Scottish Beauty

Chapter Fifteen - Scottish Beauty

Chapter Fifteen

The castle was a flurry of activity the day the entire Clan McKenna waited for had finally arrived. The day Laird Angus McKenna's heir married. Servants were rushing about, everything was to be perfect.

Extra tables in the hall were set up, bouquets of purple heather placed on each and every table. The courtyard was also set up for the villagers for a celebration and a feast. The pride of the McKenna plaid was made into linen's to cover the tables.

The smell of fresh baking bread floated throughout the castle, apples and cinnamon stewed in pots, meat had been roasting for hours. Jugs of ale and wine were placed at the tables, whisky set aside for celebrations after the feast.

No expenses were spared, it was a day of joy, a day of celebration.

"Are ye nervous?" Robert asked Andrew as he watched his brother prowl his chamber. Both ready in their formal Highland dress.

"Nae............tis more frustration, I dinna see Emma since yesterday morn," Andrew told him grinning. "Aye.....I canna wait to see Emma."

"Aye....well ye keep pacing as ye do and ye will wear out the rug. Ye still have about another hour before ye need to leave for the chapel," Robert told him taking a seat in front of the hearth. If Andrew wasn't going to sit, he might as well.

They were quiet for a bit before Robert spoke again. "Grant canne make it to the wedding?" Robert stated staring off into the flames.

"Nae.........Da received his missive yesterday. He canna get away from court, twas said King Jamie needed him there," Andrew replied a bit peeved that his youngest brother was going to miss his wedding.

Robert was shaking his head now..........."I dinna see why he stays at court. I was there for about two months and canna wait to come back to Castle McKenna."

"Ye forget Robert that Grant is much younger than us, he is also the fourth son..........plus tis many lassies at court for Grant to woo," Andrew told Robert chuckling.

"Woo?" Robert replied laughing. "Ye mean more like tussle! Nae......Grant will never woo a lass, nae Grant tis more carefree. I dinna think Grant will ever marry."

"Aye...I believe ye are right. Grant told me himself he dinna want to marry, that no lass would ever win his heart," Andrew murmured as he walked over to the side table and pour him and Robert some ale.

"Och........Lady Emma........tis never been a bonnier lass at Castle McKenna," Gillian told Emma as she helped her button up her gown.

Emma's gown was cut low in the front and in the back, the edges were scalloped for a softening effect. Her sleeves were long, tight to her elbow and then loosened to flow freely to her fingertips. The bodice was gathered down to her hips and then flared out in soft waves down to her ankles. Gillian had surprised Emma by separating some of the pearls from the strands and sewing them in an intricate pattern across the bodice. The gown suited her perfectly, it showed off her womanly curves and her peach coloured skin.

"Aye," replied Margo agreeing with Gillian as she took a brush to Emma's hair and separated the curls. "Ye said ye wanted to wear your hair down, Emma."

"Aye....twas a request by Andrew," Emma replied blushing. "But I dinna know how to use the pearls?"

"Och lass.....dinna fret, Gillian and I will string the pearls in your hair," Margo told her as she guided Emma to the stool so that they could now work on Emma's hair.