Lady Eilean

Chapter 60

Time passed in a blur following The Standing, and without a blink, a week passed. It was the eve of my wedding. The Gathering would come to a close in two days with the Fealty ceremony and then, married and off to the Mainlands, I would embark on a life I could not envision. A constant current of nerves ratcheted up day by day. My hands tingled and my mind was in a constant jumble. After a long, strange day, I was glad to return to my rooms and shut the door on the world.

Everyone had been off-kilter, distracted, and acting strangely. Alex had left after breakfast, rushing off to attend to some urgent matter in a nearby village, paying no head when I pointed out that everyone from the village was camped at Stormway for the Gathering. I had been so consumed with preparing documents for the Delegation that his excuses did not ring false to me until it was too late. When I came across my brothers in the hall or at meals, they winked at me and laughed. I was the butt of some private joke they didn't deign to explain. I caught Wallis and Innis sneaking around with boxes full of long taper candles and yards of ribbon, but they refused to tell me why they needed such items. They laughed behind their hands and scuttled off before I could question them further. Calum had been on edge, tense and jumpy; borderline disgruntled. All of his typical ease and charm vanished, replaced by snapping and annoyance. Claiming a stomach issue, he excused himself from the Delegation around lunchtime and had not returned.

Sitting on a bench, I leaned out of the window and watched the night. It was clear and cool, almost chilly. Bright stars twinkled in a dome of inky dark. Had I believed in such things, I would have attributed everyone's strangeness to the moon. It hung round and full in the sky. A peach-pink hue washed over its pockmarked surface and it wore the surrounding constellations like diamond ornaments. It was beautiful; the scene arresting. It felt as if time had stopped. I was seldom alone with myself; I preferred activity and camaraderie, but I enjoyed this glimpse of serenity.

The moment was short-lived.

A knock sounded on the door. Opening it, I faced Calum. He was beaming, transformed from his earlier moodiness. He wore ceremonial robes of a blue-black brocade with silver thread that danced in the torchlight — a mastery of sewing that transformed a coat into the night sky.

"You're dressed up," I said, stepping back and allowing him entrance.

He stayed put in the hall. "I am here to deliver this" He handed me a parcel wrapped in green paper.

I took the package. It was soft and pliable in my hands. Fabric. "What is it?"

Calum lowered his voice and leaned in. "I can't tell you, it's a surprise." He winked and grabbed the door handle, pulling it shut. "Put that on and meet me back out here."

Confused, I frowned at the door. "What are you up to?"

"Get dressed!" Came his muffled reply.

I ripped open the package. A length of slippery, gauzy fabric slid over my hands like water. The material was airy, the color of fresh cream. Holding it up, I realized it was a dress in the new relaxed, peasant-style that was sweeping the Mainland. The seamstresses had been in a tizzy over it. A wide, open neck with yards of pleated fabric that fell loose and flowing around the body. Sheer sleeves with more gathering to create a soft, billowing shape. A simple, forest green sash to go around the waist. Across the cuffs, waist, train, and bodice were embroidered wildflowers in muted, autumnal colors. I recognized the work at once. It was Wallis' signature style.

I knew what I held, knew what surprise awaited me. Covering my mouth, I blinked back tears. Turning back to the door, I wrenched it open. Calum looked at me with raised brows.

"You're not dressed." He drawled, unmoved by my emotion.

I sprung on him, wrapped my arms around his neck. "Thank you," I breathed, "Thank you!"