Chapter 3

His wife led the way up the stairs, her head high, her back straight. She would have looked confident and proud if it weren’t for the nervous way her hands gripped her tunic. Though most women had the option of hiding their hands in their skirts so likely many wives felt as she did now. His brothers had both known the women they were wed to and even coupled them before when the women had been willing and glad to join with them. This moment was not a happy or solid beginning to their lives. As she opened the door to her chamber Gair decided this was not going to go the way the emissary expected. The man would be in the room, as required, but he would not be getting the show that he had no doubt had while ensuring Paddy and Eliana were wed. Izzy stepped into the room ahead of him and Gair stopped, bracing his arm across the door and preventing the Emissary from entering. The man’s eyes widened and he opened his mouth, but before he could speak Gair told him the way things were going to happen.

“You will wait here, emissary. I will open the door and tell you where you are to sit. You will stay there until we are done and I tell you to leave. Is that understood?”

“That is not - “

“You will see only enough to know that the deed has been done,” he interrupted, “that is all that is required, and all that I will allow.” Without waiting for another word, Griogair stepped into the room, closed and barred the door.

He turned to look around his wife’s bed chamber. The bed was small, as though it had been made for her when she was a child. There was a thick fur rug on the floor to one side of it and a large chest at the foot of the bed. The candle on the bedside table looked new, the wick still long and the candle thick and tall. There was a single chair and a small table by the hearth. His wife was by the window. The fur was tied to one side and of the opening and she stood there looking out. Her whole body was tense. Up until now, when she’d crossed her arms she had looked angry about the whole ordeal, but now, the way her fingers were gripping her arms, made it look as though she were trying to hold herself together.

He went to the hearth first and picked up the chair. It was not very sturdy, but would likely hold the emissary. If not, the man and his overfed belly would fall to the floor. That would definitely change the mood of the day for them. Placing the chair by the door Gair bent to be sure that it gave only the view of the bed that he wanted the emissary to have. The man would see the motion that was required for the act, but not a single bit more than that and definitely not an inch of his wife.

Gair stepped up behind his new bride but did not touch her. “Fret not, lass. It will not be what you are expecting.” He whispered to be sure his words could not be heard by the emissary who waited just outside the door.

“We have no choice,” she answered softly, taking a deep breath that shuttered on its way in as though she were trying not to cry. “I will survive. We are wed and must do as the king requires. Please, do make it quick if you can. My maid said if I pleased a man it could be quick. Do I please you?” He heard the tremor and uncertainly in her words.

“I think you are quite bonny, Isobel.” She nodded and took another shaky breath.

“If it is permissible, when you are finished, I’d like a hot bath. A warm soak should... ease the hurt. I will be recovered and presentable in time to join you at the table for the evening meal.”

“I will not hurt you.”

“You must.”

“No. Listen to me. I know how to make the emissary believe we have consummated the vows without me actually entering you. That can wait until we ken each other and are both agreeable to it. Today will be just for show.”

A loud knock sounded at the door, “enough Alasdair! Must I remind you that I need to see this happen? The king has decreed I must be in the room to observe if no bloody sheet can be provided. Standing in the hallway will not suffice. Your bother did not take nearly so long to go about it! I wish to get on with the day.”

“A moment emissary,” he called to the door, “I but undress her. You need not see her naked to witness the act. I will not have another man look upon my wife.”

“How,” she whispered. Gair touched her arm, hoping to get her to turn towards him. Instead, she jumped, sucking her breath between her teeth and leaning away from him. He lifted it off her immediately, scanning her profile.

He had been with only one lass who reacted that way to a simple, gentle touch. Was the reason the same for his wife? Her father said he’d had a man try to get her with child, he had not said Isobel had been agreeable to the plan.

“Your father had the man force you, and not gently,” Griogair said, feeling certain it was true. When she didn’t answer he put his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. Tear-filled emerald eyes blinked up at him and she nodded, obviously unable to answer with words.

“All will be well, you’ll see.” He reached up and touched a curl of her hair. “I am glad that I know you have been hurt that way. I will take even more care with you. I know you do not know me at all yet, but try to trust me. I promise that I will not enter you this day, and what we do will not hurt. Can you trust my word?” She nodded, though the look on her face made it oblivious that she doubted she could trust him and was not even at all certain that she should. “Hurry now, lady mine. I will go to the door and keep myself turned away. You must take off your trews and tunic and leave them on the chest at the end of the bed. Leave the chemese on, get into your bed and cover yourself to the neck with the counterpain. The kings ass will believe you naked, or at least naked enough. Let me know when it is done so I can let him in. You will not be hurt. Trust in me.”