The Highlander's Lass; Arran's Story

Chapter 11 Maisie

Wallace Castle was a hive activity since Arran's proposal, that was just three days ago. But both my ma and Gavin agreed that Arran and I should be married as quickly as possible. That the sooner we were married, the less of a chance my da would find out before we could exchange our vows and also consummate the marriage. The moment Arran pleasured me the night he proposed to me was something I never had experienced before. I had not even considered such an act, let alone perform such an act on Arran. But I was filled with so much love, so much lust in that moment. That I also wanted to give him pleasure. Since the night he had proposed, Arran was by my side every chance he had. Both ma and Lady Davina were planning every detail about the wedding ceremony and the feast afterward. Leaving me to oversee the children. Arran would whisper sweet nothings in my ear when the children were not looking. Or kissed me, which got a giggle out of Fey. We however received a disgusted look from Douglas. Douglas was only seven, he had much to learn about love and what it meant to love a woman. Arran Wallace had made me happy and content. Something I had not felt since Callum's death, well before his death. I wanted nothing more than for this happiness to last. That da would accept my marriage and that it would benefit our clan greatly. But he would not see it that way. He never saw anything with sense. He only saw it through his discolored view of hate. The hate he had toward me.

Three days passed, and the day of my wedding to Arran had arrived. It would be a small affair, as there was not much notice to have guests travel from far off distances. The guests were mostly from Clan Wallace. Really the only members of Clan Hamilton that would attend the wedding was my ma and Henry. But I was alright with that. Ma and Henry were the two people I loved the most. Having them here to see me married to the man I loved was enough. I had the bath brought in so I could bathe before the ceremony. I wanted to look my best today, for Arran and show that I was not just a weak woman but a proud Hamilton woman. I scrubbed my skin with scented oils, and made sure that my hair was pinned up so it would not get wet. As I continued to scrub and Charity poured more hot water. My mind drifted off to my da. I wondered what would happen when da discovered that I was married. That ma allowed me to be married to another man. Not the one he chose for me. That I disobeyed him by marrying the man I loved. I knew that he would be furious, perhaps livid. But would he do something that he would regret? Perhaps harm Arran and his family? He would have no qualms of harming me, he has done it so many times before. But would he harm the man I loved? The family I had grown to love? My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at my chamber doors.

"Enter," I called from the tub. Both my mother and Lady Davina walked through my door. My mother had a dress over her arm. She looked at me and gave me a smile.

"I had this gown made for ye, as soon as Arran asked for your hand. I had a servant go down to the village and have the seamstress prepare this gown," ma said. I stood up and Charity came over to wrap a sheet around my naked body. I walked over to where my ma was standing, I reached out and touched the dress. It was beautiful, ma always had exquisite taste.

It was a cream colored gown with red flowers sewn into the bodice of the gown. The sleeves which were just off my shoulders had the same red flowers, the sleeves stopped at my elbow and flowed out from there. I could not believe how beautiful it was. The red was the same red as the Hamilton plaid, that just made my heart proud.

"Mama thank you, it is absolutely beautiful," I said. Charity took the dress from my ma and laid it out on the bed. Charity began to dress me, pulling my corset as tight as it would go. Allowing my breasts to be properly exposed. Both Davina and ma watched, both had smiles on their faces. Davina no doubt remembering her own wedding.

"Are you excited about your wedding Lady Margaret," Davina asked. She was sitting on the edge of my bed. Her hand on her growing stomach.

"Aye, I am. I never thought that I could ever marry a man I loved," I replied. Charity laced the skirts and bodice on. Ma reached out and took my hand.