34 - Sparrow's Nest

Ailsa

As soon as I returned home, my mother dragged me to my room where a new dress awaited me.

It's a pretty beaded thing with green silk and delicate lace trim, something so nice that I gasp at the sight of it. I've never been allowed something so beautiful.

Soon after admiring it I'm pushed into a seat as Mother and Gentry begin to fuss over my hair.

"Where have you been? The woods? This closer resembles a sparrow's nest than a young lady's hair!" Mother clicks her tongue, pulling through the strands of hay colored waves with a boar hair brush.

It snags on tangles enough times to make my scalp sting before it glides through uninterrupted.

"Make no mistake, lass, you will be shining like a jewel when the Ramsays arrive. They'll be here before supper, so we don't have much time."

I stare at my mothers reflection in the mirror before me, she stands over my shoulder as she assess me and all the work she has.

A frown so deep maims her face that I fear it'll become permanent soon.

"Aye, there is much to be done."

My face is washed and I'm wiped down with a sponge. Gentry gently arranges my hair while mother pinches my cheeks and pulls my undergarments on. I'm dashed with rose water and stood up like a doll to be dressed and prepped for pretend play.

Soon all that is left is the gorgeous dress, and after it's on and I have to turn to my dusty mirror, I hardly even recognize my own reflection.

Gentry smiles brightly, and mother's scowl has lessened. I'd say they're satisfied with their job.

Mother hurries to leave as commotion erupts downstairs. That means they've arrived.

The door closes and Gentry is hugging me, her strength crushing me to her easily.

I won't fight it though, her touch is comforting, especially at a time like this.

"I'm so sorry, Ailsa. I tried to stop it, believe me, I did, lass. I tried but..."

"But my father is a stubborn man." I finish for her, tipping my head back to look at her face, her eyebrows drawn together. "And what he wants, he gets."

Gentry's eyes brim with sorrow.

She doesn't say anything, but we both know I'm right.

The clan is bustling with excitement at the visitors that have joined us. Everyone is gathered together in the dining hall as food is served and ale is poured.

I can hardly hear or think over the noise, and I hardly touch my food as I can feel numerous eyes on me. My family. My clan. The ramsays.

I'm beginning to feel hot and flustered at the unwanted attention.

My husband to be meets my eyes several times, catching my discreet observations every time.

Since I can't look at him long without making eyecontact, there's very little I can pick up on, but it's enough to know I'm going to be marrying a boy.

His face is decorated in red dots, his hair greesy and flat, flat blue eyes hungry and curious as he watches the low neckline of my new dress.

I have to look down as I wonder what it is that's drawing his gaze there. My face flushes when I spot the line between my breasts on full display. My plump chest is pushed up and out for all to see.

And I would be lying if I said Douglas wasn't enjoying the eyeful.

I nearly choke on my bread, coughing as I quickly wash it down and try to keep my stomach settled with some deep breathes.

By the time dinner is over I've managed to avoid Douglas's gaze as well as his mother and father. They too shoot me interested glances from time to time.

His mother appears as if she smells something rancid, her long nose pointed high with a permanent look of disgust. His father is a large man, but not portly and rounded like my own father, no, Laird Ramsay is built like a barge with muscled arms as thick as tree trunks.

This will be my own family soon, how soon I don't know. The real mystery though is for how long.

Every bit of the afternoon drags and reminds me how much I miss Fraser. It makes me crave his touch, his eyes, his easy smile.

I can hardly wait to sneak away and see him tonight.

As soon as supper is done and over I try to escape, but an iron grip clasps my shoulder so right that I bite my bottom lip to keep from screaming.

"Behave. You must meet Douglas and Laird Ramsay." Mother hisses in my ear, yanking me for effect. I nod. "You can't just slip away whenever you feel, you stupid girl. Come."

She lowers her hand to my elbow, smiling politely at every person we pass. She greets clan members and welcomes any Ramsay that looks her way.

My mother plays her part well, perfectly done would say, but I see right through it. I can spy to the very rotten core of her performance. Likely because I've been exposed to the opposite everyday of my life.

I'm pushed into a small circle of people, and my father grunts in achknowledgement before hauling me before the teenage boy who has been watching me all evening.

"This is my Ailsa. Ailsa, this is-"

"Douglas Ramsay, I'm sure you've heard of me."

This close I can see all the things I hadn't noticed at the supper table.

He's my height, his eyes level with mine. His presence, while irritating, is not as freighting as I'd once thought it would be.

He grabs my hand and gives it a kiss, his lips somehow cracking and wet at the same time. I think I might choke.

"Let us leave the young kings to become acquainted, shall we?" Laird Ramsay booms, clapping my father on the back. "Let's have some whiskey, the night is still young after all."

The pair of men chuckle as they leave us, the dutiful wives following closely after as Douglas and I are left behind in the private hallway.

I watch as they leave, gulping as my comfort slips away with each footstep that echoes off the stones around me.

My parents aren't much company, but being alone with a stranger won't be easy.

"So, you're the defected lass that will be warming my bed."

The comment makes my heart stutter. I turn my head slowly to Douglas to observe the dangerous smirk on his face.

"Pardon me?" I balk, wondering if I heard him correctly.

His hand moves to my face, and I flinch. His cold fingers press into my jaw, twisting my head from side to side as he looks me over like a piece of venison.

"You'll do, I suppose. There are prettier lasses in my clan, but they all feel the same in the dark."

I know my face is bright red from the insinuation, and I gasp, trying to say something, anything in retailiatoln and coming up short. I've been stumped into silence.

"I've heard there's something wrong with you. Is that true?" His slick gaze travels down my body and up again and I'm suddenly feeling as if I'd rather be anywhere else but here. "You seem healthy enough."

I want to strike him, but that wouldn't end well for me.

"I have an ailment, a sickness of the lungs. It's plagued me since I was a child." I explain softly, and Douglas considers this.

"Is it contagious? Could you pass it to me?" He wonders, worry creasing his words as if the thought is terrifying.

I turn my head as a wicked idea forms.

"I fear it is. That's why so many stay far away from me, the sickness could transfer from a simple touch." The lie slides off my tongue easily, and I hide my joy even as Douglas takes several steps away from me.

"Nonsense! My father wouldn't stand for me to marry a sick wench. You must be lying."

I shrug, feigning indifference.

"Or Laird Sinclair made my condition seem much smaller than it is. How else would he get someone to marry me?" I supply, amazed at how easily my acting has improved when I'm backed into a corner of pure desperation.

Real, unbridled terror looks back at me, and my betrothed walks around me, leaving a wide berth and keeping his hands up as if to ward me off.

"We will see about that. I'll find out for myself! Until then, stay away from me!" He commands, and when he's far enough away for his liking he sprints down the hall and away from me.

I giggle when he's gone, basking in the fear filled looks he shot over his shoulder as he assured himself I wouldn't follow after him.

After he's gone, I race to my room, trying to put Douglas out of my mind.

Once he finds out I lied to him, tricked him, he'll be angry. He likely won't be the only one upset by my actions. I'll face those consequences later, for right now I have a prisoner to visit.

More tomorrow! See you then ❤️