Scottish Beauty

Chapter Four - Scottish Beauty

Chapter Four

There never was a lovelier vision that graced the great hall of Clan McKenna as Lady Roslyn McKenna...until now.      Emma walked down the stairs leading into the great hall with such grace and poise, there was no doubt she was of noble birth.    Wearing one of Lady Roslyn’s gowns, she was stunning.   She wore a pale lavender gown that was cut low in the front it cinched her tiny waist tightly and flared beautifully at her hips.   Her lovely hair was unbound and swaying down to her hips as in waves of fire.

All four McKenna’s sat motionless in their seats as they watched her slowly descend the stairs.   Angus was the first to rise and walk over to Emma.

“Lass, ye are vision of loveliness, “Angus murmured to her as he took her hand, placing a kiss upon her knuckles.    He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and escorted her to the family table upon the dais.  

“Thank ye Laird Angus, I thank ye for allowing me to stay here and be cared for,” Emma told him as they approached the table.   All three brothers politely stood all of them fixated on the lovely lass in front of them.

“Lass, now what have I spoke to ye about?   Nae calling me Laird, Angus will do, no such formalities at Clan McKenna,” Angus told her as he held out a chair for her to sit.     Andrew as his heir sat to his right, and since Emma was a guest, she was seated at his left.   Next to her was Robert, who was grinning and Andrew was frowning because Ian sat next to him, not Emma.

“Ye look lovely lass,” Robert told her, leaning in so that no one could hear.   He thought he was being quiet, but Andrew was very receptive and heard every word.  More gritting of his teeth, he wondered how he would sit through meal after meal and watch his brother flirt with her.  

“It’s your Mother’s gown Robert.  I hope ye dinna mind?” Emma asked him.

“Nae, Mama’s trunks are still in one of the spare chambers.   We should have given her gowns away, but they meant too much to her, so we kept them.   We thought maybe someday the next mistress of this castle would like them,” Robert told her, looking a bit sad as Andrew had been speaking of their Mother.

“Aye lass, Lady Roslyn’s gowns are yours ye may take whatever ye need.   If ye need more, then we can summon the dressmaker from the village, “Angus said as he butted into their conversation.  “There are also bolts and bolts of fine cloth in the storage rooms.  I can get Margo to take you.  Ye may pick what you like and have some gowns made if Lady’s Roslyn’s gown are not to your liking.”

“Nae, Lady’s Roslyn’s gowns are beautiful, I thank ye again,” Emma told him, her smile genuine.    She meant what she said, the gowns were lovely, very luxurious, she couldn’t ask for more beautiful clothes to wear.

As the meal progressed Angus told silly stories to Emma about the boy’s youth.   She laughed, and giggled, and watched as the brothers cringed when the story was about them.   She enjoyed being with the McKenna’s, she knew it was not her real home, but for now, it felt like home and she really didn’t want to even think of leaving.