Scottish Beauty

Chapter Twenty-Three - Scottish Beauty



Chapter Twenty-Three

Tension filled the air, Emma didn't understand why when they had unannounced visitors at the castle who were most definitely welcomed into their home.    Being the Lady of the castle, Emma decided that she had to do something, had to say something because the eerie quiet was bothering her.

Turning towards Angus now......"Angus....will our guests being staying for the evening meal?" Emma asked him sweetly.

"Um......perhaps ye should like to ask them Emma,   Ye are Lady McKenna now, tis your place to invite the guests," Angus told her smiling and reassuring her.

"Aye," she replied and turned to their guests.   "Tis almost time....ye will both join us for a late supper.   Have ye come from far?"

Swallowing loudly, Donald had to resist holding back for all he wanted to do is hold Emma in his arms and tell her how much he missed and loved her.    "Ah......" he looked over at Andrew now and then looked back at Emma..."That would be lovely Lady McKenna.   We rode hard for two days, tis been a long journey."

"Andrew, ye dinna tell me twas a long journey for them.  I would have prepared chambers for their stay.   Lady Elise, ye will be wanting a bath, aye?" Emma asked her sister.

Elise feeling extremely uncomfortable looked over at her father she could see the hurt in his eyes, she looked over at Andrew now who was also feeling their pain.   "Aye...um...Lady Emma, a bath would be most welcomed.    I thank ye," Elise got out barely for there was such a lump in her throat, it was difficult for her to speak.

"Come along then," Emma asked her as she grabbed onto Elise's arm.   "Ye canna wear those breeches at supper, tis most indecent." Emma was telling her as she pulled her along to the stairs.    Elise turned briefly to view all six of the men watching them leave the great hall.   Emma stopped halfway to the stairs......"Ian....will ye please tell cook to hold supper for an hour or so."

"Aye, Emma...I will do that for ye," Ian responded to her and left to go and see cook.

"I dinna have any gowns with me Lady Emma," Elise said quietly.

"Dinna worry Elise..............may I call ye Elise?" Emma questioned her.  "Tis too formal to add Lady to your name all the time, and please, dinna call me Lady Emma......just Emma twill do fine," Emma smiled happily to her.

When they reached Andrew and Emma's chambers, Elise was in awe.    She knew for certain that Emma was very well cared for and loved by all of the McKenna's.  Especially Andrew, the way he looked at her sister with all the love in the world, she knew that Emma was happy here.  The thought was bittersweet though, Emma happiness was what they all wanted but knowing that most likely Emma wouldn't be returning with them to Castle Campbell would be extremely heart-breaking to their Mother.

"Tis yours and Andrew's chamber?" Elise asked Emma as she looked around the grand bedchamber.  

"Aye," Emma replied walking over to her trunks and started searching for a gown for Elise.   "Och....tis a beautiful one," Emma said as she held up a green gown.    "Twill look lovely with your hair."

"Nae Emma.....tis much too beautiful for me," Elise started to protest, the gown was of luxury and Elise preferred more plainer gowns.    Her sisters though, they preferred gowns that were much more feminine, with lace, jewels, pearls, but not Elise.

"Nonsense," Emma told her without even batting an eye.   "Ye will wear the gown.   I hear the servants in the bathing chamber....they'd be filling up the tub for ye.   Come along!"  Emma called to her as she laid the gown on her bed and walked towards a door that was in the chamber.