into his tone when he spoke next.
“Would ye like me to fetch ye tomorrow mornin’? ”
“I didnae request commentary,” Liam said shortly.
“I ken ye’re nae fallin’ over yerself with excitement to be wed, but ye daenae have to act as if ye’re walkin’ to yer death.
” Cillian stepped beside him, looking out the window as well.
He let the silence sit between them for a few beats before speaking again.
“Ye could certainly be marryin’ someone much worse.
Agnes seems to be gettin’ on quite well with Katherine. ”
“It’s nae an issue of whether or nae I could be marryin’ someone worse,” Liam said.
Cillian’s insistence on broaching subjects that weren’t logistics was starting to grate on his nerves.
Then, not caring to explain himself further, he added, “Once the ceremony is complete, we should prepare to leave. We need to search the lands and ports once more. Secure as many trade routes as possible.”
Cillian was quiet beside him for a long moment. Then, as if the meaning of Liam’s words became apparent all at once, he said, “Do ye mean that ye’d like to prepare to leave right after the bindin’? Ye daenae wish to spend any time with Katherine after ye’re wed?”
“I daenae think that anythin’ I said was unclear,” Liam said, looking at Cillian from the corner of his eye. “If we could leave directly after, that would suit well enough. If nae, we should leave at first light the next day.”
He didn’t expect Cillian to fully understand his reasoning. Though he’d been at Liam’s side when Agnes’s mother died during childbirth, he didn’t understand the pattern of suffering the women around him seemed cursed to endure. It did, however, shock him when Cillian clicked his tongue.
“We willnae miss out on layin’ claims if ye wait more than a day or two after ye’re wed,” Cillian told him. He sounded almost offended on Katherine’s behalf. “Does it nae seem a wee bit disrespectful for yer first act as Katherine’s husband to be leavin’?”
“She has nay illusions about our union.” He turned to face Cillian fully then. “The two of us are nay more than two people bound by obligation. The weddin’ is more for me grandmother’s sake than me own.”
“Ach, of course,” Cillian said, visibly restraining himself from rolling his eyes.
He cleared his throat, banishing the frustration with it.
“I will begin coordinatin’ with the men, then.
I daenae ken if we have enough time to prepare if we’re leavin’ tomorrow evenin’.
Ye may have to settle for first light two days from now. ”
“We’re mostly prepared as it is,” Liam replied. “I’ve taken care to leave instructions with me council to execute in me absence, and most of our supplies are ready to be transported. Rations should take the longest to gather.”
“Then I shall begin at once, Me Laird.”
Cillian parted with a final nod of his head, his professionalism a cover for his own frustration.
It was a tactic that his man-at-arms had been using since he’d come to the castle when he was just a boy, orphaned and in need of care.
When he was younger, Liam found it grating.
Now, he respected it for the peace it kept, especially when Cillian was deferring to him.
Outside, Katherine and Agnes walked to a soft spot of grass in the sunlight. While she hadn’t said it, Liam could tell that his daughter was more than fascinated by Katherine. He saw it even now as Agnes leaned in closer while Katherine talked.
It’s a shame that me touch may as well be a death sentence.
He turned away, walking down the corridor before he could get too caught up in his thoughts. After Agnes’s birth, he’d vowed to himself that he’d never let himself get close to another woman. When he looked back at all the loss he’d seen, the common denominator was him.
If he were to stay here, to share a quarters with Katherine, he didn’t think he’d be able to control himself any longer.
She was beautiful, her body shapely, her breasts perfect, her eyes shining with an excitement for life that her circumstances hadn’t beaten out of her.
And, despite his best efforts, he’d grown to enjoy having her around.
She made the two women who were most important to him happier than they’d been in years.
“Are ye well, Me Laird?” Harold asked. “Occupied with preparations for tomorrow?”
“Aye,” Liam said, wondering when the man had begun walking so lightly. “Come with me. I’d like to hear what ye and the others put together. I’m nae sure that we’ll be able to meet again for some time after the ceremony.”
* * *
“Yer dress has arrived!” Tilly sing-songed as she burst into Katherine’s room.
The maid’s arms were loaded with garments, all of which Katherine had been fitted for a few days after arriving. At the time, she hadn’t registered that she would be getting anything more than several casual dresses. It wasn’t until several days ago that she’d thought to ask about her wedding gown.
“I was beginnin’ to worry that it wouldnae arrive in time,” Katherine admitted, pushing herself out of the armchair by the fire.
“The seamstress was just takin’ her time puttin’ on the finishin’ touches,” Tilly assured her, carefully laying out the garments on the bed.
Katherine’s eyes were drawn to the dress first. It was a darling purple with intricate embroidery on the bodice. Her fingers brushed over the fine details, her touch delicate so she wouldn’t ruin it.
I daenae deserve somethin’ as nice as this.
Blinking away tears, she brought her hand back to her chest. She wasn’t sure why, but she’d become less and less sure that Liam wouldn’t send her back to her father.
It was such a silly worry, she knew, but things felt too good to be true.
She got along with Agnes, even if the child was still occasionally closed off.
Lady Agnes had become a maternal figure in her life.
Seeing this dress solidified in her mind that she would truly be staying here, that he wouldn’t be able to send her back.
“It’s more bonnie than I imagined it would be,” she said finally, her voice thick with the tangle of emotions.
“It’ll be even bonnier on ye,” Tilly said. Then, apparently misjudging Katherine’s feelings, she added, “I’m sure ye’ve been lookin’ forward to this.”
“Truthfully, I havenae thought about it much,” Katherine answered. “I ken the increased guards are because of the ceremony, but I havenae felt… festive.”
Tilly’s face softened, and she stopped fussing with the other garments. With a knowing smile, she said, “Nerves then, aye?”
“I suppose ye could say that,” Katherine said, grateful to be given an excuse.
“I’ve heard that many women feel jittery before their handfastin’. If it helps to settle ye any, the ceremony willnae be very big,” Tilly said brightly. “There willnae be too many eyes on ye.”
“That makes me feel better,” Katherine lied.
Somehow, the lack of pomp and circumstance around the binding made it all feel less certain.
Less eyes on her meant more chances for plausible deniability that the union even took place.
Would the marriage be anything other than words spoken between the two of them if no one else knew?
Perhaps she’d think differently about having such a private ceremony if she were in love.
Or if he even made an effort to speak to me, I may nae feel as if me time here was about to come to an end.
“Here, look!” Tilly said after a beat. She was practically bouncing as she went through the bundle of clothing. “She even made ye a new corset and stays.”
“She didnae have to do that,” Katherine said, flustered by the sheer amount of things she was being given. She’d done nothing to earn these, nor had she asked for them. “Me old corset and stays still fit me just fine.”
Tilly gave her an unimpressed look. “I daenae mean to offend ye, Miss, but I’ve seen the corset and stays that ye’re wearin’. I will be sendin’ them to the seamstress as soon as I can now that ye’ve got somethin’ decent.”
“If it pleases ye, I suppose I cannae stop ye,” Katherine said softly. She found it easier to go along with Tilly’s whims. It was still difficult for her to accept that she would never have to worry about having basic necessities.
Tilly grinned, then. As she began gathering the new garments, she said, “Ye have the rest of the afternoon and evenin’ to yerself. Are there any preparations ye’d like to make before the ceremony tomorrow? I’d be glad to help ye.”
“Nay, I…” Katherine began, trailing off as an idea began to take shape in her mind. “Actually… do ye think it would be acceptable to prepare Brimstone for tomorrow? I havenae seen the beast since I arrived.”
“Aye!” Tilly said, hanging Katherine’s wedding gown on the privacy screen. “Ye must have been so excited when ye heard that he would be pullin’ yer carriage to the kirk.”
“I was,” Katherine said, smiling at the one part of the day she’d been looking forward to. She walked over to her table, plucking several ribbons from the surface. “I’m glad to have him be part of the day.”
Tilly turned around and put her hands on her hips. She glanced at the strips of fabric in Katherine’s hands. “Ye have plans for him, then?”
“Aye,” Katherine confirmed as she began to walk toward the door. “I think he’d look quite nice with his mane braided. If I’m to look me best, Brimstone should as well.”
“He will,” Tilly said, following Katherine into the corridor. She seemed pleased that Katherine was participating in the preparations, that she was excited about at least one thing about the upcoming festivities. “And ye’re correct. Everyone should be lookin’ their best. It’s a special day.”
The rest of their walk passed in silence.
Their footsteps echoed off the cool stone floors and solid walls.
Katherine felt as if everyone was watching her, though when she looked directly at the staff members and residents, they didn’t seem to be paying her any mind.
A shameful part of her searched for Liam in the faces of each person they passed.
But would seein’ him make me feel any different? Would I be more settled? Or would I feel more like the ground is crumblin’ beneath me feet?
“Would ye look at that,” Tilly said, breaking Katherine out of her thoughts as they stepped into the sunlight. She pointed ahead, her eyes squinted against the bright beams overhead. “He’s already out in the yard.”
Sure enough, Brimstone was grazing leisurely in the pasture. He dipped his head down slowly, plucking a mouthful of grass and chewing thoughtfully before raising his head once more. The sun glistened off his coat, making him look as though he were glimmering. He was newly washed and nearly dry.
Brimstone, responding to the hurried swishing of her gown, turned his head. When he saw her, his nostrils flared, and he trotted over to the fence. His head bobbed in a show of evident excitement.
“There ye are, handsome creature,” she said, stroking his muzzle when he reached her. He pressed into her palm, shamelessly taking all the attention she’d give. “Would ye allow me to dress ye up for tomorrow?”
Brimstone snorted as if giving her permission, pulling his head back, so she was free to enter the pasture. With a grin, Katherine dropped her hand and started toward the stables. The horse walked alongside her, and after a beat, Tilly was on her other side.
“I ken that I daenae spend all that much time with the horses, but I daenae think I’ve ever seen him so happy to see someone,” Tilly said thoughtfully. “He adores ye, Me Lady.”
Katherine looked at the horse, tilting her head to the side. Brimstone turned his head toward her, seeming to measure their pace. She reached over the fence, patting his strong shoulder.
“Well, I am happy to see him as well,” Katherine said. “He was me first friend here.”