Chapter 26

That night, after the evening meal, Alex asked Anna to join him and Isobel in his solar. He knew Anna had grown much during his six-year absence, but when he looked at her, he still saw a good-natured, compassionate, yet naive lass. Is she even ready for marriage? Had Father discussed such things with her?

Alex straightened his spine then leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. Isobel and Anna sat opposite him.

“Anna, what are your thoughts on marriage?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Have you ever thought of marrying?”

“Well, of course,” she said, averting her eyes. “But Father said it was unlikely any of us would make acceptable matches. We have nae dowries, Alex. You know this.”

“Well, that has changed,” Alex said, looking at Isobel.

“My own dowry is generous enough that I can give you, Joan, and Flora all your own dowries,” Isobel said.

“Truly?” Anna asked. Her eyes grew large in shock.

“Yes,” Isobel said, taking Anna’s hand in her own. “But there is more.”

“What is it?” Anna looked between Isobel and Alex.

“You know we are preparing for battle with the Macleans?” Alex asked, looking at his sister.

“Aye. What does that have to do with marriage?” Her face scrunched up in confusion.

Alex could have laughed, if the matter was not so serious. The lass could never keep anything a secret. She had the most expressive face. It gave away her every thought and feeling. “Remember Ewan?”

“Of course, Brother,” Anna said. “He came here with his father last year, though I didnae speak to him.”

Alex looked at her expectantly.

After a few moments, she asked, “You want me to marry Ewan?”

“Aye,” Alex said.

“It is part of the terms your brother would like to propose to the Macleans,” Isobel explained. “But if you are not agreeable, then we shall speak of it no more.”

“I dinnae know if I am,” Anna said, reclining back in her chair. She pulled her hand free from Isobel and looked at Alex. “What do you know of him?”

“He and I were friends before I left on Crusade. I remember him as kind and fair,” Alex began. “But, I confess, I dinnae know if he has changed.”

“Would I be able to speak with him before I make my decision?”

“Mayhap,” Alex said, considering how it could be done without Chief Maclean knowing. He could not send one of his own men. The chief would expect his answer if a MacKinnon showed up at his gates. Alex would have to think on it.

“Is that all you wished to discuss?” Anna asked.

“Aye, you may go,” Alex said. “Dinnae let yourself worry. The training with the men goes well, and with our uncle’s force, we are formidable. I dinnae want you to feel as though the clan’s livelihood rests on your shoulders.”

Anna nodded and gave a weak smile before she left the room. Alex knew his words had not convinced her of their clan’s ability to defend against the Macleans. Perhaps because he himself was not entirely convinced. Doubt is dangerous. His uncle’s words came back to him.

“How will you reach out to Ewan?” Isobel asked, coming over to stand beside him.

“I’m not yet certain,” he said. “Come. I haven’t touched you in ages.” He pushed back from the table to make space for Isobel on his lap.

“You had your hand on my thigh through half of the evening meal,” Isobel said, arching her eyebrows.

“As I said—ages.”

Isobel laughed, and he grinned. There was no sweeter sound on earth than her laugh. It instantly calmed him, and the weight of his troubles felt lighter.

Isobel sat on his lap and leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder. Alex wrapped his arms around her and sighed in contentment.

“You could send Robbie to Duart,” Isobel suggested.

“He would go,” Alex said, considering it. “He would also be less likely to draw attention than any of the MacKinnon men.”

“You could invite Ewan to the wedding.”

“Have you chosen a date?” he asked.

“I spoke with your sisters this afternoon,” Isobel began. “We thought five days from now would be best.”

“Five days’ time?” Alex asked. That meant four more nights without her.

“I did not want it any closer to the potential arrival of the Macleans,” Isobel explained. “And it will take the cook a few days to prepare food suitable for a celebratory feast.”

“Everyone will be excited to see such grandeur inside the great hall again,” Alex said. He couldn’t recall the last time there had been such an occasion at the keep. It would boost the morale of the men before battle. If there is to be a battle. He kissed Isobel on the forehead and held her close. He had much to lose. He could not fail Isobel and his people.

****

The next morning, Isobel returned to MacKinnon Keep from the nunnery on Iona, where she had stayed every night since she arrived. She sat in Joan’s room with Anna and Flora. The women were admiring Isobel’s wardrobe. She had every last one of her gowns laid out on the bed (save for her wedding gown).

“Please choose one,” Isobel said, looking at the women. “You are welcome to any of them. I assure you I hold no attachments to them. Pick the one you like best, and then we can begin making the necessary alterations.”

“But then they will nae fit you,” Flora said.

“Which is precisely the point,” Isobel said. “These will be gowns for you to keep.”

“I cannae choose. They are all so lovely,” Anna said, reaching out to touch a few of the dresses.

After a few more moments of awkward silence, Isobel stood and approached the heap of gowns. She eyed the girls carefully. They were all lovely with unique features. Joan had dark brown hair, nearly black, and sharp green eyes. Isobel sorted through the gowns and reached for a mossy green velvet gown that had gold embroidery along the bust line.

“Try this,” Isobel said, handing Joan the gown. “I think the color will bring out your eyes.”

Joan hesitantly took the gown and held it up in front of the polished silver mirror, another luxury that had arrived with Isobel’s trunks.

“She’s right,” Anna said, coming to stand beside her sister. “It does bring out the color of your eyes.”

“ ’Tis beautiful,” Flora said. The girl’s face glowed in delight.

Isobel noted Flora’s pale blonde hair. She too had green eyes, but she thought something more youthful and light would complement her hair color and age. She surveyed the gowns and searched through them; a bright pink damask gown caught her eye. The cut was simple, but there was lovely silver detailing around the bodice and down the sleeves.

“This should work nicely for you, Flora. We’ll just need to address the length.”

Flora took the gown and ran to the mirror and held it up in front of her. “ ’Tis the loveliest dress I have ever seen!” she exclaimed.

“I am happy you are pleased with it.” Isobel smiled at the girl’s joy. She had forgotten being excited for such things, but there was a time when the sight of a fine gown would have made her equally as happy. She was grateful to be sharing her good fortune with Alex’s sisters.

She then looked to Anna. Anna could be meeting her own betrothed on Isobel’s wedding day, so she wanted Anna to feel comfortable and confident in her gown. Anna was similar in height to Isobel, which meant alterations would be minimal. She studied her features—brown eyes and long, wavy brown hair. Any of Isobel’s gowns would suit her.

She sorted through the gowns but could not make a choice.

“I think you will have to select one,” Isobel said. “All of them will look beautiful on you.”

Isobel stepped aside, giving Anna access to the gowns. Joan and Flora were admiring each other’s dresses and noting the places where adjustments would need to be made. Anna sorted through the gowns, carefully examining each as she went. Her face was a rainbow of emotions as she reacted to each one. She pouted when she appeared to think one was unattractive. Then, she would smile when she touched the lush fabrics and ornamented beadwork on Isobel’s finest gowns. Suddenly, Anna’s eyes lit up.

“What do you think of the yellow?” Anna asked, holding up a bright yellow damask gown. The fine dress came from France as a gift from David last autumn. It had no ornamentation of any kind, but the shimmering fabric did not need it. The bodice was low cut, but still more modest than many of the current fashions.

“I think it is perfect,” Isobel said. “I have a matching ribbon for it as well. We can weave it through your hair.”

“That sounds lovely,” Anna said. She joined her sisters at the mirror.

“You will turn every head at the feast, and none of you will want for a dance partner.”

That drew an instant frown from all the women.

“What is wrong?” she asked.

“Dance partners?” Joan asked. “What do you mean, dance partners?”

“There will be dancing,” Isobel said. “A few of your uncle’s men brought instruments. They are very skilled and know a bounty of songs to perform.”

“But we cannae dance!” cried Flora.

“What?” Isobel asked. Surely the girls have been exposed to dancing. All the clans welcomed traveling musicians. She’d heard of the performances when the clan chiefs came to pledge allegiance to King David at court.

“ ’Tis true,” Anna said. She looked miserable at the admission.

“Father never liked musicians in the great hall and without music…” Joan began. “Sad, isn’t it?”

“No. It’s fine. We’ll have lessons.” The men were in the bailey, which meant the inside of the keep would be empty. “Let’s go down to the great hall.”

“But what if someone sees us?” Flora asked.

“The men are all in the yard practicing. No one will see,” Isobel said.

The women put down their dresses and followed Isobel to the great hall. Isobel chose Joan as her partner and paired Anna with Flora. After showing the sisters the basic steps, they took turns around the hall. Flora kept stepping on Anna’s feet, and Joan was determined to lead, which put her at odds with Isobel trying to teach her the role of the lady in the dance. They muddled through a few more spins before they were interrupted.

All the women halted as Robbie, Alex, and Murdoch entered the hall.

“Perfect timing!” Isobel said, stepping away from Joan. “Alex, can you dance?”

“Of course I can,” he said.

His sisters all frowned.

“When did you learn?” demanded Flora.

“When I was your age,” Alex said. “It was part of our training on Skye.”

Isobel was surprised. “You mean, they trained you to fight and how to dance?”

Alex shrugged.

“Does that mean you can dance too?” Isobel asked Robbie.

“Aye,” Robbie said, his cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink. “So can Murdoch.”

“Why did you say that!” Murdoch scowled at the prospect of dancing.

“Then you can all be of help,” Isobel said. “Murdoch, would you kindly pair up with Flora? And Robbie, you can partner with Joan.”

Joan and Robbie both blushed at the suggestion. Interesting. Isobel made a mental note of that for later. “Alex, pair up with Anna.”

Isobel instructed everyone on what to do. Then she clapped a beat and sang a tune. She did not have a beautiful voice, but her songs were pleasing enough never to make the wolfhounds cry at court. Anna was a quick learner, and she was able to follow Alex around the great hall with perfection. Flora was a bit overexcited and stumbled through some of the steps; poor Murdoch followed along, trying to lead, but Flora would have none of it. Joan fumbled some of the steps, but Isobel wasn’t certain if that was the cause for the color in her cheeks or if it stemmed from interest in her dance partner. Perhaps the embarrassment is a combination of the two.

Shortly after Isobel’s observation, Joan broke free of Robbie’s embrace and dashed from the room. Isobel stopped singing but continued clapping a rhythm the remaining couples could still dance to.

“Did you step on her foot?” Alex asked Robbie with a laugh.

How could Alex miss her reaction? Robbie looked equally as affected. That could be a good match. While not her intention to go sorting partners for Alex’s sisters, it was hard to ignore the signs that they were both interested in one another.

Robbie walked from the hall, going in the opposite direction of Joan.

“That’s good,” Isobel called. “I think everyone’s had enough practice.”

“Come on, Murdoch,” Alex said. “Time to get back out to the practice yard.”

Murdoch awkwardly detached himself from Flora, who stood looking after him with starry eyes. Oh, goodness. Are all the MacKinnon sisters lovesick?

Anna took Flora by the hand and headed for the stairwell to their rooms; Alex came to stand beside Isobel and grinned.

“I’ll wager you did not think I could dance,” he said.

“Indeed, I was surprised. You are good.” Isobel wrapped her arms around his neck, looking around to make sure they were alone in the hall.

“ ’Tis not the only thing I’m good at,” Alex whispered.

“I recall, though the memory is becoming distant,” Isobel teased.

“I will remind you soon enough, lass,” he promised, then captured her lips in a hot kiss.

When he finally released her, Isobel felt dizzy. She looked up into Alex’s eyes, and the flame in those gray-blue eyes sent a shiver down her spine. Is all that intensity from passion or something more? Time would tell, she supposed, but not knowing left a bittersweet feeling in her heart.