Taking a deep breath,Margaret reasoned with herself that the best choice she had was staying with Ryan. He’d already proven that he would protect her if the need arose. And twice now, he’d promised her that she’d have her freedom.
At the endof the day, even the promise of freedom is more than Duke Cunningham could ever give. Iwillbe all right, even if Ryan is a monster. I can handle it.
14
“Today’s the day!” Cali sing-songed as she waltzed into Margaret’s room. “Ye’re going to be Lady McGhee officially!”
Margaret blinkedagainst the brightness of her quarters and Cali’s voice. She’d slept fitfully, only getting a few hours, all of them spread out between spurts of wakefulness. Her mind had been plagued by the scene she’d happened upon yesterday and fear for her future.
She looked around the room,taking in the group of women that Cali had brought along with her. It seemed there was an entire team of maids who had been tasked with preparing her for her wedding day. All of them were grinning, their excitement palpable.
“She’snae much for mornin’s,” Cali informed her team as she hung an elaborate deep purple gown on the privacy screen. “If yecould get the bath ready, I’d appreciate that. And ye two, leave the jewelry there. Ach, and bring her tea this way.”
Margaret watchedas Cali directed the group of women around her room. One went to stoke the fire as another helped her sit up, supporting her back with a pillow. Then, a tray was placed in front of her. Before she could say anything, Cali stepped in and began pouring her a cup of tea.
“Eat a bannock or two,”Cali said as she dropped two sugar cubes into Margaret’s cup. “Ye’ll need just enough to get ye through the handfastin’ ceremony. Trust me when I say ye’ll want to eat plenty at the cèilidh.”
Margaret didas she was told, her eyes sweeping over the room. This should be a happy time, she knew that. Each and every one of the women here seemed to be overflowing with enthusiasm. Well, everyone except for her.
Her nervousness was overwhelming.As she bit into the bannock, Cali had pressed into her hands, Margaret struggled to chew. When she finally managed to swallow the bite, she set the rest to the side and grabbed her teacup.
“Cannae eat?”Cali said sympathetically when Margaret drained her tea. She picked up the tray, handing it off to another of the maids, saying, “I’ll get her ready if ye’ll stay nearby just in case I need yer help.”
As soon asthe room emptied of everyone but Margaret and Cali, Margaret felt as though she could breathe a little easier. She wasstill nervous, unable to truly wrap her mind around the fact that she was doing something as unbelievably risky as marrying a Highlander like Ryan.
Cali undressed her,chattering about the wedding and the celebration that would follow. Margaret could barely hear her over the roar in her ears, her heart pounding insistently in her head. It almost felt as if she weren’t truly in her body. She thought she might as well be a bird tucked away in the corner of her room, watching everything happen from overhead.
I’m marryingsomeone I don’t know to avoid harm… but now, I know he’s capable of inflicting it…
As careful handsdanced over her skin, Margaret tried to push her doubts away. Everyone was nervous before their weddings, weren’t they? That’s all this was. Nothing more than pre-wedding jitters.
“Ryan…”Margaret started. “He’s kind, isn’t he? He’s not… ruthless toward women?”
“Ach, of course nae!”Cali said. “I ken he’s a wee bit rough around the edges, but he’s nae cruel to anyone that doesnae deserve it.”
Margaret hummed,letting those words sink in.
They repeatedin her mind as Cali took her time dressing Margaret. Everything that adorned her body was new. Margaretwas unsure if the new chemise and stays and corset had been commissioned by Ryan or if Agnes had taken it upon herself to ensure she was dressed in only the finest fabrics.
Either way,Margaret felt that it was almost too much. And as each layer was added, her reflection was more and more unbearable to behold. Shetrulylooked as though she were set to be the wife of a laird, the Lady of Castle McGhee.
Then,Cali helped her into the purple gown with golden detailing, and Margaret finally had to look away. It was beautiful—the sleeves with their intricate stitching and the bodice with its careful placement of glittering threaded features. Agnes was truly the most talented seamstress Margaret had met.
“Oh,ye’re really the bonniest bride we’ve ever had on these grounds, Me Lady,” Cali said, spinning Margaret around and taking in her form. Her eyes glistened, and Margaret was almost certain tears were swimming in them. “Let’s get yer hair done and jewelry pinned, aye?”
Margaret nodded,swallowing around a lump in her throat. As she was led to her vanity, a voice started whispering to her in the back of her mind. The voice sounded very much like her aunt’s.
It askedher if she was sure that marrying a Scottish man would be better than marrying Duke Cunningham. Weren’t Highlanders known as violent, aggressive beasts? Was it really the best idea to hand herself over to one willingly? She should try to get away now. She should try to leave before it was too late.
She tried to ignore it,closing her eyes as Cali ran her fingers through her hair. The strands were twisted out of Margaret’s face, showing off the curve of her cheek. Her eyes popped, and she had a pleasant blush resting on her cheeks.
Margaret couldn’t denythat she made a beautiful bride.
A different voicetrickled into her head, this one sounding like Eva. This voice challenged the other, reminding her that Ryan had only acted violently when she was in danger. Even when that man was tied in front of him, he didn’t beat him. He’d only pushed his criminal back down. He’d stopped his men from influencing him to issue a harsher punishment.
And he’s beennothing but wonderful to me. I’m creating problems that aren’t even there.
“All right,”Cali said, leaning over her shoulder and locking eyes with Margaret in the mirror. “Let’s pick yer jewelry and get ye to the kirk.”