Chapter Five

 

How on earth could she ever tell him? His question had come as a complete surprise, and though she felt a strong connection to him, she was still taken back by the implication of him asking her such a thing. It was clear to her now that he was not looking for some casual time spent together. He wanted more. Much more. Was she ready for that?

Gwen went through the motions in preparing her lady for her wedding day, but her mind tumbled and turned over what to do about Calum.

“Gwen, I want you to go now and make yourself ready, please.” Her lady’s voice startled her out of her inner musings. “I do not wish you to attend me any further this day as I wish you to be a guest at my wedding.”

A guest at the wedding? But she had no gown appropriate for such an affair.

Lady Aileana smiled as though she could read her thoughts. “There is a parcel in the side chamber there with your name on it.”

Gwen recalled the servant who had earlier delivered a parcel wrapped in fine linen and tied with a satin bow. She had then passed a note to Lady Aileana. Gwen had not given it a second thought until now. Aileana handed it to her.

Gwen’s breath caught in her throat. The note was from Calum asking Lady Aileana to keep the parcel private from Gwen until she could be relieved from her duties in order to be his guest. A thrill raced down her spine. She had not received a gift like this from anyone in a very long time. She blinked back the tears burning in her eyes.

As she moved toward the parcel, her heart pounded. She pulled the scarlet ribbon and let the cloth fall away.

Her breath caught; she stared at the contents and then turned to her lady. Aileana moved toward her and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. “It appears you may require some assistance as well.” Lady Aileana then turned to the four maids. “Please prepare this lady for the ceremony. Today, she is my guest.”

They giggled and collected the parcel, tugging Gwen out of the chamber and leading her down the hall to her own chamber.

She sat quietly as they fussed over her, creating fine intricate braiding in her dark hair, offset by a delicate gold wreath attached to whisper thin gold-edged silk. The crimson dress fit to perfection, with its flowing skirt and long, floor-length sleeves.

To say she was stunned would be a gross understatement. Though she had accepted her place in society years ago, she would be lying if she did not admit she’d hoped to be able to attend the wedding somehow. It appeared that some and how had found a way together after all.

Her belly fluttered as though a hundred butterflies had been set loose.

“You look like the lady you were born to be,” Lady Aileana said when she returned to her chamber.

Gwen smiled and with trembling lips mouthed, “Azalea, amaryllis, aster...” Chanting the names of all the flowers and herbs she knew in alphabetical order was now her favourite way to calm herself.

Lady Aileana smiled as they left the chamber together. Gwen quietly whispered many more flower names and had actually made it up to ‘k’ by the time they reached the abbey.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Calum appeared and stopped dead in his tracks once he viewed the two women. He moved to Lady Aileana first. “You look stunning sister. I see you are as delicate as my mother was; the choker fits perfectly.” Calum kissed her on both cheeks. “I am glad for my brother; I know you will make him truly happy.”

Calum then turned to Gwen; his gaze took her in from head to toe. The desire in his eyes was unmistakable, filling her with longing and dread. She would have to tell him of her past this evening; she worried more and more he would not take her revelation well.

* * *

Though the great hall of Linlithgow Palace was filled with guests to honour Calum’s brother and his lady, many eyes fell to him and Gwen. Of course, no one here at court knew who she was, and many whispers followed them wherever they went. Calum did not mind, but Gwen seemed uncomfortable in the crowded hall.

Calum tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and placed his hand over hers. “Are you enjoying the festivities, my lady?”

“You know, as well as I, it is not appropriate to address me in such a way, my lord,” she said with a grin.

“What I know is that you present yourself this evening with as much grace as any other woman here. A title is only part of that which shows the mark of a true lady.”

His comment seemed to give her pause. She lowered her gaze. He had not meant to offend, as he truly meant what he’d said. Gwen carried herself like the lady she had once been. She held her head high and met the gaze of anyone who addressed her. Some habits were apparently difficult to break and she was fortunate in her patronage. Many nobles would have been threatened by such a woman.

“My lord, please. You do not need to say such things to me.”

“I do not say anything I do not wish to, or believe. I am enamoured with you, Gwen. As much in this setting as in the rear courtyard of Chattan Castle when you tended my wound. You are an enigmatic woman, and I am in awe of you.”

He watched for the tell-tale pink to form on her cheeks, but it did not happen with this compliment.

“I thank you for your kind words and your generosity, my lord. I am not accustomed to such a presentation as this in recent years. Truth be told, at Chattan Castle, I was usually relieved for the better part of the evening once my lady was dressed and off to dine with her uncle.”

“How would you spend your evenings?” He kept his tone light to ensure she did not think he suggested anything inappropriate.

She smiled then. “I would walk in the rear garden at Chattan Castle. It is so very beautiful with the moonlight casting its glow upon it, as if to enhance its mystery.” Gwen gazed up at him. “Have you ever sat in the moonlight and listened to the sounds of the night?”

He had not, but he was convinced he would walk straight off a crag if she asked him to. “I am sure it is almost as enchanting as you are.”

“I will show you sometime if you like. Nature has a distinct call, one that not everyone is meant to hear. But if you listen closely, you can capture glimpses of its perpetual dance.”

He squeezed her hand, forcing her to stop walking and glance up at him once more. When she did, their gazes locked. “I would be happy to follow you into the gardens this evening if you would like. ’Tis a bright moon and I am open to learning these things. That is, if you are willing to teach me.”

She laughed lightly. “My lord, you are a godly man. Take care you do not find yourself accused of heresy.”

“I would risk more than that for you, Gwen. I mean it.”

They lingered near the edge of the crowd, far away from the raised dais where the bride and groom, and king and queen were engaged in conversation, and Calum enjoyed the feeling of being able to steal her away. Calum pulled her toward a doorway. He brushed her cheek with his fingers. By God, she was beautiful. Aye, he would follow her anywhere.

“My lord, you are grinning like a wee lad who has stolen a sweet.”

He leaned down and brushed his lips along her neck just below her ear. “I do like the sound of that, my lady. Will you stroll with me in the gardens?”

He gazed into her eyes and was delighted with the hint of desire there. Her cheeks flushed and her lips parted. He wanted to put away propriety and take her in the nearest dark corner, but he would never disrespect her like that.

He took her hand in his and led her down the stairs and toward the inner courtyard. The best way to the gardens at the back of the castle was from the western corner on the loch side.

He spoke to one of the guards as he passed, indicating their intent to leave the security of the castle. The very real threat against his brother and Lady Aileana had been taken quite seriously by the king, and the collection of guards on duty at the palace was as great a number as Calum had ever seen anywhere.

“Do you require an escort, my lord?”

He should, however, he wanted to be alone with Gwen and not have to worry about prying ears and eyes. Still, he would not risk their safety. “Aye, two guards if you can spare them. We only intend to enjoy the moonlight for a short time.”

The guard glanced at Gwen and then back to Calum. “As you wish, my lord.” He then turned away to speak to his men.

A moment later, Gwen stiffened beside him. As the two chosen guards approached them, she put her head down and would not meet their gaze. One of them, a big, burly sort was staring right at her, grinning. Did they know one another?

“You,” Calum addressed the man. “You forget your place. You do not stare at a lady like that?”

“I beg your pardon, my lord,” the guard said. “It is just that she and I—”

“’We should go to the gardens,” Gwen said. “The moonlight will be at its peak shortly, and we should not miss it.”

Calum looked down at her. Her entire demeanour had changed from soft and inviting, to tense.

“Do you know this man?”

Gwen glanced in the guard’s direction. “He is employed by Lady Aileana. I mean, Lady MacIntosh.”

Calum turned back toward the man. “Gwen is my guest this evening, and I do not like the way you look at her.” He turned to the guard he’d first encountered. “Find me another.”

With that, he tucked Gwen’s hand in his arm again and turned toward the doorway leading to the outside. An uncomfortable knot lodged in his throat. Exactly what had been the nature of their acquaintance? Did he even want to know?