Chapter 10
KAITLYN
DRESSING IN MY CHAMBER
We separated for a bit so that Magnus could go up to the walls and speak with Liam and Sean and some of the men he knew, and my job was to get dressed for the evening meal.
On short notice, the Earl had requested the kitchen put together something special.
The scent of baking breads, boiling greens, and roasting meats permeated the corridors of the castle.
Just as I was preparing to change, there was a quick knock on my chamber door. It was Sean’s wife, Maggie, with two lady’s maids. “Did ye need anything for yer dress, Kaitlyn? Lizbeth has sent me tae see tae ye.”
“I brought a good dress, with everything I need, but I could use help putting it on.”
I pulled one of the dress bundles from my wardrobe, placed it on the bed and began unfolding it, taking stock of the pieces while one of the maids built up the fire and lit a candle on the mantel to give us more light.
The air of my chamber smelled of woodsmoke, lavender from the linens washed in a modern detergent and the faint, clean bite of the loch drifting in through the cracked window.
Maggie picked up the chemise and pulled it to her nose and inhaled deeply. “Och, I love the smell ye hae on ye, Kaitlyn, tis from yer world? Ye oft smell fresh as a garden.”
“Yes, it is from my world, and soon all of your clothes will smell like this too.”
She breathed it in again, but then placed it down as if that had been more than enough.
The dress was of deep forest green wool, the bodice fitted, the skirts full but not extravagant — suitable for a Highland earl’s table in 1710, yet carrying the subtle elegance Emma liked in our dresses.
She ordered them off Etsy, having found seamstresses who were on permanent retainer for our needs.
It was fascinating to think about a group of modern women who had no idea time travel existed, outfitting us for past centuries.
I pulled the chemise on first, the fabric settling on the edge of my shoulders. Then I stepped into the petticoat — cream linen, our summer weight version. I lifted my arms as one of the maids helped lace the stays.
I asked Maggie, “How are you feeling about the move?”
She didn’t speak much, like Lizbeth’s Liam in that way, and it was interesting that both Sean and Lizbeth had married people who were serious and quiet.
She spoke slowly as if she were choosing her words.
“My laird is looking forward tae the journey. I look tae him for how I will feel about it. In all things, he will guide us and protect us. I trust him, so I look forward tae it as well.”
I nodded as the maid pulled the stays tighter and tied them.
The boning pressed firmly, taking my breath for a minute as I adjusted. Letting it settle higher in my chest. I exhaled slowly, feeling my posture straighten.
The green wool gown came next. Maggie draped it over my head, smoothing the bodice down and hooking the eyes at the back with quick, practiced fingers. The skirts settled with a soft rustle, brushing the tops of my modern shoes — simple black leather, understated, comfortable.
Maggie tugged the stomacher into place, pinning it securely, then stepped back to appraise her work.
I asked, “How is Lizbeth doing? She seemed upset.”
“She winna speak tae me on it, but aye, she is unsettled by the idea of leaving.”
She didn’t add anything else.
I looked down on my dress, the sleeves ended just below my elbow in turned-back cuffs edged with narrow cream lace, and the stomacher was of embroidered silk — pale gold threads worked into twisting vines and tiny leaves were fastened down the front.
Maggie said, “Ye look like ye belong here, dost ye think I will look as if I belong in the land we are going tae?”
“I do, Maggie, I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make you comfortable. You will have everything you need and want, I will make certain of it.”
“And ye are a queen.”
It wasn’t a question, it was a statement.
I said, “Yes, I am a queen.”
I looked at my dress in the small, speckled looking-glass propped on the washstand, the colors of the forest outside, deep green accented with gold. Perfect for Magnus’s mood.
“Do you think it will make Lizbeth feel better to know that I will make sure she is comfortable?”
“I daena ken, sister Kaitlyn. She daena want much for comfort or wealth, she has verra different needs from other ladies.”
One of the maids began working on my hair, parting it with a comb down the center, working on a tangle underneath, then sweeping it back into a low knot with a few soft curls left loose at the temples.
I said, “That’s insightful about Lizbeth. What do you think she does want?”
“She is her mother’s daughter, she wants tae feel important and necessary.”
“Hmm, I suppose that is a good description, Lizbeth is different from Lady Mairead though.”
“Aye, she is much kinder. She has a softness within and she is suffering.”
I pinned my hair with a silver clasp Magnus had given me years ago. “Do you think she will feel better about the move if I help her feel necessary and important?”
“Aye, perhaps.”
“I’ll try that. I just want her to be okay. When she gets to the future she’ll see, she will have everything she could ever want.” I exhaled. “But you’re right, she doesn’t really want that. I’ll have to think of something else.”
I picked up the jewelry box I left here in the room. It was full of jewelry that I wouldn’t wear in any other century. From it I chose a thin strand of freshwater pearls.
“I guess I need to remember to take this jewelry with me when I leave. We won’t have much reason to come back.”
Maggie was quiet as she latched the back of the pearls and centered it on my neck.
I smoothed my hands down the front of the gown, feeling the wool’s warmth against my palms. Then a knock sounded at the door — Magnus’s low voice calling my name.
I called, “Come in!”
To Maggie, I said, “Thank you so much for helping me dress and talking to me about Lizbeth.”
Maggie said, “Ye are welcome, sister Kaitlyn.” She bowed her head then bowed her head again as she passed Magnus, saying simply, “M’laird,” as she left the room.
I watched her go, thinking about what it would be like for her to see a McDonald’s for the first time and to drink a Coke.
How would she feel about TV and video games?
Beaty and Sophie had adapted, but they had been special cases.
Both of them were in relationships with modern men.
Maggie loved Sean, they had both been born in the seventeenth century, neither of them had any reason to go to the future, no desire to, the only reason why they were doing this was because we were taking them. Kinda making them.
I sighed, really hoping that we were making the right decision on this.
The future would be a shock, but there was no future for them here.
Magnus said, running his hand through his hair. “Och, ye look beautiful, mo reul-iuil, tis m’favorite color.”
“Thank you, my love, but I thought your favorite was blue.”
“I hae just changed m’mind, now tis deep green.”
“I think your favorites often coincide with my dresses.”
“Aye, tis true.”