Chapter 21 #3
“When did ye have time?” Ailsa asked, amazed at her friend’s skill as she admired the dresses.
Two were everyday, serviceable woolen kirtles, and the last was meant for special occasions, made of a pale, clear green that would complement her coloring, embroidered in the same shade along the neckline.
“I will make Anders proud, wearing these,” she said.
“Thank ye. They are beautiful.” She set them aside and admired the three nightgowns Siobhan made for her.
One was made of ivory silk, another in a blue that nearly matched the stone in the necklace her parents gave her, another in a warm, pale peach.
“These are exquisite. The silks. The needlework!” The more she studied them, the more excited she became.
“Siobhan, how can I ever thank ye. They’re wonderful.
I love them. Anders will, too,” she added and grinned, then pulled her friend into a hug.
“I was only going to make one, but I worried that he might tear it in his … enthusiasm. So, I made two more.”
Ailsa laughed as she held one up to herself and twirled around. “He’d best no’ damage them if he kens what’s good for him.” She looked forward to Anders’ expression when he saw her in them.
Then she sobered. “I will miss ye, my friend.”
“I’ll miss ye, too. But ye will visit. And bring yer bairns.”
“Ye must visit Sutherland, as well. We’ve yet to find ye a husband, and there may be several good men for ye to meet there.”
“Mayhap I should travel with ye,” Siobhan quipped, grinned, and left her to her packing.
As Ailsa finished, Maesie, Cook and Maighread arrived with their gift.
“We collaborated on a notebook about plants, their care, and harvesting instructions, along with packets of seeds,” Maighread explained, “in case Sutherland lacked anything ye were accustomed to having, from food and herbs to flowers.”
Ailsa’s mouth dropped open. “I dinna ken what to say. This is true wealth,” she told them, so grateful she could barely speak. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “Thank ye all for yer thoughtfulness, for all ye have taught me, and for all ye did to help Anders. I love ye all.”
“We’ll miss ye, lass, and that big, handsome husband of yers, too,” Cook told her.
“But ye will visit,” Maesie insisted, “or we’ll go to Sutherland and find ye.”
“I understand,” Ailsa said, her heart in her throat. “I have even more friends here than I kenned. I’ll miss ye all.”
Anders returned in time for the evening meal. He had little to pack, but he had been busy with his father and his men from the birlinn, who were making preparations of their own and tearing down the siege camp.
“Will Sinclair keep the birlinn?” Ailsa asked that evening once they returned to their chamber. She couldn’t believe Sutherland would agree to leaving it behind, but perhaps in the interest of the improved relations between the clans, he counted its sacrifice to be worthwhile.
“My father and yers have inspected it,” he told her.
“Because of damage it might have taken in that storm, Sinclair declared it should not be trusted to be seaworthy without a more thorough inspection and repairs, which his men will do. After the animosity of the siege, ’tis a generous gesture. Even my da appreciates it.”
“We willna sail south?” She wasn’t sure how she felt about traveling for several days with so many men.
And a cart full of her belongings, including two trunks of clothes and all the gifts bestowed on her and Anders.
She’d assumed everything would be loaded onto the birlinn for a swifter trip to Anders’ home.
“We must ride. Sutherland and our allies brought sufficient horses for everyone. Ye will be in nay danger. I will be by yer side the entire time. We have tonight here,” he reminded her, “and if all goes well, only tomorrow night on the way. We’ll spend the rest of our lives together when we return to Sutherland. ”
“I can do that, easily,” Ailsa promised, hoping she was speaking the truth. She’d never traveled overland so far from home. But Anders would be with her, and they would have an army of Sutherlands and allies around them.
Anders cupped her cheek and kissed her. “If ye tire of riding, I will hold ye in my arms, or ye can rest in the cart. I ken this is a time of joy, but also of sorrow and uncertainty, my love. I promise ye, all will be well.”
Ailsa knew he was right, but her worries still plagued her. Would she be happy at Sutherland? Would the people there accept her as Anders’ bride? Would she find any friends or have to depend on her husband and Stellan for everything? She would know the answers to those questions in a very few days.
“I would like ye to practice a wee before we make the trip,” Ailsa told him.
“Practice?”
“Aye, holding me in yer arms,” she answered and gave him her best wide-eyed, entreating look.
“I can do that,” Anders said with a smile and pulled her to him, lifted her into his arms and sank onto a chair by their hearth. “Any time ye wish, milady, I’ll be happy to hold ye.”
She snuggled into his warmth, content for a moment. “And kiss me?”
“Aye,” he said and did so until she was breathless. “Anything else?”
Ailsa smiled up at him. She treasured the many ways Anders showed his love for her. “Keep doing what ye are doing, my love, and ye’ll find out.”