Chapter 61

Frang called the others back to the room and informed them of the news. Thorburn and Stuart clasped Frang on the shoulders.

Ailene climbed onto the bed with Isobel and gave her a huge hug. "Welcome to the family, sister."

Even Teárlag congratulated the couple. More news Blackthorne will be mad at hearing, she thought. I hope he doesn't take it out on me.

"When shall we have the wedding?" Stuart asked.

"I would suggest we announce the wedding tonight at the Festival and have the ceremony tomorrow," Ailene said. "Most of our friends and family are already here, save for Bjarkë. Our guests can spend the night and join us for the ceremony tomorrow. The Keep is as clean and decorative as it can be for the Festival. Isobel can wear my wedding dress. We can modify it to fit her. We have enough food for a feast. I think it would be wonderful!"

Frang looked at Isobel. "Does this meet with your approval?"

"Why not? You're all mad. I might as well be as crazy as the rest of you."

Frang hugged Isobel.

"Come on, Isobel. You must try on the wedding dress now so we can begin immediate alterations." She pulled Isobel up off the bed. "Stuart, inform the cook that we're having a wedding tomorrow and to plan accordingly. Move people, we have a wedding to plan."

Isobel and Ailene rushed out of the room and Stuart left to inform the cook of the changes to be made for the wedding. Thorburn, Frang and Teárlag were left looking at each other.

"If you need more room for guests tonight," Teárlag said, "feel free to move my things into your room, Thorburn. I planned to spend the night there anyway."

"Are you not worried in the slightest for your reputation, Lady Mackintosh?" He asked.

"A good reputation is so exceedingly dull, don't you think? My reputation is already tarnished beyond redemption, Thorburn. Knowing you are the one fertilizing my field could do nothing but enhance it."

Thorburn stood, speechless. Teárlag smiled and took Frang's arm.

"Give me a tour of the rest of the Keep, Frang, except your brother's room. I'll let him show me his room later." They left, arm in arm, Frang expostulating on the different parts of the Keep.

Thorburn shook his head in wonder. He'd never known a Lady as forward as Teárlag. He'd best keep that in mind or he would find very few decisions left to be made. The servants had set up her room near his. It wouldn't be much of a problem to move it himself. In a matter of minutes, the matter was dealt with. Thorburn's cock began to swell at the thought of spending the night with Teárlag.

"Try this on," Ailene said, handing Isobel her wedding dress. "You're taller than I am, but we can lower the hem. We may have to take in the seams as you're thinner, but we should be able to get everything done by tomorrow afternoon."

"Ailene, this is beautiful. I didn't have a gown so lovely when I got married. Are you sure you want to alter it? You may never be able to wear it again."

"When would I ever be able to wear it? I don't plan on getting married again. I've found my husband. We've had our ups and downs, but he is the best man I could imagine for myself. Go on. Put it on."

Isobel removed her clothing and put on the dress, a dove gray brocade with white lace sleeves. Ailene started tucking, pinning and measuring. She checked the bottom hem to see how much the dress could be lowered.

"You look beautiful. Frang will die when he sees you in this dress. He wasn't here for our wedding so he's never seen it."

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing, Ailene?"

"What do you mean? Don't you love Frang, even a little bit?"

"I care for him I suppose; certainly more than I cared for my first husband, but I'm afraid more like a brother or good friend. I still dread sharing Frang's bed, or any mans, for that matter. He's agreed to wait until I'm ready before claiming his marital rights, but I worry I'll never change my mind. If it were just me, I'd refuse him, but I must think of the child now. As a gambler, he says he's willing to take the risk I'll eventually love him. He imagines the reward worth the risk. But I feel I'm cheating him. He could make a much better match with a woman far more eager to share herself with him. It seems selfish."

Isobel took the pins out of her mouth and pondered the question.

"He's convinced you to take this step?"

"Yes."

"I suppose it is a risk on his part. If he's willing to hazard a chance at happiness with you, it would seem his prerogative to do so. He is kind, attractive, attentive (and a great lover, though Ailene could not say it aloud), and I imagine he has other qualities which commend him as a husband. He must believe he can win your heart."

"He is all those things. He's been very generous with me. I shall try to open my heart to him."

"It seems all he is asking of you is to try. Most marriages, at least among the gentry, are arranged. Oftentimes, the couples don't know each other when their vows are taken. I didn't know Stuart very well when we were married. Tis fortunate I find him so compatible to me. Despite our lack of knowledge and love in most cases, we manage to adjust. Sometimes we find love as a result, as I did. You know Frang better than I knew Stuart. You've a head start on most of us."

Ailene went back to work pinning and adjusting. In a few minutes, it was done. She had Isobel remove the dress and put on her other things. They went to the well lit sewing room where Jinny and two others were finishing the red brocade Festival dress.

Jinny saw them enter and called them over to see the repair she'd made to her tear.

"It's a wonderful job, Jinny. You can't even tell it was torn," Isobel said. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Lady McTavish. I'm sorry I tore it."

"Would you like to make it up to her, Jinny?" Ailene asked.

"Yes. What can I do?"

"Lady McTavish is going to be marrying Lord Frang tomorrow. We'll need to alter this dress before the ceremony tomorrow. I've pinned it already. Do you think you can have it ready by two tomorrow afternoon?

"Let me see it, please." Jinny looked it over carefully, noting the changes which needed to occur. "Aye. This can be ready by then. You'll be marrying Lord Frang then, Lady McTavish? That's wonderful. He looks like a man who knows how to take care of a woman between the sheets, he does. Many's the lasses hoped to topple into bed with him, begging your pardon, but he were a righteous man who never took advantage."

Isobel smiled. "I heard he did all right with the ladies while he was in France."

"Sowing his oats, no doubt, but he's been more serious and less frivolous since his return. Appears he's ready to settle down now he's found the one for him. I'm glad it's your Ladyship. You've been more than kind. I'm sorry for what happened this morning. I hope the strappin' weren't too bad."

"Less than it might have been if not for your merciful request. I will also apologize again. It seems my short temper this morning was due to an unexpected pregnancy."

"Your Ladyship! You're with child? Is it Lord Frang?" Jinny asked.

"No. Unfortunately, it's a byproduct of my last marriage. One final insult visited on me by Abner McTavish."

"Nothing you were hoping for then. Does Lord Frang know?"

"Aye. He's agreed to raise it as his own," Isobel answered. "A kind gesture on his part."

"That it is, your Ladyship. Tis a fine family, all raised right by Lord Jamison and his wives. You couldn't do wrong with any of the brothers, nice lads all, they were."

"I hope so, Jinny, I hope so. Thank you for altering this dress for me."

"It's no trouble. I'm happy to do it."